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, 5/12/2022
John Mark Wiggers • May 12, 2022

Dear Friends, 

I have made it no secret that I love hummingbirds. In fact, I get quite giddy upon spotty these little creatures as well as other wildlife. I am an equal opportunity appreciator. I am just as delighted by the bunny hopping around the St. James courtyard or the majestic hawk calling from above. It has become a spiritual practice of mine to welcome these critters when I spot them. I give thanks for them and claim them as little messengers to me that we are all part of this interdependent creation, and all held by a loving Creator. That is as good as any mystical vision for me. 

Our sacraments call us to see God in the ordinary stuff of creation. We take bread and wine made from crops grown in the soil by the labor of others and the nurturance of the elements. We name that bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ. Eucharist we call it, which can be translated as "good gift". Through the blessing of the good gifts of creation we name that God is present to us in this material world. That includes hummingbirds, our family, and that annoying guy in traffic. 

At St. James we seek to serve Christ in our neighbors. We have been at that work for almost 100 years. I know that sharing this work with you helps me know Christ among us. So greeting you is also a message to me, just like the appearance of the hummingbirds. You are revealing Christ present. 

As we dive into celebrating 100 years of ministry, think about the ways you have known Christ revealed in community. Are their particular witnesses to the faith that inspired you over the years? Is there a particular space at St. James that is special to you?

Think on these things, give thanks, and see them as messages to you that you are loved and known by God. 

Peace, 
Fr. John Mark

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.

Weekly Letter, 12/26/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • December 25, 2024
Merry Christmas! Yes, the Church continues to celebrate Christmas beyond the one day. Even with 12 days of Christmas, the mystery of incarnation continues to unfold in our world. I see us living out that mystery at St. James by the way we seek to feed the hungry, do justice, and nurture our souls in prayer and worship together. We become those who bear Christ to the world.

Weekly Letter, 12/19/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • December 19, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, As Advent moves towards Christmas, we are currently in Ember Days (12/18, 12/20, 12/21). These days of prayer and fasting correspond closely to the change of seasons. You will see them indicated on liturgical calendars, but I will confess that even many of us clergy have to look up what they mean. The Episcopal Church uses those days as times that people in the ordination process are to write letters to their bishop. Can a fast that has fallen out of practice mean anything for us in the present time? I am exploring that as I think about the approaching solstice, holiday festivities, and the onslaught of information in our time.
Show More
Share by: