Mark your calendars for Sunday, Nov. 15

Everyone is invited to the Annual Parish Meeting from 9:00 - 10:00. We'll have elections for Vestry, parish reports, and Q & A.

We will honor our Veterans during services. Veterans please wear your uniforms.

At coffee hour, we'll mark the re-retirement of Scott Smoot.

If you would like to contribute to an appreciation gift...

... please do so via check or our online giving page - be sure to put "Scott Retirement Gift" in the memo line. We will also have a box for cards that morning. Deadline for gifts is Wed Nov 11

Rector Reflection

Dear Ones,

What an All Saints celebration we had last Sunday! The sanctuary was gorgeously decorated by our Flower Guild members, the Altar Guild had everything gleaming, and Dr. Black literally pulled out all the stops on the organ for his musical offerings during worship. It is always a joy and a privilege to get to welcome new Christians at our font, and Baby Everett and Roman both beamed beatifically after their baptisms.

I particularly enjoyed our procession of Saints from our Children’s Sunday School, and not just because St. Nicholas and St. Theresa of Calcutta were my kids! It all came together to be the most perfect day for greeting Patrick White on his first day as our new Director of Christian Formation for Youth, and having a tangible sense of the investment we are making in our community through him.

This past Sunday, greeting our newly baptized and their proud families and godparents, watching our procession, being assisted at the altar by our youth serving as acolytes, I found myself reflecting on how central our nurture and formation of our children is to our faith as adult Christians, and what a gift that is. Discipleship starts at baptism, and as important as it is that we teach our children and young people the tenets of our faith in Jesus, it is even more important that we show them in our own lives what it looks like to be a faithful Christian- by studying scripture, being present in worship, serving the poor, loving our neighbor, and respecting the dignity of every human being. These things shouldn’t be as countercultural as they feel, but in a world that preaches empathy as weakness and cruelty as strength, I thank God every day that I belong to a Savior who preaches the power of grace and redemption found in him.

You don’t have to be a parent or grandparent to support our children and youth here at St. James. If you are feeling called to encourage our formation ministries for them but aren’t sure where to start, why not sign up to provide lunch for our Episcopal Youth Community on a Sunday? You can see all the available dates and sign up here: St James EYC: St. James EYC Lunch Some provide a special homemade dish, others of us who are less skilled in the culinary arts offer sandwich trays from Publix, local delivery pizza, or even sponsor a meal out on the Square in honor of a special day. Most of all, please keep all of our children and youth in your prayers, along with Natalie and Patrick and all of our Sunday School, Cherub Choir, Children’s Choir (who will be singing at the 10:30AM service this Sunday, Nov. 8th), and EYC volunteers!

In Christ,

Mo. Mariclair+

P.S. One special offering for the younger set at St. James is Wonder Church, a half hour casual Eucharist service with simple music and congregational singing, celebrated in the Parish Hall on the first Saturday of every month. Join us this Saturday, Nov 7th, at 5:30PM!

Baptisms and Confirmation in 2027

The next dates for Baptisms are Jan 10, Mar 20, May 16, and Nov 7 of 2027, or by arrangement with Mother Mariclair.

The next dates for Confirmation are Jun 6 and Dec 5 of 2027.

Interested in baptism or confimation for yourself or your child?

Please contact Mother Mariclair

rector@stjamesmarietta.com

Thursday

November 5, 2026

Upcoming Events

Sat Nov 7

Wonder Church

Parish Hall

5:30 PM

Guardians Night Out

6:00 PM

Sun Nov 8

Holy Eucharist, Rite I, spoken

8:00AM

breakfast in the Parish Hall

8:45-9:45

Sunday School

for children & youth

and

Lectionary Bible Study rm 205

9:30-10:15

Holy Eucharist, Rite II,

with organ and choir

10:30

Hospitality in the Parish Hall

11:45

Ciudad de Angeles Informational meeting

conference room (127)

12:30 PM

EYC Youth Group

12:30-2:00 PM

We prepare and serve supper for the Women's Extension

this evening

Interested? Contact kqchester@gmail.com

Wed Nov 11

Wednesday Dinner & Programs

5:30 Dinner

6:30 Evening Prayer and practice for Cherubs Choir and Youth Choristers

7:00 Adult Formation

7:30 Adult Choir practice

Fri Nov 13

Ciudad de Angeles Fundraising Events

Golf Tournament

Steel Canyon Golf Club

8:00 AM

Gala

Parish Hall

7:00 PM

Sat Nov 14

Alter Guild Tea

Parish Hall

10:00

Funeral for John McCollum

Sanctuary

12:00

Reception following in

Parish Hall

Contact Sue Hannan to Assist

Sun Nov 15

Holy Eucharist, Rite I

8:00

Parish Meeting

9:00

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

with organ and choir

10:30AM

with recognition of our Veterans

Coffee Hour

noon

with send-off for the re-retirement of Scott Smoot

Mon Nov 16

Reach Out Luncheon

10:00 AM

Livestream HQ - Links & Booklets for Worship at Home

These links also take you to videos of past services and special events.

