February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation. This feast commemorates the events told in Luke 2:22-40 where the infant Jesus is presented in the temple for dedication. Anna and Simeon are in the temple and greet the holy family with joy and proclamation that this child is blessed and chosen. Mary and Joseph were following the requirements of their faith and this joy breaks forth.
Have you ever been just doing what you are supposed to be doing and been surprised by joy or some revelation in the midst of it? I know that I have found that even when I didn't think I wanted to be where was with the folks I was with. Sometimes a line of the prayers sticks out in a way I haven't heard before. Perhaps that grumpy relative shows some tenderness. Maybe you hear just the words you needed to hear. Showing up makes a difference.
When you show up at St. James this Sunday, you will find that several pews in the back have been removed. Parishioner Troy Burns has taken some of those to use the wood to make an altar table for St. James. In early May, we will be removing all the pews as renovation of the nave begins. I know some folks would like to have a pew. We will be announcing that process later. Things are changing.
If you showed up last Sunday (1/29) we had a great time baptizing, confirming, and receiving folks. There were bells, drums, dancing, and all kinds of joy. You can also check it out on our YouTube channel if you missed it.
Thanks to all of you for showing up as we do ministry together. Your gifts of time, talent, and money help us show up to proclaim Christ to the world. Keep showing up and singing with joy.
Peace,
Fr. John Mark
OUR TRADITION . . .
SIN AND REDEMPTION - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding sin and redemption.
Q. What is sin? A. Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation.
Q. How does sin have power over us? A. Sin has power over us because we lose our liberty when our relationship with God is distorted.
Q. What is redemption? A. Redemption is the act of God which sets us free from the power of evil, sin, and death.
Q. How did God prepare us for redemption? A. God sent the prophets to call us back to himself, to show us our need for redemption, and to announce the coming of the Messiah.
Q. What is meant by the Messiah? A. The Messiah is one sent by God to free us from the power of sin, so that with the help of God we may live in harmony with God, within ourselves, with our neighbors, and with all creation.
Q. Who do we believe is the Messiah? A. The Messiah, or Christ, is Jesus of Nazareth, the only Son of God.
Source: The Book of Common Prayer, p 848
GOD THE SON - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding God the Son.
Q. What do we mean when we say that Jesus is the only Son of God? A We mean that Jesus is the only perfect image of the Father, and shows us the nature of God.
Q. What is the nature of God revealed in Jesus? A. God is love.
Q. What do we mean when we say that Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and became incarnate from the Virgin Mary? A. We mean that by God's own act, his divine Son received our human nature from the Virgin Mary, his mother.
Q. Why did he take our human nature? A. The divine Son became human, so that in him human beings might be adopted as children of God, and be made heirs of God's kingdom.
Q. What is the great importance of Jesus' suffering and death? A. By his obedience, even to suffering and death, Jesus made the offering which we could not make; in him we are freed from the power of sin and reconciled to God.
Q. What is the significance of Jesus' resurrection? A. By his resurrection, Jesus overcame death and opened for us the way of eternal life.
Q. What do we mean when we say that he descended to the dead? A. We mean that he went to the departed and offered them also the benefits of redemption.
Q. What do we mean when we say that he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father? A. We mean that Jesus took our human nature into heaven where he now reigns with the Father and intercedes for us.
Q. How can we share in his victory over sin, suffering, and death? A. We share in his victory when we are baptized into the New Covenant and become living members of Christ.
Source: The Book of Common Prayer, p 849
OUR SHARED PILGRIMAGE - The life and ministry of St. James the Apostle is often associated with pilgrimage. We are all on a pilgrimage of faith. Part of the journey for us as a parish is caring for the buildings that support our mission.
“You’ve got to be there for the long haul.”
This phrase has been on my mind a lot lately as we continue the activities of the Centennial Committee to raise funds for the completion of the renovations of the church in anticipation of the 100th-anniversary celebration in September of this year. We still have a ways to go.
We truly need 100% participation from the membership and those who love St. James. Thanks to the generosity of early donors, favorable lending from the Diocese, and the terms of our line of credit at First Horizon, we are on track and in a good position to complete the renovations of the Parish Hall and Sanctuary, expand the Columbarium, and pave the parking lot.
