Headlines & Happenings | October 1, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

October is our month for the annual 2027 pledge campaign. It is through pledging that our commitments to God and each other are made manifest, and by which your Clergy and Vestry are able to plan the coming year.

For the first three weeks of the month, a short video and homily will reflect on this year's themes, with giving as part of our Rejoicing, Repairing and Renewal in Christ and at Saint James.

A letter will arrive next week with instructions on how you can indicate your likely giving in 2027 and how you would like to give (online, monthly or annual gift, etc.).

We hope all pledges are back by the end of the month, and on Sunday, October 25th, we will celebrate a Fall Harvest Sunday with our children and youth bringing our pledge letters, pumpkins or a heart-shaped token of our giving the first fruits of our time, talent and treasure as we are able.

Yours in Christ,

David+

Saturday, October 3 | 5:00 PM

Saturday Night Mass

Instruments of Peace:

Standing in the

Space Between

For the Feast of Saint Francis, we will gather to reflect on scripture, prayers, and music that focus on being instruments of peace. The Mass will feature local singer-songwriter Liz Fulmer on acoustic guitar, performing original faith-based songs and cover tunes, including Sarah McLachlan's "Prayer of Saint Francis.

This Mass will lead into a 5-week Contemplative Citizenship series that gives people contemplative tools as they enter the midterm election season.

Available in person and via livestream. Click here to view via livestream.

Sunday, October 4 | 9:30 AM

Forum with Randall Zachman and

Mother Stacey Carpenter

In the Parish House

Forum Room

In his letter to the Romans, Paul exhorts us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, which is our reasonable act of worship. He then tells us, "Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what the will of God is- what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

How does worship of God, informed by the Book of Common Prayer, contribute to our transformation by the renewing of our minds? What kind of formation does it bring about in our hearts and minds, so that we become increasingly aware of what is good and acceptable and perfect? Join us this Sunday as Mother Stacey and Randall address these issues in our exploration of the Book of Common Prayer.

Available in person and via Zoom.

Click here for the Zoom link.

Sunday Evenings | 5:00 PM

Vespers at the Urban Well

In the Chapel

Join us Sunday evenings for Vespers, a warm and inviting weekly gathering in the serene surroundings of the Saint James Chapel. This quiet, reflective service embraces Christianity's rich prayer traditions and the embodied practices that nurture our spiritual lives today.

Gather with us for uplifting singing, find solace in moments of silence, and choose the posture that feels most comfortable as we open our hearts to listen for God’s voice and center ourselves for the week ahead. We have meditation cushions and chairs available for your comfort. We’ll celebrate Holy Communion on the third Sunday of the month. In person only. Everyone is welcome—come as you are!

Thank You for Moving Up!

A big thank you to everyone who moved a little closer to the front last Sunday! It was wonderful to have more of our community gathered together, and we could truly feel the difference, and so could our friends joining us via livestream. The church felt more connected, and your clergy, choir and servers loved having you a little closer!

So, let’s keep it going! Just two rows forward is all it takes to help us create an even more connected and welcoming space for worship.

Saturday, October 10 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Women's Gathering

Women's Gathering continues its discussion of James Martin's confessional memoir, Work in Progress. Fr. Martin highlights, with humor and compassion, how his younger self learned about life through summer jobs. He describes formative influences, explains his difficult transition from corporate to Jesuit life, acknowledges his failings and asks for forgiveness.

If you are interested in a spiritual reflection on "bothering to love," please join us. Click here to email Lorraine Rollo for the Zoom link.

Sunday, October 11 | 9:30 AM

Women's Bible Study

Parish House Library

Join the women of our parish for a transformative journey of Bible study, prayer and fellowship in the parish house library. This gathering is an opportunity to deepen your relationships, share your experiences, and grow in faith together.

On October 11th, Ashley Ramsay will guide us as we explore Isaiah 25:1-12. This passage highlights God’s protection of the weak and brokenhearted, as He steadies and shelters His people through storms while we joyfully wait for His saving grace.

For more information, click here to email Ashley.

Sunday, October 11 | 11:45 AM

Revolutionary Text Lecture and Brunch

Parish House Forum Room

At our next Revolutionary Text Lecture, Professor Randall Zachman will explore George Washington’s 1790 letter to the Jewish congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, where he stated that the new nation does not support bigotry or persecution.

After his presidential inauguration, George Washington received letters from many religious and faith communities, all thanking him for his service and expressing concern about his understanding of religious freedom and the role of Christianity in the new republic.

In his response to the Hebrew Congregation's letter, Washington affirms that the US government "gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance," ensuring freedom of conscience as an "inherent natural right."

Join Professor Randall Zachman to explore what these letters reveal about Washington's views on religious freedom and the key role they played as a precursor to the First Amendment and the precedent he aimed to establish.

Registration is required for catering, with a suggested donation of $25 for adults. Registration deadline: October 5^th.

Click here to register.

Saint James in the News!

Watch our Parish Historian and Archivist, Dr. Cordelia Moyse, as WGAL producer Michael Sneff shows the (distant!) connections between the family of writer Edgar Allen Poe and Lancaster County through Saint James archives.

Click here to view the story.

All Saints and All Souls Season

Remembering our dearly departed

All Saints All Souls season is a time to remember the deceased, including martyrs, saints and all those in the faith who have passed into a greater light. If you have a loved one who died between October 28, 2025 and Monday, October 26, 2026 and would like them to be remembered, click here to use the form on our website to submit their name.

