Headlines & Happenings | November 5, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

For the next two Sundays, we will hear two of Jesus' most familiar parables: the Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1–13) on November 8, and the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30) on November 15. Many of us learned them as stories about who gets in and who is left out. Be prepared, and you'll be on the right side of the door.

I'll confess that the Ten Bridesmaids has always troubled me a little. A door shuts, and five women are left outside in the dark. That unease is part of what drew me to the work of Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish New Testament scholar who has spent her career helping Christians hear Jesus' parables as his first Jewish listeners would have heard them. She has changed how I read these stories. Parables, she says, are "designed to provoke." They aren't there to tell us what we already know. As she puts it, we don't need a parable to tell us that "our supply of oil… should be sufficient." A parable does its work when it unsettles us and lets us see the world, and God, in a new way. She calls this "storytelling heart surgery."

Levine also reminds us that parables were never meant to have just one meaning. They invite our questions. They ask us to notice the details we usually skip past and to wonder where we would stand in the story.

So here is an invitation for this week. Before Sunday, read Matthew 25:1–13 slowly, perhaps more than once. Notice what surprises you. Notice what troubles you. Ask yourself: Where am I in this story? Then bring those questions with you to worship.

I'm looking forward to listening to these stories with you.

God's peace,

Mother Stacey+

Friday, November 6 | 9:00 PM

Compline: Commemoration of All Souls

At First Friday Compline, on November 6th at 9:00 PM, once again the names of all the recently departed we have prayed for in the Prayers of the People, as well as the names of those who have died in the past year and were submitted to the church, will be read aloud. Available in person and via livestream. Click here to view the livestream.

These readings of names and the remembering of our dead of this past year in these special services allow us to create sacred and holy worship experiences that hold together the range of feelings that are part of that first year of losing a loved one. The sheer grief we feel with the loss of their presence in our daily lives, the grief of a relationship that may not have ended as we had hoped, and the myriad ways that grief ebbs and flows as we find a new way of being in the world.

And, at the same time we are experiencing deep grief, we look for ways to hold fast to the promise of the resurrection, and that every tear will be wiped away, and nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even death. The church calendar wisely separates the focus of celebration of the heroic faith and sacrifices of the well-known saints and martyrs traditionally remembered on All Saints Day and those “more ordinary holy ones and loved ones” of our own lives, parish, family and friends. They too, should be remembered with all the saints and all the faithful departed, even those of uncertain faith, because we believe nothing limits the mercy of God.

STAFF TEAM NEWS

It is a delight to welcome in November two new full-time members of staff to the parish, one of whom is well known to us and the other is very new. Fr. Glenn Miller (who needs little introduction!) begins this week his major new role as priest for Congregational Care and Giving, after first coming to the parish in 2019 as an assistant priest while working full-time in higher education.

Michelle Avarelo begins on Monday, November 16^th as our new Director of Communications. This early start allows her to work alongside Nancy LeVasseur ahead of her well-planned year-end retirement. Michelle has worked for decades as a print and broadcast reporter, digital content manager and media producer. Before joining Saint James’ staff, she worked for 15 years as a content creator and communications strategist in higher education. Michelle brings years of experience as a journalist and in video and podcast production. (We will celebrate and thank Nancy for her years of communications and events ministry between our Sunday services on December 20.)

In mid-November, Kristle Evans will complete one of her several ministries in the parish as pastoral care coordinator. Her part-time role began by assisting Mother Shayna and all the clergy team at a time of great need when Fr. David was sick. She shaped this role into one of not only being in touch with many who were sick or bereaved, but also connecting her experience as a spiritual director and as a leader in Daughters of the King to engage their talents, and with StephJo our Children’s Chapel ministry, to create intergenerational and pastoral care connections with our faithful at home. Pastoral Care needs, concerns and interests in serving should now go to Father Glenn glenn@saintjameslancaster.org or through Kate in the office at 717-397-4858.

