New Roles in January 2026

As 2025 concludes and we ready ourselves for a new year of ministry, mission and growth, I am delighted to announce some new arrivals and, alas, one departure from our staff team.

Kristen Vieldhouse will formally begin her new role directing our Parish Administration and Finance. Kristen was instrumental this fall in reshaping our 2026 budget and the outsourcing process that will integrate our bookkeeping with our payroll managers through the church specialist accounting firm of Willoughby & Associates, based in Strasburg, PA. Kristen brings many gifts of organizational development and forward planning in her work with clergy, vestry and the staff team as she assists in personnel, governance and stewardship.

Sadly, I must share JR Ankney’s decision to conclude his regular ministry at the end of the year as a music and worship associate for special services. His creativity and drive as director of worship helped reshape the roles of worship, music and technology in the parish. He widened the breadth of Compline and brought new community connections to Saturday night masses, which will all continue. We will miss his special services and leadership, and we look forward to working with JR in the future. We will all be able to thank JR for his remarkable ministries in a rich Advent weekend that includes Compline and the St Nicholas Mass.

Kate Umble Smucker (Doctor of Musical Arts) arrives to begin a combined role. As a music and worship associate, her ministry will focus on launching with clergy a new weekly Sunday night contemplative service. She will also work with Peter and StephJo to develop an intergenerational choir that introduces more people to the joys of singing across a variety of worship settings. With her wide range of entrepreneurial skills, Kate will support Kristen and the staff team in strengthening ministries of hospitality, giving and engagement.

Anna Rosenberg begins her role as Children, Youth and Families assistant just in time for the Christmas pageant! Anna is a recent Classics graduate from Temple University and is a rowing coach at F&M. Her work will support StephJo, Donna and all our families in this vibrant and joyously growing dimension of our parish life. Anna is a regular at Contemplative Tuesdays, where her wisdom has encouraged many in the work of healing the divides we experience within ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Begins Tonight, December 4, 6:15 - 7:30 PM

A Sound Sanctuary Yoga Series

Meditation for Calm Amid the Holiday Rush

Thursdays in December:

4, 11 & 18 | 6:15 - 7:30 PM

In the Urban Well Yoga Studio

Join Sandra Orndorff—experienced sound healer, life coach, and yoga instructor — as she guides you through an evening of immersive sound meditation. Each session begins with a brief restorative practice to ground the body, then unfolds into a spacious sound bath where you are cocooned in soft light and cozy blankets amidst a soundscape of gongs, singing bowls, chimes and percussion that helps calm the nervous system, ease anxiety and release layers of held tension. Many find this experience brings a depth of relaxation and renewal that feels both restorative and transformative.

Come rest, renew and receive this gift of spaciousness for your body, mind and spirit on Thursdays, December 4, 11 and 18 from 6:15 – 7:30 PM in the Urban Well Yoga Studio located in the lower level at 119 North Duke Street. $25/session, $65 for all three, or pay as you can by making a contribution in Realm. Click here to learn more and register.

Friday, December 5 | 9:00 PM

First Friday Compline: Ancient Music and Prayers for the Modern Soul

Join us this Friday, December 5th, as we gather in stillness to prepare for God’s coming among us and express our shared longing for light and peace.

This Advent service of Compline invites us to listen for the One who approaches through beautiful hymns like "Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming," and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."

We conclude with heartfelt prayers for protection and peace, and we invite you to quiet your heart and prepare to welcome Christ into both Bethlehem and the hidden places of your life. May this night bring you peace and a deeper longing for the Light that dispels all darkness.

Available in person; click here to view via livestream.

Saturday, December 6 | Beginning at 3:30 PM

St. Nicholas Mass with Live Nativity Animals

Celebrate the life and gifts of St. Nicholas of Myra with live nativity animals and a joyful procession!

3:30 PM – Visit with nativity animals, enjoy cookies and refreshments, and help create care packages to brighten the holidays for members of our community.

4:30 PM – St. Nicholas arrives by horse-drawn carriage

5:00 PM – Mass and story time with St. Nicholas in the Sanctuary

Prior to the mass, children are invited to leave their shoes in the chapel, where they’ll find a special gift from St. Nicholas when they return! Held rain or shine. Click here to view the St. Nicholas Mass via livestream.

