The Sunday lessons last week and this week include Gospel stories of Jesus calling his first disciples. In John, these new disciples are drawn to Jesus by the witness of John the Baptist. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus approaches the fisherman at work and simply says "Follow me." The text reads as though they immediately stopped what they were doing and went with Jesus. It is a strange thing to picture.
I know that my own tendency is to mull things over before taking action. Sure, it is good to plan and consider the cost. Even so, many of us find ourselves paralyzed by overthinking things. What would it be like to drop what we are doing and forgive the wrong, offer a listening ear, or show kindness to a stranger? Oh, I know what that looks like because I see so many of you doing that. There are times when I follow with that kind of immediacy. I want more of that flow of faith.
Those disciples who immediately followed Jesus were the same ones who would be doubting, arguing about who is greatest, and huddling in fear. They were also the ones who spread the Good News that spread throughout the world. Our own doubts, divisions, and failures don't exclude us from turning back to faithfulness. Those moments when we feel unfaithful call for that immediate response of letting go, hearing the call, and following where Christ leads us.
At St. James, we are shuffling things around as we are in a time of construction. We still ponder living in a world forever changed by the pandemic. Homelessness, addiction, and authoritarianism confront our community and the world. We remain faithful in the moment as we welcome those who are seeking, in need of healing, and longing to be seen.
Hear Jesus calling you in the midst of your life. Look up. See Christ among us, and follow.
Peace,
Fr. John Mark
OUR TRADITION . . .
ST. JAMES AUDIO DOCUMENTARY - Listen to the recognizable voices of 21 St. James brothers and sisters who shared their stories in our recently produced Centennial Audio Documentary by clicking on the microphone to the LEFT. The final edited program turned out to be just under 3 hours in length, but the content was so rich, it would have been a shame to make it any shorter. The way it has been produced, you can listen to it in parts at your convenience. During the first hour, interpretations of the meaning of the words "church" and "neighbor" are discussed. Insights related to the personal journeys that brought these members to St. James are also shared, including many of the reasons they remain inspired by our ministry. During the second hour, some of the demographic changes that have occurred in our congregation over the past 100 years are discussed as well as many of the blessings received through the meaningful work performed by our Justice Knox, Daughters of the King, Episcopal Church Women, and other ministry groups. During the final hour, the continued importance of mercy work is discussed, including the essential work performed by our Helping Hands and Doorstep ministry groups, among others. The vital importance of continued efforts to encourage youth & family participation in church life is also addressed.
HUMAN NATURE - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding human nature.
Q. What are we by nature? A. We are part of God's creation, made in the image of God.
Q. What does it mean to be created in the image of God? A. It means that we are free to make choices: to love, to create, to reason, and to live in harmony with creation and with God.
Q. Why then do we live apart from God and out of harmony with creation? A. From the beginning, human beings have misused their freedom and made wrong choices.
Q. Why do we not use our freedom as we should? A. Because we rebel against God, and we put ourselves in the place of God.
Q. What help is there for us? A. Our help is in God.
Q. How did God first help us? A. God first helped us by revealing himself and his will, through nature and history, through many seers and saints, and especially the prophets of Israel.
Source: The Book of Common Prayer, p 845
GOD THE FATHER - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding God the Father.
Q. What do we learn about God as creator from the revelation to Israel? A. We learn that there is one God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
Q. What does this mean? A. This means that the universe is good, that it is the work of a single loving God who creates, sustains, and directs it.
Q. What does this mean about our place in the universe? A. It means that the world belongs to its creator; and that we are called to enjoy it and to care for it in accordance with God's purposes.
Q. What does this mean about human life? A. It means that all people are worthy of respect and honor, because all are created in the image of God, and all can respond to the love of God.
Q. How was this revelation handed down to us? A. This revelation was handed down to us through a community created by a covenant with God.
Source: The Book of Common Prayer, p 846
THE PRESENT . . .
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he shall give you your heart’s desire.
I was once taught that translation was making the past speak to us. I was inspired to study ancient Greek in school because it gave me a very small window into the time of Jesus and his disciples. Over the years, I’ve learned that our individual translations are equally as powerful. The Holy Spirit continues to breathe life into the words of Holy Scripture, allowing them to speak to our circumstances.
So, it is a delight and surprise whenever I hear a familiar verse in a new way. I remember a sermon where the preacher changed the emphasis in today’s psalm: “God shall give you your heart’s desires.” I’d always understood it as God answering our prayers. Suddenly, I heard it in a new light: I often don’t even know what the desires of my heart are. I do not know what tomorrow will bring, much less my future. But God does. All these things are dear to the heart of God. God is the very author of all love and goodness in our lives. Draw near to God in prayer, and God will reveal the desires of your heart to you. Source Forward Day by Day
ALTAR FLOWERS - It is a St. James tradition to place altar flowers or greenery in honor of or in thanksgiving for loved ones. Altar flowers are needed for March 12 & 26, April 2, 16, 23, & 30. Please contact Linda Goins in the church office for information, lgoins@stjamesknox.org or 865-523-5687.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN - All St. James women are invited to attend the first meeting of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) in 2023, this Saturday, January 21, 10:00 am, in the Conference Room. Plans will be discussed for the coming year, and Fr. John Mark will be the guest speaker. For more information, please contact Nancy Pullen, (415) 722-0139 or nepullen@gmail.com.
