100 YEARS OF MINISTRY - As part of our year long centennial celebration, a special audio/video project is being produced this summer to commemorate the occasion. "100 Years of Ministry at St. James" will feature the recorded voices of parishioners sharing some of the history, impressions, and ongoing work performed by the various groups within our ministry. The final edited project will also feature a collection of images to help illustrate the storyline. 

Currently, we are inviting anyone interested in sitting with Kevin or Drew Jeske-Polyak for a comfortable 20-minute recorded conversation, (audio only). Each conversation will be scheduled by appointment in the library at a convenient time during the week, or on the weekend if necessary.  One great thing about an audio recording is the ability to select the best segments and edit them together in a seamless fashion. Another, is the ability to focus on the relatable message without visual distractions. Ideally, the recording phase of the project will be completed prior to August 31st to allow time for editing. Contact Kevin at kevin@stjamesknox.org to schedule a time next week! What a GIFT your spoken word will provide to our church family for many years to come!

 

MATTHEW 26:11 - "For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me." Jesus' words here are some of the most painful and unsettling in all of scripture. Yes, the disciples will not always have Jesus, though they don't yet know how thoroughly they will abandon their friend. But, in our world today, poverty feels inescapable. God can't possibly condone such entrenched inequality, right? 

It helps to know that Jesus was referencing the Torah, knowing his disciples would recognize its teachings. In the fifteenth chapter of Deuteronomy, Moses continues to explain the law, particularly those that apply to resting the land and forgiving debts. Moses explains that there will never cease to be poor people in the land, but there should be no one in need among the Israelites. In the light of Jewish law, Jesus' meanings multiply. Poverty is not God's intent; caring for those in need is. And, sitting with his friends the night before he would head into Jerusalem for the last time, it is Jesus himself who is in need. Only this woman unreservedly gives of herself the same way Christ offered himself to the world. Moving Forward . . . What will you offer to Christ today? source: Forward Day by Day

ECW MEETING - All St. James women are invited to the monthly meeting of the St. James Episcopal Church Women (ECW) this Saturday, Jul 16 @ 10 am, in Conference Room A. For information, please contact president Nancy Pullen, nepullen@gmail.com; (415) 722-0139.





TELESCOPE EXPERIENCE - If you are a former NASA Scientist, or have any experience assembling or operating a telescope, you may be able to help us understand a thing or two about the spiffy Meade telescope that has been donated to this year's Neighbor Day Auction which can be seen at THIS LINK. Seriously, we need a little help understanding some of the basics on how to operate it. There is no doubt John Mark will want to "try it out" during our live finale on Oct 8th! We just need to be able to show him how it works. So, even if your only experience took place when a child showed you how to use her telescope, you may be able to help. Please contact kevin@stjamesknox.org to schedule a time to show us what you know.



WORK DAY - You are invited to the annual Work Day at Tyson House on Aug 6 starting at 9 am! We need your help to prepare for students to return to campus in the Fall. We will be providing lunch for all volunteers and tasks for the day include gardening, litter pick-up, and cleaning inside and outside of the building! Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and gardening tools. If you have questions, reach out to Caitlynne at tysonhouseadm@gmail.com or call us at 865-637-2031. We are the Lutheran and Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.


HOST A DOCTORAL STUDENT - Would you be willing to be a host family for an international doctoral student who is coming to UT this fall from an under-resourced country? Sarah Elizabeth Colby, (Associate Professor, University of Tennessee, Nutrition Department), has four graduate students from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and South Africa who, despite having graduate assistantships, will face challenges finding a place to live during this unprecedented housing situation in Knoxville. These students are brilliant, well-vetted, and hoping to continue their education so they can go back to their home countries and make a difference in the lives of others. If you are interested in hearing more information about this situation, please call Sarah directly at 828-226-5116.


DON'T FORGET - The deadline for our Shepherd's Voice newsletter articles, ministry task assignments, calendar updates, special event notifications, and other content is the 3rd MONDAY of each month.  Please submit your "publish ready" articles to Linda Goins lgoins@stjamesknox.org this week to beat the Monday deadline!




 

 

SUNDAYS

Sunday Morning Christian Formation (Conf Room A)  9:15 am - 10:15 am through July 31
"TED Talk Sunday School" - Faithful reflection and discussion of popular TED Talks
A wide range of interesting technology, entertainment & design topics.

Gospel Surprises (will resume via Zoom August 7th) 5 pm - 6 pm
Studying the Gospel.
Contact: mariewcantrell@gmail.com for the link.

MONDAYS

Centering Prayer  (Zoom, or Library on fourth Monday)  6 pm - 7 pm 
Studying Radical Wisdom: A Feminist Mystical Theology by Beverly J. Lanzetta.
Zoom Link  Meeting ID: 813 3584 8679 | Pray