Thank-You St. James’ Team!
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”
~ Babe Ruth
If Babe Ruth had been in the St. James’ parking lot on Saturday (October 3), I know he would have said to himself, “now, here’s a successful team!” Our own St. James’ Manager & Coach, Rev. Lori Walton, in so many words expressed that same sentiment at our 2nd Annual “Parking Lot Get-Together” Stewardship Event (with a baseball theme). Lori brought home to us that all we do together as a team at St. James’ not only demonstrates how successfully we work and play as a team, but we do so with a deep abiding sense of gratitude for the gift of this community and the gifts we have been given by God. She rooted for our St. James’ team commitment and prayed for our continued team success.
It was a beautiful afternoon filled with sunshine, games, food, challenges, and plenty of warmhearted fellowship. There are many people to thank for the successful event, beginning with the Stewardship Team of Sandra Motley, Adrienne Farrell, Ruth Poole, Lauren Doherty, and George Vlastelica. Helping set up were Bob Doherty, Tom Blalock, Greg Miller, John Amourous, and Dave Nelsen along with the fantastic BBQ grillers Greg Feeney and Don Rose. Memorializing the occasion were expert photographers Bruce Roberts and Jan Brandt, and leading the table games were Vestry Members Meg Amouroux, Nancy Castanada, Karen Koonze, Elaine Miller, Dave Nelsen, and Vivian Paratore. Jennifer Carini led us in our own “I’ll Meet You There at the Parking Lot” song, and the Scrutton Team (Jan, Mike, & Tom) supervised the enormously popular Bounce House for the young and the not-so-young. Many people helped take down and clean up, put away tables and chairs, and Katie Cunningham spent a lot of time washing dishes in the kitchen. It was truly a team effort. Thank you, everyone!
The always popular Chili Challenge attracted eleven entries this year, and the winners were:
- 1st Place: Pat Spencer’s “Kitchen Sink” chili
- 2nd Place: Lauren Doherty’s “Memorial Garden” chili
- 3rd Place: Julie & Frank Guzior’s “Family” chili
Honorable mentions for more delicious chili go to Chris Perry, Caylyn Ramsamy (Sunday School chili), Lissett Hermandez & Jeremy, Mary Thomas (Jennifer Carini’s Mom), Elaine Vallecillo-Miller, Bob Doherty (Cub Scout Pack 163 chili), Sandra Motley, and Gail Blalock (Stewardship chili). New this year was the Pie Eating Contest, and winners were Dyllon Walter and Olivia Nabukeera. The “hit the ball the farthest” contest was won by Jill Buono in the adult category and Luke Scheuffele for the children. Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone who came, loaned pop-up shelters, participated in the contests, ate hot dogs, put away tables and chairs, sang, and most of all, shared the love of God with each other. At St. James’, no one sits on the bench – everyone plays. That was certainly true on Saturday.
You are what makes things happen at St. James’!
~ Gail Blalock, Stewardship Chair