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Volume 10 Issue 11 THE NET Page 1
January 2016
The Net
St . James Episcopal Church
St. James Mission Statement
St. James is called to serve God, Christ, and the community of Greater New London.
Annual Meeting 4
Thanks 5
Birthdays 7
Music 7-8
Outreach 9-11
Stewardship 12
Financial Information 15
Inside this issue:
Below is the slate of officers and vestry for 2016:
Senior Warden Dorothy Sieberg
Junior Warden Lori Sarkett
Parish Clerk Jan Dargel
Treasurer Gerald Miller
Assistant Treasurer Garrett Brennan
Historian Dean Hantzopoulos
Vestry Class of 2019 David Downes
Barbara Sherman
Bruce Skinner
Deanery Representatives Grace Barnum
Ronald Steed
Please take some time to review the slate and thank to those who have offered to lead our
Parish!
Nominating Committee News
Page 2 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 11
The Net …
is the newsletter of St.
James Church, New
London, Connecticut.
It is published eleven
times a year
(September through
June and a summer
issue) for the
information and
edification of St. James
members and friends.
Submissions are always
welcome and should
be submitted by the
tenth of the month
before publication.
While your submission is
always welcome, we
would prefer to receive
it by e-mail or memory
stick in Microsoft Word
format.
Please continue to
forward your
submissions to the
church office or email
them to: [email protected]
We also welcome your
comments and
suggestions. This is your
newsletter.
76 Federal Street
New London CT 06320-6601
860-443-4989
www.stjamesnl.org
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
Traditionally, greeting the new year includes making
resolutions for changes in one’s life. I don’t know about
you, but I’ve pretty much abandoned that practice. My
resolutions, no matter how well intentioned, always seem to
fade away long before another new year comes. Still the
coming of a new year, with fresh calendar pages before
us, does prompt one to think about the future and wonder
what changes and challenges will emerge.
Our parish community has the challenge of securing both
a new rector and a new organist/choir master. A search
committee has posted ads for an organist in a number of
relevant publications as well as on our web site.
Applications are already coming in and will be vetted. The
committee plans to select three or four finalists to audition
through playing and conducting our choir on site. They
hope to hire the finalist by late spring. Information on this
process will be shared in The Net.
In this first full week of January we will be interviewing two
candidates for interim rector. Pray that our chosen
candidate will accept this position. The vestry will meet to
select our transition team (formerly called a search
committee) this month. We will begin the tasks involved in
articulating who we are as a community of faith and what
kind of clerical leadership will best help us to be faithful
servants of God in this time and place. All members will be
asked to actively participate in surveys and small group
discussions as we undertake this discernment process.
The Parish Annual Meeting will be held on January 31 after
a single service at 9 a.m. Please plan to attend and
participate by voice and vote in shaping our life together
in 2016.
I would like to thank our administrative assistant, Ellen, for
the long hours she put in during the holidays in keeping us
on track with all the activities and services. I know you
agree that she is an amazing gift to us all! We are also so
greatly blessed in having the Reverend Joan Phelps with us
to lead us in worship and study. Thank you, Mother Joan,
From the Warden’s Desk
Volume 10 Issue 11 THE NET Page 3
Warden’s Desk, cont’d
for serving us so well during these past months and for going well beyond the normal
duties of a supply priest.
And now…let us walk prayerfully and full of hope into the new year.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Sieburg,
Senior Warden
Junior Warden’s Report
A few weeks ago, we had an issue with a leaky pipe in the men’s restroom on the third
level of the Seabury Center. The leak obviously continued for several days without being
spotted or reported. The water went through the floor, causing damage to the ceiling
tiles in the parish office above the printer and computer. We were lucky this time that the
printer and computer were not damaged.
Situations such as this are often overlooked, leaving the church to pay for costly repairs
that could have easily been avoided.
It is up to all of us at St. James to be aware of the surroundings in our church buildings.
Leaky faucets, windows and doors left open or unlocked, light fixtures that are not working
properly are just a few examples of things we need to
question and report!
Let’s keep St. James secure and well maintained.