Sunday, December 7 | 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

In the Parish House Forum Room

According to the apostle Paul, death was not intended to be part of our created nature, but rather entered humanity through the sin of Adam. The resurrection of Christ is therefore God's solution to the problem of human mortality. As Paul says, "For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ" (1 Cor. 15:21-22). This means that death is the ultimate enemy that God will defeat when we are raised with Christ. "When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory'" (1 Cor. 15:54). Join us this Sunday as we explore Paul's proclamation of God's defeat of death in the resurrection of Christ.

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

Continuing This Tuesday, December 9, 7:00 PM

Drawing and Meditation with Scott Wright

In the Chapel

Join Artist in Residence, R. Scott Wright, for this unique workshop designed to bridge drawing and meditation - or put more simply, to embrace drawing as a form of meditation.

Our goal is to use drawing tools and techniques to locate the sweet spot where keen observation and hand/eye coordination free the mind and calm the breath and the body. Drawing exercises will be demonstrated. Students should bring whatever drawing tools, pads, etc. they are comfortable using. All ages and experience levels are welcome.

The series continues on Tuesdays, December 9 & 16. Cost: $25/session, or pay as you can by making a contribution in Realm. Please click here to register.

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.

Saturday, December 13 | 10:00 AM

Wreaths Across America

In the Saint James Churchyard

Wreaths Across America will be at Saint James on December 13th at 10:00 AM to present wreaths on the graves of deceased military members.

The brief ceremony will take place in our historic churchyard. All are welcome to attend.

Click here to learn more about Wreaths Across America and make a donation.

Saturday, December 13 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Women's Gathering

Via Zoom

Women's Gathering will explore Advent with internationally celebrated poet, David Whyte and his book, The House of Belonging, in which he explores the individual and often lonely journey toward identity and voice.

Whyte places individual discovery in the context of belonging to homes, places, times, creatures, people and "miraculous otherness." David speaks about how to live in deep appreciation and sympathy for all life, all of the time. Join Women's Gathering this Advent and discover new ways to experience a sense of home. Click here to email Lorraine Rollo for the Zoom invitation.

Wednesday, December 17 | 3:00 PM

Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

Willow Valley residents are invited to join clergy and staff from Saint James and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches to celebrate Holy Eucharist in Manor North Auditorium, located on the third floor of the main building in Manor North. All are welcome; bring a friend!

Christmas Memorial Flowers

Remember a loved one and help us prepare our sanctuary for Christmas

If you would like to memorialize or honor a loved one with Christmas flowers in the sanctuary, you can do so in Realm. The name of your loved one will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.

The suggested donation is $25/flower. Click here to get started. In the memo box, type the name of the person you are honoring. If you are ordering multiple flowers and run out of space in the memo box, simply make your donation, type “list to Kristen” in the memo box and email Kristen Vieldhouse, our parish administrator, the list of names.

You may also mail a check to the church office with Christmas flowers in the memo line. If you have questions, call the parish office at 717-397-4858.

Submission Deadline: Friday, December 12th.

Children and Youth Christmas Pageant Rehearsals to Begin in December

Calling all Shepherds,

Angels and Magi…

... and any youth wanting to be in the Christmas Eve pageant! Saint James children and youth are invited to participate in this year’s Christmas Eve Pageant and Mass at 3:00 PM on December 24th!

Under the guidance of StephJo Wise, the pageant cast will present the birth of the Christ Child through story and song during the first half of the service, followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Rehearsal for youth and older children with speaking parts only will be on Sunday, December 14th, following the 10:30 AM Mass. Speaking parts include roles such as narrators, Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, the prophets, townspeople, innkeepers, shepherds and the Magi. Parts range in length from one line to a few lines. Nonspeaking roles include animals, the angels, shepherds, baby Jesus, and the Star of Bethlehem.

Rehearsal for everyone in the pageant will be on Sunday, December 21st, following the 10:30 AM Mass. Parents and guardians are invited to gather for a potluck in the Rectory during the December 21st pageant rehearsal after the 10:30 AM service.

Please click here to let us know what part your child would like to play. Signup deadline: Wednesday, December 10th.