Nov 13, 2022 8 am - Holy Eucharist – Rite I
9:15 am - Adult Christian Formation 10:30 am - Holy Eucharist – Rite II
10:45 am - Youth Christian Formation
We had a great All Saints' Sunday! The Rev. RJ Powell was with us and we welcomed new saints through the sacrament of baptism. The ECW collected the United Thank Offering, the Daughters of the King served, and the choir rocked (I like to think they did the John Tavener piece for me. He is one of my favorite composers.) The saints were worshiping with us.
On Monday night, St. James had the largest turnout to the Justice Knox Annual assembly. Margaret Bickley will be reporting more details about that event. I am encouraged that we have such a strong Justice Ministry. We put action to our faith when we speak up and take steps to change policies to bring more justice to our community. Your presence matters.
A construction crew is present at St. James. Our project is underway! The kitchen and parish hall are off-limits. The hallways and some rooms have "stuff" in them. We will be sorting through what stays and what goes. We will also keep gathering, praying, and serving. We also need your support in this work. If you haven't made a pledge, please consider what you can give and let your intention be known. Your gift supports our work and helps us when seeking funding from other sources.
My excitement about St. James isn't just centered on one great Sunday. I look around and see people serving in various ways. Recovery groups gather and hurting souls find healing. Friends come together to study and pray. Dedicated folks feed our neighbors. Newcomers searching for connection and hope come to us. All of that and more encourages me as we work together to proclaim the Good News of Christ in word and deed.
Peace,
Fr. John Mark
OUR HISTORY . . .
SEASONS OF THE CHURCH YEAR - The church year begins with the season of Advent, in which there are four Sundays. Christmas lasts for 12 days. The length of Epiphany varies from year to year, depending on when Lent begins. There are five Sundays in Lent before Palm Sunday, which is always one week before Easter Sunday. The season of Easter lasts for 50 days. The time after Pentecost (sometimes called "ordinary time") lasts for almost half of the church year. The length of this season varies from year to year, depending on when Easter falls. Source: The Episcopal Handbook. Click the image to the left, for a MUCH LARGER VIEW of the diagram.
WHY EPISCOPALIANS DON'T KICK DOGS -We don't advocate hitting kittens or starting forest fires either. In fact, caring for all of God's creation is something Episcopalians have long been interested in doing. Our Baptismal Covenant calls us to strive for justice and peace, which includes everything that God has created. This is why many Episcopal congregations sponsor an annual "Blessing of the Animals". It's often held in the fall, around the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4). Some churches, like the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, have welcomed horses, elephants, and camels into their sanctuary. Most others stick with dogs and cats, though, iguanas, gerbils, and even snakes get in line. (Note to service planners: keep the gerbils and snakes at opposite ends of the church.) The Episcopal Network for Animal Welfare (www.franciscan-anglican.com/enaw), a sister organization to the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals, works to raise awareness of issues of animal cruelty and abuse. Another grassroots organization working toward better stewardship of God's creation is the Episcopal Ecological Network (www.eenonline.org). This group advocates for the protection of the environment and preserving the sanctity of creation. When the heavens and the earth were created God called it good - and we believe it still is. This is why we seek to not only care for it, as God has, but to bless it, as God continues to do. Source: The Episcopal Handbook.
THE PRESENT . . .
James 1:5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
As an English and literature teacher, I am often asked by students for book recommendations. Of course, I usually respond by asking what type of reading they prefer. From there, I am usually able to discern their tastes and offer some titles. I love when students ask me about which books to read. Their question shows intellectual curiosity and openness, and it offers me the opportunity to influence their thinking just a bit further than the curriculum allows. What must it do for our divine teacher when we come to God with the desire to understand? God loves our curiosity and openness more than I do when my students ask for book suggestions, but that does not mean that the wisdom in God’s answers will be easy for us to hear. It may even be excruciating. But when we ask for wisdom, God sees our desire for depth, truth, and beauty. What teacher would ever deny those things to students? Source Forward Day by Day
FLOWERS NEEDED - It is a St. James tradition to place altar flowers/greenery in honor of or in thanksgiving for loved ones. Altar flowers/greenery are needed for Nov 27 & Dec 18. Please contact Linda in the church office lgoins@stjamesknox.org or 865-523-5687 for information.
