This newsletter is being sent out on the feast day of St. Bartholomew the apostle. Like many saints, Bartholomew is one that we know very little about.
We can look around St. James and see the names of people who were a part of this congregation over the years. We do know the stories of many of those folks. Some of their families are still part of our community. Those people gave time, prayers, and money to share the Good News from this community. Others joined them that we may have forgotten. Even so, these faithful people helped shape the faith community we know now as St. James.
Today, we all have a part to play in continuing the mission of sharing God's love. I often get to hear the stories of how your kindness has been welcoming to those who come looking for a spiritual community. There are many people looking for community these days. The church can be a place where people can find some acceptance, some, rest, and some strength. We are fed with the body of Christ and sent to be the body of Christ to others.
We have made a big commitment to renovate our space for the mission of bringing others into communion with God. That connection with divine love comes through you and the work we do together. We are here now because saints known and unknown have faithfully passed this mission to us. As we serve now, we prepare for those to come. Celebrate the saints of the past and live faithfully now as we follow in their footsteps.
Peace,
Fr. John Mark
FORWARD DAY BY DAY -Luke 22:26. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.
When I was a child and we took long family trips in the car, my siblings and I always argued. There were five of us! We argued about who had to sit in the middle, who got the pillow, and whose milkshake spilled at lunch. Everything was up for grabs. We really were arguing over who was most important. So, I recognize the dispute among Jesus's followers about greatness. When I first graduated from seminary, the bishop assigned me to a struggling small parish in Dade County, Florida, far from the glamor and excitement of Yale Divinity School. I wanted to be somebody, to do great things. And I quickly proceeded to alienate people by trying too hard. But thanks be to God, across the street from our house lived a lovely widow with a teenage son. She embraced my wife and me, so new to ministry. She assured us we were not terrible parents or preachers and that all would be well. When I grew up enough to hear the gospel, I realized that an ambitious pastor had been loved by a great pastor. Service is greatness. Saint Bartholomew surely learned that. Source Forward Day by Day
WHAT'S IN A NAME - The word "sentinel" chosen for the name of the St. James weekly newsletter is a metaphorical representation of the role that the newsletter plays in promoting our ministry and church life. Just as a sentinel is a guard who keeps watch and provides protection, our weekly newsletter acts as a sentinel by monitoring and reporting on events and issues that affect and are affected by our mission to feed and tend God's sheep. It serves as a guardian of our community, ensuring that important information is brought to light and our neighbors remain informed about the current affairs of our parish.
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/Greenery are needed for Sep 24; Oct 1, 8, 15, & 29; Nov. 5, 19, & 26; and Dec 3 & 17. Please contact Linda Goins for information lgoins@stjamesknox.org or 865-523-5687.
PANCAKE BREAKFASTS SET TO BEGIN - St. James is excited to be sponsoring a series of six (6) Neighborhood Pancake Breakfasts during the months of September, October & November! Our menu will feature delicious fluffy pancakes topped with butter & maple syrup, sausage links, chilled orange juice, milk, and freshly brewed coffee. Breakfast will be served in the Parish Hall on Saturday mornings from 9 am - noon on the following biweekly schedule: Sep 2, 16 & 30, Oct 14 & 28, and Nov 11. Whether you volunteer to help serve, or simply come and enjoy the delicious breakfast, your participation will be a wonderful way to share fellowship and get to know your neighbors better, both at St. James and within the larger Old North Knoxville Neighborhood. The best way we can prepare for each breakfast event will be to obtain a good estimate of the number of guests we expect. You can help by providing an RSVP before 5 pm on the Friday before each event by using the form at THIS LINK! Then, even if some additional neighbors join us without pre-registering, we will be sure to have enough to feed everyone! Tickets for this friend-raising initiative can be purchased in advance by texting "STJAMESBROADWAY pancake" to 73256 using your cell phone. Tickets will also be available at the door. If you would like to volunteer to be a member of a St. James Pancake Breakfast Team, please contact Jeremy Myers jeremymeyers1217@gmail.com or DeAnna Franklin sweetdeee216@gmail.com. Volunteers are needed to perform important tasks like cooking pancakes, serving beverages, clearing tables, and cleaning up.
