It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Nehemiah Action Monday night. What an inspiration to see so many people of faith coming together to call for justice. Of course, I am delighted to see the steps being taken to bring justice. This collaboration is a shining light in the midst of so many voices that seek to divide. Thank you for coming out for justice.
I hope to see many of you Monday night at 6:00 for our Friendship Circle. We will have a potluck dinner and share news about our renovations. Please call the office to RSVP.
Around the campus, we have seen many things changing. New windows are replacing the old, and the HVAC cooling tower and boiler are going in. The parish hall is almost complete. We will be worshiping in the parish hall starting in mid-May as work begins in the nave. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as this work continues.
Ministry continues even during all of the work. We are feeding our neighbors. Prayer and worship continue. You step up for justice. Classes and groups gather. All that and more is happening. I look forward to seeing what we will do in our renovated spaces. We are doing this renovation to support the ministry of sharing the Good News of Christ in word and deed. Thank you for your support of our shared ministry through your time, prayers, and money.
I hope you will look through this email to see the many opportunities to pray, study, and serve together.
Peace,
Fr. John Mark
OUR TRADITION . . .
MUSIC - St. James has a long tradition of providing inspirational music as part of our morning worship services - both vocal and instrumental. Now, The St. James Sentinel, includes a clickable link that provides a clip of actual service music from a previous week. The link can be found at the top of the page in the same area as the links for this week's service booklet, prayers, and current Newsletter. Enjoy!
PEW DISAPPEARANCE - The old pews in the Nave will be removed in just a couple of weeks. Available for purchase for a minimum $300 donation to the church, several pews have already been purchased by church family members. Only four (4) of the remaining pews can be shortened. The rest must remain full length. Pews may be purchased by submitting a downloadable reservation request form at THIS LINK, along with your payment. Details pertaining to purchasing a pew are included on the form. For more information, please contact Fr. John Mark jwiggers@stjamesknox.org or Kevin kevin@stjamesknox.org.
COFFEE HOUR TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED - Amidst the intensified construction activity in the parish house, our Sunday "Coffee Hour" has been temporarily suspended. Coffee Hour will resume once the parish hall, conference room, and kitchen reopen sometime in May. To express interest in helping when this fellowship activity resumes, please contact Carol Yatescyates0222@gmail.com.
THE PRESENT . . .
FORWARD MOVEMENT -Luke 5:4bPut out into the deep water.
I love the ocean, but I have a fear of deep water — and of whatever might live in that deep water! I prefer watching the waves to being in them. On a beach that I visit in the Outer Banks in North Carolina, a red flag often waves from the pole, warning of dangerous riptides. On the other hand, a stone on the way to the steps down to the sand reads: “Deep peace of the running wave be with you.” I like to think I am less afraid of the metaphorical depths and shallows. I enjoy going deep into a writing project, into a relationship, into enjoying the gifts of the present moment. But to be honest, when it comes to my relationship with God, I have often stayed in the shallows. It is easy to go it by rote, without allowing myself to enter more fully into the vulnerability of a life of faith. There are times to be prudent and avoid deep water but also times to be secure in the one who is ruddering our ship. Source Forward Day by Day
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE POTLUCK DINNER - Join us in the Nave this coming Monday, May 1st @ 6 pm for the final "social" event that will take place before the pews disappear and major renovations commence! Hosted by the Centennial Committee, fried chicken will be provided along with a selection of other delicious side items provided by our guests. Come, hear an update on the progress that has been made during our Centennial Capital Campaign, listen to comments from our guest speaker - Estate Attorney Dan Holbrook, and enjoy fellowship with your St. James family. Please RSVP and let us know how many guests you will be bringing so we know how much chicken to provide. Also, please let us know what side items you will be bringing and if you can help us set things up beginning around 5:15 pm. RSVP to kevin@stjamesknox.org or call the office 865-523-5687.
ALTAR FLOWERS - It is a St. James tradition to place flowers or greenery on the altar in honor of, or in thanksgiving for, loved ones. Altar flowers are needed for Jun 11, Aug 20, Aug 27, Sep 10, Sep 17, & Sep 24. Please contact Linda Goins for information lgoins@stjamesknox.org or 865-523-5687.
