November 2020 - January 2021
Ministry Schedules
(click below)
A NOTE FROM THE OFFICE
Week 49 of "work from home" has been crazy. I received my first vaccine on Tuesday, and apparently I am my mother's daughter. I have a high pain tolerance but I always get the side effects of any med I take. This is very common in redheads. I have the redhead gene from my mom. Anyway, Wednesday knocked the wind out of my sails and I didn't really feel better until late Wednesday night. At least, I am on my way with the vaccine.
By now you should have received the annual report. Ballots are slowly returning. I have had questions regarading the Payroll Protection Loan we received from the government, in the amount of $6,192.00. This was the amount we qualified for to be used for payroll and other utilities to keep the church running. It totally slipped my mine, and I did not include a report on this in the annual report.
On a brighter note, the first day of spring is only 29 days from today.
At this time, we still do not have an re-opening date for St. James. As soon as we know something, a mailing will be sent out. Please remember to mask up, wash your hands, and socially distance.
Our next virtual coffee hour will be Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00p.m. There are two ways to join the coffee hour. To join by computer, go to https://zoom.us/ and click on join a meeting. The Meeting ID: 906 439 5320 and the Passcode: Saints. You can also dial by phone using the number +1 646 876 9923. The Meeting ID: 906 439 5320 and the Passcode: 346963. If you need more help in connecting, please do not hesitate to call someone on the team or vestry.
The Diocese of Northern Michigan has a live service Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EpiscopalDioceseofNorthernMichigan The service is available for viewing any other time on their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGV-u4HHBVutJkJU3BHvMFA The National Church also offers a Sunday Service at 11 a.m. on their website www.cathedral.org/worship/service
It is important that you remember, even though church services are canceled at this time, pledge cards and pledges are still needed to keep the church operating. If you would like to keep your pledge up to date, you can mail checks to either the church or directly to my home address, 508 Sheridan Drive, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
St. James’ main concern is that you all stay safe and healthy. Please remember to wash your hands, wear a mask, and socially distance.
If you have questions or concerns or need pastoral care, please do not hesitate to contact the church, Vestry, or MST."
St. James will continue working with Save-A-Lot Store and Community Baptist Church for the distribution of food bags, "Bags for a Brighter Holiday." Our distribution day is Wednesdays from 4-5pm in the church parking lot. Masks are required.
The church will continue to be closed to everyone. No one is to be in the building any other time. I will continue to work from home and will check the answering machine on regular basis.
Dave will continue to do a daily check on the building and I will continue to check the answering machine.daily, so feel free to call the church, (906) 632-2451, and leave a message.
If you would like to include any family news in the weekly newsletter, let me know by Friday morning. Pictures are welcome as well. It would be great to keep up on family news.
Hopefully you get a chance to use the "Prayers of the People" and "St. James Prayer List" in your prayers. If you want to add someone to the prayer list, email the church, stjames533@gmail.com or call the church (906) 632-2451 and leave a message. You can find the prayer list and the weekly prayers of the people below.
I am still in the process of changing computer programs for our membership and finances (something our auditors suggested). If you have changed phone numbers or email addresses recently, please email the church, stjames533@gmail.com with the changes. This also includes changes or additions for birthdates, anniversaries, family info. This has been more involved than I expected, but it is slowly getting done.
The diocese sends out emails with links to services and diocesan news. You can sign up for their UPCHAT information by contacting Jane Cisluycis.
Stay Healthy,
---Pam
RE-ENTRY DIRECTIVES
The following directives for Phase II have come from the Bishops of Michigan with additional directives from St. James’ Vestry and the Ministry Support Team. Please remember these directives are put in place for your protection.
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Masks and social distancing will be mandatory.
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Pews unavailable for seating will be roped off.
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The parking lot door will be the only entrance and exit.
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Households must sit together.
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Congregants will dismiss one pew at a time and in an orderly way to ensure social distancing.
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There will be no receiving line following a service.
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There is no nursery or in-person Sunday school or coffee hour following a service.
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Please remember non-contact greetings only and to refrain from shaking hands and hugging.
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People are to leave the building rather than mingling in-person
The following decisions will be in place when the doors open to help keep the traffic flow to a minimum.
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An usher will be available to assist in social distancing.
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The usher will keep an attendance list of attendees for contact tracing.
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A hand sanitizer station will be at the back of the church.
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Individually wrapped disposable masks will be provided for those that do not have one.
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The Sunday offering plate will be at the back of the church to drop your offering in as you enter.
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Bulletins will be on the back table for you to keep or dispose of after the service.
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The reader scheduled for the Sunday readings will sit in the front pew in front of the lectern on the south end.
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The same reader will also read the Prayers of the People.
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The kitchen is currently unavailable.
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Washrooms have been sanitized but wipes are available in the washrooms to wipe down things before using (if it makes you feel more comfortable). DO NOT FLUSH WIPES.
If there is an outbreak in Chippewa County, St. James might need to reclose. Therefore, please call the church office, (906) 632-2451, before attending to see if the service has been canceled. You can also check the website, or St. James Facebook page: www.facebook.com/stjames533
If at any time your health changes due to COVID-19, please notify Rev. Bob Aldrich, (906) 632-8598. Fr. Bob is our contact person with the Chippewa County Health Department. All calls will be confidential.
If there is anything, we can do to provide virtual worship services or pastoral care, please do not hesitate to let us know. Call the office, (906) 632-2451, and someone will get back to you.
The Diocese of Northern Michigan has a live service Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EpiscopalDioceseofNorthernMichigan The service is available for viewing any other time on their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGV-u4HHBVutJkJU3BHvMFA The National Church also offers a Sunday Service at 11 a.m. on their website www.cathedral.org/worship/service
Click here for "Bishops Directives for Re-Entry"
ADDITIONAL EUCHARIST DIRECTIVES FROM BISHOP RAY
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There will not be a deacon or acolyte.
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A Priest will be the only one behind the Altar.
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No communicating of the cup to the congregation.
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No singing.
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Folks will be asked to come up to the Priest for communion, social distancing themselves.
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Doors will be open for ventilation
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Fans cannot be on.
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Presider will sanitize hands before the Great Thanksgiving and immediately afterwards i.e. before they communicate folks with the bread.
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The Priest will not touch the hands as they drop the host into folks hands
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If they should touch someone's hands, they are to sanitize.
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EVERYONE WILL WEAR MASKS UNTIL THEY GET TO THEIR SEAT, THEN THEY CAN REMOVE THE MASK TO PLACE THE HOST IN THEIR MOUTH AND THEN REMASK.
ST. JAMES’ CHURCH DISCRETIONARY FUND
The Vestry and the Ministry Support Team have been in conversation regarding St. James’ Discretionary Fund.
The Discretionary Fund has always relied on the ECW, weddings, funerals, and donations for its funding. As those are now not as frequent, it was suggested to designate funds collected on the fourth Sunday of each month to be placed in the Discretionary Fund. These funds will be used by our Priests in order to assist others in time of need or crisis.
A collection plate will be placed by the font on the fourth Sunday of the month for donations to help the members of St. James to “Reach Out and Celebrate the Love of Christ.”
“Discretionary Fund” envelopes for loose offering will be next to the collection plate. If you would like to place a check in the Discretionary plate instead of cash, make it out to St. James Church and remember to put “Discretionary Fund” on the memo line.
Thank you for helping achieve our goal.