GERMANFEST THIS SATURDAY - The 9th Annual GermanFest hosted by First Lutheran Church and School, will take place THIS SATURDAY, August 26 from 11am - 8pm right next door to St. James. Celebrating German culture, food, and music, the funds raised from this event go to support the Lions of First Lutheran School. Come enjoy Delicious German Food, Local Craft Brew, Live Polka Music, Marketplace, Silent Auction, Children's Games, Beer Garten, Root Beer Garden (with Root Beer Floats), Hours of Family Fun. Get your fill of Currywurst, Pretzels, Bratwursts, Schnitzel, & Strudel. Sundaes are also on the menu! Whether you prefer the root biergarten over the biergarten, or organ konzerts over the chicken dance, they've got you covered! Admission: $2.
IN-PERSON BIBLE STUDY -Contemporary Bible study is a practice that seeks to explore and understand the teachings of the Bible in the context of modern times. It involves the examination of biblical texts, their historical and cultural backgrounds, as well as the application of those teachings to contemporary issues and challenges faced by individuals and society. Beginning Wednesday, Sep 20, we will meet in-person to explore two short stories, a melodrama, a play, a fractured fairy tale and more -- all found in the books of Jonah, Ruth, Job, Ester, and others. Led by Marie Cantrell, our in-person Bible study class will take place Wednesday mornings from 10 am - 11:15 am, September 20 - October 25 in Conference Room A. If interested, contact Marie Cantrell, mariewcantrell@gmail.com.
DEDICATION CEREMONY & CELEBRATION - As we near the completion of renovations commemorating the centennial anniversary of St. James Episcopal Church, join us for our Centennial Dedication Ceremony & Celebration on Sunday, September 17th. The ceremony will begin during the 10:30 am morning worship service in the Nave with The Rt. Rev Bishop Brian Cole in attendance. The celebration will continue immediately afterwards with a reception in the Parish Hall featuring celebratory cakes baked by our members (their favorites), finger food savories, soft beverages and champagne. We hope to see you at this special dedication & celebration 100 years in the making! Note: There will be no 8 am worship service on September 17th. Regular 8 am attendees are encouraged to attend the 10:30 am service.
NEIGHBOR DAY AUCTION -We have begun to post items for the 2023 St. James Neighbor Day Online Auction at sjneighborday.com! We will continue to add more items every week through September 24th. Take a look at all the wonderful gifts being offered thus far! Our annual auction is an exciting affair where high-value or unique items are sold to the highest bidder to support the ministries of outreach at St. James. The atmosphere is playfully competitive as participants bid against each other to “win”! This year, our Neighbor Day Auctionwill be held during the 2-week period of Sun, Sep 24 – Sat, Oct 7. For several months now, we have been asking local businesses to support our event by donating merchandise or gift cards. Now, we are asking the family and friends of St. James to donate items to include in the auction. If you have some items you think would be great for our fundraising auction, please contact Drew Jeske-Polyak jeskepolyak@gmail.com 865-659-6742. Here are some of the gift items already donated for this year's Neighbor Day Auction:
23-036 Ober Mountain 23-038 Kickstand Bicycle 23-042 Gateleg Dining Table
23-045 Home Theater System 23-049 Original Louis' 23-062 Paradise Glasses
23-068 Redbud Kitchen 23-080 Museum of Appalachia 23-084 Order Up Cafe
DO YOU LOVE CHILDREN?Do you enjoy watching children grow and learn? Can you spare one Sunday a month or quarter? We at St. James cherish the children of our community, and the Children's Programs are in need of volunteers. We have two distinct programs at St. James, (Nursery & Youth Ministry), and we are anxious to start a third group for "Tweens" who are moving on into middle school. NURSERY PROGRAM (age: infant to age 4 or 5) . . . This program is designed for God's youngest children. Nursery volunteers are graced with the absolute pleasure of enjoying and tending to our littlest saints while their parents attend service. YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM (grades: preK - 4th) . . . The curriculum, ("Lesson Plans that Work"), is for youth who learn about the Acts of the Apostles readings. Stories are read and discussed and often include doing a simple craft. Volunteers are gratified spending time with children who are eager to learn more! TWEEN MINISTRY PROGRAM (grades: 5th - 8th) . . .As mentioned, we seek to offer a program for our growing youth who want more personal time to delve into the stories they have learned and so much more. We utilize our "junior" Bibles to allow their young minds to explore the Word. The Nursery has been in full operation throughout the summer. We are planning to start the Youth Ministry Classes on September 24th. These classes are nearly impossible to run without the help of our "Volunteers". We need YOU! Please contact Theresa Ann Russell at tde444@yahoo.com and please include "St. James Volunteer" in the subject matter so your email can be quickly spotted. If you prefer to text or call, reach out to 727-858-8444.
