SERVICE SCHEDULE AT ST. JAMES’

 
Wednesday - 10am - Healing Service w/Eucharist

Sunday - 10am - Holy Eucharist

​

Masks are now required for everyone.

Social distancing and contact tracing are still in effect.

​

A NOTE FROM REV. GIN MANNISTO

August 27, 2021

Dear Friends, 

Once again we find it necessary to make changes to the protocol in regards to COVID-19. The rate of Transmission of the Delta Variant  in Chippewa County is high and therefore it has been decided that everyone will be asked to wear a mask in the church at all services. Singing will still take place but while wearing a mask. We will still have the opportunity to intinct (dip) our wafer in the chalice but we will suspend the use of the common cup. We will continue to social distance while in the pews, going forward for communion and entering and leaving the church.

These decisions have not been made without the input of others. The MST met last night and we had a lengthy conversation about the best practices to use in protecting each of us and I have been in several conversations with the Sr. Warden, Ruth Neveu. 

Bishop Rayford Ray has asked all of the congregations in the diocese to use the CDC tracker to determine the rate of transmission for their appropriate  county and follow the CDC guidelines. You can go to the link, select your state and county and see the information that goes into making the decision.

 

CDC COVID Data Tracker

This Sunday, August 29th, Susan Harries member of MST and Ruth Neveu, Sr. Warden will facilitate a conversation to give each person the opportunity to express their concerns in regards to COVID and our protocols. Pat Galey, a member of the MST and a Doctor in his life away from the church has offered to be present to address the medical information in regards to the virus and ways of transmission. 

The congregation of St. James has been very flexible at a time where we have all been stressed. It is important that we care for one another and provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone. I feel blessed to be partnered as a Missioner with this congregation.

If you have questions or concerns that I can help you with please feel free to email me or call me. 

Peace,
Gin Mannisto
St. James Missioner
(906) 439-5320

A NOTE FROM THE OFFICE:

​

Week 80 "Work from Home" / Week 12 of "Hybrid"

​

All was quiet in the office this week.  A great way to get caught up on the little side jobs that needed to be done.  

At home was another story.  After five days of  no sign of our houseguest, he was back.  We did find a half-eaten dead rat in the basement, so perhaps the dead one ate the poison and the other one was dining on him.  Since thta find, we have not had any signs of the last rat.  Prehap the poison is working.  Traps were still set with no activity.  Hopefully we have finally caught them all.  We have blocked any entry point we can find with spray and steel wool made specifically made to deter rodents from entering.  Fingers crossed this works.  I really need a good night sleep.

​

DIOCESAN CONVENTION - CHANGES TO VIRTUAL.

People are needed to to attend the 125th Annual Diocesan Convention on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The event will be on-line from 10:00 am - 3pm (eastern time).    If you are interested, contact the church office (906) 632-2451 or stjames533@gmail.com or Ruth Neveu at (906) 440-0124 or by email ruthaneveu@gmail.com

The vestry is in need of a vestry clerk to take the minutes at meetings.  They meet the third Sunday of the month after the 10 a.m. service.  If you are interested in taking minutes for the meeting, please contact Ruth Neveu at (906) 440-0124 or by email at ruthaneveu@gmail.com 

Our Wednesday Healing Service w/Eucharist is at 10 a.m.  Our Sunday service is at 10 a.m. followed by a social hour.  If you would like to have coffee, there is a sign-up sheet in the undercroft.  Please note that if you sign up, you will have to make the coffee and clean up after.  

We want you to remember, ALL are welcome to God’s table for communion.  Receiving in one kind (spiritually, Host and/or wine) is communion.  We want everyone to feel comfortable when receiving, therefore, before receiving communion, we ask you to use the hand sanitizer provided.  Those using intinction (dipping the Host) will receive first.  Those who wish to share the common chalice will receive last.

Stay healthy and get the vaccine when you can.

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, pledges are still needed to keep the church operating.  If you would like to keep your pledge up to date and are not comfortable attending services at this time, you can mail checks to either the church (church mail is forwarded to my home) 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."

If you would like to include any family news in the weekly newsletter, let me know by Thursday 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 in the weekly newsletter.

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

Announcements

 

To place items in the weekly bulletin, weekly newsletter, or on the website, contact the office by phone  or email.
 

Office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 12noon.

Many thanks to those who contribute returnable cans and bottles to our recycling container at the church. Contributions really add up during the year and the proceeds go towards helping area families purchase gifts and food during the holidays.  Please remember to remove all caps from bottles and make sure that the bottles you leave are clean and returnable for a deposit refund. Susan Harries would like help taking the cans and bottles back to stores so that they don't pile up near the trash receptacle. If you can help with this project, please contact Susan at (906) 322-1793 as to the procedure to follow to document the number of bottles and amount of money taken in.

​

Please update your email address with St. James:’  stjames533@gmail.com

 

To keep Up-To-Date on Happenings around St. James & the Sault, go here and click on the link to sign up for the weekly newsletter.  To add news, the office needs it  by 11am Friday.

​

Rainbow Recovery (RR) and the group “One Day At A Time of Alcoholics Anonymous” (ODAAT-AA) are back to virtual meetings at St. James.  Rainbow Recovery is Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and ODAAT-AA is Fridays at 7 p.m.  Call Mike D. (906) 259-0203 with any questions.