1101 N. Broadway

Knoxville, TN 37917

(865) 523-5687

Weekly Letter, 04/04/2024
The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • Apr 04, 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. 


A big event for St. James is coming up on April 9. It is time for the Justice Knox Nehemiah Action! We always have a great turnout for this event. Your presence matters. Our community leaders respond when we show up and ask for their leadership in addressing important community issues. Both of our city and county mayors have agreed to be at the action and will be making commitments to take action in addressing homelessness. This is an exciting way that we partner with over 20 congregations to do justice in our community. See below for more details. 


I am looking forward to the Nehemiah Action and many other activities together. Don't miss Wednesday, April 17 at 6 pm when Bishop Brian will be here to receive and confirm folks. I also want to encourage parents and grandparents to consider Family Camp at Grace Point. This year it is over Memorial Day weekend. It is a great way to introduce camp to youngsters and to share some time together. Reach out if you have any questions about camp. 



Thanks again for all the ways that you support St. James and the ministry we do. With all the gifts of time and talent, I am also grateful for you sharing your gifts of money. It does take financial investment to maintain our space, and our staff, and to support ministry. Your gift matters. Thank you. May we all be grateful for all the good gifts that God has given us.


Peace,

Fr. John Mark

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, 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.

Weekly Letter, 03/14/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 14 Mar, 2024
Dear Friends, It is delightful to watch things bloom. I am reminded that Lent is a season of renewal. We acknowledge our sins and trust that God forgives us. Psalm 51 puts words to a prayerful way of approaching this. (These verses form the traditional prayer that the presider at the Eucharist prays when washing their hands. Have you seen me up there mumbling?) I particularly resonate with the line "Give me the joy of your saving help again." I have known that help before and trust that I can know that joy again. Even after the cold winter, the flowers bloom again.

Weekly Letter, 03/07/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 07 Mar, 2024
Dear Friends, Don't forget to spring forward! Showing up on time does make a difference. You heard that many folks in our justice ministry joined with others to attend the February school board meeting. The school board has since released the data we were asking for! Many of us will return to the school board meeting this Thursday (March 7). Don't forget that the Justice Knox Rally is on March 18 at 7:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church. The Nehemiah Action is April 9. See below to let us know that you are taking the important action of showing up and bringing others.

Holy Week

By Kevin Jeske-Polyak • 06 Mar, 2024
Holy Week is a sacred time in the Christian faith that commemorates the final days of Jesus Christ leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. It begins with Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and continues with events such as Maundy Thursday, when he shared the Last Supper with his disciples, and Good Friday, the day of his crucifixion. Holy Week culminates in Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. This week serves as a time of reflection, prayer, and spiritual growth for believers worldwide, reminding us of the sacrifice and love of Christ. Below is a list of Holy Week services at St. James
Show More
Share by: