1101 N. Broadway

Knoxville, TN 37917

(865) 523-5687

Weekly Letter
John Mark Wiggers • Mar 17, 2022

Dear Friends, 

Our Vestry met this week and decided that we will continue to follow CDC guidance regarding COVID-19. That means that face masks will be optional for worship and other gatherings at St. James. Should the guidance change, we will adjust at that time. Please respect the choices others make. 

I look forward to slowly moving back to more activities together. We have gone a while without wine and communion, coffee hour, and other meaningful gatherings. Our volunteers who make those things happen will be regrouping and retraining. I am reminded that it takes your faithful service to make those things happen. I am grateful for the efforts of many to keep worship, connection, and community happening throughout this pandemic. 

I am hoping we can have lots of fun gatherings soon. While we have learned that we can have some degree of connection over the internet, there is nothing like sharing in person. I am especially looking forward to having architectural drawings to show you what improvements are envisioned for our facilities. I believe that the proposed renovations and improvements create greater accessibility and flexibility for St. James and for our service to the community. 

Life in community holds me in the truth that God is with us. That is the resounding message of the scriptures. Even before the pandemic we were living in a time of planetary disruption. As followers of Christ, we hold to our faith that God is with us even in such disruption (and sometimes is causing it!) In the midst of all that is going on, we pause to pray, we break bread together, and we offer our acts of service right where we are. Thank you for being a community that bears witness to Christ among us. 

Peace, 
Fr. John Mark

Youth Beach Trip

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 02 May, 2024
St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, has organized a trip to St. Christopher’s Camp on the beach of Seabrook Island, SC from May 28 - 31. This trip is open to all 6th -12th graders in the diocese. About 10 male and 10 female slots are available. Transportation will be leaving from Chattanooga on the 28th and returning on the 31st. The cost is $360 per person. This is a great opportunity for our youth to take a fun trip to the beach to kick off the summer, a chance for them to see a different diocese’s summer camp, and a chance for them to meet some youth from the Charleston area through a day of outreach with a parish there. Register: at etnyouth.campbrainregistration.com. Contact Jesse Adkins jadkins@dioet.org, Missioner for Youth and Young Adults, Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee for more information.

Weekly Letter, 05/02/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 01 May, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, For many folks, May is a month of celebrations. The school year is winding down, many are graduating, and we celebrate mothers. We continue to celebrate the Great 50 days of Easter and the Ascension and Pentecost are coming soon. The warmer weather and the blooming earth make me feel like celebrating. I especially give thanks and celebrate the community that is St. James. I invite you to celebrate as well.

Weekly Letter, 04/25/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 26 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, This newsletter is going out on April 25, the feast of St. Mark. Did you know that Mark (a figure active in the early church and for whom the gospel of Mark is named) is also known as John Mark? In Acts 15:36-41, we hear that Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on a missionary journey with Paul. Mark had started with Paul before and left the journey to return home. Paul refused to allow Mark to come along on this trip and Barnabas and Mark started out on their own mission. We don't have all the details, but we do have a picture of division and separation among these early church leaders.

Weekly Letter, 04/18/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 18 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, We all have a story to tell. I had the blessing of hearing people tell their stories in the recent Inquirers Class. I was delighted to see many of those folks affirm their faith when the Bishop was with us Wednesday night. Several people have reached out lately to ask questions about our parish and to share their ups and downs on the faith journey. Many of you know the power of sharing stories as we walk this life together. Sharing stories makes a difference. Having a safe community to tell our stories is a gift. You make St. James a safe place as we share the story of God's love for all.

Congratulations

By Kevin Jeske-Polyak • 18 Apr, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS to all these who affirmed their faith on April 17 through Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation . . .

Weekly Letter, 04/11/2024

By Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 11 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, We continue to celebrate Easter. The Justice Knox Nehemiah Action was a witness to new life rising. We saw over 1000 people gathered to ask our city and county mayors to make commitments to end homelessness. They said yes to some actions that have made an impact in other cities. We can be a community that educates ourselves and others about the causes and realities of being unhoused. We are also a community that confesses that there is hope. Thanks for showing up.

Stations of the Cross

By Kevin Jeske-Polyak • 04 Apr, 2024
We are excited to introduce our new Stations of the Cross wooden plaques lovingly created from our old pews and placed on the walls in the Nave by The Rev. RJ Powell. The Stations of the Cross is a traditional Christian devotion that focuses on fourteen specific events during Jesus' final journey to Calvary. Through prayers, meditations, and reflections, neighbors are invited to walk alongside Jesus in the Nave, contemplating his sacrifice and the meaning it holds for their own lives.Through this installation, we aim to create a meaningful and transformative experience for individuals seeking to deepen their faith and connect with the central message of Christianity.

Weekly Letter, 04/04/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 04 Apr, 2024
Friends and Neighbors, Happy Easter! We had a solemn Holy Week and a glorious Easter Sunday! Thank you to everyone who helped make all of that happen. We have so many talented folks who give of their time and talents to make things special. I am reminded of how powerful sacred space, beauty, drama, and ritual help bring us together. I am grateful to be part of a community that can bring all those things together to welcome folks with the love of Christ. Thank you.

Weekly Letter, 03/28/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 29 Mar, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors, It is Holy Week and Easter is coming! Note the schedule of all the opportunities to pray and celebrate together. When you are here, look at the Stations of the Cross crafted by The Rev. R. J. Powell on wood that our own Troy Burns took from our pews. Thank you to them and to all the folks making Holy Week and Easter happen here at St. James. So many people are involved. I am grateful for all who make this a place that welcomes others to know the love of Christ.

Weekly Letter, 03/21/2024

By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers • 22 Mar, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Holy Week is near and I encourage you to take some time to pray and reflect as we move towards the celebration of Easter. I encourage you to attend the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services as they move us through the journey of betrayal and crucifixion that leads to the resurrection.
Show More
Share by: