St. James Town-Hall Meeting

The Town-hall meeting is next week on January 11th following the 10:45 am worship service. This will provide an opportunity for us as a congregation to learn more about where the church is and where it's going. The Vestry will be there to answer questions.

The menu for the day is Taco Soup. Please sign up at the volunteer desk for what you would like to eat: Chicken Taco Soup or Beef Taco Soup. As this is coming up quickly, you can also call the office (316) 683-5686 or send an email: office@stjameswichita.org to provide your preference. The reason for the sign-up is to know how much of which soup to make. If you able to bring a hand-held dessert, e.g. cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc. please note that as well..

New Interim Priest

Last week the Executive Committee and the Vestry announced that our new Interim Priest, Rev. Audrey Miskelley, will begin the weekend of January 17-18. Rev. Audrey has a strong background providing interim leadership and is originally from the Kansas City area. Mother Deborah and Father Andrew will continue to provide services for us as needed.

Join us in welcoming Rev. Audrey when she arrives!

Thank you!

Throughout the year, your financial support makes a difference. St. James' vestry and leadership want to express deep thanks to everyone who has been able to continue their pledge or regular financial contribution throughout past years. You make it possible!

Pledge payments, contributions to general operating, special seasonal offerings, memorials, and support for Outreach, the Operating or Outreach Endowments, or other special funding can be sent to the parish office by mail or given online our secure online-giving platform, by clicking the red button below.

If you haven't turned in a pledge card or would like to know more about how pledging helps support the church, please contact Suzie Stallings at the parish Financial Office.

Tabs for Ronald McDonald House



There is a small cardboard house in the entryway to collect aluminum pull tabs for Ronald McDonald house. They collect these and cash them in to help with their services for children and families.

Supporting Parish Families and Our Community

Our Outreach Committee recognizes that many in our parish and wider community may be struggling right now. To help, we are beginning an ongoing collection of new toiletries, cleaning supplies, and simple shelf stable meal kits. Toiletries and Cleaning Supplies: Please place new, excess toiletries and cleaning supplies in the corner conference room behind the front lobby. Shelf Stable Meal Kits: We are assembling shelf stable dinner packets to have available for those who need a quick, easy meal. Deacon Jeff Roper will make these meals and other supplies available as needs arise. If you would like recipes for shelf stable meals, either for your own use or to prepare a dinner packet to share, please contact Louise Brinegar at Weezerinoz@gmail.com

or by text at 316-461-3239.

The Family Crisis Center, which our Outreach Committee has toured, is in need of new or like-new clothing for women and children who often arrive with only the clothes they are wearing. To obtain the delivery address or coordinate a drop off of donations, please contact Louise Brinegar at Weezerinoz@gmail.com or by text at 316-461-3239.

Support Breakthrough's Food Pantry



Our partners at Breakthrough Episcopal Social Services have shared that their food pantry is facing an urgent shortage. With SNAP benefits suspended, more neighbors are turning to them for help and their cupboards are as bare as those coming through their doors.

You can help by donating nonperishable food items and pantry staples. Donations may be delivered to Breakthrough’s Wichita location at 1010 N. Main, Ste. 100, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Their receptionist can provide a gift receipt upon request. If you need to deliver at a later time, please call to schedule an appointment. Cash donations designated for the food pantry are also gratefully accepted in lieu of food items.

Adult Forum

Join us in the Guild Hall Jan. 4 at 9:45 am for a review and discussion of the events of 2025 in our world and at St. James led by Phil Speary.

Children's Sunday School and Children's Chapel

This Sunday, January 4, the Children's Sunday School and Children's Chapel begin at 9:30 am upstairs in the Kidz Zone. It will be a lesson on Epiphany. All kids in preschool - 5th grade are welcome.  

De-greening of the church

This will be January 10th starting at 10:00 am. Thank you to everyone who helped in the greening. It is beautiful. 

Daughters of the King

Daughters of the King will meet in the lounge on the third Sunday, January 18, after the 10:45 service. 

Annual Report articles and Bios

from Nominees are due on Sunday, January 11th. You can find last year’s report by clicking the button below. If would like to use a bio from a previous year, please send an email to the office to confirm that information.

Our 106th Annual Meeting

Sunday January 25, 2026, at 10:45 am

There will only have one service that Sunday, at 9:30 am (the 5:30 pm Saturday service will be held as usual).  The Annual Meeting will start at roughly 10:45am.