Contact your wardens, vestry members, or the parish
office if you suspect of any unusual occurrences in or
around the church property.
Remember, if you see something—say something!
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Sarkett,
Junior Warden
Page 4 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 11
Parish Committee Reports Due
It’s that time again — time for committee and activity chairs to produce their annual reports
in preparation for the Annual Parish Meeting. While there’s never a lack of activity in the
parish office, we hope to schedule the work we need to do — to complete and compile
the report — between the holiday rush and the February issue of The NET.
Therefore, all reports are due in the parish office by Wednesday, January 13. Any
submissions not received by that date will not be in the report.
The following is a canonical (“legal”)
description of a member in good standing:
· Be baptized,
· Be at least 16 years of age,
· Be faithful in corporate worship,
· Have received communion at least three
times during the preceding year,
· Have contributed to the financial well-
being of the congregation.
Only members in “good standing” will be
eligible to vote for our new officers; however
all are invited to attend, become more
informed about the life of St. James, and
prepare yourself to more fully participate in
the life of the St. James parish family.
Please plan on joining us that day—it’s
important (and there’s no such thing as an
“absentee ballot”!).
Sunday, January 31, 2016, St. James will hold
its Annual Parish Meeting. There will only be
only one service that day, at 9 a.m., so that
we may all gather together as a single
parish family and transact the “business” of
our parish.
That day, immediately following the service,
parish financials will be presented, an
annual report of the various committees
and ministries of St. James will be distributed,
and new officers of the parish will be
elected by members in good standing.
Annual Parish Meeting
Volume 10 Issue 11 THE NET Page 5
To The Anglican Singers for their December participation and leadership at the Advent
Lessons and Carols service.
To Jerry Miller and the budget committee who developed a budget supporting our ministries
in 2016.
To Stephanie Brandon and the stewardship committee for calling us to support God’s work in
our neighborhood and world.
To all who helped “green” our church for Christmas.
To Jean Rogers for another year recording and coordinating our White Envelope Program.
To our musicians for the beautiful music they created and for their leadership this holiday
season.
To the altar guild for their hard work—the church was lovely this Christmas season.
To Beverly and Fred Driscoll and all who helped hosting a wonderful wassail party after the
greening of the church.
To Sue Chojnacki, Beverly Driscoll, Ginny Harper, Edna Miskell, and Barbara Skinner for
assisting Ellen in the parish office with all the added clerical duties during the Christmas
season.
To Sue Chojnacki, Barbara Skinner, Lori Sarkett, and Theresa Bokoff for sorting, coordinating,
and delivering our collection of hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves to needy New London area
children.
To Barbara Harry and Bruce Skinner for sorting, wrapping, and delivering our collection of
socks for the Homeless Hospitality Center guests for Christmas.
To all who participated in our holiday outreach projects: Christmas tree of giving for our
adopted families and socks for the Homeless Hospitality Center guests. To Grace Barnum,
Deanna Bossdorf, and Pat King for coordinating, organizing, and wrapping the gifts.
To all who helped deliver Christmas poinsettia plants to our parish family members who are
homebound or in healthcare facilities.
To our wardens , executive committee, and vestry members for their hard work and
dedication in leading us during this transition.
Page 6 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 11
The Supper Group of St. James Join us for fun, food and fellowship!!!
Come join the fun! Been thinking about it? Now’s the time!
Next Gathering: Friday, January 29 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Tony D’s Restaurant, 92 Huntington Street, New London
Who: All of us who enjoy spending a fun evening with new and old friends.
Sign-up Deadline: Wednesday, January 27 RSVP (name, # attending, and if you would like a ride) by contacting Lori Sarkett 860.701.0481 or Ellen in the parish office 860.443.4989. Rides are available and encouraged.
St. James to host MLK service
Again this year, St. James has
been asked to be the site of
the region’s annual Martin
Luther King Memorial Service.
This service is hosted by the
Martin Luther King Scholarship
Trust Fund and presents those
selected from area high
schools to be the 2016 MLK
scholars.
The service will be Sunday,
January 17 at 3:00 p.m. in the
church. A reception will
follow in the parish hall.
