7 from Kevin - Sep 2021
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • September 2, 2021
  • It is St. James' mission to feed and tend God's sheep. We welcome neighbors with all kinds of physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Being located downtown, our grounds frequently provide brief respite for some of our most destitute neighbors. As a result, cleanup and disposal of discarded clothing, litter, and other paraphernalia is a constant challenge quietly performed by Rick B and Jill R.


  • Some of our Doorstep Ministry volunteers (Patty C, Susan A, Pam S, Susan & Boyce D, and Drew J-P) are currently updating phone numbers and website addresses for hundreds of local resources offering food pantries, clothing & nonfood pantries, transportation & emergency housing assistance, rent, mortgage & utility assistance, substance abuse, mental health & medical assistance; disability resources; legal assistance; vocational rehabilitation, and more. 


  • John Mark, RJ, and Drew J-P have simplified the production of live stream feeds and video recordings of our Sunday Services by installing and configuring a remote controlled video camera. The A/V (audio/visual) Ministry is also delighted to welcome Linda F as the newest member of their team.


  • Ashley B is working very hard to plan and direct a very special musical program to take place during our weeklong celebration of Neighbor Day during the second week of October (Oct 10 - Oct 16).  Hopefully, this will be a live in-person event at St. James that will feature a unique combination of storytelling and inspiring musical performances.


  • Arrangements for funerals and memorials must be handled with a special devotion to being attentive to the ceremonial details and comforting ways we provide compassion to every family member. Marilyn C and Stacy H are working closely with DOK members, Patricia H and Victoria H, to establish formal protocols based on the already well-established traditions that have been practiced at St. James for many years.


  • Rick B & Butch Y have been very focused on coordinating the work of professional contractors hired to replace our failed water heater, install new ceiling tiles, and replace the damaged cabinets in the kitchen. They have also been busy identifying and removing clutter and physical obstructions wherever they exist around the church.


  • REALM is the online platform that helps our members become engaged with one another, our groups, and our ministries through well-planned pathways. The starting place are the profiles in our member database. This month, John Mark, RJ, Marilyn & Hoyt C, Linda G, Rick B, Drew J-P are helping to update our database by reviewing records of apparently "inactive" members.


Thanks to everyone for becoming engaged in our mission at St. James at whatever level they are able, including all effort that is noticed and so much more that may be less noticed.  Rest assured, nothing is unnoticed by God and St. James is stronger because of everyone's combined effort.

By John Mark Wiggers May 12, 2025
By John Mark Wiggers May 12, 2025
We continue celebrating Easter as we move into a month full of celebrations and transitions. I am looking forward to just hanging out with folks this Saturday night at our spaghetti dinner. You can find details about that in this email. Please mark your calendars for the annual Justice Knox Celebration on May 19 from 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church. We will have dinner and share stories about the next steps. You will also be asked to consider making an investment in the work of Justice Knox. I hope that you will consider giving to this important ministry.
By John Mark Wiggers April 24, 2025
Alleluia. Christ is risen. We celebrated the resurrection with so much joy this past Sunday. The Easter feast continues for 50 days. Thank you to everyone who made Holy Week and Easter Sunday so special. You helped people feel welcomed to this place where we proclaim the welcoming love of Christ in word, deed, song, Easter egg hunts, and something good to eat. We welcome others because we have known the love of Christ and want to share it.
By John Mark Wiggers April 17, 2025
Friends and Neighbors, As we journey through Holy Week, I encourage you to pause and consider those events that lead us to the joyful celebration of Easter. May that also be reflected in our lives. We walk through hard things and know that God is with us. We hold to the hope that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
By John Mark Wiggers April 17, 2025
Friends and Neighbors, As the weather teases us with warm days followed by chilly ones, we enter Holy Week. You have probably heard me encouraging folks to experience the journey to the cross and the grave so we might celebrate the resurrection with that insight. God has shared this human experience and is with us in the darkness and the light. Our liturgies of Holy Week take us on that journey with Jesus and remind us that God is indeed with us on our own journeys.
By John Mark Wiggers April 17, 2025
Friends and Neighbors, The annual Nehemiah Action is this Tuesday, April 8. We gather with over 22 congregations to ask our leaders to commit to taking action on important community matters. This year, we are asking for commitments on housing instability, homelessness, and transportation. Please invite others to attend. Having a large number of people makes a difference. You can find the details in this newsletter. Your presence helps us bring more justice to our city.
By John Mark Wiggers March 27, 2025
Lent is a season when we are particularly called to consider our sins and to amend our ways. Many of the messages we hear in our culture tend to focus on the sins of an individual. The witness of scripture places as much emphasis on corporate sins. In the story of Jonah, the whole city is called to repent. Prophets like Amos deliver the call for all those in power to stop mistreating the poor. In Nehemiah 5, we hear the story of Nehemiah gathering a great assembly to call for the leaders to stop the unfair lending practices harming their community. As faithful people, we are called to consider the ways that our life together touches the lives of others.
By John Mark Wiggers March 20, 2025
I am writing this on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19). This character in God's salvation story has an intriguing supporting role. He chooses to protect Mary and the expectant child despite the possible scandal. Joseph finds himself fleeing for Egypt to protect the newborn Jesus. We don't otherwise hear much from or about Joseph in scripture. He is a faithful person who sought to follow God in tough situations.
By Tim Lett March 7, 2025
Get ready to jingle all the way to the "Smoky Mountain Ring" - a sensational showcase of talent and community spirit! Join us on Saturday, April 5 @ 4:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, (9076 Middlebrook Pike), where The Bells of St. James will be ringing in harmony with several other talented handbell choirs under the expert guidance of clinician Brenda Austin. This vibrant concert is more than just a musical event; it's a heartwarming celebration of connection, inclusivity, and the joy of coming together as a community. We can't wait to see you there!
By The Rev. John Mark Wiggers March 7, 2025
Friends and Neighbors, We enter the season of Lent. Lent can seem very focused on the individual. For sure, we are called to consider our sinfulness and mortality. We do not stay there, but turn our hearts to God's forgiveness and grace.
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