NEHEMIAH ACTION ASSEMBLY - Thanks to everyone at St. James who attended the Nehemiah Action Assembly Tuesday night. In an amazing show of organized multi-denominational "people power", attendance exceeded the goal of 1,200 participants! If you have ever wondered what Justice Knox is all about, why St. James helped found this organization, and why we support their efforts, watch the video St. James recorded during this year's event by clicking THIS LINK. You will quickly realize how perfectly the mission of Justice Knox is aligned with our own. The video will also air this Friday on Community Television of Knoxville @ 8 pm - 9:30 pm and Sunday May 7 @ 12:30 - 2 pm. To watch a news story that aired on WATE-TV following the event, click THIS LINK.
LOCAL NEEDS -Compassion Coalition, of which St. James is an active member, is transforming our city. It represents the body of Christ working together in unity to serve the greatest needs. These local needs have been identified by Compassion Coalition . . .
A widow in the 37921 area needs two exterior doors to replace the current doors that have been broken into. Please contact sguthrie@klf.org if you can help.
A disabled man in the 37923 area is requesting a cd player to play gospel music. If you can help contact Angele Cote at (657) 944-0625 or at acote@landmarkhealth.org.
An Emerald Youth family in the 37921 area needs a gas card in order to get to work and to take her kiddos to school. If you can help contact Gracie at mblair@emeraldyouth.org or call (865) 657-1710.
A low-income single mother in the 37917 area needs women’s business casual and relaxed wear clothing, size 2-3XL, and women's shoes, size 9.5-10. If you can help contact Shelby.Harris@HealthConnectAmerica.com.
A client needs a queen-sized box spring. If you can help contact Chris at defranco.chris@gmail.com or call (865) 368-0411.
DEMONSTRATING FLEXIBILITY - During the recent weeks, groups that gather at St. James have demonstrated great flexibility in adjusting to alternative meeting spaces, including the Nave. Some of these groups include Compassion Coalition (Frontline 4 Training), Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, S.E.T., Old North Knoxville Neighborhood Association, and the Thursday Morning Discussion Group, among others.
THURSDAY MORNING DISCUSSION GROUP - From 10 am - 11:15 am on Thursday mornings we will continue to study and discuss the scriptures for upcoming Sunday services through the Day of Pentecost (which is the last Sunday in May this year). No advance preparation is required - come and join a lively discussion and usually lunch at a local restaurant afterwards. Contact Nancy Pullen with any questions at 415-722-0139 or nepullen@gmail.com.
The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee is committed to protecting each child of God. The Safe Church, Safe Communities training program teaches us how exploitation and harassment can occur, the awareness we need to prevent such occurrences, and how to respond should such an incident occur. Accordingly, persons in specific roles at St. James are required to complete specific courses in the Safe Church, Safe Communities training program. This includes priests, retired clergy, nursery workers, parent helpers, youth helpers, youth ministers, Sunday school teachers, acolyte leaders, overnight helpers, vestry members, wardens, treasurer, key holders, eucharistic visitors, ministry group leaders, sextons & administrators. A CHART highlighting the required courses for each position can be viewed at THIS LINK.
On Saturday, May 13, the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee will host its annual Here I Am Day at the Episcopal School of Knoxville. It is for anyone who is discerning a call to lay ministry, religious orders, the vocational diaconate, or to the priesthood. The day will feature reflections, panel discussions with lay and ordained ministers, and opportunities for prayer and fellowship. Here I Am Day is great for those who are just beginning to explore a call and who would like more information about different ministries and tools for discernment. All those who have begun a process of discernment within their parish are expected to attend, along with their sponsoring clergy. Lunch and refreshments are included in the $20 registration fee. The registration deadline is Monday, May 1, 2023. Please feel free to contact Jon Humber, Episcopal Engagement Specialist, with any questions, at jhumber@dioet.org. Register HERE.
SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS - The St. James Episcopal Church Women (ECW) ministry group has helped send kids to summer camp for generations. Usually, the funds are generated by the annual rummage sale, but because this year's sale will be delayed due to construction, we want to be sure scholarships are available now. We will eventually have the rummage sale, but we want to make sure our kiddos can go to camp! So, the ECW is excited about sponsoring a "No FUNd Raiser FUNd Raiser". How much is doing nothing going to cost? It's up to you. Any amount will help and all amounts are appreciated. To help us raise money by doing nothing, just complete the form on the bottom of the downloadable flyer at THIS LINK and leave it with an ECW member after church or deliver it to the church office.
