I had fun this past Sunday morning as we held an Epiphany pageant at our 10:30 service. Thanks to everyone who helped organize this and to those of you who stepped up to take a role in telling the story. Many stories in the Gospels have an element of revelation and recognition. In many of the stories, there are those who do or do not recognize Jesus as the Christ. How do we see Christ in our lives? Where have you seen God present in the world?
I know that I find Christ revealed in worship. In the sacraments, and also in the community gathered and turned towards worshiping God. We know Christ in friend and stranger. Our community meets Christ as we seek to serve the needs of our neighbors. Our Baptismal Covenant asks if we will "seek and serve Christ in all persons". Part of that is seeking. We move into our daily lives open to the possibility of recognizing Christ among us.
Again, my life at St. James puts me in this posture of recognition. Your acts of service and faithfulness call others to that work. I am excited about the work ahead of us. Our space will be changing, new opportunities will arise, and we might need to look at different ways of doing some things. In all of this, we seek and serve Christ in the people we encounter.
I pray that you will open yourself to seeing Christ among us. Thank you for your gifts of time, talent, and money that support the ministry that supports all of us in our faithful journey. May you recognize Christ revealed in your life.
Peace,
Fr. John Mark
OUR TRADITION . . .
HOW TO CONSOLE A GRIEVING FRIEND - Consolation is a gift from God. Christians in turn give it to others to build up the body of Christ and preserve it in times of trouble. (See 2 Corinthians 1:4-7). Episcopalians often employ food as a helpful secondary means.
Listen first. Make it known that you're present and available. When the person opens up, be quiet and attentive.
Be ready to help the person face grief and sadness not avoid them. The object is to help the person name, understand, and work through his or her feelings, not gloss over them.
Avoid saying things to make yourself feel better. "I know exactly how you feel," is seldom true and trivializes the sufferer's pain. Even if you have experienced something similar, no experience is exactly the same. If there is nothing to say, simply be present with the person.
Show respect with honesty. Don't try to answer the mysteries of the universe or force your beliefs on the person. Be clear about the limitations of your abilities. Be ready to let some questions go unanswered. Consolation isn't about having all the answers, it's about bearing one another's burdens.
Don't put words in God's mouth. Avoid saying, "This is God's will," or, "This is part of God's plan." Unless you heard it straight from God, don't say it. Source: The Episcopal Handbook
RESOLVING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT - Disagreements are a part of life. They often occur when we forget that not everyone sees things the same way. Conflict should be viewed as an opportunity to grow, not a contest for domination. Episcopalians can be rather reserved, but when push comes to shove they value healthy relationships above all.
Adopt a healthy attitude. Your frame of mind is critical. Approach the situation with forethought and calm. Prayer can be invaluable at this stage. Do not approach the other party when you're angry or upset.
Read Matthew 18: 15-20 beforehand. Consult the Bible to orient your thinking. This is the model Jesus provided and can be used to call to mind an appropriate method.
Talk directly to the person involved. Avoid "triangulation." Talking about someone to a third party can make the conflict worse, as the person may feel that he or she is the subject of gossip. Speaking with the other person directly eliminates the danger and boosts the odds of a good outcome.
Express yourself without attacking. Using "I statements" can avoid casting the other person as the "bad guy" and inflaming the conflict. "I statements" are sentences beginning with phrases such as "I feel ... " or "I'm uncomfortable when ... " Source: The Episcopal Handbook.
THE PRESENT . . .
Ephesians 2:14For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.
My family immigrated to the United States when I was three years old, so I’ve been aware of things like passports, residency documents, and citizenship from a very young age. I was very charmed as a child that my green card was called a “resident alien card.” Today, the document is much more appropriately called a permanent resident card. But as an Asian American, my experience in this country continues to be marked by this idea of alienness.
This feeling of not belonging is something I experience in the church as well. As someone who found the Episcopal Church in my young adulthood, I also think about how the former borders of the British Empire shaped the Anglican Communion. Saint Paul reminds us today, though, that all of these things are human and will pass away. Our citizenship is in heaven. Things like borders cut across families and communities. Jesus promises to break down all divisions so that all might know peace. Source Forward Day by Day
THE PAGEANTRY AT ST. JAMES - Here are some photos taken during the unrehearsed Epiphany Pageant at St. James last Sunday. Click the tiny images below to view larger photos with greater detail. To watch a video recording of the pageant, click THIS LINK.