Please join in with welcoming
the many visitors, and
celebrating both the Martin
Luther King, Jr. holiday and
the students honored.
Trinity Institute is an annual
theological conference hosted
by Trinity Church, Wall Street, for
clergy and lay leaders.
This year’s conference, “TI2016:
Listen for a Change,” focuses
on racial justice and will be held
January 21 –23, 2016. TI2016 is
for anyone who is “interested in
a theological perspective on
racial justice and a fuller
understanding of present realities and
ways to transform them.”
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be
one of the key presenters.
St. Mark's in Mystic will serve as our
registered local site for livestreaming the
conference.
Register online at www.episopalct.org.
Trinity Institute 2016
Volume 10 Issue 11 THE NET Page 7
1 Jan Dargel
2 Ruth McGraw
2 Scott Wardwell
3 William Weisert
5 Gertrude Ott
5 Kelly Dunning-Vazquez
5 Sean Dunning-Vazquez
6 Myrna Fulton
7 Carla Woodward
7 Edward Rae
10 Ann Burdick
13 Alicia Todman-Hernas
18 Alma Dunning
21 Binty Brown
22 Florence Bath
22 Emily Hess
23 Bruce Skinner
28 Bernice Kydd
28 Mary Beth Forshaw
29 Chrystine Booth-Williams
January Birthdays The names on this list reflect the information as recorded in the church database. Is your
name (or a family member’s name) missing? If so, please contact the church office and provide
us with the accurate information!
From our new Interim Organist/Choirmaster
Dear Friends,
As I was enjoying the beginning of my retirement, I got the email
from Dorothy Sieburg about the impending departure of Andrew Howell,
your Organist/Choirmaster.
I have very fond memories of St. James from my service here 1998-2005. With a lot of
prayer, I decided to accept the position of Interim Organist/Choirmaster starting January
2016. I met with the Vestry and Travis gave me the current Choir list. It is very pleasant to
see many familiar names and see old friends and meet new ones.
If you are interested in singing with the choir or have any question about the music ministry
at St. James, please feel free to email me [email protected] or call me
at 860-739-6069.
I look forward to serving St. James with you in this time of transition.
Sincerely,
Violeta
Page 8 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 11
The Anglican Singers and The RSCM Choir of Calvary Church, Stonington
Epiphany Evensong at St. James
Sunday, January 31, 2016
5:00 p.m.
Please join us on Sunday, January 31, for a special Choral Evensong: The Anglican Singers
will be joined by the Royal School of Church Music choir from Calvary Church in Stonington,
CT. The soprano and alto parts in this choir, founded and conducted by Joseph Ripka, are
largely sung by talented boys and girls, in the tradition of the great cathedrals of England.
The Calvary Choir will be traveling to the UK this summer, for residencies in England and
Scotland. January’s service will feature works by Peter Cornelius, Francis Jackson and (our
favorite!) Herbert Howells.
Once more, we’ve managed to avoid scheduling an Evensong on Super Bowl Sunday
(formerly a peculiar custom of The Anglican Singers), so plan to join the combined choirs
after the service, at a reception in the parish hall. It’s a relaxed opportunity to sample the
Singers’ culinary specialties, enjoy a glass of wine, and chat with the choristers.
Please join us on January 31 for this unusual musical offering—you won’t want to miss the
chance to hear all these voices combined in music and praise!
Respectfully submitted,
Katherine Brighty,
Secretary, The Anglican Singers
This year, our annual Silent Movie Night evening will be held on
Sunday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the church. We are fortunate
to have Robert Humphreville with us again on the organ. Details
to follow in upcoming editions of The Net and Sunday
announcements.
