MAY 2008


Dear Friends,
Here are some quotes from our younger members about what they like most about the Bible.

“When Jesus died and then he rose up to heaven,” Hannah

“Joseph grew up in Eastertime,” Joshua.

“Mostly I like all of the Bible because the whole thing is called the Wholly Bible,” Samuel.

“I liked when John the Baptist baptized Jesus,” Pearl.

“I like when Jesus was born,” Ava.

“I think the story of King David: I like when he was anointed with the oil by Samuel,” Victoria.
For the past two years, we’ve had 3 classes each week in Bible for children aged 2 – 13, plus SHIFT, our high school youth program, going steadily with good attendance and participation on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Since these classes don’t happen on Sundays, you might not realize how important they are to the many children who participate.  They are learning a lot and it will serve them well all their lives.  Thanks for helping to give them this gift of Bible literacy.

Blessings, Edie Bird

Worship Update
May 1, The Feast of the Ascension, Noon.
We’ll have a small service to celebrate this great feast of the church on Thursday, May 1, at noon.  Weather permitting, we will gather in the garden. If it’s cold or rainy, we’ll gather in the church.

May 11 Pentecost Sunday, celebrations at 8 am, 10 am and 5 pm.
Following Pentecost, we enter the long season of Ordinary Time. At 8 am, we’ll be using Rite II, Prayer B during this season.  At 10 am, we’ll continue using the booklets and service music (also Rite II, Prayer B) we’ve been using during Eastertide.
Writing Prayers
The Prayers of the People are intercessions intended to reflect the cares and concerns of the local community. Those forms in the BCP are surely some of the best prayers for common worship ever written but for many, they lack the immediacy of prayers written by and for the local congregation. 

A group of interested members is forming to examine intercessory prayers and work toward learning how to write prayers suitable for use at the Prayers of the People in our liturgy. The rubrics of the BCP (see p. 383) will structure our work. Although there will be no formal readings (such as a text) we will examine P of P from other places and liturgical traditions. 

John Burton will facilitate the group and needs to hear from you (253-1230 or e-mail at frjohndb@gmail.com) if this is of interest to you. Time and place will be determined by mid-May and will be selected to include as many as possible that wish to participate.
ECW by Marty Johnson
The Episcopal Church Women of St. James' are invited to a salad dinner at 6:00 pm on Monday, May 5th in the undercroft of St. James' Church hosted by Mary Hill, Laura Shoffner, and Cheri Mumaugh.

We have changed the location from Mary Hill's home due to the flooding of Table Rock Lake and the continued closing of the Beaver Bridge.  This is a wonderful event where we all gather together in thanksgiving for spring and wonderful food and friendship we have shared all year.  Since this is our last meeting of the year, we ask that you each bring a salad to share and perhaps the recipe if you so wish.


This will be a delightful way to end our very wonderful year. God's blessings are everywhere around us, especially in the work that all of you do each and every day.  I thank you for the opportunity you have given me this year to serve as president of ECW.  And even though we are a small group of women, I believe that we have touched so many other lives.  I am so grateful for all of you.
Women of Vision Retreat - Friday, May 9th & Saturday, May 10th
All women are invited to the Women of Vision retreat sponsored by St. James' ECW and given by a team of three very talented women presenters from the state ECW organization.  The retreat will be held at Little Portion Retreat Center on Friday, May 9, beginning at 1 pm and ending on Saturday, May 10, at 6 pm.  The cost is $53 for one night’s accommodations and all meals and materials.  However, if you would like to stay at home, the cost will be $28 for all meals.

Participants in this retreat will find affirmation, time for reflection, opportunity for nurturing of themselves and others, and practice of newly acquired skills.  This is a scripture based program that provides a fresh look at communication and ways to enrich our ministries.  In the past we have enjoyed being together in this peaceful and relaxing setting of Little Portion where we can gather together in love and prayer and celebrate our skills and gifts.  If you are interested, please call Marty Johnson or Suzanne Tourtelot or add your signature to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the undercroft.  Payment can be paid at check-in time, or in advance by writing a check to ECW and given to Jane Acord, ECW treasurer.
Flint Street Fellowship
The Flint Street Fellowship located at the corner of Flint and Main Streets in downtown Eureka Springs is generally referred to as “The Food Pantry.”  Since 1991 this ministry has provided groceries, nourishing meals, resource information and fellowship to people in need. The little chapel that houses the Food Pantry is approximately 120 years old.  Over the years it has been a stable, produce company, and grocery store.  For forty years before the start of the food pantry, it was a church.
 
