Blog Layout
7 from Kevin - October 2023
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • September 28, 2023
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Friends and Neighbors, Thank you for celebrating with our folks who were baptized, confirmed, and received on Sunday. We all promised to support them in their faith. Supporting one another in following Christ is what we do. Your time, talent, and money help make that happen through St. James. I am excited about our Ministry Marathon coming up on February 9 where we can all learn about the many ways we serve and support.
Friends and Neighbors, What a week it has been. There was football, an inauguration, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We have also continued to experience very cold temperatures around here. Then we see that the Episcopal Church is in the news as a result of the sermon of The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde at the Service of Prayer for Our Nation at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Bishop Cole commends this sermon to all of us. I encourage you to read it HERE. I have seen many positive and a few negative responses to it. Bishop Budde stood and delivered the type of message that I hope you often hear at St. James. She called for mercy and compassion for vulnerable people. This is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us too.
Friends and Neighbors, Snow and ice caused us to postpone our Ministry Marathon until February 9. On that day you will find folks in different spots sharing about the various ministries here at St. James. This will be a good day to see the church, learn about ways to serve, and connect with friends old and new. You may be surprised at all the various opportunities to serve, pray, and study together.
Friends and Neighbors, Our church calendar has many feasts and fast days. These days remind us of the stories and faithful people they commemorate and encourage us to live our faith today. This Sunday is the first Sunday after the Epiphany and is the day we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. It is fitting that we are having our Ministry Marathon as we remember this event. Baptism is our initiation into the Body of Christ. All members of the body are empowered to serve as ministers. The Ministry Marathon can help us discern ways we can use our gifts in God's service.
Friends and Neighbors, A new year dawns and voices all around call us to make resolutions, be more productive, and to change our bodies. Sure, some good messages are there, but they often get covered with blame, shame, and exhaustion. I appreciate that a call to be a faithful follower of Christ isn't a call to be perfect. Following Christ is a journey. Sometimes we take a wrong turn or need to stop and rest. The metaphors of scripture and tradition speak of being made well, growth, bearing fruit, and death that leads to resurrection. Faith is an ongoing process in which God's grace is working in us.