Dear Friends,

You are invited to end a faith-filled season of waiting and watching for Christ with a Men’s Breakfast, a Woman’s Bible study Bible and our exquisite Sunday music and worship as we pray for the world and prepare our hearts for Christmas. Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services will be full of depth, wonder and joy as we celebrate online and in person how the world’s understanding of hope, creation and God’s love for us has changed by the coming of God among us in the Word made flesh.

Your Vestry, clergy and staff all wish you all a blessed Christmas and New Year.

David+

Saturday, December 20 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Saying Yes to Love

Join us this Advent for a morning of reflection and community as we explore how meditation opens us to God’s presence.

Mel Lucht will share his journey of discovering stillness as a path to awareness and how meditation has revealed the living presence of God as a loving reality. We'll reflect on how silence and presence can soften our hearts and help us recognize the Divine in everyone.

This gathering will explore Saying Yes to Love, inspired by Father Richard Rohr’s teaching on intimacy with God starting with a deep “yes” to Divine Presence. We’ll reflect on how God is closer to us than we realize, and our task is to awaken to this love rather than earn it. As we become receptive to this infinite love, we realize God loves the world through us. Join us for prayer, sharing, and connection as we learn to live from this “yes.”

Chuck Smith will prepare his famous Southern shrimp and grits, biscuits, scrambled eggs and bacon. For more info, click here to email Chuck Smith.

Sunday, December 21 | 9:30 AM

Women's Bible Study

All women are invited to join Julie Peachey on December 21 at 9:30 AM in the parish house library. The format is simple: a verse from the Bible will be read, followed by analysis, discussion, and prayer. If we have a large group, we will break into smaller groups to ensure that everyone has time to share their thoughts.

This Sunday's passage is Matthew 1:18-25. Women are encouraged to bring their favorite version of the Bible.

Women's Bible study meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Click here to email Kristy Clark for more info.

Saturday & Sunday, December 20 & 21

Scott Wright Open Studio

418 Lancaster Avenue

(Between James & LemonStreets)

December 20 & 21

12:00 - 5:00 PM

Join Scott Wright for an open studio as he concludes his year as Saint James Artist in Residence. Scott's work has been shown at museums and galleries across the country. Locally, his paintings are in the permanent collections of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area's Zimmerman Center, the offices of Gardner Russo & Gardner, and the Phillips Museum at Franklin & Marshall College. Works on display at the open studio will include recent paintings, drawings and works on paper.

Give the Gift of Yoga this Holiday Season!

Looking for a unique gift for those hard-to-shop-for friends and family?

Give the gift of mindful yoga—a thoughtful present for friends, family or anyone who could use a moment of grounding and peace. Perfect for the holidays and easy to redeem at any class.

Gift certificates are available in print or as a digital file and can be purchased in person at the Urban Well Yoga Studio (cash or check) or from our website. Click here to purchase yours.

2026 Giving Envelopes

Giving envelopes have been ordered for people who mail in their contribution or give weekly/often by check or cash.

Please note that we have discontinued the numbered envelope system for identifying households; instead, our Realm software scans checks to determine the giver. Those who give with cash will need to add their name to their envelopes. Any envelope can be used; a quantity of these giving envelope books will be available in the narthex and parish house office.

Christmas Offering

If you have satisfied your 2025 giving commitment and wish to make an additional end-of-year gratitude gift, you might consider the traditional Christmas offering.

Your gift can even be made in memory or thanksgiving for

someone special in your life. Simply write ‘Christmas offering’

in the memo line of a check or click here to give online by

selecting Christmas Offering from the dropdown list of funds.

Holiday Office Hours

Closed December 25 & 26

Limited office hours December 29, 30 & 31

Office hours will be flexible between Christmas and New Years. If you need to access the church or parish house, please call to make an appointment. The Pastoral Care team is also available for any urgent needs.

There will be no Headlines & Happenings December 25th.

There will be no forum hour on December 21st or 28th.

Forum will resume on January 4th.

Saturday, January 10 | 8:30 - 11:00 AM

Membership Class to Meet in the New Year

Pathways: Exploring Membership at Saint James

Are you curious about the Saint James Community and the Urban Well? Do you want to explore the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion in more depth? These sessions are an engaging way to share our faith journeys, explore Church history and its impact on our present practices, tour our beautiful campus, and learn more about our school of prayer and service in the Lord. Join us to discover what it means to be a member of this vibrant community!

Click here for more info and to register.

In a Greater Light

We pray for the souls of Elizabeth (Beth) Rogers and Jeremy Shull, who died on December 13th.

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

Save the Date!

THE ORDINATION OF

JOSEPH EDWARD PRITCHETT

To The Sacred Order of Priests

In Christ's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

January 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM

St. John's Episcopal Church

321 West Chestnut St.

Lancaster, PA 17603