Twice each week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am through 2 pm, food is distributed to those in need.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11 am to 12:30 pm, lunch is served. 1900 volunteer hours each year keep this ministry alive and vital in our community.  Many people from St. James’ are part of this effort. In April, for instance, Kay Wayman, Suzanne Tourtelot, Elizabeth Sherret, Lucille Zimmermann and Cheri Lacock provided baked goods and supplies for the luncheons. Clifford Porter and Frances DaVilla assisted in the kitchen, preparing, serving and washing the dishes. Betsy and Scott Rodier delivered our contributions to the pantry. And many unsung heroes donated items to our wicker basket in the narthex for the food distribution at the pantry.
 
If you have been helping, thank you.  If not, we would love to accept your contribution. Together we can make a difference as we serve God’s people in our community. --  Betsy Porter
Women’s Institute June 6 – 8
At the Heart of it All is the theme for this year’s Women’s Institute at Camp Mitchell June 6 – 8.

Sr. Faith Margaret of the Community of the Holy Spirit in NYC will offer meditations June 7 and 8 to encourage reflection on how God is at the heart of it all and will explore the essence of the God who loves us like a mother.

Edie Bird will lead the Quiet Day on Friday, using the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers to teach about the stewardship of the soul and offer a tune-up for body, mind and heart.


The weekend begins Friday at 10 am and ends after Eucharist on Sunday. Cost for the whole weekend is $150 including lodging and food.  Costs just for a day are $30 for Friday, or $35 for Saturday. Registration forms are available online at www.ecwarkansas.org or at the church.
Everybody Needs A Will
Consider leaving St. James’ a gift in your will or trust.  We have a local attorney willing to write free simple wills or codicils to those interested in leaving some bequest to the church.  In furtherance of the Episcopal Church's planned giving program, St. James' parishioner Bill Hill will discuss your estate needs and plans with you and write a simple will, codicil, or trust amendment to help you make the church and your heirs financially secure.  To make an appointment, call Bill Hill at 253-7074 office or 253-7078 home.
Happy 125th Birthday St. James’
Did you know that St. James’ is officially 125 years old this year?  We have beautiful shopping bags with a picture of the church by Paul O’Neil to commemorate this our 125th year.  We’re also planning some celebrations for ourselves and the wider community during this important year.

June 8, there will be a Gospel concert by Canadian musician Denis Grady beginning at 7 pm at the church.  Denis is a singer/songwriter who works with John Michael Talbot and agreed to do this concert at St. James’ in exchange for a free-will offering and overnight accommodations.  He has several great CDs of Gospel music and has spent time in Haiti doing missionary work.  His voice is sweet and light (sounds a bit like Jackson Browne) and his humor is infectious.  He and his musical partner Dan Agajanian will offer an uplifting evening of songs, bluegrass music and light-hearted humor.  Come and celebrate with us.

Our amazing organist Carroll Heath will be giving a concert to celebrate our 125th year, featuring the new organ, around St. James’ Day, July 25.  Watch for more information on this grand celebration of beautiful organ music. And also watch for more parties and events to celebrate our 125th.  Happy Birthday St. James’.
Building Community and Keeping Healthy
Where can you buy delicious freshly-baked bread from Larry and Christi Wagner, get a hug from Heather Quinney, and fresh, organically grown vegetables from Patrice Gros, along with a host of other good, healthy foods from various vendors?

Where can you stroll along in the beautiful spring weather as you shop, see friends and neighbors, build community, strengthen the local economy, and know that your food is healthy and fresh as can be?

Where else but the Eureka Springs Farmers’ Market.

Come to the market on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 am – noon, on Highway 23 at the former Eureka Screams Theater (formerly Bart Rocket Magic Theater, etc.) and see what a pleasure it is to do good.

