I love a good story. I especially enjoy the stories of how people are discovering God working in their lives. This Sunday we will celebrate the stories of a few folks as they come to be baptized, confirmed, or received. We will all reaffirm our faith through the words of the Baptismal Covenant. We will all be reminded that our stories are connected and intertwined.
We are living a story of transition these days. Right here on the ground at St. James, we are changing some things as our construction progresses. Thank you for supporting this work. Your gift helps us improve our space to continue our ministry. The work we do connects us to the stories of others. This ministry we share allows others to see God at work in their story.
You will see some updates about the construction in this email. There are also announcements about opportunities to pray, study, and serve together. All of these things are part of our story of following Christ. I pray that you know God is present in your story and that ours is part of God's great story.
Peace,
Fr. John Mark
OUR TRADITION . . .
THE OLD COVENANT - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding The Old Covenant.
Q. What is meant by a covenant with God? A. A covenant is a relationship initiated by God, to which a body of people responds in faith.
Q. What is the Old Covenant? A. The Old Covenant is the one given by God to the Hebrew people.
Q. What did God promise them? A. God promised that they would be his people to bring all the nations of the world to him.
Q. What response did God require from the chosen people? A. God required the chosen people to be faithful; to love justice, to do mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.
Q. Where is this Old Covenant to be found? A. The covenant with the Hebrew people is to be found in the books which we call the Old Testament.
Q. Where in the Old Testament is God's will for us shown most clearly? A. God's will for us is shown most clearly in the Ten Commandments. Source: The Book of Common Prayer, p 846
CENTENNIAL AUDIO DOCUMENTARY - Listen to the recognizable voices of 21 of your St. James brothers and sisters who shared their stories in our recently produced Centennial Audio Documentary by clicking on the image to the RIGHT. The final edited program turned out to be just under 3 hours in length, but the content is so rich, it would have been a shame to make it any shorter. The way it is produced, you can listen to it in parts at your convenience. Interpretations of the meaning of the words "church" and "neighbor" are discussed as well as insights related to the personal journeys that brought these members to St. James. Some of the demographic changes that have occurred in our congregation over the past 100 years are also 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, Helping Hands, Doorstep, and other ministry groups. The vital importance of continued efforts to encourage youth & family participation in church life is also addressed.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding The Ten Commandments.
Q. What are the Ten Commandments? A. The Ten Commandments are the laws given to Moses and the people of Israel.
Q. What do we learn from these commandments? A. We learn two things: our duty to God, and our duty to our neighbors.
Q. What is our duty to God? A. Our duty is to believe and trust in God;
I To love and obey God and to bring others to know him;
II To put nothing in the place of God;
III To show God respect in thought, word, and deed;
IV And to set aside regular times for worship, prayer, and the study of God's ways.
Q. What is our duty to our neighbors? A. Our duty to our neighbors is to love them as ourselves, and to do to other people as we wish them to do to us;
V To love, honor, and help our parents and family; to honor those in authority, and to meet their just demands;
VI To show respect for the life God has given us; to work and pray for peace; to bear no malice, prejudice, or hatred in our hearts; and to be kind to all the creatures of God;
VII To use our bodily desires as God intended;
VIII To be honest and fair in our dealings; to seek justice, freedom, and the necessities of life for all people; and to use our talents and possessions as ones who must answer for them to God;
IX To speak the truth, and not to mislead others by our silence;
X To resist temptations to envy, greed, and jealousy; to rejoice in other people's gifts and graces; and to do our duty for the love of God, who has called us into fellowship with him.
Q. What is the purpose of the Ten Commandments? A. The Ten Commandments were given to define our relationship with God and our neighbors.
Q. Since we do not fully obey them, are they useful at all? A. Since we do not fully obey them, we see more clearly our sin and our need for redemption.
Source: The Book of Common Prayer, p 847
THE PRESENT . . .
BE "PRESENT" ON REALM - Do you need help matching names with faces at St. James? Do you wish you had current phone numbers or email addresses at your fingertips so you could communicate with your brothers & sisters? Both needs can be satisfied if you activate your Realm account by clicking the activation link in the emailed invitation sent to you by the church. Once activated, your free Realm account will provide a safe and secure online environment to interact with your church family from your computer, laptop, or cell phone. Sharing a photo in your profile will help others learn your name and make it easier to get to know one another. Being "present" in Realm will strengthen your relationship with your church family in so many ways. "Realm", after all, stands for "real ministry". If you would like to know more about activating and using your free Realm account, contact Drew at jeskepolyak@gmail.com, Margaret at mbick7@gmail.com, or Kevin at kevin@stjamesknox.org.
FORWARD MOVEMENT - Mark 6:34b And Jesus had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
One of my favorite icons is the Good Shepherd. In most versions, Jesus is carrying a lamb around his neck. I have a copy of this icon that sits in my prayer corner: Christ gazes out at the beholder, and, in his arms, a lamb gazes up at the Good Shepherd in peaceful adoration. I turn to this icon regularly whenever I long to be a sheep in such loving intimacy with our Savior.
In today’s gospel reading, we are called sheep without a shepherd. I think of viral news stories about sheep who have been lost; as domesticated creatures, they can’t shed their wool so need to be sheared every year. I have also seen flocks of sheep endlessly circle cars because they’re each following the sheep in front of them.
