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, 07/27/2023
The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • July 31, 2023

Dear Friends,


"Every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:52


As we move toward the completion of our renovations, I think about the place of St. James in this community over the past 100 years. We continue to hold our Episcopal identity rooted in ancient traditions while engaging what is new. I believe that being good stewards of our property can (at our best) only strengthen our ministry. We are not preserving a museum of faith. We bring out the treasures of the faith and embrace what is new and emerging. 


Some of the "new" for us will be found in the subtle ways that changing our space influences how we worship and do ministry. The flexibility of our space calls us to use it faithfully to share what is old and what is new for the kingdom. I encourage us all to dream of ways to share God's love in a world that is anxious, afraid, and hopeless. Let us dream together. 


While we dream we also gather in many ways. Remember that our 100-year anniversary celebration is on September 17. Bishop Cole will join us to bless and dedicate our renovations. Before then, we continue to feed and tend God's sheep. You will find opportunities to pray, study, and serve in this newsletter. 


Thank you for all the ways that you bring out what is old and what is new in order to share God's love with others. May we dream with God a vision of hope, healing, and 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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