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COVID Update and Church Activities!
As you are aware, Springfield, MO has national attention for the wrong reason. We are the number one, (I don't know if I want to be number one in this case) in the nation for the rapid spread of the delta variant of the COVID 19, affecting primarily the unvaccinated and younger children. So, first: get vaccinated if you haven't already. Trust your medical professionals and not politicians. Secondly, please wear a mask if you are in public spaces. Thirdly, protect others just as much as you protect yourself. Well, that's my two cents worth of advice as your priest and friend.
So to take my own advice seriously, I ask everyone to wear a mask while in church. Secondly, we will not have an extended social hour after church, but we will continue with a simple coffee hour to meet and greet. Since we will not be meeting extended time, tables and chairs will be removed from the parish hall. Of course, the pews on the side will be available for those who would like to sit. Also, I am canceling the adult and youth, children Sunday School at least until the end of the summer, to protect our younger children and to make it a little easier on our health care system in Springfield. This is the last thing I wanted to do, but it is the first thing to do if it protects the lives of others.
I will announce Zoom Study sessions soon to compensate for our suspended spiritual formation events. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me. My cell number is always open to you. 479-747-7775. If I do not pick up the call do not hang up, but leave a message. I do not return phone calls that do not leave a message.
Blessings
Fr. Jos+
Spiritual Habits - 9
Let the lion lie with the calf!
Through the spiritual practice of letting go of jealousy and bitterness and forgiving and affirming others, we can make rivals into friends and competitors into companions on the way to true greatness. - Henry Nouwen
If you ever wondered how to be truly spiritual people, here is the recommendation from Fr. Henry. "Letting Go" spirituality is the key to changing our lives for the better. At the end of the day, we have to let go of everything we think we have and we made. It is the end result of our lives here on earth. Whether we like it or not, we will be forced to let go of life and all its possessions to enjoy the bliss of what will not be and can not be taken away from us.
How wonderful it will be for us not to harbor bitterness of any kind for any reason, even when someone does something wrong to us. As St. Paul says it is "heaping up of burning coal on their forehead" when you forgive someone and let go of bitterness. When you are not affected by negativity, life becomes blissful. When competitors become companions, and when rivals become friends, we live out what we read in Isaiah, "The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together.... The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together..."
It is not an impossible thing for a lion to lie with a calf and the wolf to be with the lamb if the rivals can be friends and competitors can be companions. In reality, every relationship we have has to become just that to make it and flourish. Because in the end none of us like the other, because each of us takes one special, unique characteristic of God that is never have been shared with anyone in the past or will be in the future. It's just that unique part of you and God. It's the special DNA you share only with God.
So, I encourage you to try, to let go!
Yoga
Yoga is on vacation until July 20th!
VBS Postponed Until Summer 2022
Unfortunately, VBS is postponed until 2022 due to the new strain of Covid. We want to keep our kids and volunteers safe and believe this is the best course of action at this time. St. James is blessed with so many great volunteers and donors for this event and we want you to know that your donations will be held on to for the 2022 VBS. We will be doing the same program and this just gives us more time to make it the best VBS St. James has ever had!
On a happier note, our next event for children and families will be a Fall Fest, Trunk or Treat! October 30th St. James will decorate the trunks of our cars for Halloween! The trunks can be any theme you like as long as you include a simple game for the kids to play and win, you guessed it, candy! Hot dogs, chips and drinks will also be served. Invite your family, friends and neighbors! 
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Prayers for Families and Flower Donations!
Happy Birthday
Amrit Tharakan: July 1st, Barbara Gernhart: July 9th, Mary Rajek: July 11th, Patrice Isle: July 17th, Karen Durbin: July 22nd, Jason Powell: July 23rd, Dennis Lamkins: July 25th, Taylor Duffey: July 26th, Liz Trader: July 26th, Josh Trader: July 26th.
Happy Anniversary
Sadd Ibrahim and Vivian Ibrahim, July 12th
Flowers
Prayers for Families This Week
Baumlin, Bird, Bishop-Jones
COVID-19 Variant Precautions for Worship
  • Mask wearing is still required.
  • You can sit in every row. Leave the center chair free.
  • After the service please greet others outside the church.
  • In the end, care for and protect the other.
Fr. Jos+