UTO ALL ABOUT GRATITUDE - The UTO season is a time for developing the habit of gratitude. Do you have a regular time of the day when you pause and think about that for which you are grateful? Might it be a thanks for getting through the day before you go to sleep at night? Might it be thanks for making it through the night safely and waking to a new day? Or perhaps when one sits down to eat—not only being grateful for the food we eat, but for other good things in our lives. A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE - God of our hope. God of our dreams. God of our understanding. Humbled, we bow before you, giving you thanks for all of creation. We thank you for all that you give us. We praise your name for forgiving us of our sins before we ask for forgiveness. Only you can raise us from our brokenness and make us whole. Only you can give us the peace that we yearn for. Fill us with your spirit. Be our light in the darkness. Envelop us with your presence. Set in our hearts to always praise you. Let us ever be mindful of your healing spirit. Let us live, one with you. Hallelujah! Source: Ms. Lisa Martin President, Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Texas.
REVELATION - NOT WHAT YOU THINK - Marie Cantrell will present a 6 week in-person class on the Book of Revelation - start date to be announced. The class will meet at St. James each Wednesday morning from 10 am - 11:15 am. After this class, you will have learned how to read the book in its proper context without coming away thinking it is all about gloom and doom! It is actually about hope in the face of suffering. At least six registrants will be required for the class to meet. Register now by sending an email to mariewcantrell@gmail.com.
ECW EVENT CALENDAR – The Episcopal Church Women Ministry, (ECW), enjoys hands-on involvement in church life. We celebrate the children of St James and enjoy sponsoring parish-wide opportunities including the Rummage Sale, and events like the September picnic. In 2022 we hosted the Easter breakfast for the choir and others serving during the services plus the Easter hospitality time after church. The ECW lets our folks in the military know we are praying for and thinking about them by sending cards throughout the year and small gifts at Christmas. Here is the planned 2023 ECW schedule as of our February Meeting:
Tyson House Meals - TBD
"No FUNd Raiser FUNd Raiser" – May
UTO Spring Offering - Mother’s Day – May 14
Doorstep – Helping Hands Lunch - TBD (chili lunch in the fall?)
Centennial Celebration/Luncheon – September 24
Rummage Sale – October 21
Trunk or Treat - Sunday, October 29
UTO Fall Offering – November 19
Marketplace/Bake Sale – November 12 or December 3
DIRECTORY OF SERVICE PROVIDERS - Are you a St. James church member who is also an artist, attorney, physician, contractor, designer, plumber, electrician, painter, landscaper, farrier, or some other professional? Would you like to be listed in an internal St. James directory of service providers shared with our members? If so, please send your contact information and a couple of sentences describing the service(s) you provide to kevin@stjamesknox.org. We will add you to the list!
QUILT "SIGNEES" - This Sunday, April 30, will be the final Sunday we will take quilt signatures following the 10:30 am service. You may still drop by the church office, Monday-Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm to sign, and you may request a piece to be mailed to you by contacting Bea Emory, (865) 687-2082; beaemory@att.net. Below are the names that will be included on the Centennial Quilt so far.
