St. James' Episcopal Church
Wherever you are on your journey of faith,
you are welcome at this table.
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Rooted in Heritage, Moving Forward in Faith
In the next few weeks, our Stewardship Season turns to the many roots that make us who we are: the cultures, languages, and stories that come together as one body in Christ. Our heritage is holy ground, and each of us brings something to the table.
Please make sure you have received your pledge packet. If you haven't, the same information is available online or on Sunday.
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Sign up for the Master Plan Congregational Engagement Sessions
As a part of our Master Plan Work, we will have TWO Congregational Engagement Sessions in order to think with as many people as possible. They will be on October 31 and November 7, 10 am - 12 pm, followed by a community lunch. Childcare will be provided but you MUST RSVP. The November 7 session will be multilingual through Spanish-language facilitation of table groups and live interpretation.
These two congregational engagement sessions are not your only opportunity to participate in the process. They are just two of the biggest, most fun opportunities to engage your creative brains and hopeful spirits in this work!
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Leadership Discernment: Vestry and Diocesan Council Delegates
We invite anyone who may be interested in serving on the Vestry, on the Welcome Table Board, or the Diocesan Council Delegation. We look forward to seeing whom God calls to serve in this important ministry of leadership and governance at St. James’.
Please join us for one of the following informational sessions at the church.
Wednesday, October 28, 6-7 pm, Founders Hall
Sunday, November 1, 9-10 am
Let us know you are coming through one of the emails below.
We can also arrange one-on-one conversation with a Nominations Committee member.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Senior Warden Stephanie Dodoo stephaniedodoo@gmail.com or Rev. Eileen at rector@stjamesaustin.org.
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Vote Early
Early voting runs through October 30 for the November 3 election. Check VoteTravis.com for locations and times and get a sample ballot for your precinct. Review candidate positions on the issues at VOTE411.org. Questions? visit https://www.votetexas.gov/ or call (800) 252-VOTE. Your vote matters!
| | In order to provide support to members of our Spanish-speaking community who feel unsafe leaving their homes, to families who have been separated, and to those who are working on Sundays to make ends meet, the Episcopal Spanish-speaking congregations of Austin will begin an interactive worship service online on Sundays at 7 pm, starting on November 1. If you or someone you know needs this, gporter@stjamesaustin.org, can provide the link. Eucharistic or pastoral visitation are available as well. Isolation is the enemy: communion is the goal! | | A Pastoral Letter from our Campus Missioner:
I write to you concerning the recent incident near Huston-Tillotson University involving a student and a neighborhood resident in a verbal altercation over street parking. The encounter, captured in a now-viral video, has raised important questions about dignity, belonging, and the changing landscape of East Austin. | | This Sunday at St. James' | | |
WHAT'S HAPPENING ON SUNDAY?
The Twenty-Second Sunday of Pentecost
8 am Rite I Service (Sanctuary)
9:15 am Sunday Morning Forum (Founders and Online).
10:10 am Gathering for Godly Play on the playground in front of the Orange Building.
10:15 am Nursery opens
10:30 am Rite Il Service (Sanctuary)
12 pm Coffee Hour about Día de Muertos Traditions
(Founders); Film your St. James' Story (Rector's Office)
1 pm Santa Eucaristia
2 pm Trinity Center (at St. David's Episcopal Church)
2:30 pm Hora de Cafe and Día de Muertos Altar Setup (Narthex)
5 pm The Late Service (Sanctuary)
5 pm Misa y Convivio de Casa Marianella (821 Gunter St, Austin, TX 78702)
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Sunday, October 25, 12-1 pm, Founders Hall: Intro to the Altar/Día de los Muertos Traditions
Grab a coffee or some Mexican hot chocolate and join us during coffee hour to learn about the history and meaning of Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. We’ll talk about the traditional ofrenda, or altar: the marigolds, candles, papel picado, favorite foods, and photographs that welcome the memory of loved ones home. We’ll also talk about how this celebration is observed in the Latin American world outside of Mexico.
Bring a photo of someone you love who has died. Label it with your name so we can return it. It will be placed on our altar in the narthex, which we’ll set up together at 2:30 pm during Hora de Café. Everyone is welcome, whether this is a tradition you grew up with or something new to you. Then join us on Monday, November 2, at 7 pm for our Día de los Muertos service at the altar.
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Sunday, October 25, 2-4:30 pm: Serve at Trinity Center: Youth Group Edition
We will gather to serve our neighbors at the Trinity Center at 2pm. Trinity Center is in the basement of St. David's Church downtown. We'll set up the chairs for the service and begin preparing the food. Neighbors will come in at 3pm and begin the service. After the service, we'll rearrange the chairs, add some tables, and start serving the food. We'll clean up after the meal and typically be done somewhere between 4 and 4:30. Parking: Street parking on 7th is free. If you park in St. David’s surface lot (8th & San Jacinto) or garage, it’s free for volunteers. Don’t scan the QR codes in the garage; scan the one posted in the Trinity Center kitchen when you arrive.Questions? Contact Rev. Eileen this time around at rector@stjamesaustin.org.
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Sunday, October 25, 5 pm: 20s and 30s Service and Convivio at Casa Marianella
Join us for a meaningful evening of service, community, and a shared meal. We'll serve alongside the Casa Marianella community, build relationships, and put our faith into action. Questions? Contact Rev. Addison at addison@stjamesaustin.org.
