St. James Lutheran Church

Directory Photo Shoots in March

stjamesbett — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:38:39 +0000

It’s time to update the directory! We’re taking photos on Tuesday, March 26; Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30. The hours on Tuesday and Friday ar 2-8:30 p.m. and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a sign up sheet at church on Sunday or you can call the church office to make an appointment. Give your email address and get a $10 portrait coupon! There’s a 20% senior discount for those 60+.

Nancy’s Retirement Party on Sunday

stjamesbett — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:24:38 +0000

Don’t forget, Nancy Boehme is retiring and her party is this Sunday, February 24, between services. Stop by and let her know how much she means to all of us! There will be tissues on hand.

What is the Pare Diocese

stjamesbett — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:46:39 +0000

The Pare Diocese in Tanzania is the companion synod to our own Southeastern Iowa Synod. Learn more about these relationships at this ELCA link.

Amazon purchases help Wartburg Seminary

stjamesbett — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:43:52 +0000

Do you shop on Amazon.com? If so, you can shop and support Wartburg Seminary at the same time! Click here to purchase on Amazon.com to benefit Wartburg Seminary. Just by using this link, an amount will be given to Wartburg.

WELCA supports Malaria campaign

stjamesbett — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 15:42:14 +0000

As part of WELCA’s year-long 25^th anniversary celebration, St. James WELCA will be supporting the ELCA’s Malaria Campaign. On November 18^th we will sponsor our annual Thankoffering service. Watch future bulletins and the November newsletter for more information. Learn more at this ELCA webpage.

Collecting Printer Cartridges

stjamesbett — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:25:37 +0000

We are collecting used printer cartridges. We receive $2 per cartridge returned to Staples, up to a maximum of $20/month. Cartridges may be left in the box in the narthex. Thank you for your donations!

More about Pastor Britt

stjamesbett — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:21:19 +0000

In the latest Epistle newsletter, Pastor Britt Vickstrom shares a bit more background information about herself to the congregation.

During my junior year of college, I studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. I wanted to go somewhere different, somewhere my ancestors had lived, and the country of one of my favorite bands, the Trashcan Sinatras. I continued studying religion, which was my major at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA. In Scotland, there is no separation of church and state, so studying religion there, as an academic subject, is very different from studying religion in the United States. I fell in love with Edinburgh and Scotland and, upon graduation from college, returned to Edinburgh Univ. for a master’s degree in theology. I focused on ecology and theology. There is much within the Bible which reminds us that God is the creator of all; this world does not belong to us, but we are entrusted with its care. As we love the Creator, so also, we love the Creator’s creation. As a hopefully helpful tip, I’ll include in each monthly newsletter a “green tip of the month.” Perhaps you are already an advocate for stewardship of the earth or perhaps you are just learning how to help take care of the environment. One of my favorite verses: Psalm 24. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,the world, and those who live in it.”

Social Statement on Criminal Justice

stjamesbett — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 15:46:52 +0000

Congregations throughout the ELCA are studying or making plans to study the draft social statement on criminal justice. The draft statement, authorized by the 2007 Churchwide Assembly, is now available for study by individuals and groups in congregations or other ministry settings. A response form is available at the end of the statement to provide to the task force comment and reaction to their work. Responses must be in to the task force by October 31, 2012. The task force will then work on a revision (in recent social statements 30-40% of the draft statement has been revised in response to comments received through hearings and the response forms) which will ultimately be referred to the ELCA Church Council which will make the decision whether or not to recommend it to the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. Read the statement here at this PDF.

Local hospitals are seeking volunteers

stjamesbett — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 14:51:58 +0000

Genesis Medical Center is looking for volunteers who would be willing to volunteer 2-4 hours, once or twice a month. We have volunteer opportunities at both East and West campuses. Please contact Steve Hodgen at (563) 421-7617 or Colette Blake at (563) 421-1095.

Welcome to Pastor Vickstrom!

stjamesbett — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 15:46:47 +0000

We are proud and happy to welcome Rev. Britt Vickstrom as our new permanent pastor! Also, special thanks to Pastor Sandra Daily for her gracious service to the church during the search for a new pastor.

Here is Rev. Vickstrom’s first personal message to the congregation:

Hello people of St. James! I’m so very excited to be serving this congregation and this community. I’m looking forward to getting to know more about you and St. James.

Here is a little bit more about me. I have three cats, Sittler (named for Prof. Joseph Sitter, a Lutheran theologian and campus ministry advocate, and besides, it would be cruel to name a dog Sitt-ler), Thekla, named for a 1st century saint who, among other attempts on her life, was supposedly defended against a lion attack by lionesses, and Mungo, named for a Scottish museum of religious life and art, which is named for Scottish saint whose nickname, Mungo, means dear one.

I am a big fan of movies of just about every genre. I dabble in genealogy. I used to play rugby and I love to watch rugby, ice hockey and baseball (I root for the Cardinals). I am a West Des Moines Valley grad, but please don’t hold it against me. I am an only child, but I have a stepsister who lives in Bettendorf with her husband and two kids, and a stepbrother who lives in Pensacola, FL with his wife and their two kids.

I went to Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where I majored in religion and minored in Russian language and literature. I spent my junior year abroad at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland), where I returned to complete a Master’s degree, focusing on ecology and theology. I completed seminary education at Wartburg, in Dubuque. I love horrible puns, chocolate, and exploring.