Saturday, Dec. 16

5:00 p.m. | Spoken Holy Eucharist in the Chapel

Sunday, Dec. 17

Deadline for Christmas Flower Dedications

8:00 a.m. |Spoken Holy Eucharist Rite I in the Nave

9:00 a.m. | Adult Formation Hour in the Trinity Room

10:00 a.m. | Sunday School for Children in the Atrium

10:15 a.m. | Holy Eucharist Rite II with the St. James Choir in the Nave

11:30 a.m. | Christmas Pageant Rehearsal; pizza party to follow

1:00 p.m. | St. James Players Rehearsal

5:00 p.m. | Contemplative Candlelight Eucharist with instrumental guitarist Doug Woofter

Monday, Dec. 18

8:30 a.m.—Morning Prayer in the Sanctuary

9:00 a.m.—Men’s Book Group in St. Mary’s Room

Tuesday, Dec. 19

10:00 a.m.—St. James Staff Meeting

6:00 p.m.— St. James Players Rehearsal

Wednesday, Dec. 20

All Day—Wednesday Work Crew

9:30—Yoga in the Trinity Room

10:00 a.m.—Centering Prayer in Chapel

12 noon—Healing & Holy Eucharist in Chapel

5:00 p.m.— Searchers in St. James Room

Thursday, Dec. 21

5:30 p.m.—Passage Meditation

Update on Associate Rector Search

The search for St. James' next associate rector has been underway for the past month, advertising on our website, in the diocesan newsletter, the Episcopal News Service, as well as at seminaries. A small committee—Erin Rainey, Ellen Lind, Jimmy Chandler, and Sarah Carpenter—is helping David+ vet applicants. So far, there have been four interested applicants. Our team is mindful that this search is taking place at a time when many families are not looking to move. If it becomes clear that an associate will not be in place before Easter, an interim associate will be explored. You can find the job posting on our Website, under the About Us tab.

It's not too late to return your commitment card for 2024! Your commitment makes a difference! Thank you to all those who have already returned their stewardship commitment cards for 2024. Your commitment makes a difference! It's not too late to return your commitment card by mail, in-person or even online.

The monthly Saturday Evening service will be on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. in the chapel.

A Contemplative Candlelight Eucharist will be on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. featuring instrumental guitarist Doug Woofter. This is a quieter, simpler candlelit Eucharist with lots of space for silence, a short reflection rather than a homily, and leave with a sense of calm. 

Upcoming Baptismal Date: Sunday, Jan. 7 is our next baptismal date, celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. If you or a loved one would like to be baptized, please contact David+.

On Sunday, Dec. 31, the liturgy of the word (readings and sermon) at the 10:15 and 5 p.m. service will take the form of a sermon drama by the St. James Players. Come watch their thought-provoking and relevant piece on the Nativity.

Gluten-free wafers are available during communion for those with celiac disease or medical issues. You may request this gluten-free option at communion from the priest. 

St. James is joining with other Henderson County parishes for a deanery-wide Epiphany feast and worship at Kanuga on the Feast of the Epiphany, Saturday, Jan 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event goes from 4 - 7 p.m. The cost is $12 per adults, $8 per youth and children up to 12 years old are free.

This intergenerational event will begin with a Eucharist in Kanuga's chapel and the traditional chalking of the doors. From there we will feast together with Kanuga providing pork tenderloin and baked chicken and hot dogs for the kiddos. Participants are invited to bring a side dish, salad/bread or dessert which will be assigned alphabetically. Registration is required and scholarships are available. The evening will be filled with fun activities such as a mobile planetarium which will allow folks to see the night sky as the Magi did as they sought the Christ child. There will be crafts for making crows and star lanterns. There will also be star gazing available as well as a candlelight labyrinth walk.

Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite. If you have any questions, please contact Aimee Bostwick of Kanuga at abostwick@kanuga.org.

On Sunday, Dec. 17, join the Rev. Canon John Peterson and David+ for Formation Hour as they discuss the oft-neglected nativity story found in Matthew's gospel.

This Sunday is your last opportunity to write Advent Blessing greeting cards to parishioners who aren't able to be with us in-person. Visit the table in Stillwell Hall on Sunday Morning, choose a card, and write a note or blessing to parishioners at home or in care centers. The cards will be delivered to parishioners during the week before Christmas.