You may also submit names by calling the church office at 717-397-4858. Or click here to email your submission to Kristle Evans, Pastoral Care Coordinator. The name submission deadline is Tuesday, October 27th.

Ollie's Closet

School Supply

Drive Results

A warm-hearted thank you to everyone who contributed to this year's school supply drive for students at Carter and MacRae Elementary School. Thanks to everyone's generosity, we donated just over 1800 items, including pencils, glue sticks, underwear, socks, toothbrushes, crayons/colored pencils and more!

Monetary donations exceeded $2100, all of which will go toward closing the supply gap as the school year continues. A huge thank you to all our volunteers this year who did a fantastic job of collecting, boxing and delivering the supplies to Carter and MacRae. Thanks also to the Saint James staff who were a tremendous help throughout the entire process!

Tuesday, October 13 | 7:00 PM

Contemplative Citizenship Begins

Lord, make me an

instrument of your peace

Tuesdays, Oct 13 – Nov 10

7:00 – 8:00 PM

In person and via Zoom

This Fall, our worship and teaching will be guided by a single line from the Prayer of Saint Francis: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”

On Tuesday, October 13, we will start a 5-week Fall Contemplative Citizenship series in which we will reflect on various lines from the prayer, exploring what it means to embody this prayer in both our personal lives and in our civic responsibilities, especially during this election season when our country feels divided and stressed. Click here for more info and to register for the Zoom link.

Saturday, October 17 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Parish House Forum Room

The Gentle Art of Swedish

Death Cleaning

For our next gathering, led by Hugh Scott, we’ll tackle a topic that is both practical and, perhaps, a little uncomfortable: “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.”

Despite the rather blunt title, Swedish death cleaning isn’t really about death. It’s about taking a thoughtful look at the possessions, memories, obligations, and “stuff” we accumulate over a lifetime, and deciding what is truly worth keeping, what might be better given away, and what we can finally let go.

A spiritual dimension is worth exploring. As Christians, we talk about stewardship, simplicity, generosity, letting go and what it means to live faithfully in the time we have. Perhaps “cleaning house” can be about more than closets and attics.

Come prepared to share your thoughts, experiences, and perhaps a few stories about the things you simply cannot bring yourself to throw away. And no, we will not be conducting an actual Swedish death cleaning at the meeting! Join us for another meaningful discussion and time together. Come hungry and bring a friend!

Sunday, October 18 | 1:00 PM

CROP Hunger Walk

At Annunciation Greek

Orthodox Church

The Crop Walk is a mission-driven event where funds raised help feed the most vulnerable in our community and support programs addressing food insecurity worldwide. Whether you take part in the physical walk, help raise money, or simply donate, you make a tremendous impact for the greater good.

Poverty is not a choice. Every Neighbor Matters. Every day, thousands of our neighbors face impossible choices: to buy groceries or pay the rent, replace worn-out clothes or fill a prescription, find a safe place to sleep or simply make it through another day. The Lancaster County Food Hub believes no one should have to face those choices alone.

Every day, the dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners come together to provide nourishing food, free clothing and supportive outreach services for neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing instability. These aren't just programs. They're pathways to dignity, hope and opportunity.

The Lancaster County Food Hub uses funds raised through the CROP Hunger Walk to help provide food and hope to families and individuals struggling with hunger in our community.

Click here to learn more and join the Saint James Team.

If you have any questions or concerns, please click here to email Bradden Weaver or call 717-466-9768.

The event is held rain or shine. Free to walk, but donations/pledges are welcome. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is located at 64 Hershey Avenue in Lancaster, 17603.

Wednesday, October 21 | 3:00 PM

Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

Willow Valley residents are warmly invited to come together with clergy and staff from Saint James and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches to celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Manor North Auditorium on the third floor of the main building in Manor North. All are welcome to join us for this meaningful occasion; feel free to bring a friend!

October 21, 2026

Fall Habitat for Humanity Build Begins

This October, work will continue for new Habitat homeowners, Stephanie and Donesha, on Linden Street in Columbia.

For the Saint James crew, work is scheduled from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM on the following dates:

Wednesday, October 21
Friday, October 23
Friday, October 30

All volunteers are welcome, regardless of experience. Work can range from finishing work such as caulking, painting, appliance installation and cleaning. If this is your first time volunteering with Habitat, you will need to complete a short online safety course before signing up for your dates. Each day has 10 volunteer slots, so good fun and community will abound. Please pack a lunch and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated on the job!

Click here for more information and registration.

Sunday, October 25 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Fall Harvest Festival

Mark your Calendars!

Join us in the Parish House for a festive afternoon celebrating all things fall! We’ll gather for a fun-filled Fall Harvest Festival for all ages.

We’ll have lunch together, plus pumpkin painting, delicious fall treats and games and activities for the whole family. Sign up here to bring a dish or other item to share, or simply sign up to let us know you’re coming!

Whether you’re little or big, you'll find something to enjoy as we celebrate the beauty, joy and abundance of the fall season together.

Mark Your Calendar

October 3, 5:00 PM | Saturday Night Mass, Instruments of Peace: Standing in the Space Between with Liz Fulmer

October 10, 10:00 - 11:30 AM | Women's Gathering

October 11, 9:30 AM | Women's Bible Study

October 11, 11:45 AM | Revolutionary Text & Brunch

October 12 | Saint James Offices closed

October 13, 7:00 PM | Contemplative Citizenship

series begins

October 17, 8:30 - 10:30 AM | Upper Room Men's Group

October 18, 1:00 PM | 2026 CROP Hunger Walk

October 20, 7:00 PM | Contemplative Citizenship