I am pleased to announce that St. James will be hiring a Children, Youth and Congregational Life Coordinator. Our goal is to have the right person on staff by early Fall. We will focus on attracting young families with children, while maintaining our excellent music, pastoral care and adult education programs. We also will explore ways to expand our church’s outreach, meeting needs, healing hurts and being a place of grace for all people.

As your Rector, I sense renewed energy and enthusiasm in our parish today. We attract new members to the church almost every Sunday. We have 18 pastoral visitors to the sick and homebound. We have a good number of volunteers for our community and school breakfast programs. We are sending ten children to Huron Church Camp this year on full scholarships. Our Rector’s Class consistently draws 25 to 40 attendees. Our children and youth ministries offer stellar programming led by dedicated teachers, with the parish continuing to prepare for the next Taize pilgrimage. Our worship is inspiring, thoroughly Anglican and seeker-sensitive. And, of course, our music ministry is outstanding. In almost every way, we are a strong, healthy, vibrant parish with enormous potential.

Yes, these last six months have been like a roller coaster ride, but the trends are now upward. So what will it take to keep the momentum moving in a positive direction? The answer is to look to Jesus. Since Lent I have been pondering the question: “If Jesus were to come to St. James, what would he say to us?” I think he would say at least four things.

First, I think Jesus would say, “Make me the centre of attention.” It is so easy for us to get distracted from what really matters in the Christian life. We need to focus on the majors, not the minors, by making Jesus the centre of our lives. We must seek his will. We must follow his ways. We must do his work. Quite simply, Christ has to be at the heart of everything we think, do and say, because we are the Body of Christ, his hands and feet in the world.

Billy Graham, preaching in Australia, told the story of a Baptist who wandered into an Anglican Church for worship. He was amazed at all the standing up, kneeling, and sitting down that went on during the service. But he was so pleased that the sermon was the same joyful gospel. At some point in the service the Baptist shouted out, “Amen Brother!” The usher came down the aisle and tapped him on the shoulder and said, “We don’t shout ‘Amen’ in here.” “But I got religion,” said the man. The usher replied, “You may have religion, but you didn’t get it here!”

I hope we at St. James don’t have religion. I hope we have Jesus. I hope we feel the Spirit stirring in our lives, warming our hearts, and drawing us to become faithful followers of Christ. When we focus on Jesus, and make him the centre of attention, all other issues will take on their proper place.

Second, I think Jesus would say to us, “Pray more.” I remember a wise priest saying to me, “Gary, the best

S t . J a m e s W e s t m i n s t e r C h u r c h 115 Askin Street, London, ON, N6C 1E7

www.saintjameswestminster.ca office@stjameswest.ca Ph: 519.432.1915 What Would Jesus Say?

Westminster Chimes June 2014

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

Notices

Thank you

4

Family Ministry 5

Tree Planting

End of the Rope

5

Garden Concerts

Job Posting

7

Save That Date

Volunteers

Needed

8

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church decisions are prayed, not made.” We need to seek God’s will and discern God’s Spirit as we move forward as a church. Yes, we all have our opinions on where the church should go, but what is really important is God’s opinion. Are we listening enough? Are we praying enough? Jesus prayed, “Father, not my will but yours be done.” Let that be our model of prayer as we seek God’s will for our church.

Have you heard the story about the preacher and the taxi cab driver who happened to die at the same moment? Arriving at the gate of St. Peter simultaneously, the taxi cab driver is awarded a fabulous palace, complete with fountains, vast lawns, and an army of servants. Meanwhile, the preacher is moved into a modest home for eternity. Discerning the discrepancy of the situation, the preacher complains to St. Peter. “Look, I have spent all my life in service and ministry to others. If this guy deserves a palace, so do I.” To which St. Peter replied, “Up here we go strictly by results. When you preached, people slept. When he drove, people prayed!”

We at St. James need to pray more so that all our decisions and actions are in accord with Christ’s will for his church.

Third, I think Jesus would say to us, “It’s time to abandon any pretence or even desire of being a perfect church, because ‘there ain’t no such thing’ – there never has been one nor will there ever be.”

