1101 N. Broadway

Knoxville, TN 37917

(865) 523-5687

7 from Kevin - October 2023
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • Sep 28, 2023
  1. Compassion Coalition is a member based organization that exists to help the collective church respond to the "gap needs" that often go unmet in our city. They help Knoxville churches by informing them of needs in Knoxville; equipping them through training; connecting them to areas of need and empowering them to serve in our community. Currently, Compassion Coalition has more than 50 member organizations including groups representing the following faith traditions:  Episcopal, Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Lutheran, Methodist, Nondenominational, Presbyterian, Reformed, and Seventh Day Adventist.
  2. By organizing people in congregations and organizations, Justice Knox builds the power of people to successfully hold our community leaders accountable to justice and fairness. The organizing process follows a three step cycle of listening, research, and action. Not one of these elements is more important than another, and each helps us grow, learn, and increase our faithfulness to the Knoxville community. Currently, Justice Knox has more than 20 member organizations including the following: St. James Episcopal Church, Battlefield Farm, Church of the Savior, United Church of Christ, Church Street United Methodist Church, Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Erin Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, Knoxville, First Presbyterian Church, Heska Amuna Synagogue, Commonwealth Church, Messiah Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, St. John 23rd Catholic Church, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, West Knoxville Friends Meeting, and Westminster Presbyterian Church.
  3. The St. James Handbell Ensemble plays during Sunday worship services about once a month from September through May. Besides playing for the congregation, they participate in handbell festivals, conferences & workshops, and other special events. They play everything from traditional, sacred and hymn tunes, to classical, pop, and just-for-fun arrangements. Currently, the St. James Handbell Ensemble is comprised of members representing the following churches: St. James Episcopal, First Presbyterian Church, Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian, Second Presbyterian, Trinity United Methodist, First United Methodist, First Methodist Alcoa, and Church of the Ascension.
  4. Tyson House is an ecumenical worshiping community located at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. ​It's core values include Worship (word and sacrament), Community (affirming and relationship), and Discipleship (faith formation, leadership development, & outreach). The ministry is made possible by the generous financial and relational support of the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
  5. The faith community partners of the Volunteer Ministry Center (VMC) are at the very heart of its mission in preventing and ending homelessness in our community, providing financial support, volunteers, and community support for programs and services to serve those experiencing homelessness. VMC Meal Groups prepare and serve a meal a month to 40-50 of our neighbors who are in a case management relationship working to achieve housing. Currently, Volunteer Ministry Center church member organizations represent the following faith traditions: Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, Latter Day Saints, Lutheran, Methodist, Muslim, Presbyterian, and Unitarian.
  6. Church partners are so essential to Knox Area Rescue Ministry (KARM) which is Church and Volunteer Rooted. Because serving the poor and needy is a call to the Church and therefore, God’s people, KARM seeks to be a place where His people can use their God-given gifts and talents to fulfill that call. As such, they seek to engage volunteers from local churches in every aspect of the ministry. Currently, KARM has more than 100 member organizations including groups representing the following faith traditions: Episcopal, Baptist, Church of God, Community Church, Interdenominational, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian, among others.
  7. The St. James Prison Ministry Group offers support to incarcerated neighbors in maximum security by providing visits and mindfulness meditation classes.  This support also takes the form of sending books, writing letters, providing blank greeting cards for inmates to maintain contact with loved ones, and helping them plan for their release. Currently, the Prison Ministry consists of neighbors representing the Episcopal and Buddhist faith traditions.
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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