2008 Pentecost/Advent Sundays at St. James’
in the Oakridge Hall at 10:00 a.m.

                           “Advent’s Abundance”
December 21            Advent IV         St. James’ Clergy Reflections

December 28            Family Breakfast

January 3                 Family Breakfast

Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
Thursday, December 31 - New Year’s Eve
Friday, January 1, 2009 - New Year’s Day

EVERY SUNDAY:
Studying Sunday’s Scriptures
Our Sunday Bible readings in church are from a three year “lectionary” (from the Latin meaning readings).  Are you looking for a place to more fully explore how the weekly Scripture lessons are relevant to your life and the world around us?  A place to freely discuss, listen, and contemplate in community?  The Lectionary Class hopes to furnish that place.  Led by John Sneed this class meets at 10:00 a.m. in the Moyer Room. Come regularly, or just drop in.

Episcopal School
On Sunday mornings Episcopal School will be offered for newcomers, adults wishing to be confirmed and ANYONE interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church.  We welcome all that would like to just drop in for one Sunday.  If you have any questions please call Sheri Cox at the Church Office, 601.982.4880, or email her at scox@stjamesjackson.org  

Young Adult Sunday School Class
Young Adult Sunday School Class meets each Sunday from September through May.  Young adults range from college students through, well…..until you no longer consider yourself one.  Most of our participants have school age children.  The purpose of our gathering is to visit with each other each Sunday, focusing on how God is present in our lives.  Participants are guided in their discussion by the clergy of the parish. This year we will revisit the short videos produced by Rod Bell as well as some new ones he has created, each of which is about 10 minutes or so in length.  Then we’ll begin our discussion.  The goal of the class is to have you, the participants, respond to the Scripture centered material, and then talk - to each other.  The goal for the class is to continue a conversation with  your peers about your faith - what inspires you, what confuses you, what lifts you up through the daily struggles of life.  Led by The Rev. Christopher Powell this class meets in Room 103 in Old Gray Hall.

OTHER SACRED OFFERINGS 
Women’s Bible Study
8:45 a.m. in the Moyer Room on Wednesdays.
Led by The Rev. Shannon Manning
This is open to ALL women in the parish who are looking for a time of study, reflection and community in the middle of the week!  Our first book will be Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller.  Copies are available at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Bookstore.  Free childcare provided.  interested?  Questions?  Contact Shannon Manning (smanning@stjamesjackson.org)
 

Parish Bible Study
10:45 a.m. in the Oakridge Hall on 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
This Bible Study, led by The Rev. Christopher Powell, moves through one book at a time. Conversation is lively and interesting.

Tapes and Talk Group
9:30 a.m. in the Chapel on the 1st Thursday of the month and meets in the Chapel
This group meets the 1st Thursday of each month to view and discuss a segment of thought provoking, educational video series. Recently the group saw a series by John Claypool and another concerning archeological sites of early Christianity. This group invites and welcomes newcomers. Call Carolyn McLendon at 956-9702 or Lottie Smith at 366-5572 for more information.

TGIF Bible Study
10:30 a.m. in the Moyer Room on Fridays
G is for Gospel, here - the one coming in Sunday morning worship. We will begin with prayer and some silence, listen to the reading in at least two English translations, share together how we hear the text. We will then “walk through” the passage - looking at aspects like the context of the reading, the original Greek words, other versions of the same text. We will close with prayer no later than noon. Leader: The Rev. Dr. Minka Sprague.

Men’s Bible Study
7:00 a.m. in the Oakridge Hall on Thursdays
Our format will be simple: we will start with the Gospel of Luke and read part or all of a chapter to begin the morning.  Christopher will then moderate a discussion about the passage we have just looked at.  The focus here will be on your response to the reading.  You will be invited to share your thoughts and struggles with reading the scriptures as well as your personal response to Jesus as he appears to us through the Gospel story.  Come ready to be visited by Christ through the Word of God.  Leader: The Rev. Christopher Powell. 

Education for Ministry

E is for Effervescent Energy

F is for Fabulous Fun

M is for Monumental Moments

All this, the Bible, Episcopal Church history and theology, too – this is Education for Ministry. Not to mention community by way of theological reflection. These are all good reasons to consider signing up for EFM this summer.

EFM classes are scheduled on the academic year, so now is the time to consider registration for September. The University of the South at Sewanee mandates a minimum number of participants for each class – those beginning, those currently moving through the four-year curriculum.

Here is the question: Do you have any reason to think you might regret not signing up for EFM this year? If there is a smidge of a “yes” here, please call the Church Office at 601-982-4880 and talk to Tammie Stephens or Minka Sprague.