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 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 Newsletter Deadline is the Third Thursday of the Month (3/18 for April 2010).
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.
Click here to download the May 2009 issue.
Click here to download the April 2009 issue.
Click here to download the March 2009 issue.
Click here to download the February 2009 issue.
Click here to download the January 2009 issue.
Click here to download the December 2008 issue.
Click here to dowload the November 2008 issue.
Click here to download the October 2008 issue.

News and Notes from St. James' Church

Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday: March 28, 8 & 10:15 a.m.
Maundy Thursday: April 1, 7 p.m.
Good Friday April 2
Service: 12:00 Noon
Open for Prayer: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Holy Saturday: April 3, 10 a.m.
Easter Day: April 4, 8 & 10:15 a.m.

United Thank Offering
The Story of the "Blue Boxes"
The UTO Blue Boxes are a way to help us remember our many blessings and grateful joys. It is a prayer tool anyone can use everyday to bring "our selves, our souls, our bodies" to God in a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Every coin from every blue box is given away in grants both here and abroad to projects that affect children and mothers. Our gifts of thanks are joined with every church, diocese and province in the Anglican Communion. Last year, over $2,000,000 was given to projects around the world. Maryland received two grants: Mother's Hope and Turnabout Café totaling $70,000. If you haven't picked up your box, please do so along with a prayer sheet to help you get started. On Mother's Day, May 9, St. James' will have its Ingathering in preparation for the Diocesan Ingathering on May 26 at The Church of St. Katherine of Alexandria, Baltimore.

Upcoming Events & Meetings
**Sunday Schedule **
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Wed., Mar 10, 7 pm: Worship Committee meeting, Parish Hall
Mon., Mar 15, 7 pm: Vestry meeting, Parish Hall
Book Club: April 5, 7 pm - Watch this space for the next Book Club read. Bring a snack to share.

Lenten Retreat
Sat., Mar 13, 9 am-3:30 pm: Our annual Lenten retreat will take place at the Carmelite Monastery in Towson, Saturday, March 13 from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Our theme this year, "The Path of Compassion," will be facilitated by Father Bart, a Franciscan spiritual director. This retreat is open to the entire parish family. Please sign-up on the Parish Hall bulletin board.

Junior High Nightwatch
Sat., April 10-Sun., April 11: Sign-up now for the Junior High Nightwatch trip to St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City. The bus leaves from St. John's Church, Ellicott City Saturday, April 10, 7 a.m. and returns to Ellicott City on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. This is a fabulous trip for our young people-informative, spiritual, and lots of fun! Kathy Walker will be our chaperone this year. Cost: $66 plus one meal on the road.

SpringFest Planning Potluck Supper
Wed., March. 24, 6:30 pm: Our biggest fundraiser takes lots of planning and needs you to make it a success! Everyone interested in working on this event is welcome. Past and future committee chairs, potential event chair and co-chair are especially encouraged to attend! This is a fun event that takes a village to organize - please consider how you can help this year. SpringFest is Saturday, May 15.

SpringFest News and Information
SpringFest 2010 on May 15 will include a new"Green Zone" environmental awareness area sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Green vendors - from non-profits to green companies - will be on display along with wonderful vendors, food, Childrens' Play Area sponsored by Brooks-Huff Tire and Auto Centers, plants, wine tasting, and of course that fabulous Silent Auction.
Vendors: download a contract here

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

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.

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

Cafe Theology Group:
God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible
Class resumes Jan. 7
Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

Music Program
St. James' Church offers traditional Episcopal music during the 10:15 a.m. service led by
organist Dick North and 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.
Diet Club: Private weigh-ins and moral support each Sunday after the 10:15 am service.
Knitting Club: Thursdays at 11 am. BYO needles or use ours, no experience necessary.
Book Club: First Monday each month, 7 pm. February book: Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

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.

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.