MEET OUR SEXTON - A member of St James since 1994, Rick Brown has served as our Sexton since 2014. In this role, Rick is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, condition, and readiness of the buildings, grounds and equipment at St. James including the nave, parish hall, kitchen, restrooms, conference rooms, nursery, office areas, building exterior, landscaping, playground, and parking lot. Rick accomplishes this work during his 26-hour work week by performing what he can himself and through appropriate delegation to qualified vendors, contractors, and a very small number of volunteers.

Rick is very proud to serve St. James in such a variety of ways. Every day, he looks forward to working with the staff, parishioners who come around, and with community folks who visit. He’s a born helper, always happy to lend a hand to our St. Francis Guild as they beautify our grounds, and to innumerable others. He says he is very thankful for the volunteers who can always be counted on to help him, and deeply appreciates the kind comments he hears.

Rick has a long history of ministry and service to St. James. He has served on the Vestry as Jr. Warden and Finance Committee. He has been on the phone tree to keep up with parishioners during the pandemic. He is an usher and assists in training new ushers. And he is a monitor for weddings, funerals, and other large events at the church.

Away from the church, Rick loves woodworking. He’s an avid gardener, growing flowers and vegetables.

He and his wife Lyn enjoy their large, blended family. Much of the family with its adult children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren stay close-by and they’re always there to support and help each other.

Rick is a volunteer twice a month with the Knox County Sheriff Department’s SCAN program. These volunteers are the Sheriff's emissaries to the elderly and shut-in population of Knox County. They are trained to provide home visitations, security surveys, crime prevention counseling, and community agency referrals. SCAN cruisers and personnel are familiar and welcome additions to local neighborhoods. 

For the future St. James, Rick envisions a church family growing in diversity and numbers, immersed in community involvement. When he retires—not in the plans just yet!—he hopes to leave the property in good shape for future sextons!