Ecumenical Library
Representatives from three area churches are exchanging ideas on how to establish an Interchurch Library in the Eureka Springs, Holiday Island area.  A combined list of each church’s materials will be available so that anyone could know what books are available in the various participating churches.  The committee hopes to create a computer database for patrons to access and search by author, title, keyword, or Dewey decimal number.
Dr. Bob Messer is one of the committee members and spearheading this effort.  Churches currently participating are Holiday Island Community Church, First United Methodist Church, and St. James’.  Once the library is established, we hope to develop an ecumenical book club for discussions, possibly arrange for pick up and delivery of books to our homebound, and establish a Want List if one of the libraries does not own a wanted book.  If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Susan Walter.
Memorial Service for Gilbert "Gib" Klarr - 5/16/29-4/4/08
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 11:00 am for Gib Klarr.

Gib passed away at his home in Sylvan Shores on April 4th after a long struggle with illness and injury.  The service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Eureka Springs where the Klarrs are members.  Members of the Ozarks Chorale will provide special music.  Refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall of the church immediately following the service.   
An informal reception will be held at the Grassy Knob Fire Department Community Center from 2:30-4:30 pm.  The community is invited to gather with Carol and the family to celebrate the life of a fine man who will be greatly missed by his loving family and his many friends.
In the Library: the famous novel Silence
For 20 years people have been telling me to read the novel Silence by Shisaku Endo.  I had heard it was one of the finest novels of this century, and among the best of modern Japanese literature.  Shisaku Endo has the unique experience of growing up as a Christian in Japan, a descendent of those who converted during the flowering of the Christian mission in the 16th century.  Those same converts were ruthlessly persecuted when Christianity was outlawed in the 17th century. Silence tells the story of a Portugese missionary who secretly travels to Japan to serve the struggling Christian community there.  It is a harrowing and morally complex novel, and one that depicts a little known chapter of religious history.  Indeed the book is haunting and deeply probes the nature of faith in the midst of religious persecution. I highly recommend it.  It is in the St. James’ library, so you can check it out. - Edie
  May Flowers –
May  4  Judy Godfrey to glory of God & thanksgiving for St. James’
May 11  Dale Caldwell in memory of Susan Dillie Jane Wood Johnson
May 18  Jerry & Kay Wayman for their Wedding Anniversary
May 25  Pat Armer in memory of her Dad
May Birthdays –
 7   Elizabeth Sherret
 8   Jane Acord
 9   Laura Shoffner
14  Nellie Walker
15  Joshua Warner
17  Tom Rennels
21  Randal Thompson
23  Laura Barker

Sunday Worship Ministries

Sunday Readings
from the RCL
  MAY  4
(EASTER VII)
MAY  11
(DAY of PENTECOST)
MAY 18
(TRINITY SUNDAY)

MAY 25
(2nd SUNDAY after PENTECOST)
Reader - 8 am Karen Pryor Suzanne Tourtelot Dan Mumaugh David Miller
Readers - 10 am Clifford Porter
Bob Rennels
Bill Hill
Ed Tolle
Suzanne Tourtelot
Milo Warner
John Willer
Jerry Wayman
Acolyte/Crucifer Hendrik Pot Mary Springer Susan Vanselow Cheri Lacock
Chalice Bearer
Gloria Rennels Jane Acord David Vanselow Larry Johnson
Ushers Bill
& Elizabeth Sherret

Cheri Lacock
Jerry Wayman
Jane Acord
John Garner
Jeanne Omundson
Heather Quinney
Offering Counters Suzanne Tourtelot
Don
Omundson
Mary Springer
Cheri Lacock
David Vanselow
John Garner
Bill Pugh
Heather Quinney


Eucharistic Visitors


   MAY  4
(EASTER VII)
MAY  11
(DAY of PENTECOST)
MAY 18
(TRINITY SUNDAY)
MAY 25
(2nd SUNDAY after PENTECOST)
 Gene Thomas
Jane Acord
Karen Pryor
Laura Shoffner
Cheri Lacock Suzanne Tourtelot
Peachtree
Marty & Larry Johnson Milo Warner
The Rev. Betsy Porter
Judy Godfrey


Treasurer's Report by Kevin Crosson

MARCH 2008
Income Expenses Net Income
Budgeted
$10,452
$31,356
ytd
$11,506
$
34,518 ytd

Actual
$8,463
$36,591
ytd
$9,211
$
31,845 ytd
($748)
$4,735 ytd
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