1101 N. Broadway

Knoxville, TN 37917

(865) 523-5687

Weekly Letter, 08/17/2023
The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • Aug 17, 2023

Dear Friends, 


As our renovations wrap up, there are little details that need attention. Maybe there was a scratch somewhere, or a lock that sticks, and there is the work of adjusting the new heating and air system. When one thing changes there are often other changes that occur. This is true of our lives as well. Many of us (myself included) resist change. I can have grand ideas about positive change and then easily slide back into old patterns. 


Changing our minds and hearts was the primary message of Jesus. ("Repent" can be translated as "change your minds and hearts.") As we look at some of the loudest voices in our world, we hear messages that separate, demonize, and encourage violence. Our world needs people who are seeking to love others. We can be a place that helps us all seek the transformation of our minds and hearts so that we can love others with the love of Christ. 


We have doubled down on our commitment to be in place as we have done some work on our actual property. St. James has also been a community that worked for the transformation of our minds and hearts. We have lived that by being a welcoming place that proclaims that God is with us and that God loves us. Not everybody knows that so we prepare and equip ourselves for being a place that proclaims that into our next 100 years. 


The St. James community has seen many changes over the past 100 years. We will see more changes. Through all of that, we turn our hearts and minds to Christ. We share the love that has been given to us. 


The witness to God's love is what we celebrate as we approach our 100th anniversary. Thank you for supporting the work we are doing to keep that ministry going. Join with us on September 17 and  beyond as we celebrate what God is doing at 1101 Broadway. 


Peace,

Fr. John Mark 

Weekly Letter, 05/16/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 15 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, We celebrate Pentecost this coming Sunday (May 19). We often refer to this event as the birthday of the Church. We celebrate that the promised Holy Spirit was given to those early followers and that we all have the Holy Spirit working in us. The gift of the Holy Spirit reminds me that we are all connected to God and each other. In fact, we need the Spirit and we need each other.

Weekly Letter, 05/09/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 08 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, This email arrives on the Feast of the Ascension. The Ascension is that event 40 days after the resurrection when Jesus ascended into the heavens. We often skip over this moment in the Christ story. The resurrected Jesus could have stayed on earth and made quite a show of coming back from death. Instead, the followers of Christ are told that they will receive the Holy Spirit and continue the work of sharing God's love.

Youth Beach Trip

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 02 May, 2024
St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, has organized a trip to St. Christopher’s Camp on the beach of Seabrook Island, SC from May 28 - 31. This trip is open to all 6th -12th graders in the diocese. About 10 male and 10 female slots are available. Transportation will be leaving from Chattanooga on the 28th and returning on the 31st. The cost is $360 per person. This is a great opportunity for our youth to take a fun trip to the beach to kick off the summer, a chance for them to see a different diocese’s summer camp, and a chance for them to meet some youth from the Charleston area through a day of outreach with a parish there. Register: at etnyouth.campbrainregistration.com. Contact Jesse Adkins jadkins@dioet.org, Missioner for Youth and Young Adults, Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee for more information.

Weekly Letter, 05/02/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 01 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, For many folks, May is a month of celebrations. The school year is winding down, many are graduating, and we celebrate mothers. We continue to celebrate the Great 50 days of Easter and the Ascension and Pentecost are coming soon. The warmer weather and the blooming earth make me feel like celebrating. I especially give thanks and celebrate the community that is St. James. I invite you to celebrate as well.

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, 04/04/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 04 Apr, 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.
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