Sunday, Dec. 31

8:00 a.m. | Spoken Holy Eucharist Rite I in the Nave

10:15 a.m. | Nativity on the Square Sermon Drama and Holy Eucharist with St. James Players and Allelu! folk group

5:00 p.m.| Nativity on the Square Sermon Drama and Holy Eucharist with St. James Players with instrumental guitarist, Doug Woofter

Monday, Jan. 1

Offices Closed

Tuesday, Jan. 2

10:00 a.m. | Staff Meeting

Wednesday, Jan. 3

9:30 a.m. | Yoga in the Trinity Room

10:00 a.m. | Centering Prayer in the Chapel

Noon | Healing Prayer & Holy Eucharist in Chapel

Thank you to all our many, many ministries that make possible this holy season celebrating the birth of Christ. Almost every single ministry at St. James has a hand in these upcoming services and we give thanks for the dedication, faithfulness, and energy of these incredible ministers.

Thank you to all who wrote cards for our parishioners who cannot be with us in person due to illness or mobility. In total, we mailed 145 cards, an incredible reminder of this parish's love and support. Thank you to Patricia James from our Pastoral Care Team and staff member Mindy Campos who orchestrate this every year!

It's not too late to return your commitment card for 2024! Your commitment makes a difference! Thank you to all those who have already returned their stewardship commitment cards for 2024. Your commitment makes a difference! It's not too late to return your commitment card by mail, in-person or even online.

Upcoming Baptismal Date: Sunday, Jan. 7 is our next baptismal date, celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. If you or a loved one would like to be baptized, please contact David+.

On Sunday, Dec. 31, the liturgy of the word (readings and sermon) at the 10:15 and 5 p.m. service will take the form of a sermon drama by the St. James Players. Come watch their thought-provoking and relevant piece on the Nativity.

Gluten-free wafers are available during communion for those with celiac disease or medical issues. You may request this gluten-free option at communion from the priest. 

St. James is joining with other Henderson County parishes for a deanery-wide Epiphany feast and worship at Kanuga on the Feast of the Epiphany, Saturday, Jan 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $12 per adults, $8 per youth and children up to 12 years old are free.

This intergenerational event will begin with a Eucharist in Kanuga's chapel and the traditional chalking of the doors. From there we will feast together with Kanuga providing pork tenderloin and baked chicken and hot dogs for the kiddos. Participants are invited to bring a side dish, salad/bread or dessert which will be assigned alphabetically. Registration is required and scholarships are available. The evening will be filled with fun activities such as a mobile planetarium which will allow folks to see the night sky as the Magi did as they sought the Christ child. There will be crafts for making crows and star lanterns. There will also be star gazing available as well as a candlelight labyrinth walk.

Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite. If you have any questions, please contact Aimee Bostwick of Kanuga at abostwick@kanuga.org.

Centering Prayer with Rev. Wendy Pinzino will continue every Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. in the Chapel beginning Jan. 3. Please join us in this deeply meaningful practice.

Star of Wonder and the Search for Awe

Jan. 7-Feb. 4, excluding Jan. 21

Trinity Room

Where do you find awe and wonder in our world? Join us for an exploration of Epiphany, the liturgical season most often associated with wonder, as we consider why wonder matters—especially in our modern, scientific, and often cynical world. We'll be using Dacher Keltner's new book Awe as a guide and encourage you to purchase one for this series.

Outreach Presents: Learning from Our Dreamers

Sunday, Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. in the Trinity Room

Join us for this special conversation with the students St. James sponsors at Blue Ridge Community College. These are DREAM Act Students who have lived in the United States their whole lives are able to go to college through our sponsorship. Without that, they would have to pay significantly higher out-of-statue tuition rates. Join us as they say thank you and share their educational and vocational dreams.

Getting to Know St. James and the Episcopal Church

Sundays, Feb. 18-Sunday, March. 24 at 9 a.m. in the St. James Room

During these Sundays, we will give an overview and introduction to the Episcopal Church and St. James' place in it. Perfect for newcomers, visitors, or those wishing to renew or dive deeper into their understanding of faith in the Episcopal tradition. Participants are eligible for confirmation, reaffirmation of faith, or reception. 

The St. James Endowment Board is pleased to announce that we still have funding available in our 2023 cycle for (1) outreach ministries, (2) seed money for new ministries and special one-time projects, (3) capital improvements and major maintenance projects of the parish. Accordingly, we will again receive applications for 2023 Endowment distribution awards to the extent that funding is available. Our Treasurer reports that we have $21,000 available for this mid-cycle award opportunity! 

Construction is underway for our new open-air Sanctuary Garden Chapel! The entire infrastructure for the project is a gift from an anonymous member, so no funds from the operating fund are needed. If you would like the opportunity to be a part of the installation of a grove of redbud and holly trees in dedication to a friend or family member, visit https://bit.ly/sanctuarygardenchapel.

For more information or to submit a dedication,

click here.

Yoga classes will take place all Wednesdays in January at 9:30 a.m. in the Trinity Room. Participants need to arrive 10 minutes early and be ready to begin promptly. Individuals who might have come to chair yoga are welcome and we will adapt poses into chair versions. Contact the instructor, Dianne Hunter, for any questions. 

St. James Single Women are invited to Patty Hanson's home on Friday, January 5 at 11:30 p.m. for Little Christmas 🎄 Brunch. For more information or to rsvp, email Patty at phanson70@comcast.net.

Calling all St. James artists and crafts-people!

SAVE THE DATE and start creating for our 2024 Art and Soul Gala and Silent Auction set to take place on Saturday, March 16 from 3-5:30 p.m. at St. James. Join us for a special, fun afternoon of fine art and crafts created by St. James parishioners and friends. Artwork will be available for purchase. Enjoy wine, snacks, live music and a thrilling silent auction with artwork and gift baskets from community vendors! Brought to you by the St. James Fun Force. For more information, email Laurie Parkerson at leparkerson@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS! Thanks to your generosity, we delivered 583 pounds of food to Interfaith Assistance Ministries for their holiday food drive. Our contribution helped ensure those in need celebrated Thanksgiving with a meal in their own home. Our December collection will go to The Storehouse, so grab a purple shopping bag the next time you are at church, so we can continue to provide non-perishable foods and personal care and hygiene items to our neighbors who lack these essentials.

Stewardship Tip from the Creation Care Ministry:  Recycle your live Christmas trees and wreaths in Jackson Park on Jan. 6, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (801 Fourth Ave. E) Bring your trees and wreaths to this event and collect mulch for your yard. The Henderson County Solid Waste Department will also be collecting Styrofoam for recycling. 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will take a break on Sunday, Dec. 31 and will return January 7 at 10 a.m. for ages 2 through 5th grade. Children will return to the church during the Peace. 

Tired of Emails? Youth and Parents Can Stay Connected with St. James via text! Join our Remind account by texting @2fhfhb2 to 81010. We will post upcoming events, photos, and reminders here and all will go directly to your phone.

Fall & Winter Programs Brochure Available! Be in the know every week! Pick up our hot-off-the-press formation brochure today and mark your calendars for events and gatherings for all ages.

To ensure that you receive St. James emails in your inbox, please add office@stjamesepiscopal.com to your contact list. If you have issues getting our weekly emails, call Mindy at (828) 693-7458 or email mindy@stjamesepiscopal.com.