HELPING HANDS NEWS & NOTES - For your convenience 2023 Bring An Item list magnets are available in the tract rack in the hall by the kitchen door. As the new school year begins, some schools in Knox County have announced the community service requirements for students for the 2023/2024 school year. Helping Hands is a wonderful way to fulfill those commitments, as many of our St James youth have done over the years. It is an important ministry to our neighbors and our church. We can be flexible and schedule service times to fit the student's needs. For more information, or to schedule a visit, please contact Ginny Combs-(865) 964-6383, gcombs1947@outlook.com.
LIFE LINE SCREENING - St. James is pleased to be partnering with Life Line Screening to offer cardiovascular screenings in our neighborhood. Advanced ultrasound technology looks inside your arteries for signs of plaque buildup. That's why 9 out of 10 cardiovascular doctors support preventive screening for all adults age 50+ and others who are age 40+ with high risk factors that may include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, or family history. Four different screenings will be offered for one church discounted price of $149, but you MUST register for an appointment. The screenings will take place in the Parish Hall right here at St. James on Thursday, September 28, 2023. To reserve your appointment, please call 1-800-640-6307 or visit LLSA.SOCIAL/HC. Click HERE to download the a flyer which includes a more detailed description of the four different screenings.
MOVING INTO THE NEXT 100 YEARS -Thanks to each of you who has helped to bring us this far with your gifts and pledges to our Centennial Capital Campaign. To date, we have secured $772,227 in gifts and pledges as outlined below:
Campaign Donations: $398,571
Additional Pledged Donations: $336,486
Cathedral Chair Donations: $31,000
Old Pew Purchase Donations: $2,700
Quilt Signature Donations: $3,470
If you have been prayerfully thinking about making a donation or a pledge, now would be a great time to help accelerate the progress we have made toward reaching our $2M goal. Click the following links to explore the many different ways to support our Capital Campaign as we move into the next 100 years. Access a Capital Campaign Pledge Form at THIS LINK. Access a Cathedral Chair Sponsorship Form at THIS LINK. Access a Legacy Giving Brochure at THIS LINK.
