Seven from Kevin

We all understand the importance of keeping our gathering spaces clean, organized, and ready for use. Doing so requires a team effort. We are so lucky and thankful to have Suzette on our housekeeping team! Assigned to us by DT's Refurbishing just a couple of months ago, Suzette works 3 hours on Monday and 3 hours on Fridays, but she works so efficiently and performs such a thorough job, it seems like she is here much longer. We really appreciate the way she cares for St. James. Printing and copying are necessary for day-to-day operations at St. James, but we are vigilant about keeping such costs as low as possible by minimizing unnecessary printing and using digital alternatives when we can. During the past 2 years, the folks at Image Matters have been extremely adept at helping us regularly monitor and analyze the monthly volume of copies printed at St James. As a result, we have been able to optimize the terms of our lease contract to reduce our expenses.

In 2011 a group of 8 congregants, including John Mark, decided to have some fun and perform an art project. The life of our patron Saint, St. James, became the subject. Each congregant decided on one aspect of St. James' life and painted an image of that. Four of those 8 recently rediscovered paintings are currently on display in the Administration wing hallway. Eventually, the full set will be displayed along with a short story about each painting. Linda Goins has been lending her exacting and creative talents to compile, edit and publish our weekly service bulletins for many years. It's not as easy as it looks. It requires great organizational skills, patience, and concentration. Linda is always at the ready whenever the need arises to produce bulletins for special holiday and memorial services as well. Recently, she responded to an "emergency" situation when it was necessary to print bulk mail envelopes one by one on short notice!

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

1. The cost of the new Courtyard Fencing & Gates was approximately $26,200. These improvements will preserve and protect this space for the enjoyment of everyone seeking brief periods of safe and peaceful respite during the daytime. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come. 2. The cost of the Epoxy Flooring & Labyrinth in the Nave was approximately $56,700. These improvements will increase the diversified use of our gathering space, improve ease of maintenance, and enhance the appearance and spirituality of our experience in the Nave. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come. 3. The cost of the Vinyl Flooring in the Parish Hall, Conference Room, administrative hallways, & sacristy hallway was approximately $50,500. This improvement will improve cleanliness, ease of maintenance, and

1. The cost of the new Parish Hall Seating was approximately $19,800. The new chairs are are larger, lighter in weight, and more easily stackable. They will contribute to the expanded use of our gathering space and provide enhanced comfort during meetings and social events. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come. 2. The cost of the new Nave Seating was approximately $69,000. Our new cathedral chairs will offer the same distinguished look of pews, but will provide increased seating flexibility, improved accessibility, and enhanced comfort during all services & community gatherings. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come. 3. The cost of the Columbarium Expansion was approximately $11,000. It will help to preserve the enduring legacy of church family members by doubling its capacity

1. You may have noticed the "new look" our buildings are sporting as a result of the professional pressure-washing work performed by Top Knox Pressure Washing this month! Trey Gaff and the team at Top Knox demonstrated great care and super efficiency in removing the dark stains that had resulted from years of weathering. The difference in the appearance is truly amazing! 2. Making the adjustment from our permanently installed audio visual equipment in the Nave to the completely different portable system being used in the Parish Hall has provided interesting challenges for everyone involved. This includes the A/V team responsible for setting things up every Sunday morning, everyone who steps up to the microphones to share the liturgy, and especially the congregation. Thanks to everyone for demonstrating patience and flexibility during these times of transition 3. Every week, St. James generates a significant amount of paper, metal, and plastic recyclable waste. Fortunately, we have a team of committed volunte

1. St. James is very fortunate and appreciative to have Reggie Hulsey be so instrumental in orchestrating the protection, disassembly, safe storage, & reassembly of the organ console, horizontal trumpet pipes, great division windchest (360 pipes), vertical pipes, and antiphonal pipes during the renovation of the Nave during the next few months. 2. There's something brewing in the St. James kitchen besides coffee! Thanks to the dedication of our Kitchen Guild and the improvements that have been made to our kitchen space, there is a renewed commitment to keeping that space clean, organized, and functional. Serving on the Kitchen Guild is a great way to meet folks and an easy way to serve our faith community at St. James. Now that we are back in the kitchen, we look forward to forming several teams of folks who will serve on a rotating basis. Contact Carol Yates cyates0222@gmail.com for details. 3. If you have been wondering what will become of the engraved brass plates that were affixed to the pews that have

1. Thanks to John Mark & Liz, Carol & Butch, Kevin & Drew, Barbara H, and Gail for helping in the preparation and serving of chili cheese hot dog burritos to inspired church members who drove through our parking lot on their way to the Justice Knox Nehemiah Action in April. 2. Your Centennial Committee has been working tirelessly for over 2 years, (since Feb, 2021), planning our Centennial Celebration and Capital Improvements. This has included seeking and prioritizing input received from the congregation and ministry groups, assembling a qualified design team and developing fundraising strategies to raise the necessary funding . Their work is not through, but we appreciate all the work being performed by Katharine Criss, Mark Abell, Hoyt Canady, Lee Creech, Duane Dunlap, Bea Emory, Drew Harper, Sarah Rimer Moss, Kevin Jeske-Polyak, John Mark Wiggers, and Carol Yates, among others. 3. Since the day Project Manager Rick Blackburn was named to head up our centennial capital improvement project, he has provide

1 Over the last couple of months, attendance at our monthly Friendship Circle Dinners has grown to nearly 30 people. A giant step toward restoring “normalcy following our hibernation due to COVID, these dinner events provide an interesting, delicious, and relaxed way to get to know each other better. Join us for the NEXT Friendship Circle Dinner on May 1 at 6 pm. We will meet in the courtyard and have a potluck while we get an update on capital renovations. 2 At this year's annual Justice Knox Rally held on March 27th, St. James was well- represented by 54 parishioners committed to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. Justice Knox seeks to understand problems facing the Knoxville community through person-to-person conversation, and to grow those conversations into prioritized, research-based action items. These action items are targeted and have a real impact on the lives of underserved—or not before heard—community members. In person attendance at St. James Sunday morning worship services have averaged