Reflections



from Rev. Audrey



Beloved of God -



Feeling like we fit in. I can’t decide if this is a question or just a statement. I’ll share with you where it’s coming from.

This past weekend I spent on Oahu. My mother lives in the Palolo Valley which is just above Honolulu. She’s lived there a long time and moved there with my two younger sibs who consider it home. We were celebrating her 85th birthday.

During this very quick and yet long trip I heard from many folks who were there to celebrate with my mother, some family, some friends, how they didn’t feel like they fit in... wherever it was they came from. But when they arrived on the island they felt like they were home. I’ve heard this before. I’m sure you have too.

Perhaps you’ve even felt this?

Like a lot of folks, I have moved around a good bit. Where I began and where I am may be many states away. Like a lot of folks who move around we find ourselves in unique surroundings that don’t always feel like “home” - at least not initially. Maybe you’ve been living in the same place

for your whole life. I wonder, does it feel the same though?

I wonder if “fitting in” and being “home” are different feelings? I also wonder why? Why don’t I feel like I fit in? Or why doesn’t this feel like home?

I have to admit, as someone who has moved a lot, I generally feel home is simply where I am.Don’t misunderstand. I miss folks from where I left. I miss the comfort of knowing how to go to the grocery store without having to use an app! I miss the routines and the feeling of comfort that most of us have when we are “settled” into a place. But, I’ve never felt like I don’t fit in or that I miss home - whatever/wherever that is.

And again, it doesn’t mean that I feel like I’m being warmly embraced everywhere - again - at least initially.

Change can be a tough one for most of us. Even me and I work in change. I think that usually the feelings of disconnection are about change.

I wonder, what makes you feel like you fit in? Or, not?

I invite you to contact me at rector@stjameswichita.org



Peace,

Audrey+

Town-Hall Meeting Report

Town-Hall Meeting

Lunch and Town Hall in the Guild Hall

It followed the 10:45 worship service

January 11, 2026

If you would like to read the information covered and discussed at the Town-Hall Meeting, please click here. 

TACO SOUP LUNCHEON: Denise Gorney, who headed the meal preparations, set up, serving, etc. is so grateful for the help and support from the following people. She says, 'I could have never done it without them': Many thanks to Peggy Zerger, Tom Zerger, Deb Brinegar, Peg Bowman, Susan Picotte, Andrew Sandlin, Claudette Johns, Susie Stallings, Randy Harrison, Lise Hansen, Danny Blair and Jose.

Denise had requests for her soup recipes, which she has generously provided:

Beef Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

(Brown beef & onion together, then drain)

1 (15 oz. can) pinto beans, drained

1 (15 oz. can) kidney beans, drained

1 (15 oz. can) whole corn, including liquid

1 (15 oz. can) petite diced tomatoes

1 (8 oz. can) tomato sauce

1 (15 oz. can) beef broth

1 package taco seasoning

Mix together. Simmer 30 minutes.

Chicken Taco Soup

1 (15 oz. can) petite diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz. can) whole corn, drained

1 (15 oz. can) black beans, rinse and drain

1 (15 oz. can) pinto beans, rinse and drain

1 (10 3/4 oz. can) cream of chicken soup

1 (12 oz. can) chicken breast, drained

1 (10 oz. can) green enchilada sauce

1 (15 oz. can) chicken broth

1 package taco seasoning

Mix together. Simmer 30 minutes.

P.S. There was a small, wooden pocket cross found on the Guild Hall floor after the town-hall meeting. If it is yours, please give a call to the office.

Parish News and Updates

Meet and Greet

On January 17 and 18 following the three (3) services, there will be a 'meet and greet' in the foyer by the volunteers' desk. It will be light snacks. Please plan on staying a few minutes longer to meet our new interim rector, Rev. Audrey.

Annual Reports

Annual Report articles and Bios from Nominees were due on Sunday, January 11th. if your article is still outstanding, please send it in before Monday. Thank you.

Gus Gossard

Gus Gossard’s funeral was held earlier today, January 16th, at St. James. This evening the family is having a pub gathering in honor of Gus at Mulligan’s Pub at 5:30 pm, 8343 E 32nd Street N. It will be beer and pizza. His church family is invited to attend.

Oyster Dinner

Tickets are available at the church office. They can be purchased by cash, check or credit card.

You can also order your Oyster Dinner tickets by using this QR code: After entering your email address, it may say “we know you!.” and a blue box saying Sign In. Below that, in blue, it says “continue as guest”. Click the “guest” to order the tickets directly.

If you are available to volunteer, please contact Matt Carroll at mcarroll2@att.net. You can order tickets by using this QR Code, through St. James' website or through Constant Contact (Realm).

Creation Care

Creation Care will have its first meeting of the new year on January 17 from 10:00-11:00am in the St. James library. All are invited to learn, work and advocate for our environment. BYB - Bring your own beverage.

Adult Forum

On January 18th St James will have the opportunity to learn from Deacon Peg and her husband, Tim, about the new project, Community of Hope International that the Wichita Minster is launching this spring.  This program trains and equips laity to become Lay Pastoral Caregivers. Come to Adult Forum to learn what this program encompasses, how it will serve St. James, and discover whether you would be interested in becoming a part of this training and ministry.

Daughters of the King

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

Martin Luther King Day

There are a number of community events happening January 17-19. Check out Wichita's community calendar. St. James office will be closed that day.

St. James 106th Annual Meeting

Sunday January 25, 2026, at 10:45 am

There will only have one worship service on Sunday, January 25th, at 9:30 am (the 5:30 pm Saturday service will be held as usual).  The Annual Meeting will start at roughly 10:45-11:00 am.

The Connect Committee will be providing a light luncheon with sandwiches and sides. There will be a cake to welcome Rev. Audrey. Plan on staying after the meeting for the luncheon, fellowship and a time to visit with Rev. Audrey.

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

Thank You

Thank you to all the contributors of soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.

This is the most collected ever.

Martinus’/ Martha’s, aka all-parish workday is the first of the interior quarterly workdays being planned. Future dates to come for those indoor work-days.

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

Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo

In the World Council of Churches Cycle of Prayer

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatoar, Saudi Arabia,

United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer

Pray for St. Paul’s Coffeyville.  

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: Maeve; Charles W; Blair family; Morgan F; Rosie & Mary; Sarah P; Wayne W; The Schooler family, Arista B; Tricia S; Elizabeth H; Brian F; Briana P; Brad B; Marylee H; 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

Philip Erdoes; Raymond Hedrick; Gus Gossard, 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.