ONE CUP AT A TIME . . . Amidst the construction activity currently taking place in the parish hall and the kitchen, Coffee Hour will continue at St. James following our regular 10:30 Sunday morning worship services. The serving area has moved from the kitchen to Conference Room A, but feel free to meet up with friends & neighbors in other open areas of the administration building. If you would like to lend a hand as a host, there will be a sign up sheet available during each coffee hour event. Duties are minimal and include setting things up, preparing coffee and light cleanup activities afterwards. For more information, or to sign up to help, contact Carol Yates at cyates0222@gmail.com. Click the images below for a CLOSER INSPECTION of the some of the construction currently underway.
TOUR GUIDES NEEDED - St. James is honored to once again be included in the Old North Knoxville Neighborhood Tour of Homes! We need folks to serve as tour guides. Can you sign up for a shift on Saturday, December 3 between 4 pm - 9 pm, and Sunday, December 4 between 1 pm - 5 pm? Although access to the restrooms in the administration building will be permitted, the actual tours will be restricted to the nave. Email Fr. John Mark to sign up. jwiggers@stjamesknox.org
REALM PHOTO DIRECTORY - Do you miss the printed St. James Photo Directory? The pictures were worth a thousand words. It made it easy to associate faces with names. Realm eliminated the need for a printed directory by creating an online community where we can securely share information about St. James and information we choose to share about ourselves, including our photos. Margaret Bickley is reviving the photo directory concept but incorporating it with the new Realm online community. If you have not posted a photograph of yourself to your Realm account, or have not even created a Realm Account yet, Margaret will be attending all ECW meetings, DOK meetings, and Coffee Hour to help you with that. Make sure you see Margaret or contact her at mbick7@gmail.com. She'll even take your picture for you!
INQUIRER'S CLASS - Are you considering officially becoming Episcopalian? You can do that by being baptized, confirmed, or received. We will have classes beginning Sunday, November 20 from 5 - 6:15 pm. We will meet in person and have the option to join online. The suggested text for the class is Walk in Love by Gunn and Shobe. Contact Fr. John Mark to sign up or if you have any questions. jwiggers@stjamesknox.org
EVANGELISM FOR A WHOLE NEW WORLD - Spend a day with national and local Episcopal Church leaders as they explore what evangelism means in the Episcopal Church, new programs from our church-wide office, creative evangelism offerings taking place in East Tennessee and how you can live out a Jesus-centered life in a digital world. Whether you are new to the Episcopal Church, or have been with us for a while, all are welcome to attend. This is a great opportunity to connect with East Tennesseans seeking to build community and live into a life grounded in Good News. Saturday, November 12, 10:00 am, being held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Maryville. Register at the Diocesan website using THIS LINK.
EUCHARISTIC VISITORS & MINISTERS NEEDED - Would you like to join with others in taking communion to the homebound? Have you thought about serving at the altar? You can! Confirmed Episcopalians (age 16 and up) can join these ministries. We will have a training on November 12 at 10 am. Current Eucharistic Visitors and Ministers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact Fr. John Mark at jwiggers@stjamesknox.org.
ECW MARKETPLACE & BAKE SALE - Get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas and shop early. The Episcopal Church Women are re-introducing the annual ECW Marketplace & Bake Sale, Sunday, November 20, 12 - 2 pm. Find art, hand-crafted jewelry, imported treasures, vintage jewelry, and more, all presented by St. James artists and artisans. There will also be items available from the women's co-op in Columbia and Thailand. The Bake sale is just in time for Thanksgiving. Get all your desserts and be done with it. Everyone is invited to bring items for the bake sale! Watch next week's Sentinel (11/17) for when and where to deliver your goodies! View and print the flyer by clicking HERE.
JUSTICE KNOX ANNUAL ASSEMBLY - What a fantastic meeting Monday night's Justice Knox Annual Assembly was! Approximately 250 folks attended the meeting. Hope Fellowship joined Justice Knox and new officers were elected. Thirty-seven St. James folks were present and 18 of us had met at the church to carpool to Tabernacle Baptist. Others had filled their cars with other Network Members they'd invited and picked up on their way to the meeting. We welcomed 3 new Network Members last night--not all of them had planned to join up--and we are thankful for them. We committed to bringing 150 people to the Nehemiah Action on Tuesday, April 25th, 7-8:30 pm, location to be determined--and make sure it's on your calendar.