Mark your calendars
Volume 10 Issue 11 THE NET Page 9
Thank you so much for all the wonderful
hats, scarves, and mittens! We were able to
deliver 300 sets to the local elementary
school, Covenant Shelter, and to our
Christmas adopted families. At each of the
schools we were welcomed with excited
smiles and warm reception of our
donations. A special thanks to the
knitters! Ninety percent of the hats were
knitted! We are already starting our
collection for next year. If you knit or
purchase some items when they go on
sale and want to give them to us early, we
will gladly accept them. Your thoughtfulness
is deeply appreciated and keeps a child
warm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Chojnacki, Chair
Theresa Bokoff
Barbara Skinner
Hats, Mittens, Gloves, and Scarves Results
Outreach Ministries
Christmas Giving Tree
To the members’ and friends of St. James parish. Once again, we are
very grateful for your generous response to the Christmas Giving Tree
program. We not only fulfilled the wishes of our five adopted families, we
were also able to support three additional families in need. We also
supplied Christmas dinners to the families we helped.
Merry Christmas and thank you!!!!
This holiday season, we received donations of 201 pairs of new white socks
for the Homeless Hospitality Center Shelter guests.
Sixty-seven guests each received three pairs of wrapped, white socks on
Christmas morning.
Thank you to all who participated in this valuable Christmas outreach project.
Socks for HHC Update
Page 10 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 11
Outreach Project for January and February
It’s that time of year — when we begin our collection for the Covenant Shelter. We need
to provide coffee for the residents of the shelter. We collect coffee, tea, hot chocolate,
sugar and sugar substitute, non-dairy creamer, and juice boxes for the children residing
there. Your donations may be brought to church any Sunday, or during the week you may
bring them to the parish office during office hours.
TO ENSURE DONATIONS GO TO THE RIGHT PLACE,
PLEASE CLEARLY MARK YOUR DONATIONS
“FOR COVENANT SHELTER”
Mentors needed Put your experience, knowledge, and interests to work mentoring children in
New London and Waterford schools. Looking for seniors (ages 55+) to help
make a difference! No experience necessary, small stipend and insurance
provided, flexible days/times. Make a positive impact in a child’s life!
Contact Jennifer Johnson at 860.425.6615 or [email protected]. Please visit
our website: www.tvcca.org.
St. James Quilters
This group of church members and friends welcomes anyone who
likes to sew or make things by hand.
Our task is to make quilts for children at the nearby Covenant
Shelter, a temporary home for local at-risk families.
The quilts are fun to put together, we have all the necessary
supplies at hand, and we will happily show you how. We have
made 21 quilts this past year.
We meet from 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m., every second and fourth Thursday of the month,
September through June. Come and join us anytime, or just visit and see what we do.
Respectfully submitted,
St. James Quilters
Volume 10 Issue 11 THE NET Page 11
Vestry’s Stewardship Statement The Episcopal Church teaches the biblical tithe as the standard of stewardship. The Vestry
of St. James believe that they and all parishioners strive to understand and meet that goal
as they personally are able. Adopted by the Vestry,
November 15, 2004
December was a booming month for us
with Christmas sales. We will continue our
collection of Christmas items for a few more
weeks before storing them for next year.
Christmas gifts were provided to staff and
youth acolytes, and we will soon be
meeting to make additional charitable
contributions to missions.
We are now accepting winter clothing,
jewelry, kitchen pans and utensils, towels,
and household linens. Be sure to bring any
donations during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Saturdays only.
Please do not drop off donations of the
Jumble Shoppe door or parish office door.
If the above times do not work for you,
please contact Ellen in the parish office to
coordinate a drop-off time with one of the
Jumble Shoppe volunteers.
Happy New Year from the Jumble Shoppe
volunteers!
The vestry met December 1, 2015. Highlights of the meeting included: (1) update on the
status of securing an interim rector (see senior warden’s report); (2) introduction of interim
organist/choirmaster, Violeta Chan-Scott, who expressed her delight to serve in this
position as long as needed until a permanent person is found. (Violeta will begin her
position in January, 2016.); (3) appointment as sexton of Dennis McCarthy, who has
begun his duties; (4) thanks to the Rev’d Joan Phelps for going beyond the duties of a
supply priest by making parishioner visits, attending staff meetings, and conducting an
Advent Adult Education class; (5) contract with Affordable Snow Removal for snow
removal and purchase of a snow blower with designated funds from the Lenten dinners;
(6) presentation of the 2016 budget with ratification to b made at the annual meeting on
January 31; (7) report from Jerry Miller that we have been approved to apply for a grant
for maintenance and repair from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation [we
should hear in January if we are a recipient of the grant. The grant is a matching grant
up to $15,000 for interior plaster repairs, starting in the bell tower and extending to the
church proper (northwest corner) and Hallam Chapel].