Annual Giving Campaign Update

As we move into November, we give thanks to God and to all of you for your commitments to the "Rejoice, Repair, Renew" campaign for our 2027 year of ministry at Saint James. Our October campaign work generated significant response, and to those of you who have responded, our deep thanks. As of today, we have received 152 commitments to giving for 2027, totaling just over $700,000.00. While this is significant progress, we have a ways to go to complete the campaign. If you have not yet completed your 2027 giving commitment, PLEASE DO SO TODAY!

For more information on how to make your pledge, click here to visit our website and get started. Or simply click here to email Fr. Glenn with your commitment.

Your annual pledge is both a spiritual exercise and discipline, as well as a gift to your parish leadership as we plan for another year of ministry in our congregation. Thank you!

Fr. Glenn +

Sunday, November 8 | 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

In the Parish House Forum Room

Last week, we heard the psalmist "bless the Lord at all times" because "this poor soul cried and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble." But what of those who cry to God and are not heard, nor saved from every trouble?

We hear such a lament in Psalm 22: "O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night but find no rest." This situation is all the more remarkable when we remember that Jesus quotes this psalm on the cross to express his own experience of being forsaken by God (Matt. 27:46). Join us this Sunday as we explore the ways in which the Psalms help us to confront the crisis created when God no longer answers when we cry. "But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O Lord, why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me?" (Ps. 88:13-14).

Available in person and via Zoom. Click here for the Zoom link.

Tuesday, November 10 | 7:00 PM

Contemplative Citizenship

Our final Contemplative Citizenship session will be a time of reflection, prayer and choosing. After four weeks of learning from peacemakers, we ask together, "Where do we go from here?"

Join us Tuesday, November 10th, as we close the series and, as a community and as individuals, commit to the work ahead. Click here for more info and to register for the Zoom link.

Wednesday, November 11 | 10:59 AM

Veterans Day Tolling of the Bell

All are invited to join our facilities assistant and US Navy veteran Nate Graham on Tuesday, November 11th, at 10: 59 AM for a moment of silence and a tolling of our steeple bell 21 times in honor of Veterans’ Day and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Attendees are welcome to listen outdoors or to sit in the sanctuary during this brief time of prayerful observance.

The tradition began on November 11, 1918, to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany after more than four years of worldwide war. As a practice of contemplative citizenship, we are invited to pause in stillness and silence as we pray for peace in our communities and throughout the world.

Saturday, November 14 | 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 "work as grace," please join us. Click here to email Lorraine Rollo for the Zoom link.

Saturday, November 14 | 5:00 PM

Saturday Night Mass Every Body Sacred

Join us for our next Celebrate Abilities Series event with, Every Body Sacred, a joyful, all-ages celebration of music and community! This Saturday Night Mass will feature the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development’s rock and roll legends, The UnSinkables, alongside the United Disabilities Choir.

Bring your family, invite a friend, and be part of an uplifting evening celebrating the gifts, talents, and joy each person brings to our community. Come sing, celebrate, and experience the power of music to bring us together.

Everyone is welcome. We hope you’ll join us! In person and via livestream. Click here to view the livestream.

Sunday, November 15 | 5 - 6:30 PM

Friendsgiving Youth Group Night

In the Parish House

Forum Room

Let’s celebrate friendship, good food and gratitude at our very own Friendsgiving! Bring a favorite dish, dessert, or side to share, and invite a friend to join in the fun. The more, the merrier!

We’ll fill the table, enjoy some great food, and take time to celebrate the people and things we’re thankful for. Then we’re heading into the kitchen to create our own custom snack mixes to take home. You’ll be ready to be the snack hero at your next tailgate, holiday gathering, or family get-together!

Come hungry, bring a friend, and get ready for a fun night of food, creativity, and time together! Please RSVP by November 13 so we know how much food and how many supplies to have ready. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.

Wednesday, November 18 | 3:00 PM

Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

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

Saturday, November 21 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Join the Upper Room Men's Group for breakfast in the parish house forum room on November 21st. Men of all ages are welcome to enjoy a time of food, fellowship, and engaging discussions on some of today's most important topics. Bring a friend and your appetite!