Worship booklet: all prayers, responses, and service music that will be used until Advent.

Service bulletin: scriptures, hymn numbers, and announcements for this Sunday's service.

This Sunday

Interested in going on the Mission Trip to Mexico in 2027, June 19-26?

Thank you to all who attended our Ciudad de Angeles ministry recap on Sunday, October 18 at 9:30am. We shared stories of our time there this past July and some pictures too. We thought you might like a short video tour of the Ciudad campus put together to show you the home to our house parents, children and staff. Please enjoy! Tour of Ciudad de Angeles

All are invited to a general interest meeting Sunday Nov 8th 12:30PM in the Conference Room (# 127) to learn about the June 19-26, 2027 Mission Trip.

The Ciudad Mission Team

The Bells toll not for thee?

Can't see photos in The Bells? Never get the peach-colored "Pulse of the Parish" at the end of this newsletter?

You can tell your email service to show blocked content. Need help? Email communications@stjamesmarietta.com

Paper printouts of The Bells are displayed on tables by the Parlor and by the Parish Hall. See photo.

First fruits of our Thanks for Giving Campaign

Open this link for a shopping list of good things to donate (and some to avoid).

We collect Sunday Nov 8 and 15. We need volunteers to package donations Nov 17.

All Saints Baptisms

This past Sunday we celebrated All Saints with the baptisms of Roman Simms Richeson and Baby Everett Brewer Carpenter. Let us welcome the newly baptized!

Photo credits: Kristin Picken

Ciudad de Angeles Mission Benefit Golf & Gala Nov 13

Ciudad de Angeles is the orphanage in Mexico that welcomed a team from St. James in June. We are planning to return in June 2027!

We have two opportunities to support this worthy ministry on November 13, with a golf game in the morning and a gala dinner at night.

Golf Tournament to Benefit Mission

There is a golf tournament on the morning of November 13 at Steel Canyon Golf Course in Sandy Springs. Hole sponsorships are available. Play 18 holes in the morning and then join us in the St. James Parish Hall for a gala.

Gala Dinner at St. James

to Benefit Mission

We will enjoy a wonderful Mexican meal and a fun Mariachi Band. We will hear about the wonderful things going on in Mexico and plans for the coming year!

Link to a full-size copy of these two fliers.

Please direct questions to David White at (404) 245-5690 or dhwhite@rhs-law.com

Children & Youth News

Acolytes for Sunday, November 8: Ava, Catherine, Emme Miller

All Saints Procession

Our St. James Sunday School children chose saints to represent on All Saints Day, Nov 1, and joined in the opening procession in costume at the 10:30 service. Our older youth helped the younger children to research the lives of their chosen saints for clues to how they would dress.

Pictured below are St. George, St. James, St. Michael, St. Nicholas and St. Mother Teresa

There will be no Sunday School for Children or Youth on Nov 29. This is a great opportunity for us to spend time together in community as we prepare for Advent.

EYC Lunch

Could you make or sponsor lunch for one of the Youth Group's Sunday meetings?

It doesn't have to be a lot, it doesn't have to be fancy!

Opportunities to Team Up with Episcopal Youth from across our Diocese of Atlanta,

Develop Skills, and Deepen Faith

+ Province IV Youth Leadership Summit (DEC 3-6) +

+ Overnight @ Annual Council (NOV 6-7) +

+ New Beginnings 52 (NOV 13-15) +

+ Christmas Carol Camp-in (DEC 19-20) +

+ Winter Camp (JAN 8-10) +

Check out all Diocesan Youth Events at https://eycdioatl.org/events-5/

Natalie Fowler, Children's Ministry Coordinator children@stjamesmarietta.com

Patrick White, Director of Youth and Parish Administration youth@stjamesmarietta.com

Keep up with the Diocesan Youth Council at http://eycdioatl.org/

Dr. Bryan Black highlights connections between the music and liturgy for Sunday's 10:30 service.

Before the processional hymn this week, the Chorister Choir will lead the congregation in singing three African-American spirituals: “O When the Saints,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and “I’m Gonna Sing.” The choir and congregation will be divided into three groups, each claiming one of the melodies. Because the tunes fit together harmonically, they can be sung simultaneously! The term for this convergence is quodlibet (Latin for “whatever you please” or “what you will”). Originating in the Renaissance as a clever, often playful combination of familiar tunes, the quodlibet has a long history; one famous example closes J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Today’s three-part quodlibet is a joyful, participatory descendant of that tradition.