EPIPHANY LITURGIES - The Christmas Season is always very special at St. James. Please note the many special Epiphany liturgies planned throughout the month of January.
January 15, Second Sunday after The Epiphany
8:00 am, Celebrant, Fr. John Mark Wiggers
10:30 am, Rite II Prayer C, Celebrant, Fr. John Mark Wiggers
January 22, Third Sunday after The Epiphany
8:00 am, Celebrant, Fr. John Mark Wiggers
10:30 am, Rite II Prayer C, Celebrant, Fr. John Mark Wiggers
January 29, Fourth Sunday after The Epiphany
8:00 am, Celebrant,, The Rt. Rev. Brian Cole
10:30 am, Baptism, Confirmation & Reception, Rite II Prayer A, Prayers for Candidates, Celebrant, The Rt. Rev. Brian Cole
ALTAR FLOWERS - It is a St. James tradition to place altar flowers/greenery in honor of or in thanksgiving for loved ones. Altar flowers are needed for January 22 & 29. Please contact the church office for information, lgoins@stjamesknox.org or 865-523-5687.
WHO'S COUNTING? Here are some recently revealed statistics related to participation and viewership of our worship services during the twelve month period of Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2022:
# present at 8 am worship service = 528(avg = 10 per service)
# present at 10:30 am worship service = 5,458(avg = 105 per service)
# present at other special services = 1,498(avg = 37 per service)
# viewers reached via live stream = 1,882(avg = 29 per service)
# views of recorded video files on Youtube = 6,862(avg = 107 per file)
# views of recorded video files at archive.org = 276(avg = 5 per file)
# viewers of recorded video files on community television = unknown
# listens to recorded audio files at archive.org = 775(avg = 13 per file)
ONE CUP AT A TIME . . . Amidst the construction activity currently taking place in the parish hall and the kitchen, Coffee Hour continues at St. James following our regular 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.
INQUIRER'S CLASS - Are you considering officially becoming Episcopalian? You can do that by being baptized, confirmed, or received. The St. James Inquirer's Class currently takes place on Sundays 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 jwiggers@stjamesknox.org to sign up or if you have any questions.
OUR FUTURE . . .
CENTENNIAL QUILT - Work has begun on the handcrafted Centennial Quilt being created to commemorate our 100th year of feeding and tending to God's sheep and to help raise funds to support our capital campaign. The project team, being led by Bea Emory, welcomes the participation of anyone with or without experience in quilting or sewing. Soon, details will emerge regarding sponsorship of quilt fabric straps and how your signature can be embedded in the design for eternity! For more information, contact Bea at (865) 556-0661 or beaemory@att.net
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS - Click the images below for a closer inspection of the construction currently underway at St. James and make your donation to the Centennial Capital Campaign to help us prepare our facilities for the next 100 years!
INVEST IN ST. JAMES - To date, we have secured $620,038 in pledged gifts to our Centennial Capital Campaign, 31% 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, Aramark Hospitality Company, Mike & Elizabeth Armstrong, Asset Realty Management, Brian & Sandra Austin, Caroline Ballinger, Rick Bearden, Marty Begalla, Blackburn Development Group, Betty Bowling, Rick & Lynda Brown, Bessie Burell, Ashley Burell & Kyla Keck, Troy Burns, Chester & Francie Butler, Hoyt & Marilyn Canady, Marie Cantrell, Harry & Parry Chase, 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, Theresa DeRosa, Boyce & Susan Driskell, Duane & Linda Dunlap, Bea Emory, Episcopal Church Women, Financial Marketplace, Inc., Linda Fitzpatrick, Linda Goins, Margaret Goodman, Joseph Gouffon, Susan Gray, Stacy Hall, Patricia Hammer, Drew Harper, Victoria Hawkins, Judy Householder & Lou Ann Gaby, Mary Ireland, Kevin & Drew Jeske-Polyak, John Kerwin, Sheila C & Donn Kurtz, Charles & Diane Livermore, Carlene Loop, Charles & Frieda Marsh, Carol McDaniel, Mary McGavock & Damon Beard, Ed & Evelyn Miller, Rodney & Mary Moore, Pam Morris & Renee Smith, Sarah & Todd Moss, Mary Muir, Phyllis Muth, Timothy & Jessie Nichols, Audrey Nitz, Mary Nelle Osborne, Powell & Susan Partridge, Steven Pierce, LouAnn Robinson, Jim Rowland, Gerald Segroves, Kenneth & Kathleen Sherfick, Jennie Sullivan, Sharon Teets, Cynthia Thornburg & Tom Dunne, Jimmie & Carolyn Wheeler, John Mark & Liz Wiggers, Dean Wiggers, Butch & Carol Yates, Bill & Kim Yearman, and Elizabeth Young, Jeffrey & Alice Zaher.