Sunday, November 29 | 9:30 AM

Women's Bible Study

Parish House Library

Join Julie Peachey and the women of our parish for a transformative journey of Bible study, prayer and fellowship in the parish house library. In November's session, the group will discuss I Corinthians 1:3-9 and how God's grace enriches and strengthens us.

This gathering is an opportunity to deepen your relationships, share your experiences, and grow in faith together. Let’s lift each other up as we explore God's Word. For more information, click here to email Julie Peachey.

Sunday, November 29 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Advent Wreath Making

In the Parish House Forum Room

Celebrate the first Sunday of Advent with an afternoon of festive fun! Families, parishioners, and friends of all ages are invited to create their own Advent wreath. We'll provide the wreath frames, fresh greens, candles, and all the materials you need to make a beautiful wreath to light at home throughout the Advent season as we prepare for the birth of Christ.

If you have a wreath frame from last year, please bring it along to use again!

A pizza lunch will be provided. All ages are welcome!

Registration is kindly requested to help us plan for the afternoon. An at-the-door $10 - $20 donation for wreath-making supplies and lunch would be appreciated!

Please click here to RSVP by Monday, November 23.

Sunday, November 29 | 11:45 AM

Feast of St. Andrew

In the Cloister Fountain Area

All are welcome to gather in the sanctuary after the 10:30 AM Mass for a brief celebration of the Feast Day of St. Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland.

Thom Moore of the Happy Bagpiper will be our guest bagpiper for the service. Wear your kilt if you have one!

Thursday, December 3 | 6:15 - 7:30 PM

A Sound Sanctuary Yoga Series Begins

Join Sandra Orndorff, sound healer, life coach, and yoga instructor, for an evening designed to help you slow down, settle in, and find a little space amid the busyness of the holiday season.

Each 75-minute session begins with 25–30 minutes of gentle restorative yoga, using supported postures to help the body soften and settle. Then, transition into about 45 minutes of immersive sound meditation, surrounded by the soothing vibrations of singing bowls, chimes, percussion, voice, and other sound instruments.

Space is limited. Advance registration is required. Click here for more information and registration.

Saturday, December 5 | 3:30 PM

St. Nicholas Mass and Live Nativity

Come celebrate the life and gifts of St. Nicholas of Myra with live nativity animals.

3:30 PM - Visit with nativity animals and enjoy refreshments

4:30 PM – St. Nicholas arrives

5:00 PM – Mass and storytime with St. Nicholas

Children are invited to leave their shoes in the chapel during the service, where they’ll find a special gift from St. Nicholas when they return! Held rain or shine.

Sunday, December 13 | 9:30 AM

Celebrating 60 Years of Ordained Ministry

Join us on December 13th as we celebrate Father Ron Jaynes and his 60 years in ordained ministry.

All are invited to a special coffee hour in the Narthex between services on Sunday, November 8th, with cake, coffee and time with Father Ron. Feel free to bring a completed card or note to the parish house to place in a box that will be presented to Father Ron on December 13th.

Parking Update!!

As construction on the former library building progresses and the need for parking for construction vehicles grows, the general contractor has asked that we refrain from parking in the three spaces located near the back of the parish house (see photo), as these spaces are part of the

former library's property.

Mark Your Calendar

November 6, 9:00 PM | Compline: Commemoration of All Souls

November 10, 7:00 PM | Contemplative Citizenship concludes

November 14, 10 - 11:30 AM | Women's Gathering

November 14, 5:00 PM | Saturday Night Mass with

The Unsinkables

November 14, 6:00 PM | Younger Saint James Meetup after Unsinkables Mass

November 15, 9:30 AM | Newcomer Coffee in the Rectory

November 15, 5:00 PM | Youth Group

November 18, 3:00 PM | Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

November 21, 8:30 AM | Upper Room Men’s Group