We heard powerful stories, and our own Lesley Stark told about her daughter Aubrie's having experienced bullying at school and detailed the school's less than stellar response to that. Mark Deathridge with East TN Mechanical Contractors told how his Knoxville minority-owned business has been treated. Each Network Member present cast one vote for an issue that Justice Knox will research over the next few months. There were 124 votes cast for homelessness not having to do with affordable housing, 99 votes cast for economic barriers to minority-owned businesses, and ~30 votes cast for mental health/drug addiction. Therefore, another aspect of homelessness will be tackled this year. Our Research to Action Kick Off will be held Monday, December 5, 6-8:30 pm, location to be determined. This meeting is where our research committees will be organized. If you want to learn more about how Justice Knox research is done, this is a great meeting to find out and to join a research committee.
ACOLYTES NEEDED - Would you like to be close to the action in Sunday worship? You can join in the joy of assisting with worship by being an acolyte. We need crucifers who can carry the cross, and youth (boys & girls) 9 and up can join in to be torch bearers. Yes, adults can be acolytes too! Contact Fr. John Mark at jwiggers@stjamesknox.org .
YOUTH MINISTRY - Classes have begun again, two classes are available. Both classes are offered during the 10:30 am Service for youth ages 5-8 and pre-teens age 9-13. Contact our Children's Formation Coordinator, Theresa Russell for additional information, tde444@yahoo.com.
YOUTH EVENTS - St. James Episcopal Church is in the process of developing a youth program that will re-energize the children and teen programs. In the meantime, St. James participates in The Episcopal Youth Community of the Diocese of East Tennessee, ETNyouth, a passionate and dedicated group of youth from over 50 worshiping communities throughout East Tennessee. This Fall, ETNYouth is holding great programs that may be of interest to you and your children. November 11-13, Happening #82, a spiritual awakening and renewal weekend for high school students, grades 9-12. November 18-20, College Retreat. All events are at Grace Point Camp. For additional information review The Episcopal Youth Community website at this LINK. For information and assistance with scholarships, please contact Fr. John Mark Wiggers, jwiggers@stjamesknox.org.
ANNUAL PLEDGE INGATHERING: It's that time of year again. The busy summer months have ended, the weather is getting colder and St. James is full swing into our fall stewardship drive. Many of our members make increased contributions during this time, and we appreciate your gifts. Please indicate what you intend to give for the year by downloading a Pledge Card from THIS LINK, entering the information on the card, and submitting it to the church. You can also give using our website.
OUR FUTURE . . .
INVEST IN ST. JAMES - To date, we have secured $481,366 in pledged gifts to our Centennial Capital Campaign, 24% of our $2 million fundraising goal. That's a great start, but we need to raise much more to do the necessary things we must do to upgrade our facilities. Construction has already begun in the kitchen and parish hall. So, if you have been prayerfully thinking about making a pledge, now would be a great time to help us keep up with the expenses we will incur and accelerate our progress toward reaching our goal. Please join the folks listed below who have already pledged to the campaign. Obtain a downloadable Capital Campaign Pledge Form by clicking THIS LINK.
Thank You . . . Mark & Susan Abell, Mike & Elizabeth Armstrong, Asset Realty Management, Caroline Ballinger, Marty Begalla, Blackburn Development Group, Betty Bowling, Rick & Lynda Brown, Bessie Burell, Ashley Burell & Kyla Keck, Hoyt & Marilyn Canady, Marie Cantrell, Scott Childs, Jane Clift, SuAnne Cobb & Margaret Bickley, Brian Cole, Bill & Ginny Combs, Thomas & Rebecca Cox, Lee Creech & Beth Meyer, Katharine Criss, Janet Dees, Linda Denton, Duane & Linda Dunlap, Bea Emory, Financial Marketplace, Inc., Linda Goins, Margaret Goodman, Joseph Gouffon, Stacy Hall, Patricia Hammer, Victoria Hawkins, Kevin & Drew Jeske-Polyak, John Kerwin, Sheila C & Donn Kurtz, Charles & Diane Livermore, Charles & Frieda Marsh, Mary McGavock & Damon Beard, Rodney & Mary Moore, Pam Morris & Renee Smith, Mary Muir, Phyllis Muth, Timothy & Jessie Nichols, Mary Nelle Osborne, Powell & Susan Partridge, LouAnn Robinson, Jim Rowland, Gerald Segroves, Kenneth & Kathleen Sherfick, Jennie Sullivan, Cynthia Thornburg & Tom Dunne, Jimmie & Carolyn Wheeler, John Mark & Liz Wiggers, Dean Wiggers, Butch & Carol Yates, Bill & Kim Yearman, and Elizabeth Young.
