Dear Friends,

This weekend, Saint James welcomes over 10 new members into our parish life, and all are invited to a special forum coffee hour at 9:30 AM to rejoice in them. This growth is a joyful sign of our commitment to discipleship, membership and giving that changes our lives, changes our church and changes our world.

Our concluding video celebrates our online community by sharing a powerful story that illustrates how our commitment to being online deepens and broadens the life of our parish in remarkable ways.

We will see the power and impact of our online worship, daily online prayer and exceptional study opportunities which Saint James and the Urban Well provide in the lives of others through Corey's story in South Carolina. 

Please return your pledge form or complete it online here. For questions, please call: 717-397-4858 or click here to email Kristen Vieldhouse in the church office. If you'd like to view the other giving videos, click here.

With all our love, joy and gratitude,

David, Stacey and Glenn

Sunday, October 26 | 9:30 - 10:15 AM

Baptism and New Member Fellowship Hour

In the Parish House

Forum Room

All are invited to an Intergenerational Coffee Gathering on Sunday, October 26, from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM. This will be a joyful time to welcome our new members and celebrate those being baptized into the Saint James community.

Come share in conversation and connection as we gather to support and embrace those who are beginning or renewing their faith journey with us.

We are grateful to our Youth Group for making some spooky treats and to our Newcomer Committee for hosting.

We can’t wait to celebrate together!

All Saints' and All Souls' Season

Remembering our dearly departed

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebrate our belonging in Christ. All Saints’ Day honors individuals whose lives reflect the grace of God, providing an opportunity to express gratitude for how that grace shapes human life. It encourages us through the example of the saints, reminding us that sanctity can develop in both ordinary and challenging circumstances.

In contrast, All Souls’ Day allows us to remember those whom we have known personally—who gave us life and nurtured our faith—expressing our gratitude for them before God.

If you have a loved one who died between October 30, 2024, and Monday, October 27, 2025, and would like them to be remembered, there are three ways to submit your name. You can click here to use the form on our website. You can click here to email Kristle Evans, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, or you can tap 717-397-4858 to call the church office.

Names will be read aloud during services on November 2nd and at an All Souls Compline on November 7th.

The name submission deadline is Monday, October 27th.

Thank You From the Saint James

Crop Walk Team

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed financially to the 2025 CROP Hunger Walk and to the members of the Saint James team who participated in the walk on October 19. Together, we raised $2,725 to support local and global efforts combating food insecurity and poverty.

The need is greater than ever, and your generosity can make a real difference! Donations can be made through the end of the year by clicking here. Thank you again for your support!

Tree Fund Drive Exceeds Goal!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Tree Planting Project to raise funds to plant trees in Crystal Park. Through your generosity, we exceeded our pledge to the city by about $530.00, totaling $1780, which will enable the city to plant two additional trees! 

The planting of the trees has been deferred to the Spring, as the Shade Tree Commission has already committed to planting about 60 trees along various streets this Fall. As more information becomes available about the specific timing of the planting, we will share this with you. 

Beyond the planting of trees in one park in the city, your response to this project is one of the many ways our congregation shows its commitment to the environment, conservation, and being stewards of God's creation.  

If you have any questions about this project, please click here to learn more, or reach out to Rex Grubb via email for any additional questions.  

For the Month of October

Urban Well Yoga Studio News!

During the month of October, newcomers are invited to enjoy complimentary mindful yoga sessions. If you're interested in mindful yoga but uncertain about which style is right for you, this is an excellent opportunity to try gentle or chair yoga and find your best fit!

With the appointment of Sarah Shelton as our Mindful Yoga Studio Coordinator, she will also begin teaching privately at the Urban Well Yoga Studio through her business, Holding Space Yoga. Her new students will receive two free classes in October. For more information about Holding Space Yoga and to contact Sarah, click here.

The Urban Well Yoga Studio is located in the lower level of the Parish house (119 North Duke Street). Click here for session times.

Tuesday, October 28 | 7:00 PM

Healing the Divide

In the upcoming session, we will continue to focus on improving our communication skills, specifically by practicing the art of asking open-ended questions.

We will also work on staying present during conversations, even when strong emotions arise. This approach fosters curiosity about the perspectives of those in our lives, especially when we disagree with them. By learning to ask effective questions that promote dialogue rather than shut it down, we can deepen our understanding and prevent conflicts from escalating.

It's not too late to register for these sessions! The group meets in person and via Zoom on Tuesday evenings through November 18th, in the Chapel, from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Click here to register.

Habitat for Humanity Remaining Dates October 29 & 30.

You can still volunteer to help Estefanye make her home move-in ready!

Location: 1021 Walnut Street in Lebanon

Time: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Dates: Wednesday, October 29 & Thursday, October 30

Meet new homeowner, Estefanye. She will be the first person in her family to own a home. And hopefully, she says, she’ll be the first of many future homeowners in her family.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own home, where I can see my kids grow up and then pass it down to them,” says Estefanye, a 26-year-old single mother of four young children. “I wanted to show my kids that anything can happen if you put in the work.”

