In this week's edition:

- Weekly Reflection: Gandalf at Advent

- Christmas concert thanks

- Dylan Rowland to succeed Will Cleary as interim music director

- Pledge card reminder

- Deacons' Advent Diaper Drive

- Upcoming St. PJ's dates and events: Blue Christmas, Greening of the Church, NeuroDivine, Hymn sing, and Christmas Eve services



- News from the Wider Church:

- This Week at St. PJ's

• Advent Adult Formation: Praying with the Psalms
• Cycles of Prayer
• Video: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon

- Support Loaves & Fishes and Sunrise Cafe during renovation

- Reach out to Rev. Nathan to schedule your household visit

- There's Always More...

Weekly Reflection: Gandalf at Advent

From the Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge

The eNews is late again. But as we prepare for his coming this Advent, Jesus will not be late, nor will he be early: Unlike the eNews, no matter what we do, He will arrive precisely when he means to.

(For those who got that Tolkien reference, I may or may not have watched the full trilogy over the past week... obviously the extended editions...)

I tell myself that the eNews goes out on Thursdays. But in truth, it's been around six months since that actually happened. Most of the time, I send it on Fridays. And every now and again, like today, it's a Saturday.

My hope is for the eNews to be a midweek touchpoint with the church, spread out from the Sunday service rather than back-to-back with it, cramming everything into the weekend. But as we said when turning in our first-draft papers rather than revised final copies during grad school: "Done is better than good!"

I think that's true of most things. True, we should take pride in our work, and respect others by being on time. But at the same time, letting the perfect be the enemy of the good means we ultimately just do less. The truth is, God loves us just the way we are. There's nothing we can do that could possibly make God love us more -- Ephesians explicitly tells us that grace is God's doing, not ours.

And the chances are that there's also nothing we can do to make our family or neighbors love us more, either.

Over and over again, God tells us not to judge, and to accept and give grace. Give some of that grace to yourself, too. It's okay if the eNews sends "late." It's okay if the altar hangings are a little crooked or out of place. It's okay if you burned dinner tonight, or were too tired to cook and ordered out again. It's okay if you can't find the perfect Christmas present or if your order won't arrive until December 28. 

There will be a December 25. And once it happens, there will be a December 26. Advent is about waiting and there's literally nothing we can do to change the length of that wait, whether for the first coming, the final coming, or so many events in between -- so sit back, smile, and give praise to God. Whatever happens during any wait, it's okay; you and your neighbors alike are so loved, just the way you are.

Christmas Concert Thanks

Monday night's Christmas concert with the St. PJ's Jazz Ensemble was a big success. We had approximately 55 people in the audience including many who had not been to the church before, wonderful holiday music, and a delightful reception.

A huge thank you to Will Cleary and Dylan Rowland for their hard work planning the concert and to Dontae James, Tido Holtkamp, and newcomer Patrick Gordon for lending their talents! My six-year-old even said the music was the best part of her day, which is pretty high praise when you consider that she'd gotten a Star Wars toy in her McDonald's Happy Meal only an hour before.

Also an enormous thank you to Susan Yates for organizing the reception, and to everyone who brought food and helped set up or take down. Unfortunately, I had to get a certain little one to bed on time so I couldn't stay for the whole evening, but I heard wonderful things. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Dylan Rowland to succeed Will Cleary as Interim Music Director

Speaking of the concert -- it may not be Will Cleary's last at St. PJ's, but it will be his last as music director.

If you missed the announcement on Sunday, Will has shared that after roughly 10 years in the position, Christmas Eve will be his last service as the St. PJ's music director. As Theodicy tours more and his faculty position at Southern Connecticut becomes full time, he has simply found himself stretched too thin, something we can all understand -- but he also still plans to stay involved with the church on the other side of the altar rail.

We are deeply grateful to Will for his many years with us, and are excited to welcome Dylan Rowland, our pianist extraordinaire and current assistant music director, as interim music director. You can read Will's announcement from last Sunday here.

Pledge Card Reminder

Our annual Stewardship Season concluded on Sunday, November 23. Thank you to everyone who brought their pledge form!

If you weren't present that day or forgot your card, that's more than okay. You can absolutely still place your sealed form in the collection plate on Sunday, or email it to our treasurer David Hill anytime. You can grab a pledge form at the usher's table in church, or download one online here.

Pledging our time, talent, and financial resource isn't just a financial commitment; it's a spiritual promise to make the church part of our lives and to be a part of the church's life in 2026. So even if you can only give $1, that is still an enormous gift, one that represents a holy renewal of relationship. Thank you!

