St.
James St George Episcopal Church
From the Rector
For centuries pilgrims have been
walking the Camino d Santiago,
also known by the English
name “Way of St. James”, as a
religious exercise or a retreat,
traveling from the border between
Spain and France down to the
sea. It's a distance of about 500
miles and in 2015 there were
nearly 263,000 people completing
at least a portion of the route. Walking "the Camino" is
believed to be a method of conversion and repentance
that somehow changes the pilgrim in significant ways,
bringing clarity and insights where there was once only
darkness and chaos. The scallop shell has become a
symbol of Saint James, the patron of the pilgrimage, and
of the journey itself.
This year, here at Saint James and Saint George,
we are embarking on our own pilgrimage with the rest of
our diocese as we prepare ourselves for an uncertain
future which includes the election of a new bishop. We
plan to begin walking together with all our brothers and
sisters throughout the Diocese of Bethlehem. Lent
seems like a wonderful time to focus on that journey as
we also walk the Way of the Cross on our way to the
celebration of the dying and the rising of Jesus in Holy
Week and Easter.
As we embark on our pilgrimage, are there
things that weigh us down? Maybe we need to lighten
the loads we are carrying. Who will walk with
us? Journeys are always safer when shared with
traveling companions. What route will we take and how
will we keep from getting lost? Some kind of map
and/or plan is essential,
especially if we want to
arrive at the planned
destination. Finally, shall
we ask God's blessing
upon us as we begin?
February 2016
The Pilgrimage
As we begin this journey it is our challenge to you to give
up past images of ourselves, our parish and our Diocese,
whether good or bad, and to open our hearts and minds to
accept where God may be leading us. It is our hope that
you will meet with us on Sundays at 9 a.m. in Caines Hall
to participate in discovering God's plan for us.
In faith,
Lauren Edwards
Janice Black
Parishioner of the Month
Pete Chapla is a retired Lawyer who lives in Archbald.
Pete is a member of the choir and
Head Lector. In this capacity, he is
responsible for scheduling the
lectors who read the Old and New
Testament lesson and the Prayers of
the People. He volunteers at every
church function and is a faithful
attendee of the 9:00 am Bible Study
held each Sunday morning.
Parish News
The Annual Parish Meeting was held on Sunday, January
24, 2016. Newly elected members to the Vestry are Dave
Bier and Wayne Evans. Delegates to convention are Mary
Metzger and Judie Ferree.
Our Annual Pasta Dinner was held on Saturday, February
30, 2016. The dinner was organized and supervised by
Christine McGeachie. Net profit was $1,892.18. Thank
you to everyone who supported and volunteered for this
event.
The Vestry voted to move the pulpit. This can be done
with minimal cost and will permit a better site line to the
altar.
Our Mission is to love as Christ loves
 Upcoming Events Outreach The History of Our Church
Food pantry - by Walter Avery
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 Rymer’s Hall, located at 109 Gibson
11: 00 am – 1:00 pm Street, is one of the most historic
St. James St. George Church buildings in Jermyn. The Rymer family
Peacemeal – lived downstairs and various fraternal
Saturday, March 12, 2016 organizations met upstairs. The
Elm Park Methodist Church Methodist met here in 1806. In 1872,
4:30 pm John Jermyn had a Sunday School in
the hall, and when Episcopal clergy
Vestry Meeting- were available, they had the service.
Monday, March 7, 2016 The first Catholic mass was held here
7:00 pm in 1875, but four years later, they
St. James St. George Church Peacemeal is an ecumenical pot luck moved into the newly built St.Thomas
Earth Day Cleanup dinner shared with the less fortunate at Aquinas Church in Archbald.
Saturday, April 16, 2016 4:30 pm on the 2nd Saturday of the
month at Elm Park Methodist Church,
Scranton, PA. Church volunteers bring
Sunday Services
various dinner entrees. Lenny and Mary
Bible Study 9:00 Metzger are chairpersons for St. James
Church/Sunday School 10:00 St. George Church. Additional volunteers
are welcome.

Lenten Services
Wed 2/17 7:00 pm Blakely Baptist Preacher Miner
Wed 2/24 7:00 pm St James St. George Preacher-Delaney Contact Information
Wed 3/02 7:00 pm Peckville Methodist Preacher-Duke Address: 398 Washington Ave,
Wed 3/09 7:00 pm Holy Cross at St. Patrick's Preacher-Pearson Jermyn, PA 18433
Wed 3/16 7:00 pm Peckville Presbyterian Preacher Shambora Telephone: 570-876-4896
Thurs 3/24 7:00 pm Christ Church, Forest City Maundy Thursday
Fri 3/25 7:00 pm Trinity Church, Carbondale Good Friday e-mail: ssjandg@yahoo.com
Sat 3/26 7:00 pm St James St. George Easter Vigil Website: ssjandg.weebly.com

St. James St. George Episcopal Church

398 Washington Avenue
Jermyn, PA 18433