A bishop was greeting people after a worship service when suddenly he was confronted by a man who said, “I’m not a church member, bishop, and I’ll tell you why. I have never found a church that is perfect. If I could ever find a perfect church, I would join it.”

The bishop looked at the man straight in the eye and said, “My friend, the church is not perfect because I am part of it. And if you ever become part of it, it will be even more imperfect!”

The bishop was right. There are no perfect churches because there are no perfect people. In fact, another name for the church is “Sinners Anonymous.” At our best, we are a group of forgiven sinners called into companionship with Jesus. We may sin differently, but we all sin. The

good news is that Jesus accepts us, just as we are, warts and all. And he wants us to treat others with the same love and acceptance that he treats us. Remember what he said on the night before he died: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Those of us who are part of the church know we are not what Jesus calls us to be. We spend too much and share too little; we judge too many and love too few; we wait too long and act too late. Instead of love, mercy and forgiveness, we are more likely to engage in backbiting, faultfinding, rumour mongering and gossip.

The truth is, none of us are doing God a favour when we join a church. We are very imperfect as individuals and the church is a very flawed institution. If someone asks you what the chief trouble with the church is – tell them it is you and me. We are in it and we are sinners. So when any of us fall short of loving one another, as each and every one of us will time and time again, the only appropriate reaction on our part is not judgment or condemnation, but tears.

Finally, if Jesus came to our church, I think he would say, “Lose yourselves in order to find yourselves.” Certain things in us must die in order for better things to live. That is the meaning of baptism. We are buried with Christ in baptism in order that we can be raised with Christ to new life. Pride must go. Arrogance must go. Being judgmental and self-righteous must go. Keep in mind: none of us have all the answers to all the problems before us. We need to listen and learn from one another, and above all, to love one another even when we disagree.

When I served in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I saw an amazing thing happen at a prominent Baptist church. The congregation was split right down the middle over calling a certain candidate as pastor. A vocal group pressed for a negative vote that would mean the rejection of the pastor’s candidacy for that church. The group believed that the pastor did not interpret scripture properly. What began as a mild argument during the congregational meeting turned into a bitter

Choir Concert - April 6, 2014 Photo by: Tim Fewster

dispute between those who supported and opposed the candidate. The pastor was rejected on a close vote, but the people were friends. Instead of one group or the other leaving the congregation and joining another church, and despite their disagreement, they went out in two’s and three’s, had coffee together and talked through the problem. They didn’t find any easy answers that would resolve their theological differences, but through genuine Christian love, they were reconciled to each other. Because they resolved to retain their connection with one another, a split was avoided, harmony was restored, and eventually they found a pastor suitable to both factions.

I am showing my age here, but Peter, Paul and Mary are one of my favourite folk groups. Mary is

now dead, and Peter and Paul have gone separate ways. Paul Stookey is an evangelical, and I think his song, “For the Love of It All” is a masterpiece. Joined in the lead vocals by Susan Werner, he sings, “Long ago on a hilltop where now the curious crawl / A man on a cross paid the ultimate cost / For the Love of it all / For the Love of it all / We are gathered by grace / …It is still not too late to come celebrate / The Love of it all / ‘Eli, eli, lema sabachthani’ / The Love of it all.”

As your Rector, I believe in St. James Westminster Church. Yes, we have our work cut out for us, but by God’s grace we can make our church a house of prayer and a beacon of hope for all people, everywhere – for the Love of it all.

Your Friend and Rector, Gary Nicolosi

NOTES FROM ACW

Christmas Shoeboxes: Think of the shoeboxes if you see articles on sale this summer.

Parish Bake Sale in the fall: Please do some summer planning. If you are making preserves such as jam, jellies, relishes, & pickles - make a bit extra. Fresh frozen rhubarb (4 cups per bag.) We are always grateful for any contributions. ACW has paid for 2 of our church children to spend a holiday week at camp. (Thanks to your baking and buying!!)

