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. Read the Rev. Dr. Julia Gatta's sermon from Oct. 24, 2010, here.

Download the 2011 Budget.
Click Here for our Parish Profile (3.23 MB Adobe PDF)

St. James' Church has brochures for newcomers and inquirers. If you are new to St. James' Church click here to download the Welcome Brochure. Thinking of joining the Episcopal Church? Click here to learn more about St. James' Church.

Parish Papers newsletter now available online. Do you want to be notified when the current issue of Chapel Bell is posted? Please contact the webmaster 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 Dec 22 for the January issue. Please send submissions to the administrator.

Click the link to download the January 2012 Chapel Bell newsletter and calendar.
Click the link to download the December 2011 Chapel Bell newsletter and calendar.
Click the link to download the November 2011 Chapel Bell newsletter and calendar.
Click the link to download the October 2011 Parish Papers and calendar.
Click the link to download the September 2011 Parish Papers and calendar.
Click the link to download the July/August Parish Papers, and July and August calendars.

Click the button for a daily message from the Society of St. John the Evangelist.

News and Notes from St. James' Church

Upcoming Events & Meetings
Wed, Jan 25, 7 pm: Outreach Committee meeting, Parish Hall
Sun, Jan 29, both services: The Rev. Beverly Braine's 30th anniversary to the Priesthood
Sun, Feb 5: Candlemas service - bring a candle for a special blessing
Sun, Feb 5, 11:30 am: Photo show, Parish Hall
Sun, Feb 26: First Lent service, celebrant and preacher Bishop Robert W. Ihloff

The Rev. Beverly Braine: 30th Anniversary to the Priesthood
Jan 29: 8 and 10:15 am services
Celebrate Beverly's accomplishments and this wonderful milestone on the Feast Day of the Conversion of St. Paul (celebrated Jan 25) with the St. James' Church family. Beverly will celebrate and preach at 8 am and preach at 10:15 am services. A reception will follow.

Fundraising Dinner for Half the Sky Foundation
Feb 4, 5-7 pm
Support the efforts of St. James' Academy eighth grade student and Parkton parishioner Keri Fox in her efforts to raise funds and awareness of Half the Sky Foundation. Keri will offer a Chinese-themed dinner. The foundation supports less fortunate children in China. Please sign up in the Parish Hall or contact the office.

Howard Canoune: Photo Show
Feb 5, 11:30 am
Splendid photo presentation of Howard Canoune's Bryce Canyon and southwest photos.

Pancake Supper
Feb 21, 5:30-7:30 pm
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with pancakes, sausages and our own Mardi Gras style parade. Free will offering at the door. Volunteer cooks, servers, logistics help needed. Please contact Chris Tillman to help.

Outreach Ministries

Hereford Food Bank
Remember to bring food bank contributions to Sunday services for the Hereford Food Bank. Specific needs include, canned tomatoes, baked beans, canned tuna, canned chicken, SPAM, all canned vegetables, salad dressings, mayonaise, ketchup, rice products, pasta, macaroni & cheese, canned fruit, flour, salt and soup. The food bank now has a special shelf for low sodium and foods for diabetics.

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Wish List for our Liturgy
At this time of year, the Worship Committee puts together a wish list for those of us who would like to dedicate a special item for our worship together. Our current liturgical needs are the following: a red sanctuary set (frontal, burse, veil, pulpit hanging, chasuble, and stole), a processional cross, a new Advent wreath stand, two torches, a ciborium (a vessel to hold the wafers). Costs vary according to design. If interested, please speak with the rector or head of the Worship Committee, Martha Canoune.

Sunday Services
8 am Eucharist
10:15 am Family Eucharist with music
Nursery is provided during the
10:15 am service
Coffee and fellowship follow the
10:15 am service

Weekly Services
Morning Prayer 9 am 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.
Upcoming:
Feb 11-12 Middle School Nightwatch in NYC
Feb 24-26 Happening #5 (HS)

Cafe Theology Group:
Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

Music Program
St. James' Church offers traditional Episcopal music during the 10:15 a.m. service led by the Adult Choir.
Choir rehearsal Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m.
Children's Choir for ages 6-12. Directed by Nancy Lindsay, music teacher. Rehearsals Sundays at 11:30 am.

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.

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.

Collect "Labels for Education" from Campbell's, V8, Glad brands and others and donate them to the Preschool!

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.
Overeaters Anonymous Meetings are held Monday evenings at 7:30 pm. OA offers a program of recovery from compulsive overeating using the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of OA.

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.