(over 259 Names) Mark & Susan Abell, Barbara Andrew, Angelina, Mike & Elizabeth Armstrong, Norma Armstrong, Brian & Sandra Austin, Susan Bain, Gail Barnhill, John Baum, Marty Begalla, Margaret Bickley & SuAnne Cobb, Betty Bowling, Joseph C. Bowling, Rick & Lyn Brown, Rick Brown Jr (in memory), Jim & Gayle Browne, Troy Burns, Bettye Burris, Michelle, Gage, Savanna, Makayla, Landen, Colt, Easten, Willow & River Byrd, Doug Caleb, Mark, Emily, Parson & Phoebe Campen, Hoyt & Marilyn Canady, Paul, Emily, Ollie, & Ada Ruth Canady, Marie Cantrell, Bob & Helen Cargile, Amy Chapman (in memory), Linda Chapman, Harry & Patty Chase, Scott Childs, Jane Wolkiel Clift, Robert Clift, Sr (in memory), Michael Clift, Robert Clift Jr, Jeff, Nancy, & Erzhan Cocharan, Bill Collins & Angie Livesay, Gregg & Caroline Combs-Young, Bill Combs, Ginny Combs, David Connolly, Jennifer Connolly, Bradley Cox, Thomas & Rebecca Cox, Lee Creech, Doug Creveling, Katharine Criss, Linda Denton, Theresa DeRosa, Vincent DeRosa (memory), The Driskells, Linda & Duane Dunlap, Benjamin D. Dunning, Catherine D. Dunning, Emily Dunning, Sue Dyson, Suzanne Farkas, Linda Fitzpatrick, Pamela Clift Flynn, Terri & Donna Foster-Allen, Lou Ann Gaby, Mike & Susie Gardner, Craig & Joseph Gardner, Bill Gervin, Susan Dunlap Gill, Glossup-Derrick Family, Charles Goan, Linda Goins, Liz, Christopher, Ryan & Emily Golliher, Cladio A. Gonzales, Margaret Goodman, Joe Gouffon, Linda Granstrom, Alan Granstrom, Stacy Hall, Patricia Hammer, Al & Helen Harb, Wadad Harb, Drew Harper, Jennifer Harper and Ryan, Dylan & Asa Chapman, Anne Haselton-Rowe, Victoria & Brice Hawkins, Barbara Hickey, Judy Householder, Reggie Hulsey, Junior Humphrey, Lamar, Tobertha & Wiatta Thomas Jackson, Karen Lloyd & Drew Steen, Kevin & Drew Jeske-Polyak, Pat & Patti Jeske, Claramae Johnson, Kyla Keck & Ashley Burell, John & Merilee Kerwin, Louise Dunlap Kinser, Sheila & Donn Kurtz, Frank & Martha Laszlo, Diane Livermore, Carla Livesey, Stephanie Manning & Hilton Smith, Ed & Monica Harris-Maples, Martin Family, Fasia Massaquoi, Fritz Massaquoi (in memory), Douglas McCaleb, Carol McDaniel, Mary McGavock & Damon Beard, Catherine "Kitty" McNamara, Mary McNamara, Ed & Evelyn Miller, Nancy Minge, Anna Montgomery & Kurt Weiss, Rod & Mary Moore, James Moore, Molly Moore & Tony Teasley, Pam Morris & Renee Smith, Mary Muir, Phyllis Muth, Beth Myer, Tony Nease, Miriam Nelson, Tim, Jessie, Eden & Judah Nichols, Audry Nitz, Jim Orr, Mary Nelle Osborne, Elizabeth Partridge & Eric Dyer, Susan & Powell Partridge, Mary, Nick & Madeleine Passmore, Ida Mae Patteson, Robin & Dave Penegar, Steven & Betsy Pierce, John & Susan Pollock, Linda Pope, RJ Powell, David Pruess & Nancy Pullen, Emily Canady & Britt Ratliff, T & Jase Ratliff, Mark Reddaway, Danny Reynolds & Marvin Rominez, Jill & Rayna Richardson, James Rowland & John Sexton, Ana Salazar & Austin Patterson, Gerald Segroves, Mary Segroves, Richard Sidey, Nick Simson & Eleanor Aldridge & Oona Simson, Aubrie Starck, Andrew & Lesley Starck, Mary Jon Steen, Pam Strickland, Annette Stoker, Jeannie Sullivan, Mary & Joseph Sullivan (in memory), Phillip Szuromi, Cindy Taylor, Maevis Teasley & Zadie & friend, Scott Teets (in memory), Sharon Teets, Cynthia Thornburg, Geoffrey Trowbridge, Janet Van Der Dussen, Bob Wadley, Lew Walton & Carlene Loop, Sarah & Seth Walton, Ray & (Norma) Jean Weeden, Laura Wheat, Carolyn Wheeler, Jimmy Wheeler, Tim Wiegenstein, John Mark Wiggers, Richard Wilson, Butch & Carol Yates, Bill and Kim Yearman, and Elizabeth Campbell Young.
OUR FUTURE . . .
