1101 N. Broadway

Knoxville, TN 37917

(865) 523-5687

Justice Knox
John Mark Wiggers • Jul 02, 2021

On Monday, June 14, 141 Justice Knox Network Members from our 18 faith community members gathered on the front lawn of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Fountain City and via Zoom to hold our annual Celebration with a boxed dinner, updates on the four community problems that Justice Knox has been addressing, and the annual Investment Drive kick off. 


There were 21 folks from St. James present in person and a few folks who attended via Zoom. This was our largest group at a Celebration to date.

To give a thumbnail sketch of the work that has been done since our Nehemiah Action Assembly in May:
  • Affordable Housing-The city council approved an affordable housing trust fund by unanimous vote at the two readings of the ordinance which commits the city to providing at least $5M each year for the next ten years to support the affordable housing trust fund.
  • Public Transportation-Justice Knox leaders met with Isaac Thorne, the new KAT director to discuss creating an agreement with a provider of “last mile to work” coverage.
  • Mental Health committee continues to try to engage Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs since the county mayor officeholder is well positioned to lead the stakeholders in co-ordination city and county affordable housing efforts, and we want the county mayor to commit county funds to addressing affordable housing.
  • Education-Knox County School Superintendent Bob Thomas has agreed to meet with representatives from the International Institute of Restorative Practice (IIRP), and the calendar dance to find a meeting time for Superintendent Thomas, IIRP representatives, and Justice Knox leaders is in process.


The Justice Knox board had set a goal of $60,000 for this year’s investment drive. As of the Celebration, we had commitments/pledges for $53,650, and $38,020.81 had been turned by the end of the evening.


Each year Justice Knox Network Members are asked to consider an investment of $200 in the work. This is only a suggested amount: some folks can give less than that amount and some can give more. The important thing about an investment in Justice Knox is that it is a meaningful amount to you or your family. Individually, none of us could have brought the affordable housing trust fund into being; our collective Justice Knox membership helped to get city officials’ attention and the trust fund into being. 


Likewise, individually, none of us can fund the work of Justice Knox; our collective investments create the funds to pay our organizers, Marjorie Thigpen-Carter and Hashu Watson, and to pay for training for Justice Knox Network Members to be trained as leaders. 


Our annual House Meetings as part of the Listening Process will begin in September. 


If you have any questions or if you are ready to join our Justice Knox ministry, please contact The Rev. John Mark Wiggers at 865.523.5687, or Margaret Bickley at 865.384.7422. 

Youth Beach Trip

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.

Weekly Letter, 05/02/2024

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.

Weekly Letter, 04/25/2024

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.

Weekly Letter, 04/18/2024

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.

Congratulations

By Kevin Jeske-Polyak • 18 Apr, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS to all these who affirmed their faith on April 17 through Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation . . .

Weekly Letter, 04/11/2024

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.

Stations of the Cross

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.

Weekly Letter, 04/04/2024

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.

Weekly Letter, 03/28/2024

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.

Weekly Letter, 03/21/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 22 Mar, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Holy Week is near and I encourage you to take some time to pray and reflect as we move towards the celebration of Easter. I encourage you to attend the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services as they move us through the journey of betrayal and crucifixion that leads to the resurrection.
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