Dear Friends,

This weekend at Saint James, everyone will have the opportunity to please the Lord through radical hospitality by attending Encountering Disability. We may not know who will attend our retreat on Saturday, whether people with visible disabilities or those without will join us, but participants can look forward to various activities, such as viewing or creating art, exploring the Celtic practice of "walking" a labyrinth, engaging in short sound meditations and chair yoga, and the potential to make new friends. Together, we will work to break down barriers and heal the divides created by ableism, non-accessible buildings, and spiritual experiences that we often believe are exclusively for those who are stronger, quicker, or holier than we are.

Our retreat also features a brunch lecture on Sunday, where we will explore the faith and writings of an Episcopal saint and poet, presented by a leading church historian from England. On Monday at Millersville University, we will hear inspiring national speakers discussing crucial issues related to public health and disability.

All Saints Sunday provides us with a wonderful opportunity to welcome the Rev. Canon Dr. Judith Maltby from Oxford, who will teach us about one of the great 20th-century saints of the Episcopal Church, Vassar Miller. This is part of our first All Saints Brunch Lecture made possible through a partnership with the Hamilton Club, which will contribute its culinary talents. Please register in advance to avoid disappointment!

In the words of Jesus, who said to his disciples, “Come and see!" their hearts were warmed as they encountered one another through hospitality and the breaking of bread. Through these Encountering Disability events, you will deepen your commitment to the human family and your faith as you come to better know and love your neighbors as yourself.

David+

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

Forum Hour Moves to 11:45

After the 10:30 AM Mass

Parish House Forum Room

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

Join us for a brunch and lecture by The Rev. Canon Dr. Judith Maltby in the Parish House Forum Room after the 10:30 AM mass.

Poet Vassar Miller was born with cerebral palsy in Houston, Texas in 1937. Her father, a prominent local real estate developer, encouraged her from an early age to write by typewriter.  She earned her BA and MA in English from the University of Houston and went on to publish ten poetry books, including Wage War on Silence (1960), which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Miller was twice named the poet laureate of Texas, in 1982 and 1988, and she was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1997. Miller taught creative writing for many years at the University of St. Thomas. Miller once said that the purpose of her life was “To write. And to serve God.”

A $10/person contribution at the door is appreciated. Registration is kindly requested for planning purposes. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.

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.

Tuesday, November 4 | 7:00 PM

Healing the Divide

Responding to Reactivity

with Compassion

Fr. David and Jen Donovan will moderate the seventh session, addressing how to handle strong emotional reactions during conversations. They will discuss strategies for staying present and responding with compassion, rather than giving in to the urge to react impulsively or vent. Join us in person or via livestream to learn more about this invaluable listening skill.

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, and we'll send you the Zoom link.

Friday, November 7 | 4 - 7 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!

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

A Love Supreme was Coltrane's musical declaration of his spirituality and faith in a loving God, who supported him as he struggled with drug addiction and other personal challenges in his past.



In the liner notes, Coltrane expressed, “I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music,” describing his plea to a universal, divine force. “I feel this has been granted through His grace.” Gather with us on November 8th as we journey towards a Love Supreme. Available in person and via livestream.

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

November 27 & 28 | Campus closed for Thanksgiving

November 30, 11:30 AM | Commemoration of the Feast of Saint Andrew

November 30, 11:30 AM | Advent wreath making and Christmas cookie baking