Dear Beloved in Christ,

On Saturday evening at 5:00 PM, our Resurrection and Redemption Mass will gather us around songs that lead us into the way of non‑violence, peace, and loving our enemies. In the light of Easter, we remember that Jesus does not answer violence with more violence. He walks the road of suffering love, forgives from the cross, and is raised as the One who still greets his friends with “Peace be with you,” calling us into that same peace‑filled way of life.

On Sunday morning, we will hear of the risen Christ walking beside two downcast disciples on the road to Emmaus, opening the Scriptures and finally being recognized in the breaking of the bread. We will also hear the crowd in Jerusalem, “cut to the heart” by Peter’s preaching, ask, “What should we do?” and receive the invitation to repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

At the 10:30 service, we will celebrate a baptism, where these same movements become visible among us. At the font, Jesus again draws near. A child and family, and all of us with them, are invited to turn—to reorient our lives toward the nonviolent love and peace of Christ. And we are invited to begin (or begin again) the practices that open our eyes to his presence and form us as people who love even our enemies: prayer, Scripture, hospitality, service, and the shared meal of the Eucharist.

As a parish that is “a school of prayer and service in the Lord,” to keep learning how to walk the road of resurrection together, learning the songs and practices of peace until our hearts burn within us and our eyes are opened.

God's peace,

Stacey+

Saturday, April 18 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Baseball Opening Season: Faith, Hope and New Beginnings

As spring flowers begin to bloom and the smell of freshly cut grass fills the air, it signals a new baseball season filled with hope and possibility. Every team starts with a clean slate—just like us in our spiritual lives. Opening day reminds us that we can recommit to our relationship with God, embracing each day as a fresh start.

Gather with us on April 18th as we explore our faith journeys from opening day through the long season, team over individual, discipline and preparation, hope and anticipation, the crowd and community, and God in the ordinary.

Menu: Breakfast casseroles (including a vegetarian option), biscuits, stewed apples, coffee and juice. For more info, click here to email Chuck Smith.

Saturday, April 18 | 5:00 PM

Resurrection and Redemption

A Saturday Night Mass for Peace

and Nonviolence

With the soulful music of Sopa Sol

Father David will preach on the teachings of Jesus about loving our enemies and how Gandhi and Dr. King interpreted them for their age, and how we might do so in our own time.

This special Saturday night Mass combines scripture, common prayer, and the music of Sopa Sol artists Frances Crowhill Miller on violin, hang and vocals, and Daryl Snider on guitar, sax, oboe and akogo. Together we will learn and sing songs that promote healing, community-building, freedom, courage, and love—songs that can travel with us beyond the walls of the church and into the world.

Available in person and via livestream. Click here to view via livestream.

Sunday, April 19 | 9:30 AM

Women's Bible Study

Join the women of our parish for a transformative journey of Bible study, prayer and fellowship in the parish house library. This gathering is an opportunity to deepen your relationships, share your experiences, and grow in faith together as we explore the Word of God. Women’s Bible Study meets on the third Sunday of each month. The first session will focus on 1 Peter 1:3–9. Come, and be a part of this uplifting community! For more information, Click Here to email Ashley Ramsay.

Sunday, April 19 | 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

Our examination of love of enemies concludes with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born in a family of Baptist preachers in Atlanta and was raised in a comfortable household with good educational opportunities.

From a young age, King was troubled by social and racial injustice, which caused him to nearly resent all White people. However, during his time at Crozer Theological Seminary, he heard a powerful lecture on non-violent resistance from Gandhi, which shaped his approach to addressing racial and economic injustices. King emphasized that "love is the key to the solution of the problems of our world, love even for enemies." Join us this Sunday to explore King’s insights on loving our enemies.

Available in person and via Zoom. Click here to join via Zoom.

Sunday, April 19 | 5:00

Evening Vespers Eucharist and Potluck

In the Saint James Chapel

Join us this week at Vespers for monthly Holy Eucharist, followed by a simple potluck meal in the Narthex/Courtyard as weather allows. Main dishes for the potluck are covered, so bring a side to share or just bring yourself!

Sunday, April 19 | 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Youth Group

Create Your Own Labyrinth

Join us for a creative and reflective evening as we make our own labyrinths out of clay to take home. Dinner will be provided, and all are welcome.

As we get ready for the Urban Well Retreat on World Labyrinth Day (May 2), we’ll explore the labyrinth as a way to connect with God in a calm and personal way. This ancient practice invites us to slow down, clear our minds, and become more aware of God’s presence within us and around us.

Together, we’ll discover how this simple practice can open space for prayer, reflection, and deeper connection in everyday life.

Bring a friend, come hungry, and join us for a night to create, relax, and connect. We’d love to see you there! Please RSVP by April 16^th. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.

Now Accepting Applications through

Friday, May 29th

Saint James Scholarship

We are happy to announce that scholarship applications for the 2026 –2027 academic year are now open.

Thanks to the generosity of our endowment fund, Saint James Episcopal Church is honored to support parishioners pursuing post-secondary education, whether full-time or part-time. Eligibility also includes immediate family members of Saint James staff, including children and grandchildren.

Deadline to Apply: Friday, May 29, 2026, by 12:00 PM (noon)

Decisions Announced: July 3, 2025. Click here to get started in the application process.

