Weekly e-Epistle from St. James' Mill Creek

Weekly e-Epistle

from

St. James' Mill Creek

Wilmington, Delaware

January 21st, 2024

We'd love for you to join us!

We would be pleased if you joined us in person or online from the comfort of your home for church services via Facebook Live at 9:30am.

https://www.facebook.com/StJamesEpiscopalChurchMillCreek/

Sunday Bulletin (Jan. 21st)

There’s a thin line running through our appointed readings for Sunday in that each one is about hearing and responding to God’s call. Jonah responds to the call to go to Ninevah; the people of Corinth need to heed the call to be ready for the second Advent; and the fishermen respond to Jesus’s call to follow him.

The story of Jonah is particularly interesting as we think of responding to God’s call because while he faithfully responds, he’s not happy with the result of his prophesying. He thinks the people are let off the hook too easily and that God’s offer of forgiveness to the people of Ninevah is too easy because all they had to do was…repent.

The image of Jonah being swallowed up by the giant fish is a humorous one and is great for a children’s story. However, the heaviest part of this story is Jonah’s hardheartedness toward the people of Ninevah even after their salvation. This story reminds us that if we proclaim God’s mercy and forgiveness, we need to be prepared to acknowledge that God’s mercy and forgiveness can proceed even unto those groups we may not believe are worthy, lest we end up under a shade tree that gets eaten by a worm.

Soup and Bread Luncheon ~ January 28th

Remember Soup & Bread on Jan. 28^th after church in the Parish Hall. Sign-up sheet is in the Parish Hall.

Most people bring their soup in a crock-pot to the kitchen before church. Please make sure your soup is warm - the crock-pot will not have time to warm up cold soup. If possible, also please bring a ladle. Also please bring bread to the kitchen before church.

This is a wonderful time to gather together for a good meal and great fellowship, so please join us. If this is not a convenient weekend for you to bring soup or bread, please don't worry. There is always plenty and we look forward to all being together. See you on the 28^th!

St. James' Mission and Outreach updates

Sharing God’s gifts with others

Reaching out to those in need

And serving them with dignity and respect…

New Castle County HOPE Center-for Individuals and Families in need of temporary housing and support services.

What started as temporary housing during the cold weather of 2020-2021 has grown into a permanent center that provides housing and support services for individuals and families who are without adequate housing in New Castle County. New Castle County (NCC) purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport Rd (now named the New Castle County HOPE Center) and kept the hotel management staff to keep the facility running. Working together, many non-profit organizations including Family Promise provide various services and support for individuals and families to obtain emergency and more significant housing and medical, psychological, and job skills opportunities as well. The hotel can accommodate 400 and suites and adjoining rooms are given to families and enable households to stay together. Housing is coordinated through the Delaware Housing Alliance.

If you know of anyone who needs this housing, please ask them to call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-3463-233) and leave a message.

How can you help?

Review the list below and see where you might be able to help.

Current items needed:

Hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, and soap (regular and travel size)
Individual sized peanut butter crackers, tuna, microwavable meals (pastas, soups, etc.)
Non-alcohol hand sanitizer
Tide pods or other laundry pods
NEW Underwear, and socks - all sizes, children through adult
New or gently used t-shirts and light jacket
New books for adults and children

Please drop the items off:

· Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the parish hall porch

Please place your donations in the bin labeled Donations for HOPE Center on the porch of the parish hall. Liz will bring in the bin and any donated items at 12:30 p.m.

· On Sunday, there is a container in the foyer of the church.

We take the donations to the distribution center about every two weeks.

Thank you,

St. James' Mission/Outreach Ministry

Prayer Team Updates

The prayer team continues to lift up prayer requests shared by parishioners through emails or calls to the church office at 302-994-1584, to individual members of the prayer team, or requests left in the prayer basket in the church foyer. We collect the prayer requests and other concerns of the parish, community, and world. They are compiled weekly and then these requests are lifted up in the daily prayers of the team members. All are welcome and encouraged to share their prayers.

For those who have an immediate prayer need, we invite you to email your prayer needs and request to Carolyn Mack at cdmack37@gmail.com or call 302-565-8675

St. James' Pastoral Care Team

St. James' Pastoral Care Team continues to support our parish family and our community.

If you or someone you know is in need, we:

· send cards, make phone calls, and pray with you and/or for you.

· Make home, hospital, and Eucharistic visits.

Please call the office (302-994-1584) and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. Messages are retrieved daily, seven days a week.

Please let us know if you need us or someone you know needs us. We will not know if you do not tell us.

“Blessful” Meditations

We all know that life can be a little stressful and hectic sometimes. We hope that by reading this short bible passage and watching a relaxing video will help you take a moment and reflect on God’s gifts.