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS - Interior renovations in both the kitchen and parish house are expected to be completed by Memorial Day, (May 29). The walls have been painted, a 3-compartment sink & automatic dishwasher have been installed, and new floor tiles have been installed in the expanded kitchen space. A curb has been installed outside the kitchen to contain a new herb garden that will be created. New ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, and brighter energy-efficient LED light fixtures have been installed in the parish hall. The individual room-sized HVAC units in the offices and classrooms have been replaced and vinyl flooring has been installed in the hallway at the conference room end of the parish house. All single pane windows on the first floor have been replaced with energy-efficient double pane windows. Conference Room A is closed as work is underway to install an elevator to the second floor. Meanwhile, the outside wall in the memorial garden has been modified to double the capacity of our columbarium. 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 some of the renovations currently underway. Please 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. 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. 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 $641,183 in gifts to our Centennial Capital Campaign - 32.0% of our $2 million fundraising goal.
That's a great start, but we need to raise much more to do what must be done to upgrade our facilities. Renovations in the kitchen, parish hall, and administrative wing are in full swing! 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 are incurring and accelerate the progress toward reaching our goal. Please join the folks listed below who have already pledged and/or made cash contributions 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, Paul Cate, Harry & Patty 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, Linda Granstrom, Susan Gray, Stacy Hall, Patricia Hammer, Drew Harper, Victoria Hawkins & Bryce Giesler, Barbara Hickey & David Linge, 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, Drew Steen & Karen Lloyd, Jennie Sullivan, Sharon Teets, Gay Thompson, 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. Join Fr. John Mark April 16-30 at 9:15 am on Sundays. We will be discussing resurrection and what that means for us right now.
SUN: Youth Ministry Class. Every Sunday at 10:45 am. Classes are open to all youth ages 5-13. The Third Sunday of every month will be a craft class. Please come join the wonderful group of teachers and enjoy learning new and exciting information. Contact: Theresa Russell for additional information.
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. From April 18 through the end of May, Drew Jeske-Polyak will be leading the discussion group in learning to share stories as a form of Episcopal Evangelism. Meeting ID 816 8271 5668 and Passcode 481655. Contact: Margaret Bickley, or call 865-384-7422 for assistance.
WED: Revelation Discussion Group. (Conf Room A). 10:00 am - 11:15 am. Marie Cantrell will present a 6 week in-person class on the Book of Revelation - start date to be announced. At least six registrants will be required for the class to meet. Register now by sending an email to mariewcantrell@gmail.com.
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. We will continue with our study and discussion of the scriptures for upcoming Sunday services through the Day of Pentecost (which is the last Sunday in May this year). No advance preparation is required - come and join a lively discussion and usually lunch at a local restaurant afterwards. Contact Nancy Pullen with any questions at 415-722-0139 or nepullen@gmail.com. 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,
MUSIC - St. James has a long tradition of providing inspirational music as part of our morning worship services - both vocal and instrumental. Now, The St. James Sentinel, includes a clickable link that provides a clip of actual service music from a previous week. The link can be found at the top of the page in the same area as the links for this week's service booklet, prayers, and current Newsletter. Enjoy!