THANK YOU . . . Mark & Susan Abell, Aramark Hospitality Company, Mike & Elizabeth Armstrong, Asset Realty Management, Brian & Sandra Austin, Caroline Ballinger, The Rev. Larry & Faye Beach, 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 & Children, SuAnne Cobb & Margaret Bickley, Brian Cole, Bill & Ginny Combs, Thomas & Rebecca Cox, Lee Creech & Beth Meyer, Katharine Pearson Criss, Janet Dees, Linda Denton, Theresa DeRosa, Boyce & Susan Driskell, Duane & Linda Dunlap, Kristin (Dunlap) Eddy, Bea Emory, Episcopal Church Women, Scott Erwin, Financial Marketplace, Inc., Linda Fitzpatrick, Lou Ann Gaby, Charles Goan, 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 & Trina Hubbs, Mary Ireland, Kevin & Drew Jeske-Polyak, Carl Keaney, 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, Annette Norris (in memory), Mary Nelle Osborne, Powell & Susan Partridge, Robin & David Penegar, Steven Pierce & Carla McKeethren, Charlotte & Joe Moellendick, Nancy Pullen & David Preuss, Lou Ann Robinson, Jim Rowland, Gerald Segroves, Kenneth & Kathleen Sherfick, St. James Handbell Ensemble, Drew Steen & Karen Lloyd, Jennie Sullivan, Sharon Teets, Gay Thompson, Cynthia Thornburg & Tom Dunne, Thursday Christian Formation Class, Janet Van Der Dussen, Jimmie & Carolyn Wheeler, John Mark & Liz Wiggers, Dean Wiggers, Michelle & Bob Williams, Richard Wilson, Butch & Carol Yates, Bill & Kim Yearman, and Steven & Elizabeth Campbell Young, Jeffrey & Alice Zaher.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS -As we get closer to our planned Dedication Ceremony & Celebration on Sunday, September 17th, final renovations are still underway in the nave and the parish house. The organ & audiovisual equipment has been reinstalled in the nave as we await delivery of our new cathedral chairs in early September. The brass plates from the old pews have been polished and mounted on a wooden panel crafted from the old pews. Meanwhile, the flooring in the choir rehearsal room, hallways in the administrative wing, and conference room A have been replaced. If you have not already provided a gift or pledge to the Centennial Capital Campaign, please consider doing so now to help us pay for all the improvements that have been made. Click the images below for a closer look!
CATHEDRAL CHAIR DEDICATIONS -More than 60 of our new cathedral chairs have been sponsored in thanksgiving or in memory of loved ones by family, friends, and St. James ministry groups. Our solid red oak chairs will have the look and feel of pew seating but they will be much more comfortable and allow for greater seating flexibility.You are invited to "sponsor" an individual cathedral chair(s) by making a $500 cash contribution to St. James Episcopal Church. In exchange for your cash contribution, the backside of each chair you sponsor will be fitted with an engraved brass plate commemorating your gift. 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. Below are examples of the dedications that have already been secured. Three more examples will be displayed next week!
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.
TUE: Tuesday Morning Discussion Group. (Zoom). 11 am - noon. Meeting ID 816 8271 5668 and Passcode 481655. Contact: Margaret mbick7@gmail.com, 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: rondmorton@gmail.com for the link.
WED: In-person Bible Study. (Conf Room A). 10 am - 11:15 am, Sep 20 -Oct 25. Exploring two short stories, a melodrama, a play, a fractured fairy tale and more -- all found in the books of Jonah, Ruth, Job, Ester, and others. If interested, contact Marie Cantrell, mariewcantrell@gmail.com.
THU: Thursday Study Group. (Parish Hall). 10 am. Continuing our discussions led by Fr. RJ where we explore the idea of scripture as a developing and ongoing conversation. Call or email Nancy Pullen with any questions - 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.thornburg16@gmail.com or mbick7@gmail.com.
SAT: Helping Hands Ministry Group. (Food Pantry). 9 am - 10 am every other Saturday. Feeding and tending God's sheep by taking prayer requests and distributing bags of groceries. The 3rd Sunday of the month is "Bring An Item" Day to support Helping Hands. Contact Ginny Combs gcombs1947@outlook.com for more information.
SAT: Prayer Shawl Ministry Group. (Library). 10 am every First Saturday of the month. Knitting and crocheting combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice reaching out to neighbors in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Contact Suzanne Farkas sfarkas1926@gmail.com for more information.
SAT: Episcopal Church Women. (Parish Hall). 10 am every Third Saturday of the month. Enjoying hands-on involvement in church life, celebrating the children of St James, and sponsoring parish-wide opportunities. Contact Nancy Pullen nepullen@gmail.com for more information.
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,
FORWARD DAY BY DAY -
ALTAR FLOWERS -
HELPING HANDS NEWS & NOTES - 
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS -
