On Sunday, February 19, at 4:00 p.m., Spanish harpsichordist Yago Mahugo will visit St. James to present a recital. Yago studied in Spain and Germany, earning an MA in harpsichord and early piano, and later earned a PhD in music. He has studied with the renowned artists Christophe Rousset, Malcolm Bilsom, and Kenneth Gilbert, among others, and has released several critically acclaimed CD recordings, some as soloist, and some with Impetus Madrid Baroque Ensemble, a group that performs on period instruments, and which he founded and conducts. He has signed a multi-year recording contract with Brilliant Classics, but also frequently performs for European television and radio audiences, and has made several performances available via iTunes and YouTube. Yago has won prizes at international performance competitions as harpsichordist--including those at Budapest and Bruges, the latter considered the most prestigious in the field of early music, that is, music composed before 1800. He is professor at the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia and the Teresa Berganza Conservatory, both in Madrid.

Mahugo is remarkable in another way. Several years ago he suffered a massive stroke which left one side of his body paralyzed. Though doctors said he would never be able to play again, he fought back and regained his musical abilities. He will be making his North American debut at Carnegie Hall, New York, on February 14, will perform with Impetus back in Spain in April, and will perform at several concerts in Brazil in June.

Don't miss hearing this exceptional musician at St. James on February 19.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
4 p.m. - Blessing of the Animals
4:30 p.m. - Evensong
Maple Road entrance

Our pets don’t come to church for many good reasons. However, they are parts of our family, part of who we are. Our church family should have the opportunity to get to know the four legged, finned, or winged creatures that are so important to us. On October 2 we will have the opportunity to share these friends with each other at the St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals.

We will say a few short prayers together, have our pets blessed and receive treats and a certificate of blessing. No matter what genus or species your friend may be we hope that you will bring it by, and if you currently have no pets, come and enjoy the bedlam, the joy, and the opportunity to thank God for this wonderful creation.

Sunday, October 2
1:45 p.m. to register; 2 p.m. walk starts
 Meet at First United Methodist Church, Birmingham

Think about this:

• Nearly 1 billion people now live in poverty worldwide.

• In the U.S., nearly 43 million don’t have enough to eat.

• Around 18,000 children die every day from hunger-related causes.

• Hunger is preventable.

Are you hungry? How hungry are you? What if you had to go without food for a day or several days? That’s the reality for millions of people around the world. And you can do something about it! Join the CROP Hunger Walk! Sign up at and raise funds to help hungry people in our community and around the world.  Both youth and adults please mark your calendar for Sunday, October 2 and join us for the CROP Walk.  You can participate in these ways:

1. You can join our team and walk!  It’ll be great to have a group of walkers from St. James. You can set your own fundraising goal and easily ask your friends and family for their support. You can add your name to our team online and start raising money for the walk. http://hunger.cwsglobal.org/goto/stjames2014

2. Can’t make it that day?  You can still raise money to help end hunger! Go to: http://hunger.cwsglobal.org/goto/stjames2014 and click on “Donate” and then “Support a Team” and you’ll find the link to “St. James Episcopal Church”.

   The walk takes place at 2pm.  We’ll gather at the First United Methodist Church at 1:45 to get everybody registered!