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Upcoming events at St. James
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Christmas greetings from our Rector
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Dearly Beloved,
Advent
and Christmas greetings! What a whirlwind the last months have been.
My wife, Dottie, and I are settling-in to life at St. James Church,
Florence. We love St. James Church. I want to thank everyone in the
States, the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and here in
Florence for all the well-wishes and many expressions of support given
to us. We have been surrounded and enfolded by many prayers and much
love. St. James is a vibrant congregation and reminds me of a
mini-United Nations. The varied ministries and inclusive hospitality
lived out here are remarkable, and I look forward to our shared work
and community life.
"Transition" is the word that comes to me most
when I think of Advent 2009. Personally, I have been living a life of
considerable transition most recently. Transition seems to be an
essential element in a life of faith. It is part of our collective
spiritual DNA; as far back as Noah, Jonah, Sarah and Abraham, Moses and
the Babylonian exile. Mary and Joseph were part of a great migration
and relocation as they journeyed to Bethlehem. Transitions are often
times of uncertainty and danger, fear and anxiety. Yet, time and
again, the Community of Faith witnesses to weathering the storms of
life, and emerging at a new and renewed place.
In 2009 there is much
in the Church and the world that is in transition. Many sense that we
are in the "End Times." Indeed, we are. Many things are in radical
change and flux. The Old is passing away, and the New is being born.
I believe we are experiencing "birth pangs". It is not easy to give
birth, and especially not easy to give birth to God. During this
season of birth it is necessary to assist with acts of kindness and
mercy, compassion and reconciliation. This birth effort needs your
help. Please work and give generously. Love and pray for one another
and the hurting world. Heal the sick. Feed the hungry. Bind the
wounded and broken-hearted. Welcome the outcast and marginalized.
Care. Worship the Lord. In these and other things God is born. The
transition promises to be one of transformation 'til Kingdom come.
Go with God this Advent until we reach Merry Christmas!
In love,
Mark
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Advent newsletter online!
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Where & When Available for download 24/7. Just click on the image above. |
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Advent and Christmas Services
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Where & When Advent and Christmas season at St. James, Florence |
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In addition to the weekly services at 9 and 11 every Sunday morning, during the Advent and Christmas season, please join us:
Sunday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p. m. - Nine Lessons and Carols
Thursday, Dec. 24 at 6 p. m. - Christmas Pageant and Eucharist
Thursday, Dec. 24 at 11 p. m. - Christmas Midnight Mass
Friday, Dec. 25 at 11 a. m. - Christmas Day Eucharist
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Charitable donations
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Where & When Your generosity is always appreciated |
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Donate to St. James ... it's easy!
Although we are blessed with a beautiful church in a beautiful city,
St. James is a parish of modest means. People are often surprised to
learn that we are financially independent, and receive no financial
support from the national Episcopal Church, from any missionary agency,
nor from the US or Italian governments. Our mission and ministry is kept alive year to year by God's grace and the extravagant kindness of people like you.
All donations to St. James are fully deductible for US tax purposes.
St. James Church is a parish of the Episcopal Church in the United
States of America and a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Our tax ID
number is 13-6132268. In accordance with Section 170 (F)(8)(B), any
goods or services provided to you consist solely of intangible
religious benefits. If you want to deduct it as a charitable donation in the US, you can
- donate online using PayPal through www.stjames.it
- send a check made payable to "St. James Church" to the office: St. James Church, via Rucellai, 9 - 50123 Firenze, Italia
- send a check made payable to "St. James Church" in the US to Friends of St. James Church, c/o Anne Bowen, P.O. Box 352 Salisbury, CT 06068 USA
If you want to deduct it as a charitable donation in Italy, donate to Amici di St. James onlus using our account at the Banca Prossima IBAN IT12A0335901600100000001793
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Prayer: from our friends at EPPN
Almighty and most merciful God, you took on human flesh not in the palace of a king but in the throes of poverty and need: Grant that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart; that, following in the steps of your blessed Son, we may give of ourselves in the service of others until poverty and hunger cease in all the world, and all things are reconciled in the reign of Christ.
Amen.
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St. James Church, Florence
Via B. Rucellai, 9
Firenze, Italy
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Your personal information is processed in compliance with the Italian Privacy Law (D.Lgs.196/03). To consult, modify or cancel your personal data at any time click on the link below, or write to St. James American Church, via Bernardo Rucellai 9, Firenze (Florence) Italy, or email info@stjames.it. Under Italian law (D.Lgs 196/03), the client must be aware of the right to access to his/her own data.
Informativa ai sensi dell'art. 13, d. lgs 196/2003: i Suoi dati personali sono trattati dalla St. James American Church in rispetto al Codice privacy 196/03. Qualora non intendeste ricevere ulteriori comunicazione, potete cancellarvi utilizzando il link sottostante, oppure scrivere a St. James American Church, via Bernardo Rucellai 9, Firenze, o inviare un'email a info@stjames.it
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