1101 N. Broadway

Knoxville, TN 37917

(865) 523-5687

7 from Kevin - June 2023
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • Jun 06, 2023
  1. St. James is very fortunate and appreciative to have Reggie Hulsey be so instrumental in orchestrating the protection, disassembly, safe storage, & reassembly of the organ console, horizontal trumpet pipes, great division windchest (360 pipes), vertical pipes, and antiphonal pipes during the renovation of the Nave during the next few months. 
  2. There's something brewing in the St. James kitchen besides coffee! Thanks to the dedication of our Kitchen Guild and the improvements that have been made to our kitchen space, there is a renewed commitment to keeping that space clean, organized, and functional. Serving on the Kitchen Guild is a great way to meet folks and an easy way to serve our faith community at St. James. Now that we are back in the kitchen, we look forward to forming several teams of folks who will serve on a rotating basis. Contact Carol Yates  cyates0222@gmail.com for details.
  3. If you have been wondering what will become of the engraved brass plates that were affixed to the pews that have disappeared from the nave take comfort in knowing they are being respectfully cared for. They are currently in the custody of Jane Clift. Jane is lovingly polishing them for Troy Burns who will be mounting them on an oak panel salvaged from one of the old church modesty panels. When finished, the panel will be hung in a prominent place in the nave.
  4. Ordering and picking up food supplies from Sam's Club, (and Kroger) for our ministry groups requires great coordination on an almost weekly basis. A team which includes Mark & Susan Abell, Hoyt & Marilyn Canady, Patty Chase, Patricia Hammer, Kevin & Drew Jeske-Polyak, Nancy Pullen, and Mark Reddaway faithfully embrace this responsibility in serving the Doorstep, VMC Ministry Meals, Kitchen Guild, and Funeral Guild ministry groups.
  5. More than 250 names will be represented on the 2023 Centennial Quilt. Each will be hand embroidered by St. James volunteers donating their time and talent. The tedious process involves taking the signed pieces of fabric, selecting thread (usually two strands of embroidery thread), threading the needle, and using a selected stitch to trace each signature.  When the pieces are finished, they are sewn to block colors. Thus far, the St. James volunteer quilters include Phyliss Muth, Elizabeth Young, Cynthia Thornburg, Kitty McNamara, Heather Glossup, and Bea Emory. If you are interested in helping, please contact Bea at beaemory@att.net.
  6. Daily maintenance of our building exterior and grounds requires great coordinated effort among our staff, volunteers and neighbors. This challenge has been increased recently with all of the dust and dirt being spread around during our renovations. Our breezeways and sidewalks are looking much cleaner now thanks to the help provided by neighbor Chad who performed some pressure washing this month. 
  7. The new altar in the Parish Hall was lovingly hand-crafted by Troy Burns using salvaged oak from the old pews in the Nave. The design is purposefully open and relatively lightweight, offering great versatility. After serving as our main altar during this summer, it will continue to be used for worship in various locations around the church. 
By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers 08 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, This email arrives on the Feast of the Ascension. The Ascension is that event 40 days after the resurrection when Jesus ascended into the heavens. We often skip over this moment in the Christ story. The resurrected Jesus could have stayed on earth and made quite a show of coming back from death. Instead, the followers of Christ are told that they will receive the Holy Spirit and continue the work of sharing God's love.
By Rev. John Mark Wiggers 02 May, 2024
St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, has organized a trip to St. Christopher’s Camp on the beach of Seabrook Island, SC from May 28 - 31. This trip is open to all 6th -12th graders in the diocese. About 10 male and 10 female slots are available. Transportation will be leaving from Chattanooga on the 28th and returning on the 31st. The cost is $360 per person. This is a great opportunity for our youth to take a fun trip to the beach to kick off the summer, a chance for them to see a different diocese’s summer camp, and a chance for them to meet some youth from the Charleston area through a day of outreach with a parish there. Register: at etnyouth.campbrainregistration.com. Contact Jesse Adkins jadkins@dioet.org, Missioner for Youth and Young Adults, Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee for more information.
By Rev. John Mark Wiggers 01 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, For many folks, May is a month of celebrations. The school year is winding down, many are graduating, and we celebrate mothers. We continue to celebrate the Great 50 days of Easter and the Ascension and Pentecost are coming soon. The warmer weather and the blooming earth make me feel like celebrating. I especially give thanks and celebrate the community that is St. James. I invite you to celebrate as well.
By Rev. John Mark Wiggers 26 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, This newsletter is going out on April 25, the feast of St. Mark. Did you know that Mark (a figure active in the early church and for whom the gospel of Mark is named) is also known as John Mark? In Acts 15:36-41, we hear that Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on a missionary journey with Paul. Mark had started with Paul before and left the journey to return home. Paul refused to allow Mark to come along on this trip and Barnabas and Mark started out on their own mission. We don't have all the details, but we do have a picture of division and separation among these early church leaders.
By Rev. John Mark Wiggers 18 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, We all have a story to tell. I had the blessing of hearing people tell their stories in the recent Inquirers Class. I was delighted to see many of those folks affirm their faith when the Bishop was with us Wednesday night. Several people have reached out lately to ask questions about our parish and to share their ups and downs on the faith journey. Many of you know the power of sharing stories as we walk this life together. Sharing stories makes a difference. Having a safe community to tell our stories is a gift. You make St. James a safe place as we share the story of God's love for all.
By Kevin Jeske-Polyak 18 Apr, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS to all these who affirmed their faith on April 17 through Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation . . .
By Rev. John Mark Wiggers 11 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, We continue to celebrate Easter. The Justice Knox Nehemiah Action was a witness to new life rising. We saw over 1000 people gathered to ask our city and county mayors to make commitments to end homelessness. They said yes to some actions that have made an impact in other cities. We can be a community that educates ourselves and others about the causes and realities of being unhoused. We are also a community that confesses that there is hope. Thanks for showing up.
By Kevin Jeske-Polyak 04 Apr, 2024
We are excited to introduce our new Stations of the Cross wooden plaques lovingly created from our old pews and placed on the walls in the Nave by The Rev. RJ Powell. The Stations of the Cross is a traditional Christian devotion that focuses on fourteen specific events during Jesus' final journey to Calvary. Through prayers, meditations, and reflections, neighbors are invited to walk alongside Jesus in the Nave, contemplating his sacrifice and the meaning it holds for their own lives.Through this installation, we aim to create a meaningful and transformative experience for individuals seeking to deepen their faith and connect with the central message of Christianity.
By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers 04 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, Happy Easter! We had a solemn Holy Week and a glorious Easter Sunday! Thank you to everyone who helped make all of that happen. We have so many talented folks who give of their time and talents to make things special. I am reminded of how powerful sacred space, beauty, drama, and ritual help bring us together. I am grateful to be part of a community that can bring all those things together to welcome folks with the love of Christ. Thank you.
By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers 29 Mar, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors, It is Holy Week and Easter is coming! Note the schedule of all the opportunities to pray and celebrate together. When you are here, look at the Stations of the Cross crafted by The Rev. R. J. Powell on wood that our own Troy Burns took from our pews. Thank you to them and to all the folks making Holy Week and Easter happen here at St. James. So many people are involved. I am grateful for all who make this a place that welcomes others to know the love of Christ.
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