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Kitgum School Update: Due to CRA restrictions on out-of-country donations, we are discontinuing financial help to Kitgum School. We have supported the school for over 13 years. We started small and now have a school from nursery to Grade 8, 9 school rooms and 18 Ugandan teachers. Thanks for all the help.

Do you need a ride to St. James Westminster Church on Sunday Mornings? There is a possibility of getting on the bus with members from Wesley Knox United Church, based on the routes that they currently run to pick up their parishioners. You would be here in time for the 10:30am service. If interested please contact the office at office@stjameswest.ca or 519-432-1915.

Bus #1: Starts at the Oxford/Highbury/Mornington area, ventures to the York/Colborne area, then down to south London to the Windblest/Sandringham area, circles back to the Gartshore. Estimated ride time 30-40 minutes

Bus #2: Starts at Longworth Retirement, ventures out to Cadeau in Byron, Cherryhill at Oxford, could stop at Chelsey Park or Chartwell, then travels Wharncliffe to Askin.

Congratulations: The Rev. Robert Skirving, son of our former Rector Archie Skirving and his wife Anne, was elected Bishop of East Carolina on May 17. Pending the required consents of bishops and standing committees of the Episcopal Church, Rob will be consecrated bishop on November 8 at the Rock Springs Center in Greenville, North Carolina. Rob has been Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midland, Michigan since 2005. Previously, he served as Rector of Bishop Cronyn Memorial Church here in London. He is a divinity graduate of Huron College, and of course, knows our parish very well. Please keep Rob and Sandy in your prayers as they make the transition to North Carolina and say good-bye to their parish in Midland. We wish Rob every blessing in his new ministry.

Notices

Thank You, Laura Manias: After six years as Sunday School Assistant, Laura Manias has decided to step down from her position in order to devote herself more fully to her career and calling as a public school teacher. Laura has served this parish faithfully for six years and through two transitions in our family life ministry. She has gone the extra mile and done whatever she was called to do in order to insure a top quality Sunday school experience for our children. She has enormous love for our children and our church as well as a deep and abiding commitment to God. She has blessed this church in countless ways, often without being noticed or recognized. She is a model for all of us of Christian service and commitment. We will celebrate and thank God for Laura’s ministry on June 22nd at the 10:30 Eucharist. Do plan on attending that day and saying “thank you” to Laura for a job well done.

Thank you, Peter Cunningham: Our Assistant Sexton Peter Cunningham will be retiring in September after many faithful years as our second sexton. As Rector of St. James, I have counted it a high privilege and enormous blessing to have Peter as my colleague on the staff of this parish. Peter has been faithful, reliable and extremely diligent in his duties and responsibilities, both in maintaining our facilities and in assisting me with weddings, funerals and private baptisms. His extreme patience with non-members at weddings demonstrated his caring, compassion and gentleness with people who may know little or nothing about the Anglican way of being Christian. His work in cleaning and setting up before and after the community breakfasts, along with his treatment of our guests, showed his deep respect for those living on the margins of society. Peter has been, in every sense, a tribute to our church in reflecting Christ’s love to people along with a conscientious commitment to the maintenance of our parish campus. On Sunday, June 22nd, we will honor and thank Peter for his work on behalf of this parish. When you see him, be sure to express your thanks to this good and faithful servant of our God.

Thank You

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Thank You!! In December I asked the lovely people of St. James Westminster to support my school C.C. Carrothers by donating mittens. Wow did you deliver! 100 pairs of mittens and gloves + 7 hats + 1 scarf + 1 coat + $100 donated = God’s love keeping children warm!!! My Kindergarten students and I so appreciate your generosity. We now have enough mittens for next year too! Thank you so much!!

10 St. James youth & 2 leaders joined 77 other youth and leaders from across the diocese at Spring Youth Conference 2014! It was a wonderful event with great weather at Huron Church Camp.

St. James Westminster Sunday School: I love reading and telling stories, especially to children. Stories have characters, settings, and problems that help children relate to a lesson. Jesus told many stories, called parables – I counted around 40 in the four gospels. He used parables to teach his followers (us!) about God and how God wants us to live.