Repectfully submitted,
Jan Dargel,
Parish Clerk
Vestry Notes
Jumble Shoppe
Page 12 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 11
Stewardship
Thanks very much to the following parishioners who have returned their 2016 pledge sheets
to the church, as of January 4.
Ralph and Martha Anderson, Stephen and Patty Anderson, Florence Bath, Robert Kim and
Anne Bingham, Theresa Bokoff, Deanna Bossdorf, Arthur Boulanger, Stephanie Brandon,
Garrett and Victoria Brennan, John and Geraldine Brewster, Katherine Brighty, Reid and
Ann Burdick, Nina Butler, Ray and Mary Chartier, Walter and Sue Chojnacki, Thomas Clark
and Judy Benson, Maryjane Connell, Jan Dargel, Joanna Delancy, Carol Dooley, David
and Deborah Downes, Kristine Drew, Alma Dunning, Linda Duplessis, Shirley Evans, Andrea
Griffin, Dean Hantzopoulos, Virginia Harper, Mary Ellen Harris, Barbara Harry, Peter and Joy
Hewitt, Arlene Hislop, Steven and Mary Hulme, Steven and Awo Hurley, Edward Janusz,
Grace Jones, Joan Jones, Charles and Janet Kepner, Gary Koczera, Henry and Rose Kydd,
John MacLeod, Effie McCarthy, Carol McCoy, Gerald and Kathryn Miller, Edna Miskell,
Margaret Murallo, Barbara Nagy, Stephen and Marilyn Percy, Alma Peterson, Evelyn
Peyton, Marcia Pierce, William Rae and Emma Palzere-Rae, Charles Reyburn, Greg Rice,
Edwin Roberts, Joan Robinson, Jean Rogers, Scott and Catherine Rottinghaus, Carlton and
Sheila Saari, Lori Sarkett, Barbara Sherman, James and Carole Shores, William and Dorothy
Sieberg, Caleb Sieberg, Beverly Skeffington, Bruce and Barbara Skinner, Frederic Smith,
Peter and Mary-Jane Stanley, Ronald and Roxanne Steed, Nicholas Streeter, Diane Theis,
Paul Thomson, Thomas and Nancy Vogel, Ethelyn Wardwell, Robert and Barbara Welsh,
Mary White, Marianna Wilcox, Carla Woodward.
* 2016 amounts as of 1/4/2016
We would like to get all pledges collected as soon as possible so that our budget
committee has sufficient information and planning time to fashion a responsible and well-
targeted financial plan for the upcoming year. It’s not too late, of course, to turn in your
pledge for 2016 so that St. James may continue its traditions of worship and service to the
community. Together, with God’s grace, we can make a difference!
Stewardship History at St. James
2016* 2015 2014 2013 2012
Pledging
House-
holds
80
114
113
112
120
Pledge
Amount
$150,272
$196,607
$208,549
$211,146
$217,373
Average
Pledge
$1,878
$1,725
$1,846
$1,885
$1,811
Volume 10 Issue 11 THE NET Page 13
Each Sunday (except during Lent) we adorn the altar with flowers, light a sanctuary candle,
and consume bread and wine. The altar guild pays for these from gifts given by members,
family, and friends of St. James. If you would like to assist one week, an altar flower
donation is $45; sanctuary candle, $5; and communion wine or communion wafer, $10.
Your donation can be made as a memorial honoring someone deceased or as a thank-
offering to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or other special event in your life. Contact the
parish office or an altar guild member for more information.
As always, more than one person can make their offering in any given week. If you’d like
more information, speak to any member of the altar guild or contact the parish office.
Some Giving Opportunities
Is your current pledge up to date?
Please make sure that your 2015
contributions are caught up as we
approach the busy new year.
Statements will be prepared and
distributed at the annual meeting
on January 31. Please let us know if
you have any questions regarding
your pledge/statements.
