Where Families & Friends Come to Worship

St. James', an Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Maryland, is a growing country church in a serene setting, conveniently located at 19200 York Road in Parkton, Md., just south of the Parkton post office and Exit 33 of I-83. Farmers, retailers and railroad employees built the church so families could worship in a proper chapel, not in a dry goods store where the church was founded. St. James' Church exists today because of their foresight.

That same vision has been held by generations of St. James' members. We have inherited that spirit and with it a sense of history. We invite you to join us in worship, fellowship and fun, and to be part of the future of St. James' Church.

On Sunday, October 26, 2008, St. James’ Church’s identity crisis ended. Spearheaded by the Rev. Elizabeth Orens and after much research, it was learned that we were named for Saint James of Jerusalem. To honor our patronal Saint, an icon was commissioned and written by the Rev. Br. Tobias Haller. On the Sunday after the feast day of Saint James (Oct. 23) the icon was installed in the sanctuary. Flanked by the cross, torches and with the thurible wafting incense, Elizabeth and Br. Tobias blessed the icon. Who was Saint James of Jerusalem? Br. Tobias recreated our patron saint not only in egg tempera and gold leaf, but also in words during his sermon. Br. Tobias also wrote about the creation of the icon on his blog, In a Godward Direction.

Click Here for our Parish Profile (3.23 MB Adobe PDF)

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Next Newsletter Deadline: August 18
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News and Notes from St. James' Church

Support Needed for Church Sound System
The vestry has approved the installation of a basic sound system for the sanctuary, including microphone for the lectern, portable mic for the celebrant, and speakers. The cost is $1,884.68. Make a donation to the church with "sound system" in the memo line to help each member of our parish enjoy services to the fullest.

Upcoming Events & Meetings
**July 5-August 30: Sunday services move to 9 a.m.**
July 8, 7 p.m. Worship Committee meeting
July 12, 10:30 a.m. HS and MS education meeting

St. James' Church has lots happening this summer and fall. Download a flyer about our upcoming events and tell your friends and family what's going on.

July 5: Hereford's annual 4th of July Parade is "Celebrating the Grand Old Flag." Be a part of the action on the St. James' float. Contact Barbara Moffett to get involved with this great event. Help show the community what St. James' Church has to offer!

Here is the latest from the Hereford Parade committee:
Our line-up # is 10. Click here for details.
Float Decoration begins at 4:30 p.m. All participants need to arrive by 5 p.m. NOTE: The roads will close before 5:30 pm and you will not be able to get in line that late. Line-up will be at the SHA facility which is next to the Graul's shopping center.Wear red, white and blue, sport a patriotic hat and practice your parade wave. Shuttles are available from the high school parking lot on York Road.

Aug 29: Community Yard Sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Spaces $20, 10' x 10'. You can get a space and sell your stuff yourself or donate your stuff to the church and let us sell it for you. Accepting household goods, furniture, antiques, collectibles, etc. for the church's space. Contact the office to reserve your space.

Sept 12: Crab Feast and Dance. Live music and hot steamed crabs under the stars.
Only 100 tickets available (that's 10 tables). $40 per person, $400 for a table. Sure to sell out, reserve your table early. Proceeds go to the mortgage. Contact Chris Tillman to reserve your space.

Remember to bring food bank contributions to Sunday services for the Hereford Food Bank. Specific needs include, shampoo, toilet paper, paper towels, canned fruit, muffin mixes, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, butter, jelly, maple syrup, pet food, diapers and Graul's gift cards.

Sunday Services
**Summer services 9 a.m. only**
8 a.m. Eucharist
10 a.m. Family Eucharist with music
Nursery is provided during the
10 a.m. service
Coffee and fellowship follow the 10 a.m. service

Weekly Services
Morning Prayer 9 a.m. Mon.-Thurs.
Healing Eucharist 6:30 p.m. 1st & 2nd Wed. each month

All people baptized in the name
of the Trinity are invited to take part in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Christian Formation

Each Sunday at 10 a.m.
Godly Play is offered for children ages 4-10.
Middle and high school students discuss issues facing young Christians.
Our young people join their families for Holy Eucharist each week.
Click here to learn more about Diocese of Maryland Youth Events.

Cafe Theology Group:
Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
The Book of Acts, chapters 18& 19

Music Program
St. James' Church offers traditional Episcopal music during the 10 a.m. service led by
organist Dick North and the Adult Choir.
Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Fellowship
Members of the Tuesday Guild enjoy fellowship, work on creative projects,
learn new skills and support church activities.
Tuesday Guild meets in the Parish Hall:
Second Tuesday each month 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Fourth Tuesday each month 7-9 p.m.

Outreach

Members of St. James' serve the community through a growing list of outreach programs.

• St. James' Preschool Established in 1992, the school encourages children age 2-5 to learn and grow in a safe and loving environment.
• My Neighbors Foundation Helps children in the Hereford Zone by providing the resources and support they need to participate fully with their peers.
• Paul's Place This Baltimore-area soup kitchen receives daily deliveries of donated food, dry goods and clothing, as well as monetary support.
• New Life for Women & Children Donations of clothing, food and household goods help this Glen Rock, Pa., home give women and their children deliverance from abusive relationships.
• The Ark Located in Baltimore and sponsored by Episcopal Community Services of Maryland, The Ark is a daycare center for homeless children. Our children regularly collect and donate toys, art supplies, and holiday gifts, and participate in mission activities.
• Alcoholics Anonymous Our parish hall is home to several AA groups, and is open to civic organizations for meetings.
• Hereford Food Bank Located at the corner of Monkton Rd and Firehouse Lane in Monkton, the food bank provides a much needed resource for non-perishable food in the Hereford Zone.
  
  

Our History

St. James' was established in 1903 by a few local residents who met in the loft of a dry goods store in Parkton. Services were held in a variety of places until 1912, when the present church was built. With the exception of some minor expansion in 1955, this charming country church looks much the same as it did when it was dedicated in 1913. In fact, the church bell used today is from a train on the North Central Railroad for which many of the original members worked. Our Parish Hall offers space for meetings and fellowship, and the Education Wing provides a bright new learning space for our education programs, as well as expanded meeting space.

Diocese of Maryland

The Episcopal Church

The Anglican Communion

© 2007 St. James' Church
This site last updated on May 18, 2009.
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