Construction is underway for our new open-air Sanctuary Garden Chapel! The entire infrastructure for the project is a gift from an anonymous member, so no funds from the operating fund are needed. If you would like the opportunity to be a part of the installation of a grove of redbud and holly trees in dedication to a friend or family member, visit https://bit.ly/sanctuarygardenchapel.

For more information or to submit a dedication,

click here.

Our next yoga classes will take place on Wednesdays Dec. 20 at 9:30 a.m. in the Trinity Room. Participants need to arrive 10 minutes early and be ready to begin promptly. Individuals who might have come to chair yoga are welcome and we will adapt poses into chair versions. Contact the instructor, Dianne Hunter, for any questions.

St. James Single Women are invited to Patty Hanson's home on Friday, January 5 at 11:30 p.m. for Little Christmas 🎄 Brunch. For more information or to rsvp, email Patty at phanson70@comcast.net.

Calling all St. James artists and crafts-people!

SAVE THE DATE and start creating for our 2024 Art and Soul Gala and Silent Auction set to take place on Saturday, March 16 from 3-5:30 p.m. at St. James. Join us for a special, fun afternoon of fine art and crafts created by St. James parishioners and friends. Artwork will be available for purchase. Enjoy wine, snacks, live music and a thrilling silent auction with artwork and gift baskets from community vendors! Brought to you by the St. James Fun Force. For more information, email Laurie Parkerson at leparkerson@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS! Thanks to your generosity, we delivered 583 pounds of food to Interfaith Assistance Ministries for their holiday food drive. Our contribution helped ensure those in need celebrated Thanksgiving with a meal in their own home. Our December collection will go to The Storehouse, so grab a purple shopping bag the next time you are at church, so we can continue to provide non-perishable foods and personal care and hygiene items to our neighbors who lack these essentials.

Coins for Change in Cuba! Start collecting spare coins and pocket change as we join with other Episcopalians to provide Vacation Bible School for children in Cuba in collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba. Contact Jack Watson for more details. Bring your coins to the Christmas Pageant on Dec. 24 at 10:15 a.m. to join with the Magi in placing your gifts before the Christ Child.

The Thursday Thrift Shop is in need of donations of clothing for ladies and men, all sizes, and for children, especially sizes 2T to 8. If you're cleaning out your closet please keep the thrift shop in mind. Sales of clothing accounts for nearly 35% of our annual sales and our current inventory is very low. As always, all donations are appreciated. The Thrift Shop will be closed from December 25 to January 1 this year. Our last sales day for 2023 will be December 21.  

Stewardship Tip from the Creation Care Ministry:  This week we're providing info about what CAN go in the new recycling bins at St. James (more about what CAN'T go in next week). Paper: envelopes, office paper, junk mail, greeting cards, file folders, newspaper inserts, catalogs, paperback books, phone books and brochures (NO NAPKINS!). Containers (rinsed clean): milk jugs, rigid plastic cups, aluminum cans, and plastic and glass bottles (bottles with a neck).

Our St. James Christmas 🎄 Pageant will be on Christmas Eve at 10:15 a.m. during the Sunday Service. All children, from babies to high school teenagers, are welcome to join us as angels, shepherds, kings, animals, Mary, Joseph, and narrators. Please email or text Diane King at echomtn1@yahoo.com or (828) 674-1461 if interested. 

Christmas Pageant rehearsals will take place in the church on Sunday, Dec. 10 after the the 10:15 service. Dress Rehearsal will take place on Sunday, Dec. 17 after the 10:15 service. There will be a pizza 🍕 party in the parish hall after rehearsal for the cast and families.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Sunday School is offered every Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Atrium by the Trinity Room for ages 2 through 5th grade. Children will return to the church during the Peace.

Tired of Emails? Youth and Parents Can Stay Connected with St. James via text! Join our Remind account by texting @2fhfhb2 to 81010. We will post upcoming events, photos, and reminders here and all will go directly to your phone.

Thank you to all who attended the 2023 Advent Lessons & Carols with the St. James Choir and Montreat Scottish Pipes and Drums. We welcomed friends from near and far as we prepared our hearts to celebrate the festival of Christ's birth. All photos are courtesy of Robert Coffey Photography.

Fall & Winter Programs Brochure Available! Be in the know every week! Pick up our hot-off-the-press formation brochure today and mark your calendars for events and gatherings for all ages.

To ensure that you receive St. James emails in your inbox, please add office@stjamesepiscopal.com to your contact list. If you have issues getting our weekly emails, call Mindy at (828) 693-7458 or email mindy@stjamesepiscopal.com.