Since Easter, the Sunday School children have investigated three different parables: the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32), the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9), and the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). We chose these parables to illustrate God’s love, how we hear God’s word, and how we should act as followers of God, and how faith grows. Also since it’s spring, the theme of caring for the earth and each other is very relatable for children. We did a lot of planting – planted mustard seeds, created planters for the St. James Bruce st. steps – and illustrated with pictures and drama these parables.

As we close out the school year and our regular 10:30 Sunday school, it is a good time to reflect on the past ten months with each other. It has been a challenging year in some ways, but we continue to bless each other with a strong, faith-filled community at St. James where children and families gather together to worship, celebrate and walk along side each other on this wonderful journey of God’s love.

As this is my final Westminster chimes article as Sunday School coordinator, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the St. James staff and wardens for their support, and parents and children for sharing their lives with me over the past 6 years. I also want to thank the many volunteers who have supported the Sunday school program – especially Judy Jones, Shen Jones, Heather Aipperspach, Alannah Collier, and Natalie Tattersall. I know that they and the rest of the St. James congregation will continue to love and teach our youngest parishioners about Jesus.

Have a blessed and relaxing summer! Laura

Family Ministry Notes from Laura Manias

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A number of years ago I had the privilege of going rock climbing. In preparation, classroom sessions were held to learn about the equipment, climbing techniques, safety procedures and to meet and get to know one another as we would partner each other and put our lives in each other’s hands. The weekend event took place at Rattlesnake Point near Milton Ontario. We set up ropes at a popular climbing wall. There was a plaque affixed to the rock face nearby: a memorial to a practiced and well respected climber who had been ‘free’ climbing and slipped and fell to his death. It was a sobering reminder of the risk commensurate with the exhilaration of mastering the climb.

We all had our first climb, cheering and encouraging each other on. It gave a new appreciation of the difficulty in being able to see your next hand or foothold and selecting the best route while on the climb. All the while you are fighting to hold on and your arms and legs are getting weak and shaky. It was far easier to see what the next move should be from the perspective of onlooker down below. The

At the End of the Rope coaching and encouragement from teammates below was invaluable.

On the second climb the route was more challenging, watching as others struggled with this one particular spot. My turn. Staring at this next move, it seemed absolutely impossible. The hand hold I was to reach for was nothing but a slightly raised bump in an otherwise smooth rock face. I went for it with everything I had. Grab, Slip, Fall. I found myself dangling mid-air in someone else’s hands, the hard ground below. After that experience, the fear left, I knew I could trust and I tackled the climb with a new confidence.

What I didn’t know at the time was how important this experience would become in my life. Just a few years later, I would find myself hanging at the end of my rope. Deep inside me, I knew that God was holding fast to that invisible rope. I knew I could trust Him with my whole life. He fills me with the confidence to face life’s challenges.

The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Josh. 1:9

For the joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10

A fellow sojourner, Jennifer Camman

On June 1st, 140 volunteers representing seven London faith groups planted 500 trees and shrubs at Meadowgate park. 20 volunteers from St. James Westminster assisted in the tree planting, along with participants from Al Mahdi Islamic Community Centre, Congregation Or Shalom, London Muslim Mosque, Muslim Association of Canada, Temple Israel of London, and Trinity United Church Community Centre. It was a beautiful day for planting and playing outside. Thank you to Julie Ryan and ReForest London for coordinating such a fun event giving us the opportunity to be loving, tender caretakers of God's earth!

Interfaith Tree Planting

St. James will be hiring a Children, Youth and Congregational Life Coordinator who will be responsible for overseeing family and parish life. We hope to have the position filled by early Fall. The position is for 30 hours per week with the possibility of becoming full-time. Judy Jones and Lisa Archibald are developing a job description for the position based on the one previously developed last term. If any parishioners have suggestions or comments about the position, please share them with Judy or Lisa, one of the wardens or the rector. Any suggestions of potential candidates are always welcome.