What do we need for our pilgrimage?
On our journey, we need to care for St. James into the next 100 years. To that end, the Centennial Committee is beginning a series of programs designed to inform and communicate the many different ways St. James can benefit from your planning and thinking about the future. On Thursday, February 16th, we will launch a series of conversations with a light supper and fellowship. Our conversations will focus on how we currently care for our funds, the policies that protect our investments, and how each of us can begin to think about a future/planned gift that will help us take care of St. James long after we are gone.
This will be an interesting and fun series designed to build our community of givers by listening to expert guests as we contemplate the “long haul”. Robert Williams, our Financial Advisor, will be our first guest speaker. Join us for the launch at 6 pm Thursday, February 16 at The Central Collective, (923 N Central). Please RSVP by February 14th to the St. James office so we can have the right number of chairs, food and drink! 865-523-5687. Katharine Pearson Criss, Centennial Committee Chair
100 YEARS OF ST. JAMES MINISTRY - 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 PRESENT . . .
FORWARD MOVEMENT - Luke 2:37b She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day.
When I first heard Anna never left the temple, I couldn’t figure out what she did all day. Fasting and praying night and day: I bet she was starving and exhausted. How could she have possibly kept that up? Of course, this was before the country shut down, and I found myself at home with two weeks’ worth of groceries and nowhere to go.
During those first weeks in March 2020, I took a closer look at the Daily Office and the practices of my church. Some days I joined my best friend’s church in Georgia for morning prayer on Facebook. On others, I joined my mother’s church in Greensboro. My church had Wednesday evening prayers. There was Celtic Eventide in Maine via Zoom. My diocese had Compline services—all online.
Even in the midst of those uncertain times, I always had access to a way to pray with others. As we celebrate the presentation of Jesus in the temple today, I remember Anna’s steadfastness and witness that it is possible to stay and just pray. 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, contact lgoins@stjamesknox.org or 865-523-5687.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES February 22, 2023 Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
7:30 am (Chapel)
12 pm (Nave)
7 pm (Nave)
Child-Friendly Service
5:30 pm (Nave)
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.
HISTORY MINISTRY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS - The History Ministry is seeking volunteers. Please contact Frank frank.laszlo.jr@gmail.com if you are interested in exploring and preserving the history of St. James. Made up of volunteers who have a passion for researching, cataloging, and displaying St. James’s past, this group loves searching for stuff in “nooks, crooks, and books." They think it is “the bee’s knees” to search the Internet and libraries to discover just one bit of information that may lead to others. Their most recent project was the creation of a stained-glass window database. This huge undertaking took nearly two years to complete. Their next exciting project will be the creation of a booklet describing our history, beginning around 1866 when our predecessor - Church of the Epiphany - was formed. Then, they will create displays to locate throughout the church. These will include photos, stories, artifacts, newspaper articles, and the like. If you are excited about becoming a “Sherlock Holmes-type sleuth” join us on this most fascinating journey.
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!
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 $623,538 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. February 12 - 26: Practicing Prayer. Come for a discussion of prayer and some practical ways to practice praying. Fr. John Mark will lead the discussion. March 5 - April 2: What Do We Do About Evil? Join Fr. John Mark for a discussion about evil, sin, and our response. Fr. John Mark has a few copies of the book What do We do About Evil by Fr. Richard Rohr for loan or purchase for $10. That book and the work of theologian Walter Wink will guide our conversation.
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,
SIN AND REDEMPTION - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding sin and redemption.
GOD THE SON - a brief Q&A summary of the Church's teaching for an inquiring mind regarding God the Son.
OUR SHARED PILGRIMAGE - The life and ministry of St. James the Apostle is often associated with pilgrimage. We are all on a pilgrimage of faith. Part of the journey for us as a parish is caring for the buildings that support our mission. 
FORWARD MOVEMENT - Luke 2:37b She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day.
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 
HISTORY MINISTRY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS - The History Ministry is seeking volunteers. Please contact Frank 
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 $623,538 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.