"VALEN"-TEER COURIERS NEEDED - Our annual Neighbor Day event has become more and more successful with increased support from local businesses all over the city. Last year, over 300 local businesses received Valentine's Day cards hand-delivered by a small team of enthusiastic Neighbor Day "couriers". St. James will repeat that effort this year with a new edition of our Happy Valentine's Day card. Once again, we need people to help deliver the cards to businesses in six main areas: N Knoxville, Old City, Downtown, S Knoxville, E Knoxville & W Knoxville. The task is very simple. Each stop takes just a minute and there is no need to give a speech or even ask for the manager. Upon entering the business, find the first employee, hand them the card, and kindly ask them to give it to the person named on the envelope. That's it! Teams of 2 work best, allowing one to be the driver and the other to be the courier. One person can do both - it just takes a little longer. During this, our 100th year, the funds raised during our Neighbor Day event will go toward capital improvements that will assure our continued outreach for many years to come. This includes expansion of our kitchen & food pantry, replacement of our obsolete heating & air conditioning system, and renovation of our great hall & church building to provide greater accessibility for community events. We are asking local businesses that we patronize to support our efforts by making a cash contribution or providing merchandise or gift cards to include in our online fundraising auction. For more information about becoming a "Valen"-teer Courier, contact Drew Jeske-Polyak 865-659-6742 neighbor@stjamesknox.org.
EPIPHANY LITURGIES - The Christmas Season is always very special at St. James. Please note the two remaining Epiphany liturgies planned during the month of January.
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
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.
OUR FUTURE . . .
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 & Merilee Kerwin, Sheila C & Donn Kurtz, Charles & Diane Livermore, Carlene Loop & Lew Walton, 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.
SUN: Bible Study - Revelation. (Zoom, Feb 19 - Mar 26). 6 pm - 7 pm. Revelation is a book about hope in times of oppression. The word “rapture” is not in Revelation. No one gets “left behind” while others are taken away. It is not about the end of the world, nor is it a blueprint for heaven when we die. So what is Revelation about? Come and see. We need 8 participants for the class to make. Contact Marie Cantrell, mariewcantrell@gmail.com for the 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. (Nave 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
Dear Friends,
HUMAN NATURE - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding human nature.
GOD THE FATHER - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding God the Father.
ALTAR FLOWERS - It is a St. James tradition to place altar flowers or greenery in honor of or in thanksgiving for loved ones. Altar flowers are needed for March 12 & 26, April 2, 16, 23, & 30. Please contact Linda Goins in the church office for information,
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN - All St. James women are invited to attend the first meeting of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) in 2023, this Saturday, January 21, 10:00 am, in the Conference Room. Plans will be discussed for the coming year, and Fr. John Mark will be the guest speaker. For more information, please contact Nancy Pullen, (415) 722-0139 or 
"VALEN"-TEER COURIERS NEEDED - Our annual Neighbor Day event has become more and more successful with increased support from local businesses all over the city. Last year, over 300 local businesses received Valentine's Day cards hand-delivered by a small team of enthusiastic Neighbor Day "couriers". St. James will repeat that effort this year with a new edition of our Happy Valentine's Day card. Once again, we need people to help deliver the cards to businesses in six main areas: N Knoxville, Old City, Downtown, S Knoxville, E Knoxville & W Knoxville. The task is very simple. Each stop takes just a minute and there is no need to give a speech or even ask for the manager. Upon entering the business, find the first employee, hand them the card, and kindly ask them to give it to the person named on the envelope. That's it! Teams of 2 work best, allowing one to be the driver and the other to be the courier. One person can do both - it just takes a little longer. During this, our 100th year, the funds raised during our Neighbor Day event will go toward capital improvements that will assure our continued outreach for many years to come. This includes expansion of our kitchen & food pantry, replacement of our obsolete heating & air conditioning system, and renovation of our great hall & church building to provide greater accessibility for community events. We are asking local businesses that we patronize to support our efforts by making a cash contribution or providing merchandise or gift cards to include in our online fundraising auction. For more information about becoming a "Valen"-teer Courier, contact Drew Jeske-Polyak 865-659-6742 
EPIPHANY LITURGIES - The Christmas Season is always very special at St. James. Please note the two remaining Epiphany liturgies planned during the month of January. 
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 
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 & Merilee Kerwin, Sheila C & Donn Kurtz, Charles & Diane Livermore, Carlene Loop & Lew Walton, 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.
