Over 100 years of feeding and tending God's sheep.


1101 N. Broadway St.

Knoxville, Tennessee 37917

(865) 523-5687

WEEKLY WORSHIP SERVICES


Holy Eucharist I -  Sundays @ 8 am

Holy Eucharist II - Sundays @ 10:30 am

Centering  Prayer - Mondays @ 6 pm

Evening  Prayer - Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 5:30 pm

Anglican Rosary - Thursdays @ 5:30 pm

Community Labyrinth - 4th Saturday @ 10 am to 2 pm 

Blog Layout
Weekly Letter, 07/25/2024
The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • July 24, 2024

Friends and Neighbors, 


This edition is going out on The Feast of St. James (July 25). We will transfer the celebration to this Sunday (July 28) where we will learn about the saint our parish is named for and how we can continue the faithful witness to the Good News of Christ. It is our custom to wear red. Come and join the celebration this Sunday. 


When I think of churches being named for saints, I am reminded that there are grammatical implications. Most religious grammar nerds would point out that he would be improper to use the possessive form of the saints name for a congregation (e.g. St. John's, St. James'). This is because our congregations and the church at large are all Christ's church. Ancient churches were named for saints as they were sometimes built over the grave of the saint or contained relics of the saint. Today, we name churches for saints and sometimes holy events. We do that to remind us of the faithfulness of those who came before us and that we share in the life we have in Christ. 


I am also reminded that people were faithful to the Good News in some hard times throughout history. We are living in some challenging times. I know that many of us are feeling a range of emotions as we see violence across the world, the political division in our nation, and the plight of those marginalized in our society. This could well describe the world James lived in and in which Jesus proclaimed liberation, forgiveness, and healing. With James and empowered by the Spirit, we share hope in our world today. 


Thank you for continuing the witness of James and all the saints as we proclaim the hopeful message of God's healing love.


Peace,

Fr. John Mark 

Weekly Letter, 02/20/2025

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • February 20, 2025
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.

Weekly Letter, 02/13/2025

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • February 13, 2025
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.

Times,They're A'Changing

By Ashley Burell • February 12, 2025
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.

Share Your Story

By Andrew Jeske-Polyak • February 12, 2025
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.

Weekly Letter, 02/06/2025

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • February 6, 2025
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.

Weekly Letter, 01/30/2025

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • January 30, 2025
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.

Weekly Letter, 01/23/2025

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • January 24, 2025
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.

Weekly Letter, 01/16/2025

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • January 16, 2025
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.

Weekly Letter, 01/09/2025

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • January 9, 2025
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.

Weekly Letter, 01/02/2025

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • January 1, 2025
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.
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