Weekly Letter, 6/16/2022
The Rev John Mark Wiggers • June 15, 2022

Greetings, 


How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 (NRSV)


In these mountains in East Tennessee, St. James has been declaring Good News for almost 100 years. We will officially kick-off our celebration of this anniversary on Sunday, June 19. I hope you can join us in the parish hall following the 10:30 service where we will share more about our capital campaign. This is just the beginning of our celebration. I pray that we will celebrate our history and move forward into the future with hope. 


Sunday is also Juneteenth, the holiday that celebrates the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation reaching Texas in 1865 after the proclamation itself was made in January 1863. It took some time for that good news to spread and be applied. That is a reminder to me that we continue in the work of spreading hope, peace, and salvation. I find strength in sharing that work with you. 


In celebrating our centennial we have opportunities to share stories of our past. Those stories remind us of the faithfulness that brought us this present. We don't simply linger in reminiscence and nostalgia. Our story continues as we strive to do justice, love mercy, and humbly walk with God. Our capital campaign to enhance the facilities that support our ministry are a part of that story. The larger story unfolds as pray, study, and serve together. 


I celebrate that St. James is a community that continues to spread Good News in word and deed. Telling our story helps us see and give thanks for God present in our story. Your story of finding grace, hope, and community is a piece of that larger story. We tell our stories because there are those who don't know that grace, who are in need of healing, and who long for a community in which to belong. May our feet be beautiful as we share the message of Christ's love. 


Peace, 

Fr. John Mark

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