Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ 
A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years-a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before-had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well." ( Mark 5:21-28)
One of the things that I love about writing the Wednesday Epistle is that I get a chance to search around the Internet looking for inspirational ideas.
Today, I came across the International Society of Exceptional Leaders website. Seemingly, the society is focusing their leadership skills in some other direction than their blog. No one has posted anything there in five months. However, there was a post on their website that I thought was very much worth reading. Nikolai Ray offers his insight about how we can achieve the dreams and success that we strive to achieve. He writes:
Create your possibilities and don't be afraid to fall. The number 1 thing that prevents people from living lives of liberty, happiness, peace and success is failure to launch; the fear to fall. Unfortunately, society conditions us to be afraid of failure. .... Live and Work with faith, from the deeps of your soul. When you are honest and true to your soul, have faith in that positive energy and influences. The universe will work for you. That last sentence may be a little too "new age" for you. Maybe for me too. Nonetheless, Ray's lessons make me think about how God acts, not about what God is. We may not precisely know anything about God but we can observe how God's providence is occurring around and within us, should we decide to do so because such observations are the essence of belief. Two of the lessons that this Sunday's Gospel offers us are aligned with Nikolai's leadership  themes. The woman who suffers from a terrible physical affliction and has no money is not afraid to fail. Second, she chooses to actively work from the depths of her being in a faithful way. She's willing to take a chance consciously knowing that it might not work, but, then again, it just might. She faithfully believes that it isn't God's intention for her to continue to be sick and poor. She doesn't deserve to have doctors take her money from her. Thank God, she's healed, after an arduous battle with a life-depleting illness. The end of her illness occurred when she intentionally reached out for help. We all know that people live with chronic and terrible illnesses. We all also know of instances when we or others have experienced God's healing and comforting love. I haven't yet logically determined how God's love works. I do believe that living outward from a place of heart-filled, faithful courageousness has something to do with moving away from life's fears and pain towards Jesus' comfort and new life. May healing happen as we move forward with, Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
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And the Signs Say
Community Supper - Thursday: 5:00 - 6:30 PM Contact Jane to volunteer or contribute.Vestry - 7 PM
Habitat for Humanity Project -
Saturday 8:00 AM - 12 Noon &/or 12 Noon - 4PM
Contact Jane to volunteer or contribute. (I know that Jane can use a hand in raising up and leading our Habitat programs. The next work date is in September. Will you plan and lead it?
 Google comes to St James -
Friday 8 AM - Google photographers will be here Friday morning to photograph a 360 degree view of our worship spaces and parish hall. It's a really cool opportunity to provide guests an all around visit to our church. Julie Murray has put a great deal of time and energy into this opportunity. Please contact her if you would be willing to help prepare for Google's visit. We need folks to tidy up the worship space on Thursday evening. Thanks!
Bible Study and Worship Services
8:30 and 9:30 respectively on Sunday morning
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Two Weeks from Today!
 Plans are rapidly coming together for our World Choir Games Friendship Concert. We will be handing out complimentary tickets for parishioners, their families and friends beginning on Sunday after worship. Please get your tickets then or contact Deborah in the church office if you intend to come to the concert and bring guests. There's lots of things to do, especially the week of the concert. Let us know how you're willing to help! |
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Helping Hands in Russia
 Anne Griffiths, Kim Taber, and Sabrina Peelman departed for Russia today. They join a larger group of chaperons and young people who are participating in this summer's mission trip.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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More About Us and What's going on
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Another One of my "Faves."
I've loved Anne Lamott's writing for a very long time. She's really learned from the school of hard knocks. Cancer, addiction, poverty. These are but three of the woes Anne has gracefully lived through in her life. She writes:
"Dealing with your rage and grief will give you life. That is both the good news and the bad news: The solution is at hand. Wherever the great dilemma exists is where the great growth is, too. ... There's always something ending and something beginning. Yet in the very center is the truth of your spiritual identity: is you." Anne recognizes one very important truth. Life is difficult but possible.  Listen to her as she discusses how to Experience a New Life.
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