If you can't help on site but would like to contribute financially, you can click here to donate online.

For volunteering on the job site, click here to learn more.

Encountering Disability,

Three days of community building

November 1 - 3

Saturday, November 1, beginning at 9:00 AM

Disability, the Arts and Contemplative Practice

A family-friendly, intergenerational day of contemplative experiences, including a labyrinth, movement, poetry, music, sound, and art. There will also be a curated exhibition from the Friendship Community's Heart Gallery and other exhibitors to help us all recognize the gifts we bring that contribute to building community and inclusion together.

The day is divided into morning and afternoon sessions to allow for flexible participation in a variety of experience stations available at different times, catering to various needs, sensitivities, and abilities. Participants are welcome to attend both the morning AND afternoon if they wish; a bring-your-own-lunch space is available, along with many good local restaurants and café options within a couple of blocks of the Saint James campus. Click here for more information and registration.

Sunday, November 2, 11:45 AM

Parish House Forum Room

A Saint for Our Times: Vassar Miller and the Poetry of Disability

A brunch lecture by The Rev. Canon Dr. Judith Maltby following the 10:30 AM worship. $10 contribution at the door appreciated.

Monday, November 3 | Millersville University in the lower level of the Student Memorial Center

Morning Session 10 - 11:45 AM

Encountering Disability in Community Health

Keynote by Marisa Brown, Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disability.

Afternoon Session 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Encountering Disability and Public Health Policy

Keynote by Michael Gamel-McCormick, PhD, policy consultant and former academic and administrator and chief disability policy director for Sens. Tom Harkin and Bob Casey. Instrumental in his role on the US Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee and the Special Committee on Aging, and most recently, the US Senate Finance Committee.

Click here for more information and to register for all or part of the event.



Friday, November 7, 4 - 8 PM

Saint James to Host

Youth Climate Art Contest

In the Parish House

Saint James is proud to host Lancaster County’s first-ever Youth Climate Art Contest, presented by RegenAll, on Friday, November 7, from 4 – 7 PM in the Parish House.

Students from across the School District of Lancaster and the county will share their creative visions of a “green future”, offering hope and inspiration for a more sustainable world. This special event serves as a prelude to RegenAll’s 3rd Annual Climate Summit and aims to encourage collaboration between young people, community members, and local decision-makers in shaping a brighter environmental future.

The winning artwork will be displayed at the Climate Summit on Saturday, November 8, at the Lancaster County Convention Center.

All are welcome to attend this celebration of creativity and care for creation! For more info on this event, click here to visit Regenall's website.

Friday, November 7 | 9 PM

First Friday Compline:

A Remembrance of All Souls

Ancient Music and Prayers for All Souls



Join us on Friday, November 7th, for a solemn service in remembrance of All Souls. This poignant gathering will honor the faithfully departed through music, prayers and scriptures that convey hope in the resurrection.

Compline will begin with the Gregorian chant, Lux Aeterna, followed by readings of Psalm 23 and Psalm 130, offering comfort through their ancient texts. As names of the recently departed are read, John Tavener's Song for Athene will play alongside a low organ drone, creating a deeply emotional atmosphere.

The evening concludes with the Salve Regina and a final blessing, inviting the community to gather for remembrance and solace. Available in person and via livestream.

Saturday, November 8 | 10 - 11:30 AM

Women's Gathering

Via Zoom

In his latest work, Richard Rohr presents a hopeful model for compassionate living in a violent world, by drawing on the wisdom of the Hebrew prophets.

November's discussion will be from the prophet, Ezekiel (37:4-5) Prophesy over these bones, make them live. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. What are your thoughts on Rohr's commentary: "Our job, too, is to breathe together with God upon the dry bones that are always present throughout our world and make them live, just as God has breathed on ours."

Gather with us on November 8th to learn more about wisdom and hope for living in troubled times. Click here to email Lorraine Rollo for the Zoom invitation.

Saturday, November 8 | 5:00 PM

Saturday Night Mass

October 26, 9:30 AM | Fellowship Forum, new member welcome and baptism

October 28, 7 - 8:00 PM | Contemplative Tuesdays, Healing the Divide, with Jen Donovan

November 1 - 3 | Encountering Disability, Three Days of Community Building

November 4, 7 - 8:00 PM | Contemplative Tuesdays, Healing the Divide, with Jen Donovan

November 7, 4:00 - 7:00 PM | Regenall & School District of Lancaster Art Event

November 7, 9:00 PM | First Friday Compline: Ancient Music and Prayers for All Souls

November 8, 10:00 AM | Women's Gathering

November 8, 5:00 PM | Saturday Night Mass, A Love Supreme

November 9 | Bishop Audrey Scanlan visits Saint James

November 11, 7 - 8:00 PM | Contemplative Tuesdays, Healing the Divide, with Jen Donovan

November 15, 8:30 AM I Upper Room Men’s Group

November 16, 9:30 AM I Women’s Bible Study

November 16, 5:00 PM | Youth Group