Welcome to St James' Church, Parkton, MD

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.

St. James of Jerusalem On Sunday, October 26, 2008, St. James’ Church’s identity crisis ended. Spearheaded by the Rev. Elizabeth Orens, St. James' rector, 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.

The 2010 Budget has been approved. Download your copy here.
Click Here for our Parish Profile (3.23 MB Adobe PDF)

Parish Papers newsletter now available online. Do you want to be notified when the current issue of Parish Papers is posted? Please contact the editor with your e-mail address to be added to the list or to submit an article for an upcoming issue of the newsletter.
The next Newsletter Deadline is August 19 for the September issue.
Click here to download the July/August 2010 Parish Papers and July and August calendars.
Click here to download the June 2010 newsletter and calendar. Read Parisa Kaliush's HHS Senior Class Speech here.
Click here to download the May 2010 newsletter and calendar.
Click here to download the April 2010 newsletters and calendar.
Click here to download the March 2010 newsletter and calendar.
Click here to download the February 2010 newsletter and calendar.
Click here to download the January 2010 newsletter and calendar.
Click here to download the December 2009 issue.
Click here to download the November 2009 issue.
Click here to download the October 2009 issue.
Click here to download the September 2009 issue.
Click here to download the July/August 2009 issue.
Click here to download the June 2009 issue.

News and Notes from St. James' Church

St. James' Church Holds Monthly Pit Beef Sales Through October!
Saturday Sept. 11 with Youth Group Car Wash!
The second Saturday of the month has a special meaning for St. James' Church and the Hereford Zone as the parish holds monthly Pit Beef Sandwich Sales every second Saturday through October. Sandwiches will be available from 10:30 until they are gone. Look for the grill along York Road at the north end of the driveway. Rain or Shine. Next Pit Beef sale: Oct. 9.
Car Wash benefits SaJaPay, St. James', Parkton's new youth group. Free-will donations accepted.

Upcoming Events & Meetings
**Sunday Schedule **
Summer service hours June 27-Sept 5: one service 9 a.m.

Wed., Aug 25, 7 p.m.: Worship committee meeting, Parish Hall
Sat. Aug 28, 8 a.m.: Community Yard Sale
Sun., Aug 29, 10:15 a.m.: Middle School teachers meeting, location tbd
Tues., Aug 31, 7 p.m.: High School teachers meeting, Parish Hall
Sat., Sept 11, 10:30 am: Next Pit Beef sale with homemade ice cream & Car Wash
Sat. Sept 18, 6 pm: Crab Feast - see below for details

Download the Summer-Fall Events schedule here.

Sunday School Teachers Needed
Please contact Rebecca Kraft if you are interested in teaching Sunday school in the elementary, middle/ high school programs for 2010-11 year. This is as great way to serve God and our church.

St. James' Yard Sale: Sat., Aug. 28, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Spaces available or make a donation to the church of the seldom used possesions. $20 for an 8 x 10 space. Food available for purchase. Tables for rent $5 - maximum 2 per person. Download the Vendor Contract here and reserve your space. The flyer is available for sharing with your friends.

Crab Feast: Sept. 18
Make your plans to attend this fun event. Live music, great crabs, pit beef, salads, beverages provided, fun with friends. $40 per person, Reserve a table and get a price break! Invite your friends and family to experience a great night out at St. James' Church. Contact Chris Tillman or Sharon Tillman for tickets.

Independence Day Hereford Parade: St. James' Church brings home another award
Best US Flag Display - St. James' Episcopal Church, Parkton

St. James' once again participated in the Hereford Independence Day Parade on Monday, July 5. The theme of this year's parade was "Honoring our Heroes in Uniform." The award-winning St. James' float depicted the famous WWII "Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima" scene. People lining Mt. Carmel and York Roads stood and cheered, and in more than a few cases saluted, the soldiers and flag as the float moved along the parade route. The pace was slow enough that the six soldiers held that famous pose for much of the parade to the delight of the cheering crowd and the special guests in the reviewing stand. Church members sat on straw bales waving American flags and waving to the crowd, while Jack Arthur, one of our veterans, rode with our rector Elizabeth Orens in Tom Dawson's sleek red vintage car. The gleaming green truck and flatbed trailer, complete with our version of Mt. Suribachi and the church's historic 48-star flag, were provided by Charles Tillman Paving, Inc. A group of parishioners and friends of St. James' Church walked along the route handing out flyers announcing upcoming events at the church. Despite the heat it was an amazing experience.

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.

Paul's Place is now accepting cold-weather clothing and is in need of umbrellas. Please bring gently used clothing to the Parish Hall for delivery to Paul's Place.

Sunday Services
Summer service hours June 27-Sept 5:
one service 9 a.m.
Regular Service Schedule resumes Sept. 12
8 a.m. Eucharist
10:15 a.m. Family Eucharist with music
Nursery is provided during the
10:15 a.m. service
Coffee and fellowship follow the
10:15 a.m. service

Weekly Services
Morning Prayer 9 a.m. Mon.-Thurs.
Taize Service 9 am, first Thursday of 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

Adult Forum: 9-9:45 a.m., childcare available

Middle and high school students:10 a.m. discuss issues facing young Christians

Godly Play is offered for children ages 4-10: at 10:15 a.m.
Our young people join their families for Holy Eucharist each week.

What is SaJaPay? Ask a St. James' youth and find out!

Click here to learn more about Diocese of Maryland Youth Events.

Cafe Theology Group:
Life in One Year: What the World was Like in First-Century Palestine
Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES OFFERED NEXT YEAR
It is not too early to begin thinking about Confirmation for next year. These classes will begin in November for young people--ages 12 and upward. A sign-up sheet is on the Education Board. We will meet on most Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. after church. This is an important step for our youth and we need to offer the best preparation possible for their spiritual pilgrimage.

Music Program
St. James' Church offers traditional Episcopal music during the 10:15 a.m. service led by the Adult Choir.
Rehearsals are Sundays in the church, 9:45-10 a.m., and Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Fellowship in the Parish Hall
Tuesday Guild, crafters: Second Tuesday each month 9:30-11:30 a.m. and Fourth Tuesday each month 7-9 p.m.
Knitting Club: Thursdays at 11 am. BYO needles or use ours, no experience necessary.
Book Club: First Monday each month, 7 pm.
August 2nd: "A New Song" and "A Common Life" by Jan Karon.
September - Date TBA - In this Mountain by Jan Karon

Playing in the sand

St. James' Preschool

St. James' Preschool offers a developmentally appropriate program for 2-5 year olds. Children can learn and play in a happy, safe and nurturing environment. There are five classes that meet on various days, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. An extended day program is also offered on Mondays and Wednesdays until 2:30 p.m. Please contact Ms. Ingrid Carr, director, at 410-357-9401.

ENROLLMENT TIME
Please let your friends and neighbors know that our Preschool is now enrolling for next year. We have an excellent Preschool program and a wonderful facility with strong leadership and gifted, experienced faculty members. Help promote this important mission of St. James' that includes a We-2 Program and classes for
3-5 year olds.

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.