The Altar Guild is blessed with a wonderful group of ladies who freely give of their time and energy to see that the altars of St. James and the sacred vessels, linens, and vestments are always ready for the multitude of services throughout the year. Additionally, this group is the one that attends to the decorations of the altars and assists at all the weddings. We consider it a privilege to serve the people of St. James.

Many of our Altar Guild members, assisted by our dedicated parishioners and the ladies from Holy Comforter in LeCompte, continue to make the famous St. James Altar Bread as needed for both our churches.

Members of the Altar Guild generously contribute to a Courtesy Fund. We use this fund to provide flowers, memorial donations and/or gift certificates for meals to our members when they are sick or have lost a loved one. We also use this fund to provide Christmas
remembrances to our Sextons and our Altar Guild Laundress.

All Altar Guild funds are administered through the Vestry. In addition to our restricted funds, e.g., our flower funds, courtesy funds, Christmas Cheer fund, and Memorials fund, the Altar Guild receives a general operating budget provided by the Vestry for the purpose of purchasing altar supplies that we need to provide our services (ex: wine, altar bread ingredients, oil for candles, laundry supplies, etc.) We are dependent upon the generosity of donations for the beautiful flowers our ladies arrange to enhance our worship services. Our memorial gifts funds are invested. Our members also freely contribute their own funds which enable the Altar Guild to provide gifts for the needy in our community.

We remain indebted to our parish family for their support of our work. It is our pleasure to serve you, our Rector Fred Tinsley, and our Assisting Priest Rev. Jim Adams.

Altar Guild Groups and Schedule (February 2008 through January 2009)
Mrs. Gene Sterling (Charlotte) Co-Directress 487-8480
Mrs. Harmon Dungan (Kathy) Co-Directress 443-3363
Mrs. Gene Milam (Brenda) Altar Flower Chairperson 487-0982

1st Sunday Group:
Chairperson: Ms Nona Pat Yeager 443-6653
Mrs. Robin Bennett (Mary Belle) 443-7377
Mrs. Richard Larsen (Nadine) 767-1165
Ms. Gabrielle Brister 442-8725
Mrs. J.G. Marshall (Sarah) 776-5148
Mrs. Harmon Dungan (Kathy) 443-3363
Ms. Becky Warren 449-1220

2nd Sunday Group:
Chairperson: Mrs. Gene Sterling (Charlotte) 487-8480
Ms. Carla-Beth Carlisle 640-0304
Mrs. Jackson Galloway (Cissy) 445-3549
Mrs. Stella Craig 640-3318
Mrs. George Nolan (Hort) 442-1483
Mrs. Jules Davidson (Juanita) 443-0728
Mrs. Harry Randow (Susie) 776-9026
Mrs. Elizabeth Deshotel 793-9488

3rd Sunday Group:
Chairperson: Mrs. Gene Milam (Brenda) 487-0982
Mrs. Philip Collins (Joann) 641-1839
Mr. Roy S Rosenthal 640-0351
Mrs. Babson Fresh (Tish) 445-5250
Ms. Jana Skinner 442-4283
Mrs. William Lynch (Bertie) 442-4665
Mrs. Ellis Twilley (Julia Ann) 640-1667
Mrs. Tom McBride (Kristina) 473-2679

4th Sunday Group:
Chairperson: Mrs. Joey Baker (Emily) 473-2901
Mrs. Darrell Broussard (Shelley) 640-4230
Mrs. Andy Inman (Ellen) 443-7563
Mrs. B. J. Dawkins (Janet) 442-8828
Mrs. J. W. Petty (Suzanne) 442-5658
Mrs. David Deville (Nell)
Mrs. Clay Ray (Charlotte) 442-0405
Mrs. Frank Goodman (Mary) 793-4111
Mrs. Greg Whittington (Donna) 641-0413

5th Sunday Group:
March Group 1
August Group 4
June - Group 3
November Group 2

Altar Flower Arrangers:
Mrs. Tim Bloch (Phyllis) 443-1659
Mrs. Carl Ahrens (Janet) 487-1987
Mrs. Raymond Braun (Margaret) 473-8550
Mrs. Kirk Domingos III (Barbara) 561-9868
Honored Members of the Altar Guild:
Mrs. T. G. Easterling (Gladys)
Mrs. Robert B. Fowler (Carrie Lee)

Wedding Committee:
Ms Carla-Beth Carlisle Chairperson
Mrs. George Nolan (Hort)
Mrs. Harmon Dungan (Kathy)
Mrs. Andy Inman (Ellen)
Mrs. Jackson Galloway (Cissy)
Mrs. Babson Fresh (Tish)
Mrs. Gene Sterling (Charlotte)
As of: January 28, 2008

 

We seek to offer multiple opportunities of Christian education to all age groups. These small-group offerings are intended to allow all parishioners to expound upon what we hear, say, and do in our corporate worship services, thereby forming and deepening our fellowship with Jesus Christ and with one another. These include our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening classes, as well as the Education for Ministry (EFM) program, Women’s and Men’s Bible Studies, Confirmation/Reception classes, and various multigenerational events.

This vast array of offerings would not be possible if it were not for the devoted leadership of our teachers, clergy, youth and adult leaders. We extend our thanks to all of these individuals for their loving and countless hours of service in our Christian Education program. All of these folks have played a unique and special role in our formation as Disciples of Christ. It takes the participation of us all to be able to know Jesus Christ in the fullness of His love and mercy. So if you have not availed yourselves of these many opportunities, we invite you to come and join us and be formed in His likeness.

