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Events at St. James
Guest Priest in September

St. James welcomes Father Letters
Fr. Mark Letters comes to Saint James
 
Fr. Mark Letters will be the guest preacher and celebrant at the 9:00 and 11:00 AM Eucharists next Sunday, September 26. He has been filling in for Fr. Mark while the Dunnams are on holiday.

Fr. Mark was until recently associate priest at All Saints' Episcopal Church, Waterloo, Belgium. He was previously a priest of the Church of England's Diocese of Oxford, where he served his title at St Barnabas', Jericho; and was the Anglican chaplain to HM Detention Centre Campsfield House, ministering to the illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers who are held there before being removed from the United Kingdom. He currently divides his time between teaching in Copenhagen and helping out at the various churches of the Convocation.


Please give Fr. Letters a warm welcome.

Fr. and Mrs. Dunnam will be away on holiday in the United States from September 8 to October 1. In case of any pastoral need, please contact the church office.
Church Mice!

Change is on the way!
Changes at St. James
 
During the August break, St. James church mice have been busy relocating the Church offices to the rear of the undercroft. The Christian Education Department will be located in the former Church offices, enabling greater access to the Church for our students and making a more efficient space for Church administration.

Some loose ends are being tied up, so we ask your indulgence as work is completed.

Pardon our progress!


 
Friends of Saint James

Where & When
Date: Thursday, Sept. 30 (preliminary meeting Thursday, Sept. 23)
Time: 11 AM
Location: Undercroft
Meeting of the Friends of St. James
 
The Friends of St. James will hold its first meeting following the summer break on Thursday, September 30, at 11 AM. The meeting will be held in the undercroft, and is open to all. The Friends of St. James is a group to organize fundraising events in support of the Church.

There will be a preliminary meeting, also in the undercroft, at 11 AM this Thursday, September 23, to brainstorm and plan activities. All interested people are welcome to come - bring your ideas!
Adult Forum

Where & When
Date: Sundays
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: St. James Meeting Room
"Know Each Other / Know the World"

This Sunday, September 26, Gianluigi Gigliermetto will present the topic of "The Anglican Way to Christianity: Historical Changes and Present Challenges." 

 

Grab a cappuccino in the Parish Hall and join us at 10:00 am each Sunday in the meeting room.

Sunday School
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Where & When
Date: Sundays, beginning October 3
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: St. James undercroft
Sunday School Begins October 3
 
An exciting Childrens' Sunday School program is being planned for the coming year. We will be piggy-backing with the theme of the Adult Forum: Knowing Ourselves and Others through Story. We will explore our individual stories and how they connect to our ancestral faith stories, present community and the world community. Sunday School begins October 3 due to scheduling considerations.
Book Study

Where & When
Date: Oct. 7, 14; Nov. 4, 18.
Time: 19:00 PM
Location: Rectory
Book Study Resumes at the Rectory
 
Please join us for the continuation of the study of The Meaning of Jesus, by Marcus Borg.

Mark the dates: October 7, 21; November 4, 18.

Each session begins at 7:00 PM. Join us for study, scintillating conversation, and refreshments.
 
Ministry Fair and Cookout

Where & When
Date: Sunday, October 10
Time: 10:00 AM and after the 11:00 AM Eucharist
Location: St. James portico
Ministry Fair and cookout sponsored by Vestry on October 10
 
On Sunday, October 10, all the various ministries and organizations of St. James Church are being asked to set up tables on the Front Portico with information and sign-up sheets for new members and volunteers.

Think about what ministries you are being called to, and sign up. St. James needs you!

And join everyone after the 11 o'clock Eucharist for a free cookout with music, dancing, and fun.

Please come join us on this special day.
Watercolor Classes at St. James

Where & When
Date: Beginning Tuesday, September 21
Time: Tuesday & Friday 9:30-12:30
          Wednesday & Friday 14:30-17:50
Location: St. James, upstairs loft
Robert Reed is offering new watercolor classes
 
Beginning on September 21, Mr. Robert Reed will be offering his watercolor classes on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:30-12:23 AM and on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 2:30-5:30 PM.

This is a wonderful opportunity for those who already love to paint, or have always wanted to learn!

Piano Concert

Where & When
Date: Friday, September 24
Time: 21:00
Location: St. James Church
"Concerto per Anima e Pianoforte"
 
Pianist Maurizio Koan will perform at St. James on Friday, September 24, at 9 PM.

"Una musica dolce, gentile, raffinata."

www.mauriziokoan.com
 
Voter Registration

Where & When
Date: Every Sunday
Time: After the 11 AM service
Location: St. James
Make your voice heard!
 

NON PARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION  will be held every Sunday in September after the 11 AM service.  You will need to bring either US license or Social Security number.