We all need a good shepherd’s loving care. As humans, we’re inclined to wander after our own whims, as selfish or noble as they might be. Jesus, out of deep compassion for us, offers himself up to us. Jesus teaches us many things, including how, simply, to follow him. Source Forward Day by Day
EPIPHANY LITURGIES - The Christmas Season is always very special at St. James. Please note the final Epiphany liturgy planned during the month of January.
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 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.
"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 will take just a minute if you keep it simple. Upon entering the business, find the first employee. Kindly ask them to give the card to the person named on the envelope and move along. That's it! Click the image to the LEFT to see what's inside the card. 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.
BATTLING HUNGER - During the twelve month period of Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2022, the St. James Doorstep Ministry Group assembled and distributed 3,005 lunches, providing nutrition and comfort to some of our downtown neighbors with the greatest needs. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the $1,435 raised through Christmas Remembrances to support Battlefield Farms & Gardens in their efforts to fight food disparity and "food deserts". The USDA states that if 1/3 of our community is living at poverty level and more than a mile away from a grocery store or Farmers Market our community is considered a “food desert.” These deserts usually affect communities of color.
HISTORY MINISTRY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS - The History Ministry is seeking volunteers. Please contact Frank Laszlo frank.laszlo.jr@gmail.com if you are interested in exploring and preserving the history of St. James.
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 - All demolition activity required in the parish hall and the kitchen during Phase I of the project has been completed on schedule. The expanded footprint of the kitchen has also been completed on schedule. Interior renovation of both the parish hall and the kitchen are expected to be completed by Memorial Day, (May 29).
Replacement of the HVAC system will take place in late spring or early summer during Phase II of the project. Every effort will be made to minimize service interruption during this part of the project. The elevator lift and insulated windows will also be installed in the parish house during that approximate time frame. The intensive renovations in the nave will take place during the months of June through August to meet our goal of project completion by September 24, 2023.
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!
to see greater details.Click the images below, provides additional heat to the water circulated through the heat pumps during the winter months. (located in the basement of the nave), "boiler" located in the nave and parish house. The "heat pumps" from the air during the cooler months. The temperature of the water in the tower is adjusted accordingly and circulated through approximately 24 warmth from the air during warmer months, and coolness, extracts (located outside), "cooling tower" system works. The (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) of how our HVAC simple explanation and no more replacement parts are being manufactured. In addition to providing comfort, properly regulated heat & air conditioning is essential for preserving the condition of our buildings, equipment, furnishings, & musical instruments. So, one important priority in assessing our capital improvement plan has been replacement of our HVAC system. Here is a relatively obsolete The current heating and cooling system at St. James is very old, routinely breaks down and is expensive to maintain. Finding replacement parts has become increasingly difficult because the unit has become OUR NEW HVAC SYSTEM -
Baltimore Aircoil Closed Circuit Tower Trane Ducted Water Source Heat Pump Trane Console Water Source Heat Pumps Lochinvar Crest Boiler
OUR CATHEDRAL CHAIRS - Excitement about our new cathedral chairs is building as demonstrated by the increasing number of people who are becoming chair "sponsors". Currently being built in Beatrice, Nebraska by skilled craftsmen who specialize in building custom church furniture, our chairs will be constructed of the finest Northern grown solid red oak. When aligned in rows and joined together with ganging clamps, they will have the look and feel of pew seating but they will be more comfortable and allow for greater seating flexibility. Each of our chairs will include a cushioned seat, front and rear bookracks, and a sturdy kneeler. Click on the first image below for a more detailed look at samples of the wood, fabric, and vinyl that will be used in their construction.
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 recognize a family member or anyone else of your choosing. Access a Cathedral Chair Sponsorship Form at THIS LINK. Neatly PRINT the requested information to be inscribed on the 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.
INVEST IN ST. JAMES - To date, we have secured $623,038 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, Liz & Christopher Golliher, 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.
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: 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 1st & 3rd Monday, Zoom or Library, on 2nd & 4th Monday). 6 pm - 7 pm. Studying Sacred Earth Sacred Soul by John Phillip Newell. 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. (Conf Room A). 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,
THE OLD COVENANT - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding The Old Covenant.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding The Ten Commandments.
BE "PRESENT" ON REALM - Do you need help matching names with faces at St. James? Do you wish you had current phone numbers or email addresses at your fingertips so you could communicate with your brothers & sisters? Both needs can be satisfied if you activate your Realm account by clicking the activation link in the emailed invitation sent to you by the church. Once activated, your free Realm account will provide a safe and secure online environment to interact with your church family from your computer, laptop, or cell phone. Sharing a photo in your profile will help others learn your name and make it easier to get to know one another. Being "present" in Realm will strengthen your relationship with your church family in so many ways. "Realm", after all, stands for "real ministry". If you would like to know more about activating and using your free Realm account, contact Drew at 
FORWARD MOVEMENT - Mark 6:34b And Jesus had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
EPIPHANY LITURGIES - The Christmas Season is always very special at St. James. Please note the final Epiphany liturgy planned during the month of January. 
"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 will 
BATTLING HUNGER - During the twelve month period of Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2022, the St. James Doorstep Ministry Group assembled and distributed 3,005 lunches, providing nutrition and comfort to some of our downtown neighbors with the greatest needs. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the $1,435 raised through Christmas Remembrances to support Battlefield Farms & Gardens in their efforts to fight food disparity and "food deserts". The USDA states that if 1/3 of our community is living at poverty level and more than a mile away from a grocery store or Farmers Market our community is considered a “food desert.” These deserts usually affect 
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 
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
INVEST IN ST. JAMES - To date, we have secured $623,038 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, Liz & Christopher Golliher, 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.
