Walking the Camino Portuguese

Coastal Route in 2027

First Information Meeting is Tonight!

Step away from the ordinary and into a sacred journey. Join Mother Stacey+ and Dr. Randall Zachman for a 12-day pilgrimage along the Camino Portuguese Coastal Route, May 17-28, 2027. Together, we will walk just over 100 km (64 miles), following the ancient path of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.

This pilgrimage is an invitation—to slow down, to listen, and to draw nearer to God. Grounded in our theme, “Draw Near to God” (James 4:8), each step becomes part of a deeper spiritual journey. As Christian George writes, pilgrimage is “a physical, emotional, and spiritual journey that goes inward, upward, and outward.” Along the way, we will share in prayer, reflection, and community, discovering not only new landscapes but also new depths within ourselves and our faith.

Whether you are seeking renewal, clarity, or simply the grace of walking with others on a sacred path, this journey offers space for transformation.

Information sessions will be held on Zoom at 7:00 PM on:

• Thursday, June 18
• Thursday, June 25

Click here to join tonight's Zoom session.

Please click here to contact Mother Stacey+ with any questions or to express your interest.

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

Upper Room Men's Group

As summer approaches, we are reminded of childhood memories and adventures, including time spent in treehouses. Our discussion on June 20 will center on "What does your life's treehouse look like?"

Many of us imagine a treehouse as a sanctuary—a place for refuge, perspective, friendship, imagination, and sometimes even solitude. In many ways, our lives resemble a treehouse, something we build over time through faith, relationships, work, experiences, struggles, and purpose.

Together, we will reflect on our foundations: what gives our lives stability, whom we invite into our inner circle, the type of shelter we provide for others, and which parts of our lives may need repair or rebuilding.

Back by popular request, shrimp and grits, biscuits, coffee and juice, along with scrambled eggs, will be served. Looking forward to a meaningful and insightful time together!

Sunday, June 21 | 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

Our discussion of religious and civic liberty in the era of the American Revolution continues with an examination of the controversy over religious freedom that erupted in Virginia in 1784.

Agreeing with figures like John Witherspoon that true religion is the best friend of civic liberty, Patrick Henry proposed that the state of Virginia tax all its citizens to provide equal financial support to all Christian teachers in the state.

James Madison vigorously opposed this proposal, arguing that "in matters of Religion, no man's right is abridged by the institution of Civil Society and that Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance." As a consequence, Madison helped to pass the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas Jefferson, in 1786, which Jefferson considered to be one of his finest achievements, along with the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the University of Virginia. Join us this Sunday as we explore this important debate about religious and civil freedom in the early life of the United States.

Available in person and via Zoom.

Click here for the Zoom link.

Sunday, June 21 | 5:00 PM

Pride Celebration and Holy Eucharist

Saint James and the Urban Well Celebrate Pride Worship Service will be on the weekend of Lancaster Pride, Sunday, June 21st, at 5:00 PM. This special service will be a heartfelt blend of celebration and reflection, expressed through inspiring words and music. You are welcome just as you are; join us for this inclusive and joyous occasion!

Your gift will be directed to Common Roads, a Central PA LGBTQ+ resource for youth and young adults whose Lancaster group is hosted at Saint James. 

Sunday, June 28, 9:00 AM

Saint James Voices

Calling all Singers for June 28th!



Led by Kate Umble Smucker, the ensemble is open to anyone ages nine and above, with no experience required. The group will rehearse at 9:00 AM and then sing at the 10:30 AM service. If you'd like your music in advance, click here to email Kate.

Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary

~ Upcoming Events ~

New Podcast Now Live

Faith, Loyalty and Revolution

The first of a three-part Contemplative Citizenship series is now available on Podbean, Amazon and Spotify. If you'd like to hear it from our website, click here!

In this series, we explore with intellectual rigor and a contemplative spirit how our history as American citizens and as a faith community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has shaped us and others. In 1776, Lancaster was a thriving frontier town, and Saint James was at the heart of it. When revolution came, it tore the congregation apart. One member signed the Declaration of Independence. While many others enthusiastically embraced the patriot cause, the rector remained true to the King. And for a time, the church doors were nailed shut.

Parish historian Dr. Cordelia Moyse takes us back to meet the community that lived through it and asks what their choices might say about ours today.



Saturday, July 4 | 10:00 AM

Reading of the

Declaration of Independence

In the Churchyard

Join us for brief morning prayers, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a singing of our National Anthem.

Sunday, July 5 | 2:00 PM

Reading Frederick Douglass Together at Bethel AME 450 E Strawberry Street 

Sunday, July 12 | 11:45 AM -1:30 PM

Revolutionary Texts Lecture Series No. 2 

In the Parish House Forum Room

With a Catered Brunch

Join parishioner and vestry member Dr. Drew Hermeling to explore the Two Row Wampum Treaty of 1613 between the Five Nations of the Haudenosaunee (or Iroquois) and the colonial Dutch government, which is spiritually and culturally important to indigenous social history and American socio-political understanding.

