PARISH PROFILE
- parish life & pastoral care -
TO GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE & LOVE OF GOD AS REVEALED IN JESUS CHRIST
A Vibrant & Fun Community
St. James’ offers many chances for parishioners to be together in addition to Sunday services. Before the corona virus we met for Wednesday night suppers, foyer groups, parish committees, church holidays, and other opportunities to serve the church and the community.
Foyer groups meet monthly from September through May, led by a coordinator who hosts the first gathering. Other members of the group then take turns hosting in their home or a restaurant. Gatherings last about two hours and the meals are simple. Each group establishes what day and time to schedule their gatherings, based on what works best for their members. Members of each group vary by age, gender, and marital status.
The Saintly Chefs cook the main course for parish picnics and special dinners. The Gardeners’ Guild is responsible for beautifying and maintaining the church grounds while providing the opportunity for service and fellowship.
The Pastoral Care Committee seeks to serve parishioners unable to attend worship services, programs, and activities due to illness, disability, or other limiting health factors. Teams of 8-10 parishioners may be called upon to deliver meals, send brief notes or letters, or a make simple ministry of presence visits. Team captains coordinate with the clergy and staff, and team members report updates or special needs back through their captains. Other pastoral care teams include: A Prayer Chain, Shawl Ministry, Families with New Babies, and Lay Eucharistic Ministers.
The St. Martha’s Guild provides comfort to parishioners in times of sorrow by hosting visitations and small luncheons or receptions for funerals.
There has been a Newcomer’s Committee since the first days of St. James’ Church. Committee volunteers man the welcome table at the main door to the sanctuary to greet worshippers and to welcome newcomers. Every worshipper is encouraged to wear a name tag, and visitors are encouraged to complete a visitor’s card. Everyone who completes a visitor’s card is delivered a loaf of freshly baked bread. If a visitor shows continued interest, a “shepherd” is assigned to them to help welcome them into our parish. The Newcomers’ Committee also hosts social gatherings for newcomers so they can meet our priests and the vestry. The Newcomers’ Committee helps us renew and grow as a parish.