 

This registration is important because it is the request to receive your absentee ballot for the mid term elections.  It also ensures your registration for the 1012 election.


Please note that children of US citizens (over 18) are eligible to vote.

 

Other venues and dates will be set as soon as possible and will be posted on the St. James site.

 

For more information please get in touch with Elisabeth Cole.

Christmas Gala

Where & When
Date: December 3
Time: TBA
Location: St. James
Chistmas Gala December 3 - Save the Date!
 
Plans are underway for our famous Christmas Gala.  Reserve the date and tell all your family and friends.  Once again Erica O'Kief will chair this festive fund-raiser and holiday extravaganza.  Be on the lookout for more news and requests in September.
Your St. James
Local Outreach Donations

Contact: julia.wright@mac.com
Local Outreach Donations for 2010
 
We need your suggestions for local outreach donations to be made in 2010.
There are so many wonderful organizations in Italy, run primarily by volunteers, that actively help the community. This is an opportunity for St James to help them in their work.

Please note that the closing date for submissions is September 30.

Please email julia.wright@mac.com with your suggestions.

 
St. James' Townhouse Available for Bookings

Contact: townhouse@stjames.it
Come stay in the St. James' Townhouse
 

St. James' Town House, in the heart of Florence, is the perfect place to stay with friends or family. We are centrally located near the train station, the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and many other favorite places to visit. We accept reservations for a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 3 months. Your stay with us is considered a donation to St. James Church. Contact us for availability and further information. Everyone is Welcome at St. James' Town House!


St. James' Town House is a three story apartment with its own entrance on via Bernardo Rucellai, next to the church rectory and part of the parish complex. It is a spacious 3-bedroom, 3-bath apartment, furnished with antiques, including a beautiful 1826 John Broadwood fortepiano, and overlooking the church and the rectory garden. It is fully equipped with linens for both bed and bath, along with kitchen supplies. There is satellite television that includes many English language programs, a washing machine, microwave oven, and iron. The bedrooms and living room are air conditioned. Off- street parking within the grounds of the church for one car.

 
Events Around Florence
Book Presentation for USA Study Abroad Students

Where & When
Date: Tuesday, September 21
Time: 18:30
Location: Via Buonvicini 17A
"La Bella Experienza"
 
TODAY - Creative Corner is hosting a presentation by author and former study-abroad student Nadia LaMantia, of her first book, "La Bella Esperienza." Booksigning will follow.

Ms. LaMantia will be answering the many questions students would love to ask, but never dare to! From "Is the guy I met really Italian? to "Tips on how to blend in with the locals and really learn about Italy."

The event is free to the public. Refreshments will be served following the resentation.

Creative Corner
Via Buonvicini 17A
Florence
Tel. 347-481730



www.nadialamantia.com
Chiesa Evangelica Metodista Playgroup

Where & When
Date: Thursdays
Time: 10 AM - 12 noon
Location: Methodist Church, Via de' Benci 9
"Coffee & Chaos"

The Methodist Church (Chiesa Evangelica Metodista) is hosting an informal, nonprofit, multi-lingual playgroup (primarily English and Italian) for children 0-3 years old and their attenders (parents, grandparents, caregivers). Usually a session will include an informal craft activity, story, and songs, along with time to play with your child or encourage them to play independently.

Drop in anytime on Thursdays between 10 AM - 12 noon. Everyone is welcome, no need to make a reservation.

There is a €1 charge per family to cover coffee, drinks, snacks (fruit, cookies) and other materials.
 
The Methodist Church is located at Via de' Benci 9, Florence.
Tel 055-288143
www.firenzeplaygroup.blogspot.com

 
Museo Galileo Guided Tours

Where & When
Museo Galileo & La Specola

Tel. 055 294883
Email:
prenotazioni@operalaboratori.com

Florence for Family
 

Museo Galileo, which has just reopened following after 2.5 years of major restoration work, and the Natural History Museum of Florence (The Specola) will be hosting weekends dedicated to children from July through December of 2010.  The museums will offer a fun journey into the secrets of nature and world of science through a variety of laboratories, games and guided visits.

 

Children will learn while having fun and being surrounded by ancient, scientific instruments, skeletons and animals.  Their parents will have the opportunity to leave them during the activities and visit other parts of the museum.

 

The guided visits are offered in English one weekend a month (see website for specific dates) by St. James' own Karen Giacobassi. There is no extra charge, but reservations are required.


Tel. 055 294883
Email:
prenotazioni@operalaboratori.com

 

http://www.museogalileo.it/en/pressroom/enews/eflorencefamily.html


 
God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
Hymn 718, words by Daniel Crane Roberts
St. James Church, Florence
Via B. Rucellai, 9
Firenze, Italy
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