COFFEE HOUR TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED - Amidst the intensified construction activity in the parish house, our Sunday "Coffee Hour" has been temporarily suspended. Coffee Hour will resume once the parish hall, conference room, and kitchen reopen sometime in May. To express interest in helping when this fellowship activity resumes, please contact Carol Yates 
FORWARD MOVEMENT - 
ALTAR FLOWERS - It is a St. James tradition to place flowers or greenery on the altar in honor of, or in thanksgiving for, loved ones. Altar flowers are needed for Jun 11, Aug 20, Aug 27, Sep 10, Sep 17, & Sep 24. Please contact Linda Goins for information 
The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee is committed to protecting each child of God. The Safe Church, Safe Communities training program teaches us how exploitation and harassment can occur, the awareness we need to prevent such occurrences, and how to respond should such an incident occur. Accordingly, persons in specific roles at St. James are required to complete specific courses in the Safe Church, Safe Communities training program. This includes priests, retired clergy, nursery workers, parent helpers, youth helpers, youth ministers, Sunday school teachers, acolyte leaders, overnight helpers, vestry members, wardens, treasurer, key holders, eucharistic visitors, ministry group leaders, sextons & administrators. A CHART highlighting the required courses for each position can be viewed at 
SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS - The St. James Episcopal Church Women (ECW) ministry group has helped send kids to summer camp for generations. Usually, the funds are generated by the annual rummage sale, but because this year's sale will be delayed due to construction, we want to be sure scholarships are available now. We will eventually have the rummage sale, but we want to make sure our kiddos can go to camp! So, the ECW is excited about sponsoring a "No FUNd Raiser FUNd Raiser". How much is doing nothing going to cost? It's up to you. Any amount will help and all amounts are appreciated. To help us raise money by doing nothing, just complete the form on the bottom of the downloadable flyer at 
UTO ALL ABOUT GRATITUDE - The UTO season is a time for developing the habit of gratitude. Do you have a regular time of the day when you pause and think about that for which you are grateful? Might it be a thanks for getting through the day before you go to sleep at night? Might it be thanks for making it through the night safely and waking to a new day? Or perhaps when one sits down to eat—not only being grateful for the food we eat, but for other good things in our lives. A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE - God of our hope. God of our dreams. God of our understanding. Humbled, we bow before you, giving you thanks for all of creation. We thank you for all that you give us. We praise your name for forgiving us of our sins before we ask for forgiveness. Only you can raise us from our brokenness and make us whole. Only you can give us the peace that we yearn for. Fill us with your spirit. Be our light in the darkness. Envelop us with your presence. Set in our hearts to always praise you. Let us ever be mindful of your healing spirit. Let us live, one with you. Hallelujah! Source: Ms. Lisa Martin President, Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Texas.
REVELATION - NOT WHAT YOU THINK - Marie Cantrell will present a 6 week in-person class on the Book of Revelation - start date to be announced. The class will meet at St. James each Wednesday morning from 10 am - 11:15 am. After this class, you will have learned how to read the book in its proper context without coming away thinking it is all about gloom and doom! It is actually about hope in the face of suffering. At least six registrants will be required for the class to meet. Register now by sending an email to 
ECW EVENT CALENDAR – The Episcopal Church Women Ministry, (ECW), enjoys hands-on involvement in church life. We celebrate the children of St James and enjoy sponsoring parish-wide opportunities including the Rummage Sale, and events like the September picnic. In 2022 we hosted the Easter breakfast for the choir and others serving during the services plus the Easter hospitality time after church. The ECW lets our folks in the military know we are praying for and thinking about them by sending cards throughout the year and small gifts at Christmas. Here is the planned 2023 ECW schedule as of our February Meeting:
DIRECTORY OF SERVICE PROVIDERS - Are you a St. James church member who is also an artist, attorney, physician, contractor, designer, plumber, electrician, painter, landscaper, farrier, or some other professional? Would you like to be listed in an internal St. James directory of service providers shared with our members? If so, please send your contact information and a couple of sentences describing the service(s) you provide to 
QUILT "SIGNEES" - This Sunday, April 30, will be the final Sunday we will take quilt signatures following the 10:30 am service. You may still drop by the church office, Monday-Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm to sign, and you may request a piece to be mailed to you by contacting Bea Emory, (865) 687-2082; 
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS - Interior renovations in both the kitchen and parish house are expected to be completed by Memorial Day, (May 29). The walls have been painted, a 3-compartment sink & automatic dishwasher have been installed, and new floor tiles have been installed in the expanded kitchen space. A curb has been installed outside the kitchen to contain a new herb garden that will be created. New ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, and brighter energy-efficient LED light fixtures have been installed in the parish hall. The individual room-sized HVAC units in the offices and classrooms have been replaced and vinyl flooring has been installed in the hallway at the conference room end of the parish house. All single pane windows on the first floor have been replaced with energy-efficient double pane windows. Conference Room A is closed as work is underway to install an elevator to the second floor. Meanwhile, the outside wall in the memorial garden has been modified to double the capacity of our columbarium. 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 some of the renovations currently underway. Please 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. 
INVEST IN ST. JAMES - To date, we have secured $641,183 in gifts to our Centennial Capital Campaign - 32.0% of our $2 million fundraising goal. 
