We are a living, growing church, going forth in the name of Christ. Join us in our worship, fellowship, education and service to our community. All are welcome in Christ's love!
St. James' is one of the 202 congregations that make up the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which includes over 77 million people.
The Anglican Communion is founded upon the affirmation that Jesus Christ is Lord and represents the continuous tradition of one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
St. James' is located in beautiful & historic Goshen, New York. Goshen is located in Orange County, New York, and is easily accessible from exits 124 or 125 on Route 17.
Our address is 1 St. James Place, Goshen N.Y. 10924, stop on by and see us!
Posted by admin on November 23, 2009 under General | 
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The full text of Bishop Sisk’s address to the 233rd Convention of the Diocese is now available for download here.
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Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Here is the biblical account from Luke chapter 2.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
You can read the whole account of the facts surrounding Jesus’ birth in Luke 1 and 2 and in Matthew’s account beginning in Chapter 1; verse 18 Matthew 1 and 2.
But what are the origins of other celebrations and customs surrounding Christmas?
Origin of Christmas – The Controversies
The date of December 25th probably originated with the ancient “birthday” of the son-god, Mithra, a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D. Mithra was related to the Semitic sun-god, Shamash, and his worship spread throughout Asia to Europe where he was called Deus Sol Invictus Mithras.
Rome was well-known for absorbing the pagan religions and rituals of its widespread empire. As such, Rome converted this pagan legacy to a celebration of the god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god during the winter solstice period. The winter holiday became known as Saturnalia and began the week prior to December 25th. The festival was characterized by gift-giving, feasting, singing and downright debauchery, as the priests of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession throughout the Roman temples.
Variations of this pagan holiday flourished throughout the first few centuries after Jesus Christ, but it probably wasn’t until 336 AD that Emperor Constantine officially converted this pagan tradition into the “Christian” holiday of Christmas. The word “Christmas” is a combination of the words “Christ” and “Mass.” The word “Mass” means death and was coined originally by the Roman Catholic Church.
The ritual of the Mass involves the death of Christ, and the distribution of the “Host”, a word taken from the Latin word “hostiall,” meaning victim. In short, Christmas is a Roman Catholic word of Roman Empire origin.
What are we to do?
Some Christians believe that Christmas should not be celebrated because of its pagan origins. Others celebrate it for what it means to them, regardless of how it originated. Sadly, throughout most of the world, although Christmas is vaguely viewed as a religious holiday, Jesus has been forgotten, and the traditions surrounding Christmas have provided the basis for a secular Winter festival of celebration and gift giving. As Christians, any gift-giving, decorating, or feasting, should take second place to what Christmas is all about – the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Indeed, not only Christmas, but every day, should be a remembrance of not only Jesus’ birth, but his death and resurrection as well, and the salvation he has provided to us.
Origin of Christmas Cards
The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Britain in 1840 when the first ‘Penny Post’ public postal deliveries began. (Helped by the new railway system, the public postal service was the 19th century’s communication revolution, just as email is for us today.) As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from about 1860.
St. Nicholas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus
‘Father Christmas’ (or ‘Santa Claus’) has become the human face of Christmas. Pictures are seen everywhere of the old man with long white beard, red coat, and bag of toys. Children are taught that he brings them presents the night before Christmas (or in some countries on December 6th – St. Nicholas’ Day), and many children up to the age of 7 or 8 really believe this is true.
In most countries, it is said that he lives near the North Pole, and arrives through the sky on a sled pulled by reindeer. He comes into houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.
Father Christmas is based on a real person, St. Nicholas. Born in 280 AD in Asia Minor, St. Nicholas was a Christian Priest who later became a bishop. He traveled extensively and being of good wealth, was given to presenting gifts of money and other presents to perfect strangers, as well as acquaintances. Never wanting to be found out, he left his offerings in the homes of his receivers only after dark, when all were in bed asleep.
And to this day, those who believe in Santa Claus are still warned that if even one peep or footstep is heard, St. Nicholas will not leave the treasured surprises that are anxiously awaited.
Posted by admin on November 20, 2009 under Messages From Marci | Comments are off for this article
The Altar Guild has been blessed with new members recently. Gwen Dunbar and Jeanne Howell have joined Jeanne Healy in Group II and Donna Vesely, Sarah Schaumberg and her daughters are currently in training.
We can always use additional members to fill in some Sundays. If you can help with set up on a Friday or Saturday, or if you can help before/after a service on Sunday, please let Fr. Carl or Marci Hanners know.
The time commitment is not onerous, averaging about an hour per month, but the results of your efforts will be greatly appreciated by everyone in far greater measure. Please consider this very important ministry. We can use your time and talents in any way that works with your schedule.
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Safe Homes of Orange County is in serious need of non perishable food and diapers for their storage closet. Families in their care often leave home with the clothes on their backs and little to nothing else. If you would like to make a contribution of food, diapers or money to Safe Homes – please see Marci Hanners or contact the organization directly.
Posted by admin on under Messages From Marci | Comments are off for this article
The angel tree will be up and decorated on November 29th. We will once again be collecting gifts for Safe Homes Of Orange County and the Orange County Mental Health Association.
St James’ was honored on October 29th for our contributions to the families served by Safe Homes. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
If you want to shop early and take advantage of the post Thanksgiving Day specials, speak to Marci Hanners, who is project chair for items that are particularly needed. It is never to early to shop for outreach!
Please let Marci know if you can help with organizing and distributing the gifts. Watch for more information here on our website and in the December issue of the Tower Chimes newsletter.
Posted by admin on November 18, 2009 under General | Comments are off for this article
What makes Episcopalians (also called Anglicans) different from other churches? The Episcopal Church has the distinction of being both catholic and protestant. It is catholic in its faith tradition, liturgy, and sacramental life while being protestant in some of its polity, or governance. Toward the end of the 16th century, an Anglican priest named Richard Hooker wrote a book called The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, which remains influential today. In it, Hooker said that Christians should look for guidance not from the pope or only from the Bible but from the ‘three-legged stool’ of tradition, scripture and reason.
It is this and “experience” informed by reason that sets us apart. Hooker argued that while the Scriptures are to be the primary source of authority, they are not to be isolated from reason and tradition. These three sources of authority don’t exist independently, but comprise a single authority of thee intersecting sources, the Holy Scriptures being the normative auhority, with reason and tradition being necessary interpretative authoritative tools.
The poet and priest John Donne called the Episcopal path a “middle way,” steering a course between the extremes in his day between Roman Catholicism (no reform) and the new Protestantism (extreme reform). This middle way has sometimes been misunderstood as fence sitting. Actually, the intent is to achieve a comprehensive and balanced approach that draws wisdom from every side and includes the insights of others.
Thus the Episcopal community is a “big tent” where everyone’s views are welcome and we often agree to disagree, looking to the example of Christ’s love as the tie that binds us all together.
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Thanksgivings day is fast approaching us and we at St. James wish everyone a safe and happy holiday with family and friends. We ask you to take a moment to remember those less fortunate by donating canned goods to your local food bank. Together we can help wipe out hunger in America, one can at a time!