Nominations to serve in 2026

Senior Warden 

Dana Stelter

Junior Warden

Danny Blair

Vestry expiring 2027

Ian Mc Mains

Vestry expiring 2029:

Judy Goodpasture, Jenny Kroeker, Shirley Orr 

Convention Delegates (3 delegates and 2 alternates):

Malachi Biffle, Fiona Haley, Randy Harrison, Paul Leeker, Joan Moore

Endowment Funds Board

Mary Halley, Tom Zerger 

Nominating Committee

Dakota Bennett, Mary Druding, Denise Gorney, Kurt Harper, Paula Skinner

MIQRA

Who: Grades 6-12

Fee: $75, Scholarships available, price increases $15 after January 3. MIQRA (meek-rah) is a weekend retreat for youth that focuses on the Bible and allows teens to discover what’s in it, why we should care,

and how to read it.

When: Saturday, January 17, 1 pm – Monday, January 19, 11 am, 2026, Students may choose to stay overnight or come just during the day.

Where: Grace Cathedral, Topeka

Register online: https://edokformation.wordpress.com/miqra/

What’s with the name? “MIQRA” is a Hebrew word, which means “reading,” and refers to the ancient Jewish practice of gathering at the local synagogue to hear a public reading of scripture, thus it was also sometimes used to mean, “Bible.” 

Diocesan Bishop Search Profile



The Search Committee for the XI Bishop of Kansas is delighted to announce the publication of the Diocesan Bishop Search Profile, a key step in the process of calling our next bishop.

The profile and ongoing updates can be found on the Bishop Search page:

www.episcopal-ks.org/bishopsearch.

Questions? Contact co-chairs:

The Very Rev. Torey Lightcap (torey@edokbishopsearch.com) or

Mr. Scott Howard (scott@edokbishopsearch.com),co-chairs of

Please Support Those Affected by Hurricane Melissa

Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with partners to support people affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Hurricane Relief Fund is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery. Please contribute to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund to support these efforts.

Click here for the lessons appointed for

Epiphany from the

Revised Common Lectionary Page

Year A, Track 1

Click for a PDF of the Book of Common Prayer

Parish Prayers for the Week of January 4

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer

The Diocese of Seychelles -

The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean.

In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer

Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine.

In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer

Pray for the Church of the Epiphany, Independence.

Prayers for Public Policy and Witness:

click here

Our seminarians

Paul Leeker; Elizabeth Wenger

Those serving in the military

Anna Broadbent; Davis Jackson; Will Corkins; Maureen Tanner

Those in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity: Rosie & Mary; Sarah P.; Wayne W.; The Schooler family, Arista B; Tricia S; Elizabeth H; Brian F; Briana P.; Brad B.; Marylee H.; Gus G.; Dan C. and Family; Ted P.; The Family of Carol Cohen. Cathy W.; Jayne P.; Scott O.; Deborah O.; Charles L..; Erica H. and Family; Ron D.; Richard & Judy M.; Dave; Lee S.; Teresa S.; Myers family; Gloria C.; Marge, Janet; Tanner W; J.R.; Richard H.; Susan G.; Claire B.; Dan.; William H.; Alex W.; JD; Dairon; Michael; Julie; Ivan; Brad M.; Michael H.; Emma R.; John D.; Michelle L.; Buck & Gladys; Dal H.; George M.; Jean E.; Judy T.; Sam & Beth; Kaye A.

Those who have recently died

Jason Higgins, Wes Rine, Shermie Robinson, Mary Ellen Joyner, Rev. Dawn Frankfurt, N.J. Abraham, Jay Sprague, Tracy Blair, Spenser Schooler

Some who have died in January in the past

Ruth Meyer, Bea Kumberg, Barbara Ritchie, Rick Kuenneth, Paul Edwards, Joy Johnson, Doris Moran, Donna Littleton, John Howell, Lorayne King, Jenny Davis, Ella Daily, Dave Rumley, Jimmie Grey, Delmar Klocke, Matt Mitchell, Sonny Watson, Samuel Massimini, Goerge Harris, Aldee Miller, Sally Bell, Joan McRae, Caroline Rowley, Pat Heeren, Katharine Burns, Carol McEwen, JuRie Cole, Russel Duckworth, Ted Riley.

All victims of natural disasters and all who reach out to give them aid.

For the sake of privacy, we do not list the last names of those

who are on our prayer list because of trouble, sorrow,

need, sickness, or adversity.

If your prayers have been answered, let us rejoice with you. Please contact the office to let us know we can remove your prayer request. If you have prayers you would like added to the prayer list, please contact the office at office@stjameswichita.org or 316-683-5686

Loving, Liberating and Life-Giving

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.