PARISH GROUPS
The ACOLYTE GUILD, composed of 16 trained young lay people, assists the clergy by carrying the cross, lighting and extinguishing the candles, handing water and wine to the priest, ringing the bells, and dispensing incense.
ALPHA is an effective yet simple evangelism tool to reach the unchurched and an opportunity for churchgoers to review the basics of Christian faith. The 10-week course developed at Holy Trinity, Brampton, London, England, has been successfully used by thousands of churches worldwide. St. James' Alpha courses are held regularly and well attended.
The ALTAR GUILD is a ministry of volunteers dedicating their time and skill in preparing the altar and church for our weekly services, festivals, and other important events held throughout the year. They maintain the Sunshine Fund and the Flower Chart, and conduct the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive with contributions going to the Salvation Army for the homeless. Altar Guild meets on the first Saturday each month at 2:00 pm.
The BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW, an international ministry of men within the Anglican Communion, was incorporated by an Act of Congress signed in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Every Brotherhood chapter observes three disciplines: Prayer, Study, and Service, particularly outreach programs. A grant of $3,000 sponsored orphans in a Uganda orphanage/school. The Brotherhood hosts the parish Thanksgiving dinner and on St. Andrew's Day a parish breakfast. The St. James chapter, with 26 members, sponsors the Angel Tree program to provide Christmas gifts for children whose parents are in prison. A telephone Call Care Ministry was introduced in 2004. Bible study meetings are held monthly on the second Saturday at 10:00am. Annual membership is $30 and $1 monthly dues.
The CHOIR takes part in the Eucharist service at 10:30am Sundays and practices Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm. New voices are always welcome. The Choir's concerts raise substantial money for outreach programs.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - On Wednesdays at 2:00 pm the Adult Christian Education group meets. The program began in 2004 and now has many participants. During Lent the Adult Christian Education group meet once a week on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00pm with a soup and bread meal. We have two active youth groups which is comprised of a group of intermediate youth (middle school) and a group of high school age students that meet monthly for activities and bible study. We have an ongoing Vacation Bible School every summer and will expand that during the holiday season in December. We have three Sunday School classes which consist of Pre-K, Primary and Intermediate. The high school students are assistant teachers in each class as a part of their program.
CURSILLO (Spanish for "little course") originated in Majorca, Spain in the 1940's with the Roman Catholics. Eight dioceses and thousands of Episcopalians are involved in Cursillo weekends, three days which involve daily Communion and five daily talks given by clergy and laity, followed by discussion. The St. James chapter meets on Tuesdays.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING - St. James Mary Magdalene Chapter, officially charter in 1982, began in 1980 with 7 members. The membership has doubled. Every Daughter pledges herself to a lifelong program of prayer, service, and personal evangelism. Twice a year (Lent and Advent) Quiet Days are co-sponsored with the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and shared with sister chapters in the diocese. Daughters participate in the prayer chain for the sick and infirm of the parish.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN is open to all female members of the parish. They visit the sick, hold Palm Sunday bake sales, pariticipate in the United Thank Offering Ingatherings, and hold a Church Periodical Club book sale to benefit the parish's college students with book scholarships to defray textbook costs. Scholarship applications are available in March. Care packages are delivered to the Center for Women & Children of Domestic Violence. Labels and can tops are collected toward computers for local elementary schools and stamps are sent to Bishop Gray Inn. They cook and serve meals for the homeless at Genesis Center and once a month host a Coffee Minute. A Valentine Tea and Avon Cosmetic Drive helped raised funds for parish Air Conditioning Fund and Vacation Bible School.
The EVANGELISM GROUP began in 1999 with six members and membership continues to grow. The group meets on Thursday evenings at 7:00pm in the Great Hall. They sing hymns, read the Bible, listen to Evangelism sermons, followed by discussion and pray for everyone's needs. All are welcome
The FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE comprises three groups: The Coffee Minute, Celebrations and Name Tags. The Coffee Minutes ensures that coffee and doughnuts, cookies or pastries are available after the 8:00 and 10:30am church services to foster sociability among parishioners. Volunteers are welcome. Celebrations include food for other events, such as funeral receptions. Two certified food managers oversee food preparation. Four faithful women are the certified Name Tag Committee and provide name tags to parishioners before each service.
The FERRIS SCHOLARSHIP originated as a gift, honoring the Rev. Eversley and Mrs. Martha Ferris, for parish students pursuing advanced studies after high school. Interest earned on the principal is used for scholarships. Funds raised through special envelopes in March are added to the principal. Applicaton deadline for scholarships is January.
The FINANCE & BUDGET COMMITTEE reviews the Treasurer's report monthly, prepares the parish budget, oversees the income, deposits and expenditures of church monies and ensures that an annual audit is performed.
FUNDRAISERS are held by the St. James Islanders and the Cruise Committee. The St. James Islanders Club was formed in 1989 with the sole purpose of raising funds. Each April they host the Annual Celebration of Life Bar-B-Que, and each October (birthday of our patron, St. James) they host a profitable Dinner Dance.
The Cruise Committee arranges for major cruises, special trips to other states, such as New Orleans and Biloxi. They also arrange for dinner theatre attendance.
HEALING MINISTRY - A weekly morning service of healing and the Holy Eucharist is held on 10:00am on Wednesdays. A Healing Ministry of Prayer began in mid-2004. The purpose of this ministry to to offer anoiting with oil and prayers for healing to members of the congregation during the Eucharist at both Sunday morning services.
Ten trained LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS assist the clergy by reading the lesson, leading the psalm reading and prayers of the people. They also administer communion at all Sunday and special services. Several are licensed to take the Sacrament to shut-ins. Three alternate at Wednesday healing services as acolyte, reader and leader of prayer and help administer the Blessed Sacrament.
The MAILING COMMITTEE is responsible for preparing the church newsletter, the Beacon, for mailing each month, as well as all membership mailings.
The MISSION CLEANERS, made up of 16 volunteers, keep our church, chapel, parish hall and classrooms sparkling clean. We thank and salute these unsung heroes. By their efforts they save the church money. They also donated $10,500 to nine projects.
The NEWCOMERS COMMITTEE welcomes newcomers to our church. In 2004, St.James had 134 visitors and 73 newcomers. In the spring, a Newcomers Recognition Day is celebrated. Newcomers receive a letter of welcome, follow-up phone calls and a souvenier pen and bookmark. We invite newcomers to complete the identification-information card.
OUTREACH includes the Dominican Republic Team and the Soup Kitchen, as well as contributions to Food for the Poor. St. James has been active with the San Andreas, Santo Domingo church project for the past three years. In 2005, teams will visit in May and June, refurbishing the old vicarage and converting it into a small conference center. For the past four years, Soup Kitchen volunteers have prepared and served meals to the homeles at Genesis Lighthouse Center on Kennesaw Street in Port Charlotte for the Homeless Coalition. This is an every Tuesday evening activity.
The USHERS GUILD is made up of dedicated people who greet and seat parishioners, distribute bulletins and pass the alms basin. The Minister of Ushers, deeply rooted in scripture, descends from a long line of people of God who preceded them. In the fall of 2001, Ushers of St. James began providing auditory equipment to the hearing impaired. New members are always welcome for this ministry.
The VESTRY, twelve elected lay persons and the Rector, are the governing body of the parish. Members serve terms of from one to three years. The Vestry meets in the Parish Hall the third Monday at 7:00pm. |