Have you pledged for 2016? If you
haven’t received a pledge card
you can speak with Stephanie
Brandon or David Downes or pick
one up at either entrance to the
church. The vestry and
stewardship committee ask you
to prayerfully consider the ways—
time, talent, and treasure—that
you can support St. James as it
seeks to do God’s work in our
community and the world.
Alma Peterson and Greg Rice
Pledge Secretaries
Pledge Update
United Thank Offering (UTO)
At this year’s All Saints Day Ingathering members of St
James Parish gave a total of $413. These gifts joined
many others to provide grants for essential programs
around the world.
Many thanks to all who were able to give this season.
Respectfully submitted,
Dean Hantzopoulos
U.T.O. Chair
Page 14 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 11
Would you like prayers said for the health
of a loved one? Would you or someone
you know like prayer support
during a particularly
challenging time of life? Do
you want to offer special
thanks for a new grandchild
or other joyous event?
St. James Prayer Chain would
be happy to pray with you.
The group prays for the
people included in the
prayers of the people each
Sunday. We also pray for those who are
listed in our morning prayer journal found in
the front vestibule on Sundays. Please call
Prayer Chain Ministry
Grace Barnum (860.326.5447) to add name
(s). It is up to you how specific you make the
prayer request. You can
simply give us a name or
more information about
what they need prayers for,
as you see fit. The people in
the prayer chain keep the
information confidential.
You can also assist with this
ministry by speaking to
Grace Barnum. We ask you
to remember the people you
pray for daily, but how or when you pray is
up to you.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
We are starting off the New Year with newly trained and licensed lay eucharistic ministers.
Thank you to Grace Barnum, Deanna Bossdorf, Walter Chojnacki, Mary Ellen Harris, Lori Sarkett, Carole
Shores, and Dorothy Sieburg for volunteering to be our lay eucharistic ministers.
Please notify the parish office of any persons desiring home communion.
Farewell dear friends …
Alice Belt
Dorothy Leib
Ralph Murallo
The Rev’d George Tompkins (Curate 1976-1978)
Volume 10 Issue 11 THE NET Page 15
Parish Financials This report covers from January 1, 2015 through October 31, 2015.
Total Income:
Budgeted Amount: $229,583
Actual Amount: $216,018
Amount Actual is Under Budget: $ 13,565
The primary contributor to budget underrun is Pledge Income, which is $16,776 below the
budgeted amount.
Total Expenses:
Budgeted Amount: $338,169
Actual Amount: $286,123
Amount Actual is Under Budget: $ 52,046
The primary contributor to this expenditure underrun are Sexton Wage Expense, which is
$15,971 under budget, due to the extended illness of our Sexton, Gary Evans, and Liability
and Property Insurance, which is $26,239 under budget due to a rebate of $21,000 from the
Diocese due to lower insurance costs.
Net Ordinary Income:
Total Income: $216,018
Total Expenses: $286,123
Net Ordinary Income: -$ 70,105
Endowment Income Applied: $109,000
Net Income $ 38,895
Summary: Through October 31, 2015, we are $38,895 ahead of where we expected to be
based on our 2015 budget.
Investment Summary:
Balance 12/31/2014 $3,170,507
Balance 10/31/2015: $3,124,256
Total Value Change: $ 46,251
Withdrawal 5%: $ 109,000
Withdrawal Loan Payment: $ 72,000
Change Pre-Withdrawal: $ 134,749
Summary: Our pre-withdrawal investment value has increased by $134,749, about 4.2%,
through October 31, 2015. After factoring in the 5% withdrawal, in the first six payments of
our capital improvements loan, our investments are down $46,251, about 1.5% through
October 31.
Respectfully submitted,
Gerald F. Miller,
Treasurer
Page 16 THE NET Volume 10 Issue 11 Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
New London, CT 06320
Permit No. 236
St. James Episcopal Church
76 Federal Street
New London, CT 06320-6601
Postmaster: Time Sensitive Material, please deliver immediately.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED.
Sunday, January 31,
immediately after
9 a.m. service.
Election of officers,
2016 plans and more!