In addition to the Children, Youth & Congregational Life Coordinator, we are looking for a suitable candidate to become Sunday School Assistant in light of Laura Manias’ decision to step down. This is a very part-time position of five to eight hour per week, though there is some flexibility here. There is a job description for this position, and anyone interested is welcome to have a copy by requesting one from the parish office. Obviously, a love for children and some experience and knowledge of Christian formation is highly desirable. Any person from within the parish or beyond is welcome to apply by contacting the Rector.

Children, Youth and Congregational Life Coordinator

and Sunday School Assistant

St. James Westminster Garden Concerts 2014

Wednesdays in July at 7:30pm in the Memorial Garden of the church - 115 Askin Street, London, Ontario

Rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather the concerts will be held in the church.

Wednesday July 9 Donna Creighton and Al Parrish

(contemporary singer/songwriter)

Wednesday July 16 Jennifer Fagan (Broadway and Jazz Favourites)

with Steve Holowitz, Steve Clark and Greg Mainprize

Wednesday July 23 The Golden Harps Steel Orchestra: An evening with a

Caribbean flair.... enjoy the ‘sweet sounds’ of the steel pan

Wednesday July 30 The Barry Usher Trio (jazz for a summer evening)

with Chris Norley and Peter Hysen

Please bring a lawn chair. The church would welcome donations

in support of our Music in the Garden outreach ministry.

Canada Day Sunday, June 29 – We will celebrate Canada Day and give thanks for our nation at both the 8:30 and 10:30 worship services.

Summer Schedule, July 6 through August 31 Our summer worship schedule begins on Sunday, July 6th and continues to August 31st. Worship times are 8:30 and 10:00 am. We resume our normal 8:30 and 10:30 worship on September 7th.

July 9, 16, 23, 30 Wednesday evening Summer Garden Concerts

Round-Up Sunday, September 7th – There will be a parish luncheon after the 10:30 Eucharist, and coffee and fellowship after the 8:30 Eucharist. Sunday school and Youth Groups resume.

Pentecost Sunday, June 8 - Our former Rector, the Venerable Archie Skirving will be our guest preacher at the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist. After the service there will be a reception for Archie and Anne. Be sure to say hello and welcome them back to St. James.

Father’s Day, June 15 – We will celebrate Father’s Day at both the 8:30 and 10:30 worship services.

Picnic Sunday, June 22 – We will hold our annual church picnic after the 10:30 Eucharist. There will be a special church school presentation at the 10:30 Eucharist and we will also give thanks for the ministry of Laura Manias, who is retiring as Sunday School Assistant after six years of incredibly dedicated service.

Save That Date

The Community Breakfast program needs new (or returning) volunteers. If you are interested in either: a) joining one of the four quarterly teams, i.e., 3 breakfasts a year; b) wish to serve every month like some folks do (easier to remember); or c) wish to subscribe to the new Community Breakfast Monthly Headcount email that Greg Yarrow sends out each month - so that you can decide if you can pitch in when the team numbers for any given month are low - that would be great. For any of the above please email Greg at: greg_yarrow@hotmail.com

Summertime Gardening: If you would like to participate in the regular garden upkeep please let us know. We meet once every 2 weeks in the morning from 9:30-11:00 a.m. The day is not decided yet but you will be contacted. Sheila Shearing and Connie Jefferess

A Grand Opportunity… St. James Westminster has a long history of outreach ministry to Seniors in the Community. Monthly Sunday afternoon Services at Grandwood Park enable residents (some of whom are members of our parish) to participate in regular worship led by our volunteers. Several members of the parish have been helping with this valuable ministry for quite a while, and their contribution is gratefully acknowledged. With encouragement from Rev Gary Nicolosi – who takes Communion to the residents of Grandwood Park regularly – and support from our Administrative Assistant Rebekah Reid – it is hoped that our commitment will continue. However, the time has come to expand our volunteer pool. To any members of the parish who are interested in learning more about this opportunity to share faith and friendship on the first Sunday of each month at 2pm at Grandwood Park, please let me know. With sufficient volunteers, it would mean a commitment of two or three times per year. We particularly would encourage younger members to consider being part of the team and would love to have folk with musical talent to enhance the time of worship. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or Rev Gary if you wish to have more information.

Shalom! Margaret Cox (519-472-4099)