Casa Marianella is located at 821 Gunter St, Austin, TX 78702.
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Share Your St. James’ Story
Every one of us carries a piece of St. James’ story. This stewardship season, as we look toward our 85th anniversary, we invite you to record one of those stories in a short video (5 minutes or less) on your phone at home. The “Share Your St. James’ Story” guide walks you through choosing a story, shaping it, and recording it. Please email your video to office@stjamesaustin.org by Sunday, November 1.
Not sure about the recording part? We’ll help! Join us during the 12–1 hour this Sunday, October 25, and we’ll record your St. James' story. Email rector@stjamesaustin.org to sign up.Your story helps us remember where we’ve come from and imagine where God is leading us next.
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All Saints Sunday, November 1, The St. James' Chili Cook-off, 12-1 pm
Beans or no beans? That is the question. Join us in Founders Hall following the 10:30 am service to taste some real Texas Red and to select the best chili among the entries by St. James’ chili cook teams. If you are competing you will need to bring: your chili in a crockpot, a ladle, and any special condiments. Decorations and hype teams get results in the judging process.
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Monday, November 2, 7 pm: Día de los Muertos Service
We will gather in the evening of el Dia de los Muertos (All Souls Day), at the altar in the narthex for a meditative service, praying with the great cloud of witnesses, who surround us, and remembering our loved ones who have gone before us. Please accompany us. You may drop off photos this Sunday, October 25. Please label them so they can be returned.
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Wednesday, November 4, 6-7:30 pm Faith & the Environment: Whose Earth Is It?
East Austin Canterbury (college ministry) continues its Theology in the Tea Garden series for college students and grad students. The topic is Creation care, climate change, environmental justice, and our responsibility to our neighbors. Meet at West China Tea, 1715 East 7th.
Questions? Contact Rev. Addison at addison@stjamesaustin.org.
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Thursday, November 5, 6:30 pm: St. James’ Restaurant Group
The Restaurant group is an informal time to just get together with your St. James’ friends and to make new ones. We will meet at Lazarus Brewing, 4803 Airport. The Restaurant Group meets the first Thursday of the month.
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Tuesday, November 10, 7 pm: Mueller Tuesdays at the Overture
Join us in the Cork Room for Bible study on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. Contact Rob Corcoran at robcorc@gmail.com to add you to the email list and answer your questions.
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The Bishop is coming!
On November 22, Bishop Kai Ryan will join us at our two principal services, the 10:30 am and the 1 pm. She will meet with our Vestry to see how we are doing ahead of this meeting, but she is eager to see you and to celebrate the big things that St. James' is up to in the community. If you would like to be confirmed, received, or reaffirm your faith (maybe you were confirmed in 6th grade but have a better sense of those vows now), let Rev. Eileen, Rev. Addison, or Rev. George know, and they will help you get ready.
| | | Jazz at St. James': November 13-15 | | Mark your calendars for November 13-15, invite friends, and get your tickets for Jazz at St. James' with Grammy Award winner Carmen Bradford! The deadline to be a Jazz Angel is November 1. | |
Volunteers Needed for Jazz at St. James’ Social Hours!
November 13 & 14
We’re looking for friendly faces to help with our Friday and Saturday social hours before the Jazz at St. James’ concerts. If you enjoy greeting guests, offering light refreshments, or sharing in the joyful energy that fills our church during Jazz weekend, we’d love to have you on the team! If you are interested, sign up here. Questions? Contact Mary Katherine Matalon at mkmatalon@gmail.com. Your helping hands and warm spirit make these evenings truly special. Thank you for sharing your time and hospitality!
| | | Did you know St. James' is turning 85 years old? | | |
We’re getting ready to mark a special milestone in the life of St. James’, and we’d love your help making the celebration memorable! December 5-13 will be a whole week of celebrating this community that has come this far by faith.
Interested in helping? Reach out to Lisa Braithwaite at lisacpeavy@gmail.com or Stephanie Dodoo at stephaniedodoo@gmail.com to join the planning team:
Come help us throw a party worthy of St. James'!
| | From the Larger Community | | |
Friday, October 23 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, October 25 at 4:00 pm
Inversion Ensemble presents “Sacra et Profana,” a concert that heralds the arrival of the Thinning Veil. It features “Misa”, a super cool setting of the Latin mass by Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab, and the choral ballet “Unfashioned Creature” by Timothy Takach, choreographed by Penelope Freeh that takes themes from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Inversion’s 24 singer ensemble under conductor Katrina Saporsantos will be joined by cellist (Carol Anne Bosco), percussionist (Jordan Walsh) and 6 dancers. Join us at the The Cathedral, a refurbished 1930s church turned art gallery. A portion of ticket sales benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Tim Takach will also be there to give a pre-concert talk on both days, so make sure you check that out, too!
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Free ESL Classes for Spanish Speakers
Saturdays at 4 pm in the Orange Building. Help us spread the word!
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Volunteer with Neighbor to Neighbor
Come see for yourself how fun it is to build community in service at Neighbor to Neighbor. Each first and third Tuesday of the month, volunteer teams pack and share over 5,500 pounds of food, serving more than 400 neighbors. Everybody gives, everybody receives, and the laughter is wonderfully contagious. Details, dates and sign up are available using the QR code or tiny.cc/welcometable.
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