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7 from Kevin - Feb 2023
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • February 1, 2023
- Our Doorstep Ministry group will be offering hot oatmeal during the coldest months that lay ahead along with the lunches they regularly provide to our neighbors in need. The oatmeal, provided by Faith Promise North, will be packaged in 8 oz. paper hot cups with lids.
- Special thanks to the Daughters of the King and the Thursday Morning Discussion Group for their participation in the 6-week “Embracing Episcopal Evangelism” series. Participants have learned how to seek, name, and celebrate the presence of God in their lives and in the lives of their neighbors.
- We are pleased to welcome the Old North Knoxville Neighborhood Association, (ONK), back to St. James for their regular meetings on the 4th Monday of each month. St. James is proud to be a part of this historic neighborhood defined by the triangle formed by Central Street, Broadway, and Woodland Avenue, as well as the area east of Broadway bounded by Cecil Avenue, Sixth Avenue, Glenwood Avenue and Broadway.
- When St. James was preparing for the demolition work in the parish hall and kitchen, we had to move items stored in those areas, and move fast! Most of those items were loaded onto trucks and taken to a professional storage unit. Special thanks to Lee Creech for generously paying the monthly rental fee for the church.
- Mark & Susan Abell are very diligent in keeping our soft beverage vending machine adequately stocked with Coca-Cola products. If you know of a business or individual that would like to donate, (or sell at a reasonable price), a reliable vending machine, please contact Mark at mabell3368@sbcglobal.net. If we own our machine, we can stock it with a greater variety of beverages at less cost.
- St. James is pleased to resume offering meeting space to Allies of Knoxville's Immigrant Neighbors, (AKIN), for their monthly meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. AKIN is a Knoxville network that works to support issues related to immigrants and refugees and promote just policies towards immigration.
- St. James is grateful to Fadi Aboush and
Three Rivers Market
for providing the
bottled water which is distributed through our Doorstep Ministry in exchange for the use of our space for monthly board meetings. Did you know about 60% of our body is made up of water? Water plays many important roles in the body including flushing waste, regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients and aiding in digestion.
I am writing this on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19). This character in God's salvation story has an intriguing supporting role. He chooses to protect Mary and the expectant child despite the possible scandal. Joseph finds himself fleeing for Egypt to protect the newborn Jesus. We don't otherwise hear much from or about Joseph in scripture. He is a faithful person who sought to follow God in tough situations.
Get ready to jingle all the way to the "Smoky Mountain Ring" - a sensational showcase of talent and community spirit! Join us on Saturday, April 5 @ 4:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, (9076 Middlebrook Pike), where The Bells of St. James will be ringing in harmony with several other talented handbell choirs under the expert guidance of clinician Brenda Austin. This vibrant concert is more than just a musical event; it's a heartwarming celebration of connection, inclusivity, and the joy of coming together as a community. We can't wait to see you there!
Friends and Neighbors, We enter the season of Lent. Lent can seem very focused on the individual. For sure, we are called to consider our sinfulness and mortality. We do not stay there, but turn our hearts to God's forgiveness and grace.
Get ready to flip for joy because Shrove Tuesday is THIS TUESDAY (Mar 4)! Join us in the Parish Hall at 6 pm to 8 pm for a delightful evening filled with fluffy buttermilk pancakes and a smorgasbord of toppings that'll make your taste buds dance! Were even bringing out some classic, time-honored shrove pancake recipes that are sure to warm your heart. But wait, theres more! Come hungry and bring your family and friends for a night of fun, laughter, and the chance to snag some awesome door prizes! Trust us, you won't want to miss out on this delicious community gathering. Tickets are flying fast, so grab yours now for just $5 (adults) and $2 (children). And hey, if you're feeling the call to help out, we'd love to have you volunteer! Arrive at 5 pm to help with setup and prep so we can make this event a huge success together! RSVP at THIS LINK today! Remember, this isn't just about pancakes; it's about coming together as a community, sharing joy, and supporting our outreach initiatives.
Friends and Neighbors, I don't want to get too far ahead, but Lent is approaching. The tradition of the Church calls for a time of fasting and repentance. That often involves giving something up or taking something on. I recommend that folks keep it simple and be kind to themselves. We aren't doing these things to earn God's favor. We take up these practices to turn our hearts towards God. This turning of our hearts could be called "devotion".
Friends and Neighbors, We live in a world that bombards us with information. Here I am adding to the mix of ideas and thoughts coming your way. I am reminded of how Jesus often took time to go away to pray. Even without cell phones and constant news, Jesus and those around him were well aware of their world's contentious politics and problems. Jesus spoke to those problems and acted to meet the needs of people. He also empowered his followers to do the same things he did. Jesus took time to pray, teach, and be with folks at meals. Connecting with God and our community nurtures and feed us in the midst of all the demands on our attention.
Friends and Neighbors, We had a busy weekend at St. James. The weather finally allowed us to have our Ministry Marathon. It was a delight to see new and longtime parishioners meeting and sharing to learn about the many opportunities for ministry at St. James. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen. A special hat tip goes to Sharon Teets who gathered folks to plan and implement this event. I know that I learned more about our ministries and the people who make them a reality.
As ambassadors to the communities where they’ll perform, members of the Maryville College Concert Choir have a timely message for the 2025 Spring Choir Tour: “Times, They Are A-Changing,” but through music, connections can be made and unity can be achieved. The Concert Choir will begin its spring performance season with a 4 pm concert on Sunday, Feb 23, here at St. James.
One-to-One StorySharing is an intentional conversation between two people who share and receive each other’s stories of what matters most. It is a potent tool for forming community, deepening relationships, identifying gifts, healing brokenness and overcoming resistance; and building a relational culture. It is the basis for Episcopal Evangelism.
Friends and Neighbors, I hope you have your calendar marked for the St. James Ministry Marathon this Sunday, February 9. The event has been delayed by snow and ice, but this Sunday, you can learn more about the many opportunities for prayer, study, service, and community at St. James. This past Sunday was exciting as our Justice Ministry gathered to prepare us for a big turnout at our Nehemiah Action on April 8. You can learn more about that ministry and others this Sunday.