Blog Layout
7 from Kevin - Apr 2022
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • April 2, 2022
- Baptismal banners created by the Daughters of the King are part of a rich tradition at St. James. Everything from the selection of the fabric, to stenciling, printing designs, installation of the dowel & cording, and personalization with names is meticulously performed by loving daughters like Jane C and Patricia H.
- For 100 years, St. James has provided outdoor space for peaceful reflection and respite. From time to time, the exceptionally well-manicured appearance of our grounds is compromised by troubled neighbors struggling with all kinds of physical and mental health issues. Rick B, Linda D, Betty B, Becky C, Hoyt C, Frank L, Jennie Sullivan, and others demonstrate enormous compassion and perseverance as they steadily tend to the beauty and maintenance of our grounds.
- “Kitchen upgrades” have begun in the St. James nursery. A wooden play kitchen for kids with a playable oven, refrigerator, microwave oven, faucet, removable sink, toy food & cookware accessories with lots of playable buttons, knobs, and lights & sound function has been donated by Powell P. Coming soon . . . a new “laundry center” and “work bench”!
- During the past few weeks St. James was honored to provide work space for neighbors who participated in several community puppet making workshops sponsored by the Cattywampus Puppet Council (CPC). The CPC utilizes community-based theater, parades, and workshops to build power and creativity in the community and fuel justice and liberation in the Southeast.
- Several “ROC” Stars have emerged at St. James, including Linda C, Scott C, Linda D, Pam S, and John S. Each has participated in an online Realm orientation session facilitated by our Realm Orientation Crew (ROC). Realm is the cloud-based networking platform that helps us promote active engagement in ministry throughout our church family.
- As good stewards of the earth, the staff at St. James is committed to practicing recycling. Paper and other recyclable materials, including used church bulletins, are routinely separated from general trash. With coordination provided by Mark & Susan A and Kim & Bill Y, the recyclables are taken to the local recycling center.
- Thanks to the generosity of our church family, $1,461 was raised during our Christmas Remembrances campaign to help provide finishing touches to Caswell Manor, a 48-unit permanent supportive housing development being built by the Volunteer Ministry Center at the intersection of East Fifth Avenue and Winona Street.
Thanks to everyone for becoming engaged in our mission at St. James at whatever level they are able, including all effort that is noticed and so much more that may be less noticed. Rest assured, nothing is unnoticed by God and St. James is stronger because of everyone's combined effort.
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.