SPONSOR A CHAIR - Soon, our old pews will be replaced with new cathedral chairs which are being built especially for St. James. Family, friends, and organizations are invited to "sponsor" individual cathedral chairs by making a $500 cash contribution to St. James Episcopal Church specifically designated for this purpose. In exchange for your cash contribution, the backside of each chair you sponsor will be fitted with an engraved brass plate, (approximately 5" W x 2.5" H), commemorating your gift. The engraved message may memorialize a loved one, or recognize someone else of your choosing. The flexible arrangement of our chairs in the Nave will ensure your thoughtfulness and the person(s) you memorialize will be noticed by a much wider audience than brass plates affixed to the ends of traditional stationary pews.
Here is how to sponsor a St. James Cathedral Chair:
Complete a Cathedral Chair Sponsorship Request Form available at THIS LINK. Neatly PRINT the requested information to be included on the engraved brass plate. Please adhere as close to the suggested format as possible. (max 5 lines) Submit a SEPARATE form and full payment for EACH sponsored chair to St. James. All sponsorship contributions will be credited to appropriate St. James giving accounts. If you have additional questions about sponsoring one or more cathedral chairs, please contact kevin@stjamesknox.org or jwiggers@stjamesknox.org.
OUR CENTENNIAL PRAYER
Lord Christ, the shepherd of the sheep, we give thanks for those
who have built up the work of St. James over the past 100 years.
Give us grace to continue in their faithfulness
by doing justice and mercy in this community.
Grant us generous hearts to support and build the resources
that will strengthen and continue our work of feeding and tending your sheep.
May we do all these things to your glory, you who reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SUN: Sunday Morning Christian Formation. (Conf Room A). 9:15 am - 10:15. "Episcopal Basics" - Some of the basic distinctives about being Episcopalian. We'll start by taking a look at the Book of Common Prayer, then look at our liturgy and let the conversation be guided by your questions. If you have been around for a while or just looking to learn more about the Episcopal way, join us.
SUN: Sunday Morning Youth Formation. 10:30 am. Two classes offered, Youth Group ages 5-8 and Pre-Teens ages 9-13. Contact: Theresa Russell for additional information
SUN: Bible Study. The Acts of the Apostles (Zoom) 6:00 pm. The book of Acts tells the story of the followers of Jesus after his ascension as they live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Narrow escapes, jailbreaks, a shipwreck, and more. Contact: Marie Cantrell for Zoom link.
MON: Centering Prayer. (Zoom or Library, on 2nd & 4th Monday). 6 pm - 7 pm. Studying Radical Wisdom: A Feminist Mystical Theology by Beverly J. Lanzetta. Zoom Link Meeting ID: 813 3584 8679 | Pray.
TUE: Tuesday Morning Discussion Group. (Zoom). 11 am - noon. Exploring current events in the light of our faith. Interested individuals are invited to join us via Zoom. Meeting ID 816 8271 5668 and Passcode 481655. Contact: Margaret Bickley, or call 865-384-7422 for assistance.
TUE: The Soul of the Indian. (Zoom). 6 pm - 7 pm. "Black Elk Speaks" by John G. Neihardt. The story of Black Elk, an Oglala Lakota medicine man. Contact: Ron Morton for the link.
THU: Thursday Study Group. (Parish Hall and Zoom). 10:00 am - 11:15 am. The First week of October we will finish our discussion of Dr. Zweig’s book. Contact: nepullen@gmail.com or call 415-722-0139 for the link. Beginning October 13 and for the rest of the month we will be discussing Stephanie Spellers’ book The Church Cracked Open - Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community.
THU: Praying the Anglican Rosary. (Zoom). 7 pm - 8 pm. Cynthia Thornburg hosts 1 hour of praying the anglican rosary. All are welcome! Meeting ID: 836 8961 2206 | rosary Contact Cynthia Thornburg or Margaret Bickley.
We apologize for any errors or omissions that may have occurred in this publication at press time.
For questions related to any content, please contact referenced ministry leaders or email: kevin@stjamesknox.org.