Deacons' Advent Diaper Drive

The deacons of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut are inviting us to join an important, diocesan-wide diaper drive this Advent Season, in partnership with the Diaper Bank of Connecticut. 

Please consider bringing packages of diapers -- open or closed! -- to church from now through December 21. Place diapers on the side table in the front of the Sanctuary, next to the door to the office hallway.

According to The Diaper Bank website, 1 in 2 Connecticut families struggle to afford diapers to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy. Diapers can cost up to $150 or more each month and are not covered by SNAP or WIC assistance. Without an adequate supply of clean diapers, babies are more likely to suffer from diaper rash, urinary tract infections, and other medical problems.

We are pleased to share that St. PJ's will also serve as one of 11 collection points across the diocese for other parishes to bring their diapers for the deacons to gather.

Additional upcoming dates and events

• Thursday, Dec. 18, 7 PM: Blue Christmas service
• Milton Gilder will preach and the Rev. Harlon Dalton will celebrate Communion

• Sunday, Dec 21, after worship: Greening of the Church
• Please join the volunteers preparing the sanctuary for Christmas in between coffee and adult formation if you can -- many hands make light work!

• Sunday, Dec. 21, 4 PM: NeuroDivine, a low-stimulus Christmas worship service for neurodivergent families

• Monday, Dec. 22, 6:30 PM: Christmas Hymn Sing + Social (in the Sanctuary)

• Wednesday, Dec 24: Christmas Eve Services
• 3:30 PM: Children's Christmas Eve Service
• 8:30 PM: Traditional Christmas Eve Communion w/Jazz Ensemble

• Sunday, January 18: St. PJ's Annual Meeting and Potluck

News from the Wider Church

- [ENS] Episcopal Church Executive Council passes $45 million churchwide budget for 2026: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/12/11/executive-council-passes-45-million-churchwide-budget-for-2026/

- [Christian Century] Sing Christmas carols during Advent. Put up the tree before Halloween. https://www.christiancentury.org/online-columnists/carols-during-advent

- [ENS] Virginia church rallies behind Iranian-born sisters seized by immigration agents for deportation: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/12/09/virginia-church-rallies-behind-iranian-born-sisters-seized-by-immigration-agents-for-deportation/

- [ENS] Louisiana church to celebrate Las Posadas marking Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem amid ICE threats: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/12/12/louisiana-church-to-celebrate-las-posadas-marking-holy-familys-journey-to-bethlehem-amid-ice-threats/

- [ACNS] Anglicans, Lutherans issue statement reaffirming commitment to support refugees worldwide: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/12/09/anglicans-lutherans-issue-statement-reaffirming-commitment-to-support-refugees-worldwide/

- [RNS] DHS threatens Sister Norma Pimentel's migrant aid with 6-year funding ban: https://religionnews.com/2025/12/12/dhs-seeks-to-bar-federal-funds-from-sister-norma-catholic-charities-of-the-rio-grande-valley/

- [RNS] Islamophobia is being normalized at the highest levels. Christians need to learn to fight it. https://religionnews.com/2025/12/12/islamophobia-is-being-normalized-at-the-highest-levels-christians-need-to-learn-to-fight-it/

- [Sojourners] Christian Nationalism’s Power Rests On a Simple Proposition: No Questions: https://sojo.net/sojoshare/NTE5NTJ8MjM3NzkxfDE3NjU2MDUwNzF8MTM%3D

- [RNS] 'Joy Within His House': Making sense of life in a monastery: https://religionnews.com/2025/12/12/joy-within-his-house-making-sense-of-life-in-a-monastery/

Come to worship this Sunday, December 14, at 10:30 a.m. for the third Sunday of Advent, often known as "Gaudete" Sunday (Latin for rejoice).

Lynne Severance will preach and Marilyn Bergen will officiate Morning Prayer.

Kelly Park will continue the Advent adult-formation series on praying with the Psalms following the service.

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

In person and online

Wednesday Prayer 12:30 p.m.

In person

Thursday Compline 8 p.m.

On Zoom

Cycles of Prayer and St. PJ's Prayer List

In the Episcopal Church in Connecticut's cycle of prayer, we pray this week for St. Stephen’s, Bloomfield; St. George’s, Bolton; Trinity, Branford; for those who advocate at the local, state, national, or global levels for the poor, the lonely & the oppressed; and for Swords to Plowshares.

In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil.