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. January 8-February 5, Seeing Christ: How do we see Christ revealed? How do we “seek and serve Christ in others, loving our neighbor as ourselves?” Join Fr. John Mark and others for a discussion using scripture, art, poetry, and story to help us see Christ and make Christ known.
SUN: Sunday Morning Youth Formation. 10:45 am. Two classes offered, Youth Group ages 5-8 and Pre-Teens ages 9-13. Contact: Theresa Russell for additional information.
SUN: Inquirer’s Class. (Library). 5 pm - 6:15 pm. For those interested in being received or confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Contact Fr. John Mark to sign up or ask any questions you might have.
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. (Library and Zoom). 10:00 am - 11:15 am. Studying "Episcopal Evangelism" presented by Drew Jeske-Polyak. Contact Nancy Pullen for information.
THU: Praying the Anglican Rosary. (Zoom). 7 pm - 8 pm. One 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
RESOLVING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT - Disagreements are a part of life. They often occur when we forget that not everyone sees things the same way. Conflict should be viewed as an opportunity to grow, not a contest for domination. Episcopalians can be rather reserved, but when push comes to shove they value healthy relationships above all.
EPIPHANY LITURGIES - The Christmas Season is always very special at St. James. Please note the many special Epiphany liturgies planned throughout the month of January. 
ALTAR FLOWERS - It is a St. James tradition to place altar flowers/greenery in honor of or in thanksgiving for loved ones. Altar flowers are needed for January 22 & 29. Please contact the church office for information,
WHO'S COUNTING? Here are some recently revealed statistics related to participation and viewership of our worship services during the twelve month period of Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2022:
ONE CUP AT A TIME . . . Amidst the construction activity currently taking place in the parish hall and the kitchen, Coffee Hour continues at St. James following our regular 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 
INQUIRER'S CLASS - Are you considering officially becoming Episcopalian? You can do that by being baptized, confirmed, or received. The St. James Inquirer's Class 
INVEST IN ST. JAMES - To date, we have secured $620,038 in pledged gifts to our Centennial Capital Campaign, 31% 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 
Thank You . . . Mark & Susan Abell, Aramark Hospitality Company, Mike & Elizabeth Armstrong, Asset Realty Management, Brian & Sandra Austin, Caroline Ballinger, Rick Bearden, Marty Begalla, Blackburn Development Group, Betty Bowling, Rick & Lynda Brown, Bessie Burell, Ashley Burell & Kyla Keck, Troy Burns, Chester & Francie Butler, Hoyt & Marilyn Canady, Marie Cantrell, Harry & Parry Chase, 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, Theresa DeRosa, Boyce & Susan Driskell, Duane & Linda Dunlap, Bea Emory, Episcopal Church Women, Financial Marketplace, Inc., Linda Fitzpatrick, Linda Goins, Margaret Goodman, Joseph Gouffon, Susan Gray, Stacy Hall, Patricia Hammer, Drew Harper, Victoria Hawkins, Judy Householder & Lou Ann Gaby, Mary Ireland, Kevin & Drew Jeske-Polyak, John Kerwin, Sheila C & Donn Kurtz, Charles & Diane Livermore, Carlene Loop, Charles & Frieda Marsh, Carol McDaniel, Mary McGavock & Damon Beard, Ed & Evelyn Miller, Rodney & Mary Moore, Pam Morris & Renee Smith, Sarah & Todd Moss, Mary Muir, Phyllis Muth, Timothy & Jessie Nichols, Audrey Nitz, Mary Nelle Osborne, Powell & Susan Partridge, Steven Pierce, LouAnn Robinson, Jim Rowland, Gerald Segroves, Kenneth & Kathleen Sherfick, Jennie Sullivan, Sharon Teets, Cynthia Thornburg & Tom Dunne, Jimmie & Carolyn Wheeler, John Mark & Liz Wiggers, Dean Wiggers, Butch & Carol Yates, Bill & Kim Yearman, and Elizabeth Young, Jeffrey & Alice Zaher.