St. James Episcopal Church 1101 N. Broadway St. Knoxville, TN 37917
Dear Friends,
WHY EPISCOPALIANS DON'T KICK DOGS -
FLOWERS NEEDED - It is a St. James tradition to place altar flowers/greenery in honor of or in thanksgiving for loved ones. Altar flowers/greenery are needed for Nov 27 & Dec 18. Please contact Linda in the church office 
ONE CUP AT A TIME . . . Amidst the construction activity currently taking place in the parish hall and the kitchen, Coffee Hour will continue at St. James following our regular 10:30 Sunday morning worship services. The serving area has moved from the kitchen to Conference Room A, but feel free to meet up with friends & neighbors in other open areas of the administration building. If you would like to lend a hand as a host, there will be a sign up sheet available during each coffee hour event. Duties are minimal and include setting things up, preparing coffee and light cleanup activities afterwards. For more information, or to sign up to help, contact Carol Yates at 
TOUR GUIDES NEEDED - St. James is honored to once again be included in the Old North Knoxville Neighborhood Tour of Homes! We need folks to serve as tour guides. Can you sign up for a shift on Saturday, December 3 between 4 pm - 9 pm, and Sunday, December 4 between 1 pm - 5 pm? Although access to the restrooms in the administration building will be permitted, the actual tours will be restricted to the nave. Email Fr. John Mark to sign up. 
INQUIRER'S CLASS - Are you considering officially becoming Episcopalian? You can do that by being baptized, confirmed, or received. We will have classes beginning Sunday, November 20 from 5 - 6:15 pm. We will meet in person and have the option to join online. The suggested text for the class is Walk in Love by Gunn and Shobe. Contact Fr. John Mark to sign up or if you have any questions. 
EUCHARISTIC VISITORS & MINISTERS NEEDED - Would you like to join with others in taking communion to the homebound? Have you thought about serving at the altar? You can! Confirmed Episcopalians (age 16 and up) can join these ministries. We will have a training on November 12 at 10 am. Current Eucharistic Visitors and Ministers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact Fr. John Mark at 
ECW MARKETPLACE & BAKE SALE - Get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas and shop early. The Episcopal Church Women are re-introducing the annual ECW Marketplace & Bake Sale, Sunday, November 20, 12 - 2 pm. Find art, hand-crafted jewelry, imported treasures, vintage jewelry, and more, all presented by St. James artists and artisans. There will also be items available from the women's co-op in Columbia and Thailand. The Bake sale is just in time for Thanksgiving. Get all your desserts and be done with it. Everyone is invited to bring items for the bake sale! Watch next week's Sentinel (11/17) for when and where to deliver your goodies! View and print the flyer by clicking 
JUSTICE KNOX ANNUAL ASSEMBLY - What a fantastic meeting Monday night's Justice Knox Annual Assembly was! Approximately 250 folks attended the meeting. Hope Fellowship joined Justice Knox and new officers were elected. Thirty-seven St. James folks were present and 18 of us had met at the church to carpool to Tabernacle Baptist. Others had filled their cars with other Network Members they'd invited and picked up on their way to the meeting. We welcomed 3 new Network Members last night--not all of them had planned to join up--and we are thankful for them. We committed to bringing 150 people to the Nehemiah Action on Tuesday, April 25th, 7-8:30 pm, location to be determined--and make sure it's on your calendar. 
ACOLYTES NEEDED - Would you like to be close to the action in Sunday worship? You can join in the joy of assisting with worship by being an acolyte. We need crucifers who can carry the cross, and youth (boys & girls) 9 and up can join in to be torch bearers. Yes, adults can be acolytes too! Contact Fr. John Mark at 
YOUTH MINISTRY - Classes have begun again, two classes are available. Both classes are offered during the 10:30 am Service for youth ages 5-8 and pre-teens age 9-13. Contact our Children's Formation Coordinator, Theresa Russell for additional information, 
INVEST IN ST. JAMES - To date, we have secured $481,366 in pledged gifts to our Centennial Capital Campaign, 24% of our $2 million fundraising goal. That's a great start, but we need to raise much more to do the necessary things we must do to upgrade our facilities. Construction has already begun in the kitchen and parish hall. So, if you have been prayerfully thinking about making a pledge, now would be a great time to help us keep up with the expenses we will incur and accelerate our progress toward reaching our goal. Please join the folks listed below who have already pledged to the campaign. Obtain a downloadable Capital Campaign Pledge Form by clicking 