God’s Peace, on behalf of the Christian Formation Leaders

The next meeting is Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 5:30.

"Hope does not disappoint us because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." Romans 5:5

The Evangelism Committee hosts a variety of programs to energize the parish and community to follow the Lord. Often these programs lead us to small tasks that improve the facilitation of these events.

Publications to promote St. James and its missions, signs to inform, welcoming gifts and other ways of telling Central Louisiana that St. James is actively working in their community are all part of what the Evangelism Committee does.

The next meeting is Monday, July 14th, 2008 at 5:30 pm.

The Memorial and Fine Arts Committee works to carry out requested memorials and to maintain the upkeep of all St. James' beautiful artwork.

With contributions to this committee items that would enhance the Church and its services can be obtained. Anyone wishing to make a donation towards a gift to St. James in honor or memory of a person or event should first contact the Chairperson of this committee with their proposal. The committee will assess the appropriateness of the gift and then present it to the Vestry for their final approval.

Next meeting is Monday, July 7th at 5:30.

MISSION AND OUTREACH: We filled the CLASS cupboard! The Mission and Outreach
Committee is proud to report that, through your amazing generosity, St. James filled the CLASS cupboard! Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services received a vanload of supplies ranging from artificial sweetner to laundry baskets. These items will help to sustain those in our community who are fighting AIDS or caring for a loved one with the disease. Your generous donations are an expression of love and compassion which CLASS will help us spread in our community. Thank you for continually supporting the Mission and Outreach
Committee as we look for ways to proclaim the love of God through our time, talents and resources

The Mission and Outreach Committee is concerned with a variety of projects from being active in the ACTS Honduas Missions to supplying items for the Hope House and the Turning Point Women's/Children's Shelter. The Committee continues to purchase annual allotments of food from the Food Bank for income-eligible Canterbury House residents.

The Shepherd Center is always high on St. James' list of organizations to help, along with the Police and Firefighters.

Next meeting is to be announced.

This Committee oversees the events and maintenance of St. James' Mount Olivet Cemetery. Extensive cleanings of the fence line, removal of trees and weeds from shrubs, and the trimming of shrubs and trees, are just a few of the concerns. Crew are organized and sent to the cemetery several times a year to do work that is not included in the regular monthly maintenance contract.

On March 8, 1858, the Vestry of St. James moved that the Rector Caleb Dowe be authorized to purchase, for the price of $700, the land which became known as Mt. Olivet Cemetery. We celebrate Mt. Olivet’s 150th anniversary this year. Please remember the depth of commitment St. James made in accepting the charge to acquire, maintain and care for this hallowed ground. Mt. Olivet is your cemetery. Be proud of our heritage and continue to support our historic treasure.

Next meeting: To be announced.

The Parish Life Committee coordinates St. James’ participation in a variety of events benefiting the parish and the community. From picnics to luncheons to pancake breakfasts,
this group has their hand in most all of the activites that occur at St. James.

The next meeting is Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm.

The St. James Property Committee continues to be a very busy group which is obvious by all the construction going on.

The remodeling of the Episcopal Youth Community (E.Y.C.) building turned into a brand new construction. An all new 1900 square foot structure was designed to replace the existing building. The Vestry appointed Jim Weinzettle, architect, for the project design. A contract in the amount of $265,000.00 was awarded and completed by PETRON general contractors. With this new E.Y.C. building and continued guided sponsorships, the future will be promising for our St. James youth program.

The new brick St. James building sign was completed this summer. It contains a wide range of information including name, denomination, service times, phone numbers and web site address.

Additional property improvements that the Committe is working on is the rewiring of the 1926 church building, improving and enlarging the nursery, accessible (ADA) restrooms in the main church area and an elevator to classrooms on the second floor.

The St. James Property Committee appreciates the suggestions, support and continued financial contributions by the church congregation. Careful stewardship of our church facility will assure St. James of its now and future presence in our community.

Next meeting is Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @  5:30 PM

The stewardship committee meets each month year round. It is our belief that stewardship is a way of life and not simply an annual fall pledge drive. Through the Sunday bulletin, the Journal and testimonies by parishioners, we seek to teach that stewardship is a spiritual matter rooted in praise and thanksgiving to God. A Christian steward serves God out of love and gratitude, knowing that it is not how much we have, but what we do with what we have that is important.

Listen God is Calling...

God is calling us to Biblical stewardship. When asked most people know that stewardship has something to do with money. some might say it is about time, talent and treasure While these are correct, true Biblical stewardship involves much more.

The Biblical definition of a steward is one who has been entrusted to take care of another's property and who expects to give a final accounting to the owner. Jesus taught that god holds each steward accountable for the management of what has been committed to him or her.

Using this definition, we can see that Biblical stewardship is about more than time, talent and treasure. It is about how we live our lives. Jesus' parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) shows that stewardship involves personal initiative and active risk taking. we are challenged to re-think our narrow view of stewardship. We are called to turn away from our self-centered lives and to follow Christ without regard to reputation, economic security, or immediate personal satisfaction!

Stewardship rooted in God's demands and promises calls for daily ethical decisions and deeds: personal and social.

As Biblical stewads, we are called to serve not only in the church, but also in the community and the world. We are called to give generously to meet the needs of our neighbor. We are called to become active in government at all levels. We are called to be stewards of the earth and the environment. We are called to be faithful to God's word - which is the supreme test of Biblical stewardship.

(Adapted from the Woment of the ELCAd)