Sunday, Dec. 10

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

9:00 a.m. | Formation Hour in the Trinity Room

10:00 a.m. | Sunday School for Children in the Atrium

10:15 a.m. | Holy Eucharist Rite II with the St. James Choir in the Nave

5:00 p.m. | Holy Eucharish Rite II with Allelu!

5:00 p.m. | EYC in the Cox House

6:15 p.m. | Common Ground Fellowship at Southern App

Monday, Dec. 11

8:30 a.m. | Monday Morning Prayer in the Sanctuary

9:00 a.m. | Men's Book Group in St. Mary's Room

Tuesday, Dec. 12

All Day | Mexican Consulate Meetings in Stillwell Hall

9:00 a.m. | Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Mustang Cafe

Noon | Short Stories for the Soul in St. James Room

Wednesday, Dec. 13

All Day | Mexican Consulate Meetings in Stillwell Hall

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

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

Noon | Healing Prayer and Holy Eucharist in the Nave

5:00 p.m. | St. Nicholas Party in Stillwell Hall

Thursday, Dec. 14

All Day | Mexican Consulate Meetings in Stillwell Hall

5:30 p.m. | Passage Meditation in St. Mary's Room

Friday, Dec. 15

All Day | Mexican Consulate Meetings in Stillwell Hall

Saturday, Dec. 16

5:00 p.m. | Spoken Holy Eucharist in the Chapel

Update on Associate Rector Search

The search for St. James' next associate rector has been underway for the past month, advertising on our website, in the diocesan newsletter, the Episcopal News Service, as well as at seminaries. A small committee—Erin Rainey, Ellen Lind, Jimmy Chandler, and Sarah Carpenter—is helping David+ vet applicants. So far, there have been four interested applicants. Our team is mindful that this search is taking place at a time when many families are not looking to move. If it becomes clear that an associate will not be in place before Easter, an interim associate will be explored. You can find the job posting on our Website, under the About Us tab.

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.

St. James is the host site for the Mexican Consulate next week. Please be aware that Stillwell Hall will be occupied all day on Tuesday through Friday and parking will be limited if you plan to be on the property. 

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+.

Upcoming Sunday Evening Services include Allelu! on Sunday, Dec. 10, and a Contemplative Candlelight Eucharist on Dec. 17 featuring guitarist Doug Woofter.

The monthly Saturday Evening service will be on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. in the chapel.

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. 

Short Stories for the Soul is Tuesday, Dec. 12 at noon in the St. James Room. Bring your lunch and join us for a soul-stretching conversation about the short story, "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" by Gabriel García Márquez. Readings can be found on the Adult Formation page on our website. SSS meets the Second Tuesday of every month in the St. James Room.

On Sunday, Dec. 17, join the Rev. Canon John Peterson and David+ for Formation Hour as they discuss the oft-neglected nativity story found in Matthew's gospel.

Common Ground, our Sunday evening dinner gathering open to all is this Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6:15 p.m. at Southern Appalachian Brewery! Join us for a fun, casual monthly gathering (perhaps while kids are in EYC if you have kids) on Sunday evening for tasty local brews, food truck fare, and getting to know each other around an activity. Lobster 🦞 Dogs Food Truck will be on-site. No need to RSVP. Email Ann Broenner at annlbroenner@gmail.com for more info.

On Sunday mornings through Dec. 17, we welcome you to write Advent Blessing greeting cards to parishioners who aren't able to be with us in-person. The cards will be delivered to parishioners during the week of Christmas. Visit the table in Stillwell Hall on Sunday mornings, choose a card, and write a note or blessing to parishioners at home or in care centers.

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.

Our next yoga classes will take place on Wednesdays Dec. 13 and Dec 20 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.

The next Men's Fellowship Breakfast is Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. at the Mustang Cafe (140 Tracy Grove Rd, Hendersonville). Please wear your nametags.

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.

Coins for Change in Cuba! Start collecting spare coins and pocket change as we join with other Episcopalians to provide Vacation Bible School for children in Cuba in collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba. Contact Jack Watson for more details. Bring your coins to the Christmas Pageant on Dec. 24 at 10:15 a.m. to join with the Magi in placing your gifts before the Christ Child.

Stewardship Tip from the Creation Care Ministry:  This week we're providing info about what CAN go in the new recycling bins at St. James (more about what CAN'T go in next week). Paper: envelopes, office paper, junk mail, greeting cards, file folders, newspaper inserts, catalogs, paperback books, phone books and brochures (NO NAPKINS!). Containers (rinsed clean): milk jugs, rigid plastic cups, aluminum cans, and plastic and glass bottles (bottles with a neck).

Our St. James Christmas 🎄 Pageant will be on Christmas Eve at 10:15 a.m. during the Sunday Service. All children, from babies to high school teenagers, are welcome to join us as angels, shepherds, kings, animals, Mary, Joseph, and narrators. Please email or text Diane King at echomtn1@yahoo.com or (828) 674-1461 if interested. 

Christmas Pageant rehearsals will take place in the church on Sunday, Dec. 10 after the the 10:15 service. Dress Rehearsal will take place on Sunday, Dec. 17 after the 10:15 service. There will be a pizza 🍕 party in the parish hall after rehearsal for the cast and families.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Sunday School is offered every Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Atrium by the Trinity Room 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.

Thank you to all who attended the 2023 Advent Lessons & Carols with the St. James Choir and Montreat Scottish Pipes and Drums. We welcomed friends from near and far as we prepared our hearts to celebrate the festival of Christ's birth. All photos are courtesy of Robert Coffey Photography.

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.