Thursdays, April 23 - May 28 | 7:00 PM

Mercy Seminar Begins

Entirely on Zoom

Peace at the Last:

The meaning of life in the

light of death

With Prof. Randall Zachman & Fr. David Peck

The 2026 Mercy Seminar has been exploring what different faith traditions can teach us about living our best life and dying our best death. How can the certainty of death help create focus and deepen gratitude rather than increase depression and anxiety? Is death really “nothing at all,” a simple “turning out of the lights, or “the gate to eternal life”?

Term 2 will explore how death has been understood in different traditions of Judaism and Islam as we read and reflect on texts from Hebrew scriptures and the Koran. No prior knowledge is required. Click here to register. Scholarships available.

Friday, April 24 | 10:00 AM

Tree Planting at Crystal Park

Last Fall, the Mission and Justice Ministry Team put out a request to our community for $1,250 to be matched by the Shade Tree Commission for tree planting in the southwest area of Lancaster City (SOWE) to help address tree inequity in that area.

Thanks to the generosity of Saint James friends and parishioners, we exceeded our goal by $530, allowing the commission to plant even more trees so the Crystal Park community will have greater opportunities to enjoy the outdoors during the hot summer months.

The tree planting date is scheduled for Friday, April 24^th at 10:00 AM at Crystal Park. All are invited to attend a short ceremony to celebrate the occasion! Click here for directions.

To learn more about this project and the effects of tree inequity, click here.

Saturday, April 25 | 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Intergenerational Day at

Habitat For Humanity

Youth ages 16 and above are invited to participate in building strength, stability and self-reliance for families who want to improve the place they call home.

This year's location is on Linden Street in Columbia; no experience necessary; on-the-job training is available. Tasks include framing, interior trim and insulation installation. No experience necessary.

To learn more about how you can help, click here.

Sunday, April 26 | 9:00 AM

Saint James Voices

Calling all Singers for April 26th!

Led by Kate Umble Smucker, the ensemble is open to anyone ages nine and above, with no experience required. The group will rehearse and sing at 9 AM on the 4^th Sunday of each month, then sing at the 10:30 AM service.

If you'd like your music in advance, click here to email Kate.

Tuesday, April 28 - June 6 | 7:00 PM

Contemplative Tuesdays

with Mission and Justice

In the Chapel and via Zoom

A contemplative reading of The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, a short book by Walter Isaacson, about the central importance of the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence. Copies of the book, purchased from a local Lancaster bookstore, will be available for purchase ($16) in the parish house beginning April 17^th. Click here to register.

Saturday, May 2 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Praying for Peace & Practicing Nonviolence on World Labyrinth Day

An Urban Well Retreat

In the morning, Father David and others will reflect on what Gandhi’s insights can teach us about nonviolent social change and the spiritual practices that have made them possible over the last century. A live practice session will give participants the opportunity to explore the dynamics and challenges of maintaining a loving and nonviolent Christian witness when encountering threats of abuse or violence.

The afternoon session celebrates World Labyrinth Day with a chance to deepen your personal prayers for peace by walking a labyrinth with others. Registration kindly requested for planning purposes. This is a FREE event. Click here to learn more and register.

Sunday, May 3 | 11:30 AM

The Heart of Mothering

Mothers, daughters, and all women who nurture with love are warmly invited to a special Mother’s Day Brunch in the Parish House Forum Room. This gathering celebrates the heart of mothering in all its forms, whether through parenting, mentorship, friendship, or quiet acts of care.

Enjoy a beautiful meal, connection, and joyful community across generations. Complimentary childcare will be available during the event. Click here to register.

Thursday, May 7 | 6:15 - 7:45 PM

Spring Renewal Yoga Series

This 4-week introductory yoga series is designed for both new and returning students seeking a thoughtful, supportive way to reconnect with their bodies. Together, we’ll explore yoga as a practice of whole-person care through movement, breathwork, reflection and gentle wellness education.

Each session offers a different entry point into renewal while building on the previous session in a way that feels accessible, grounded and practical for everyday life. For more information and to register, click here.

Saturday, May 9 | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Growing in Faith at Saint James

There will be two opportunities for deepening one’s spiritual growth at Saint James and the Urban Well. The day will begin with a shared meal between youth contemplating confirmation and adults exploring membership. Both groups will meet with clergy and share their faith journeys while discussing Church history and its impact on our present practices. There will also be a tour of our beautiful campus. Come and discover what it means to be a member of this vibrant community! Click here to let us know you'll be attending!

Wednesday, May 13 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Churchyard Gravestone Care & Cleaning

Join Cordelia Moyse and Maryann Marotta for some “hands-on" care of our church and nation’s history as we revive the tradition of remembering fallen soldiers and veterans by tending to graves for Memorial Day.

Cleaning supplies and refreshments will be provided. Registration is helpful; click here to let us know you'll be attending.

Saturday, May 16 | 11:00 AM

Intergenerational Hike & Picnic

Lancaster County Park,

Pavilion # 3

All are welcome to enjoy a day of fellowship, food, and time in nature! Our potluck picnic is open to everyone!

The Hike has a limit of 25 spots. Confirmed hikers will set off with a park naturalist from Pavilion #3 at approximately 11:00 AM.

Picnic-only attendees will stay in the pavilion and enjoy a presentation by The Grange on soil management and agricultural practices.

The picnic is open to all and is unlimited! You do not have to bring food to attend, just come and enjoy; held rain or shine.

Pavilion #3 is located at 1098 Rockford Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.

In a Greater Light

We pray for the soul of Gregory Scott (Greg) Hirtzel, who died on April 10th. His service will be at Saint James this Saturday, April 18th, at 11:00 AM. Visitation is at 9:30 AM. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.