Dear Parishioners,

An early mentor of mine once pointed out to me how the word "ministry" is part of the word "administration." The usefulness of that quip is evidenced by how I've remembered it after almost 20 years. Some weeks, I cling to that! An internet search of "administration" and "etymology" gave me this: "Strangely, administer comes from the Latin word minister meaning 'servant.'" 

These emails may help give you a glimpse into all the administering--"servant work"--that goes on to keep us spiritually grounded and in touch with what's important in life. Thankfully, I share in this work with both a staff and a lot of volunteers here at St. James, starting with the Vestry, but also the Finance Committee, Renew and Revitalize Task Force, Music Guild, Communications Committee, Altar Guild, Graveyard Board, Outreach Committee, and others. 

We're always on the lookout for new leadership, especially as the year ends and we begin to think about our next vestry class and our ministries overall at St. James the Less. You'll hear more about those needs in the next month, but even if you prefer (for now!) to sit on the sidelines, I hope you'll get involved with the administration of our parish by reading the Vestry Minutes (linked at the bottom of every weekly member email), and thinking about how you might like to pitch in when the timing is right.

Finally, much of the administrative energy in this last bit of the year goes towards securing the financial commitments we need for the following year. If you haven't yet pledged, know that there's some quiet handwringing going on as we try to assess what we can continue to do next year :) And if you have made your pledge, we're so grateful. I truly get that everyone is busy, so we'll try to reach you in whatever way we think make this easiest for you: text, email, phone. But please remember St. James as the year draws to a close! All information about the Annual Appeal is at the button two boxes below this. 

• The average pledge at St. James is ~$3600. Some give less, some give more, based on their ability.

• Of our $900,000 budget, we need to raise $485,000 in parishioner pledges to keep our current programming and staff.

• With 150 families and a $900,00 budget, it costs $6,000 per family to run St. James.

• So far we've raised $364,500 with 95 pledges now in.

• People pledge from as close by as me, right on our church campus, to as far away as Toronto.

• Every household counts and makes St. James the thriving, fulfilling place that it is!

Your feedback in October and November following landscape architect Sam Geer's visit has been invaluable, allowing for significant improvements to our parking lot and arrival court plans. The button below will take you to the new presentation, with numerous updates and improved usage of the limited space.

Of note from that presentation:

• The "overflow" parking area to the immediate left of the parking lot's entrance has been designed to better facilitate the Nursery School weekday traffic flow. See pages 16 & 20-22 on the slide deck.

• That same section allows for both everyday parking (with clearly marked individual spaces) and a more tightly packed option for the busy holidays (p. 23).

• The attractive lighting design of the parking lot was added since the last presentation (pp 25-28).

• If you missed it in the prior deck, both the retaining wall and accessible ramp and stairs have been improved and brought into compliance with ADA standards (pp 40-45).

It's exciting to see what collaborating can accomplish! In the next R&R report (next Tuesday) we'll give a financial update, and a tentative timeframe for the work on the parking lot to begin. 

Please remember to fulfill your capital campaign pledge for this year so we can begin all this good work!!

Nancy Ahern, Kira Almeida, Irv and Sandy Atkinson, Joan Ballantyne, Uma and Ajit Banerjee, John and Natalie Battiloro, Lyn Boreland, Ruth Boser and Rob Fath, Susie Bourhill, Louise Bozorth, Liza and Peter Brady, Nigel Bunnett, Carolina Caballero, Richard and Philippa Cacciato, Melissa Caramanica, Edward and Phyllis Chang, Dan and Sarah Cline, Eileen Conde, Al Conte, Russell and Omaira Crane, Eliza Davies, Ocean Mills and Tom Finlan, Diana and Kevin Finnerty, Thomas and Susan Fischer, Bill and Becca Foley, Jane Ford, Sherin and Sam Frank, Nathan Gallup, Tina and John Gerraughty, Charles Gibson, Russell Grant and Pedro Ladislau, Tracy and Bill Haffner, Jim and Julie Hallowell, Mark and Lorraine Hansen, Lisa-Marie and Douglass Hatcher, Pam Heldman, Matt and Meagan Henry, Alice Herman, Wilder and Mary Jean Howland, Donna and Roberto Hunter, Priscilla and Tsutomu Ishiguri, Bud and Lynn Johnson, Raymond and Tricia Joseph, Angela Kenney, Candad Khury, Linda Killian, Nicholas King, Tom Lacalamita, Jan Lamb, Antoinette Lewis, Geoff and Margy Loftus, Ricky and Yachiyo Lu, Mary and Tim Maddock, Patricia Mahon, Tracy and Marc McCarthy, John and Liz McNally, Ellen McNally, Diana and Michael Mitchell, Kathleen Moreno-Ketchem, Francia Morhardt-Smith, Maureen Moser, Janice Ohrablo, John and Barbara Palmer, Karl Panthen, Gunilla Fahringer-Perez, Karen Preiser, Rick Reuter, Roseanne Riolo and Frank Durante, Greg and Rachel Roberts, Donna Robertson and Raymond Chow, Jennifer Sabia, Catherine Schoetz and Neil Ritchie, Pam and Walter Schwer, Monica Sganga, Cheryl Smith, Peter Smith, .Sean and Rebecca Smith, Stephen Stamas, Andrew Wood and (the Rev.) Astrid Storm, Sarah and Jose Tabb-Garza, Gina Taglieri, Mark and Kathy Trager, Mark and Meaghan Vernazza, Janelle and Mark Walhout, Judith Walsh, Andrea and James West, Shana Westhoff, Valerie Wiggan, David and Qin Wiles, Neil and June Winward, Tom and Lisa Wolfe, Michele Wood, Pat and Deidre Wynne, Dorothy and David Yewer, Rick and Dotty Young

I'm leaving this sermon from just over two weeks ago on here as we extend our Annual Appeal a bit longer. It's on the more practical side. I go through our budget in detail to help us understand where we spend (and get) our money, what our strengths and challenges are, and why it's so important that everyone--each and every one of us--gives to St. James the Less. I hope you find it helpful as you discern what to pledge for 2025.

The approaching holidays can be tough for those who've lost loved ones, or who are going through a difficult time. We have many ways to support you at St. James the Less. You can reach out to me, Mother Storm, and come talk to me in my office (or even just a phone call). You can come to church on the first Sunday of the month for Healing Prayer at both services. You can request a talk with one of our lay chaplains.

The Samaritans, a group within the parish that looks out for others' needs, are also putting together holiday baskets to distribute to people who've lost someone in the past year. If you know someone who could use a basket, or just a note of support, please let them know at samaritans@stjamesscarsdale.org. All information is kept confidential, and please use discretion sharing others' information or making a request on behalf of another. 

We're here to support each other--that's the most important thing, and in a rough time, it's a lifeline. Please know this, and don't hesitate to reach out. 

The Renew and Revitalize Task Force is active almost every day bringing our plans to life--the new parking lot, HVAC system, masonry and other improvements to our buildings. And it's never too late to jump in. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure we're making informed decisions about every aspect of our work, from the parking lot to the HVAC system to repairs on the Great Hall. Please come be part of the R&R Task Force. We meet every month, in person or online. Complete the short form below to join our efforts!

Read the minutes from our elected leaders, the vestry, which meets to discuss and vote on church business every month. Newly updated; includes September's minutes.

2024 Vestry Minutes

Please check and update your information, while helping us keep everyone's info secure and password protected

Breeze Online Directory Invitation

To Reach a Warden:

Senior Warden, Pam Heldman: pamheldman@gmail.com

Junior Warden, Christopher Burrows: cburrows37@gmail.com