Registration is required for catering, with a suggested $25 donation for adults. Click here for more information and registration. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JULY 5TH.

Summer Office Hours

and Doorbell

For the remainder of the summer, through September 4th, the Parish House office hours are as follows:

• Mon - Thurs: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
• Fri: Closed
• Open for scheduled yoga classes/by appointment only on Fridays

Please note that the Parish House doorbell is currently out of order. Visitors are welcome to enter during office hours (Mon-Thurs 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM) and should check in at the front office.

Summer Fellowship Before and

After the 10:30 AM Service

Stop by the narthex for coffee, lemonade and treats between services and after the 10:30 AM service. Enjoy this casual time to greet friends, catch up with long-time parishioners and introduce yourself to someone new!

Want to take part in this hospitality ministry? All you need to do is simply be present at the cookies/lemonade/coffee table to greet parishioners and visitors. Saint James will provide the coffee, lemonade and treats. Click here to sign up for this ministry. Have questions? Click here to email Andrew Flinchbaugh

Vestry Meeting Minutes Now

Available on our website!

Members of the vestry invite you to read the minutes of the monthly vestry meeting. They range from matters regarding worship to buildings and grounds, the annual budget, the Urban Well endowment, and children and youth ministries.

Click here to visit the vestry page on our website. You'll see the link to the minutes at the top!

Vestry members represent everyone in our faith community. Please reach out with joys, concerns and questions. Senior Warden Barbara Hough Huesken can be reached at bfroda@comcast.net.

Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17

Intergenerational Service Trip & Retreat at Brookland Retreat Center

Saint James youth, adults, and families are invited to join us for an intergenerational service and retreat experience at the Brookland Retreat Center in Pennsylvania’s beautiful Northern Tier. This trip is open to rising 7th graders and older.

Now in its fifth year, Saint James folks and friends will return to Potter County to partner in meaningful service projects focused on conservancy and restoration, alongside learning on indigenous sacred grounds and engaging in contemplative practices. Together, we will live, work, pray, and play in a place known for its forests, streams, state parks, and wide-open skies.

In addition to service, the week will include time for hiking, swimming, stargazing, and community building. Service and retreat experiences like this can be deeply transformative, strengthening our connections with one another while working to assist the lives of others.

Interested in joining? Please Click Here to email StephJo ASAP to express your interest and to learn more! Or, click here to sign up.

Summer Camps at Saint James

Creator's Camp:

Making & Growing Together!

This faith-infused creative journey combines art, music, theater, gardening, cooking, mindfulness and more, where kids learn to create and nurture! The week wraps up with a heartwarming final sharing when families and friends can cheer on their young creators and see their beautiful lights shine!

Rising Kindergarten – Rising 6th Grade

Dates: July 27 - 31

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ages 3 – 5: Little Sprouts Camp

Dates: August 3–7

Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Click Here to register and learn more!

*Scholarships are available! To apply for a scholarship or with any questions, click here to email the Director of Children, Youth & Families, StephJo Wise.

Pastoral Care at

Saint James

Pastoral care ministries at Saint James support parishioners at life’s major turning points, as well as during extended periods of disability and recovery. A team of clergy and lay persons provide timely, professional pastoral care in an intimate and confidential manner. Our team respects parishioners’ rights to privacy and keeps strictly confidential all information about anyone receiving pastoral care. Click here for more information about pastoral care, or click here to email Kristle Evans, Pastoral Care Coordinator



June 18, 7:00 PM | Pilgrimage information meeting via Zoom

June 19 | Offices closed in observance of Juneteenth

June 20, 8:30 - 10:30 AM | Upper Room Men's Group

June 21, 5:00 PM | Pride Celebration & Holy Eucharist

June 25, 7:00 PM | Pilgrimage information meeting via Zoom

June 27, 5:00 PM | Saturday Night Brass Mass

June 28, 10:30 AM | Saint James Voices

July 3, 9:00 PM | First Friday Compline at the Urban Well

July 4, 10:00 AM | Reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Churchyard  

July 5, 2:00 PM | Reading Frederick Douglas Together at Bethel AME 450 E Strawberry Street 

July 12, 11:45 AM -1:30 PM | Revolutionary Texts Lecture Series No. 2 

July 13 - 17 | Intergenerational Service & Retreat Journey

July 18, 8:30 - 10:30 AM | Upper Room Men's Group

July 19, 10:30 AM | Nursery and Children’s Chapel Resume  

July 25, 5:00 PM | Saturday night Mass, Schools of Hope, a fundraiser for the School District of Lancaster

July 26, 8:30 & 10:30 AM | Patronal Feast

July 26, 5:00 PM | Vespers Patronal Feast & Holy Eucharist 

July 27 - 31, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Creator's Camp for rising

K - 6th grade

August 3 - 7, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Little Sprouts Creator's Camp for ages 3 - 5

August 7, 9:00 PM | Compline at the Urban Well

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ministries, events and programs?

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• Children, Youth & Families
• Mindful Yoga
• Mission & Justice
• Urban Well
• Women's Gathering