ST. PJ’S PRAYER LIST: Rachel, Doug Parker, Anne Matthies, Calvin Griffin, Rev. Walter MacNutt, Kevin Gerbe, Leota Tucker, Edwina Johnson, Cynthia King, Paul D'Agostino, Richard Holcomb, Tiras Jaske, Uli Mackert, Charlie & Bridget Farrell, Alyce, Pam, Tommy, Beverly Lett, Vanetta Lloyd, Janea Barthle, Lydia Hamnquist, Kate Galambos, Rita Valenti-Piovane, Stephen Lett, Rev. Nihal de Lanerolle, Pam Sayre, Marietta D’Albero, Leonilda Sanchez, Maria Rodriquez, Marietta Coppola, Heather de Lanerolle, Paul Mangels, Alexandra Sanseverino, Dr. Milton Coke, Rev. Deacon Felix Rivera, Pam Yesner, Rev. Carl Scovel, Karl Mini, Patrick Reynolds, Margaret Perry, Ryan Welch, Jack Welch, Freddy and Amy Swindal-Endres, Kyle Park, Carol Brennan, Fr. Tom, George Moore

Postulant for Ordination: Milton Gilder

Birthdays: Margaret Conable (12/17)

VIDEO: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon

Last week was the second Sunday of Advent. Rev. Nathan celebrated the Eucharist, and our seminarian intern Kelly Park preached a wonderful sermon on repentance and darkness before the dawn.

If you either missed or want to revisit previous Sundays at St. PJ's, you can find the recorded videos on our Facebook and/or YouTube pages. (Facebook automatically deletes videos after four weeks, but you can always find older archives on YouTube.)

Support Loaves & Fishes and Sunrise Cafe during renovation

The long-awaited replacement of the steps to the undercroft, right on the corner of Chapel and Olive, has begun! The old steps have been ripped up, and the work proceeds. This means that our front yard along Olive Street is fenced off while construction is underway. It is anticipated that the process will take about eight weeks total -- essentially the rest of the year.

While we are disappointed that we are not able to include a ramp in the project, the new steps will be wider, safer and more welcoming to the community. Please direct questions to Brian Fillmore as Capital Campaign Project Manager.

Sunrise Cafe and Loaves & Fishes continue to operate, using alternate entryways to the undercroft. We acknowledge that this may be difficult timing for such an inconvenience -- with the holidays coming and people still reeling from the pause in SNAP benefits -- so please donate to either important organization if you can:

Reach out to Rev. Nathan to Schedule Your Household Visit

By the Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge

By now, you've likely heard me say that I want to visit every St. PJ's household. I want to hear about who you are, what makes you tick, what you believe and love, your history at St. PJ's, and your hopes for the future of our common life together. Ideally this meeting would be at your home, where I can get to know you in your own environment and also offer a home blessing, but coffee shops and walks in the park are okay too.

These meetings are happening, and I have greatly enjoyed them -- but I am also realizing that I am my own bottleneck when it comes to scheduling, as I reach out to families one or two at a time. To try and speed things up, I invite you to reach out to me with some suggested times and dates we might meet.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are ideal, but Fridays and Saturdays are okay too. While weekday daytimes are certainly best, I understand that work schedules can necessitate evenings or Saturdays. Please email me at revnathan@stpaulstjames.org, and I hope to see you outside the church building soon!

There's always more...

Please remember that there is a blue Lost & Found bin in the church office.

If you would like to submit an item for consideration in the eNews or bulletin announcements, please let Rev. Nathan know at revnathan@stpaulstjames.org by next Wednesday afternoon.

Please contact Monifa Atkinson in the church office at office@stpaulstjames.org or (203) 562-2143 if you are interested in receiving more information about any of the following:

- Renting space at St. PJ's for your next party, meeting, concert, wedding, or other event. More info at the St. PJ's website here >>

- Volunteering with St. PJ's

- Adding a name, birthday, or anniversary to the St. PJ's prayer list

- Arranging pastoral care needs

- Purchasing grocery-store gift cards to benefit St. PJ's

- Reserving a place in the St. PJ's columbarium or purchasing a plaque on the Memorial Wall

St. PJ's Staff and Contacts

Administrative Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon

Priest Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday by appointment

office@stpaulstjames.org

(203) 562-2143

• Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Nathan Empsall, revnathan@stpaulstjames.org, (203) 278-9199
• Administrative Director: Monifa Atkinson, office@stpaulstjames.org
• Sexton: Sammy Rodriguez
• Children's Ministry: Molly Clayton
• Director of Music: Will Cleary
• Associate Director of Music: Dylan Rowland
• Tech and Music Intern: Dontae James
• Seminary Intern: Kelly Park
• Priest Associate: The Rev. Steve Crowson
• Vestry: Bill Evans (co-warden), Juhani Jaske (co-warden), David Hill (treasurer), Maggie King (clerk), Roni Holcomb, Steve Crowson, Maurice Harris, Pam Sayre, Vanetta Lloyd, Lynne Severance