Today’s organ music spans several centuries. It begins with a setting of “Jesus, Lead Thou On” by American Lutheran organist and composer Paul Manz (1919–2009) and closes with the Italian master Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583–1643). Manz, renowned for his hymn festivals and chorale improvisations, crafts a lyrical, legato unfolding of the tune "Seelenbräutigam." Frescobaldi, organist at St. Peter’s in Rome, stands at the threshold of the Baroque; his improvisatory pieces display inventive counterpoint, sudden harmonic shifts, and rhythmic vitality.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God by Mariel Fox in celebration of two November birthdays: Ben Bjelica & Christina Burk

With a donation for flowers, you can publish a dedication in The Bells and the Sunday bulletin. An usher in the Narthex can help you to register.

Photo: Flowers from Sunday 11/1.

Safe Church training at St. Teresa's Episcopal Church in Acworth, Saturday, November 14 2026. Many of us are required to take these courses every so often, so this may be a great opportunity to refresh your certification.

Safeguarding God's Children training: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Safeguarding God's People training: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Altar Guild Tea

Come join the Altar Guild in the Parish Hall for tea Saturday 11/14 at 10:00 AM

Learn how you can get involved.

Window Replacement in Parish Office Building begins the third week of November.

Workmen will be moving from room to room, working indoors and out. If you regularly use a room on either floor of the parish office building, please remove any items from windowsills and around windows so our workers can have easy access. Photo: L-R from the offices of Mother Mariclair, Scott Smoot, and Sue Hannan. They have some re-arranging to do!

Also, if you lead a group that meets during the work week, you may have to move to another location. Just a heads up!

Servers on Sunday, November 8

Altar Guild Team 2

Vestry Person of the Day

Jeff Picken (pictured)

8:00

Lector & Intercessor Peter Goodwin

LEM Melinda Allen

10:30

Lector 1 Marsha Kostus

Lector 2 Sharon Menear

Intercessor Molly McKenna

LEMs Peter Goodwin, Tom Jagusch

Verger Rick Carpenter

Ushers Team 1

Acolytes Ava, Catherine, Emme Miller

REMINDERS

Dishwashers needed for Wonderful Days preschool, about one hour for one day per week. Contact John Schafer 770-843-4224 jandmschafer@bellsouth.net

Parish Prayer List. To be emailed the prayer list every week, contact Cari Edwards elvine@hotmail.com Leave prayer requests in the offering plate or at the desk by the parish office. You can phone in prayer requests 770-428-5841 Mondays through Thursdays, 9-12:30.

Parking Perks

Parking in our Polk Street lot is free of charge during scheduled church events. At other times, however, we do need either a parking hang tag or a new window sticker.

For the window sticker, send your name, your vehicle's make, model, COLOR and license plate number to Lucia Bird luciabird@gmail.com or 770.402.0024.

If your vehicle has changed since you got your hang tag or window sticker, you will need a replacement, so give Lucia the information on the old hang tag, too.

Your pledge helps the Vestry plan for the year. Pledge here.

Program staff available via email Sunday - Thursday;

office staff, Monday - Thursday, 9am-1pm

Mother Mariclair is rector@stjamesmarietta.com

Pastoral emergency phone or text: 678.369.1775

To make an appointment with the rector, sign up for a 15m check-in, a 30m chat, or a 45m "coffee hour" at https://calendly.com/rector-stjamesmarietta

Mr. Foster Peterson is seminarian@stjamesmarietta.com

Miss Natalie Fowler is children@stjamesmarietta.com

Dr. Bryan Black is music@stjamesmarietta.com

Mr. Scott Smoot is communications@stjamesmarietta.com

Mr. Patrick White is parishadmin@stjamesmarietta.com

Phone 770-428-5841.

Pulse of the Parish

from Patrick White

As I complete my fourth day on staff, I look forward to all of the ways we can grow as a community.

On Sunday the youth helped prepare the bedrooms for family promise during EYC, which led to a great conversation on what our students would like to do. There was a resounding answer of being more involved in the community through service and missions. As a new Youth Director, that is one of the best things you can hear; teenagers wanting to be an active influence on those around them!

My first day in the office happened to coincide with Sue Hannan's first day back from her extended vacation to the Finger Lakes and Upstate New York. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I saw all sorts of people come through the doors. St. Anne's Chapter, EfM, Bible Study, Knitting for Charity, the monthly Healing Service, counters, front desk volunteers and people contributing to Family Promise. It is wonderful to see all of the volunteers and parishioners that play a part in the daily life of our parish. This is a part of what makes this place feel so special.

Thank you all for welcoming me so dearly! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us at St. James and the greater community around us!

Know any good news items about goings-on in the parish? Send them & photos to Patrick, parishadmin@stjamesmarietta.com