First Friday, May 1 | 9:00 PM

Compline at the Urban Well

Ancient Music and Prayers

for the Modern Soul

Traditionally sung in the tranquil spaces of monasteries, Compline is a series of prayers, sung a cappella, that seek divine protection, peace and restorative rest as day transforms into night. As darkness falls and the day comes to a gentle close, join us in this sacred time of reflection and hope, embracing the stillness and the comfort it brings as we prepare for restful slumber.

Available in person and via live stream. Click here to view the live stream.

Saturday, May 2 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Praying for Peace & Practicing Nonviolence on World Labyrinth Day

An Urban Well Retreat

In the morning, Father David and others will reflect on what Gandhi’s insights can teach us about nonviolent social change and the spiritual practices that have made them possible over the last century. A live practice session will give participants the opportunity to explore the dynamics and challenges of maintaining a loving and nonviolent Christian witness when encountering threats of abuse or violence.

The afternoon session celebrates World Labyrinth Day with a chance to deepen your personal prayers for peace by walking a labyrinth with others. Registration kindly requested for planning purposes. This is a FREE event. Click here to learn more and register.

Sunday, May 3| 9:30 AM

Forum Hour with Randall Zachman

Religious and Civil Freedom in the Revolutionary Era

Our exploration of the spirit of religious and civic freedom turns to the examination of the claims made by William Penn (1644-1718) regarding freedom of religion. Penn joined the Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1667, and was imprisoned four times for his beliefs. In his book, The Great Case for Liberty of Conscience (1670), Penn argued that only God has authority over the conscience: hence "imposition, restraint, and persecution, for matters relating to conscience, directly invade the divine prerogative." When Charles II gave him the territory of Pennsylvania in 1681, he set out to create a "holy experiment" of religious freedom, beginning with his Frame of Government of 1682. Join us this Sunday as we explore the role of William Penn in helping to establish freedom of religion in the American colonies. Available in person and via Zoom. Click here to join via Zoom.

Sunday, May 3 | 11:30 AM

The Heart of Mothering

Mothers, daughters, and all women who nurture with love are warmly invited to a special Mother’s Day Brunch in the Parish House Forum Room. This gathering celebrates the heart of mothering in all its forms, whether through parenting, mentorship, friendship, or quiet acts of care.

Enjoy a beautiful meal, connection, and joyful community across generations. Complimentary childcare will be available during the event. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 30th. Click here to register.

Sunday, May 3 | 5:00 PM

Evening Vespers at the Urban Well

In the Chapel

Join us for Vespers, a welcoming weekly gathering at Saint James, this reflective service embraces Christian prayer traditions and nurtures our spiritual lives.

Enjoy uplifting singing, moments of silence; choose your preferred posture with available cushions, yoga mats, or chairs. We celebrate Holy Communion on the third Sunday of the month. Everyone is welcome—come as you are! In-person only at the Chapel.

Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary

~ Upcoming Events ~

Tuesday, May 5 - June 16 | 7:00 PM

Contemplative Tuesdays

with Mission and Justice

In the Chapel and via Zoom

In this series, we'll explore what Walter Isaacson calls "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written"—the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

We will read alongside three imperfect men who labored over every word of a revolutionary document, and in doing so, we'll ask what it means to draft our own lives with the same painstaking attention. We'll practice noticing the gaps between these men's ideals and reality, and our ideals and our reality—not as failures, but as invitations from God to grow deeper in relationship with God, ourselves, and the world.

We are all drafting our lives, is the contemplative practice of this series. Our spiritual lives, our understanding of justice, our capacity for love—all of it is draft work. We write a version of ourselves today, and tomorrow we have the opportunity to revise, to cross out what doesn't serve, to add what we've newly discovered.

Copies of the book are now available ($16) in the Parish House Office. Click here to register.

Wednesday, May 13 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Churchyard Gravestone Care & Cleaning

Join Cordelia Moyse and Maryann Marotta for some “hands-on" care of our church and nation’s history as we revive the tradition of remembering fallen soldiers and veterans by tending to graves for Memorial Day.

Cleaning supplies and refreshments will be provided. Registration is helpful; click here to let us know you'll be attending.

Sunday, May 31 | 11:30 AM

Parish Potluck Celebration

Parish House Forum Room

Join us for a major celebration of our parish’s life and history with fun for all ages as we begin a summer of marking our country’s 250th Anniversary. All are invited to participate, including some distinguished parishioners from our past. Come and enjoy foods not only from today but also from early Lancaster. Enjoy a scavenger hunt as well as historic trivia.

Please sign up to attend and to provide a dish for a very special occasion in the life of this parish and our country.

Click here to let us know you'll be attending.

Click here to let us know what dish you'll be bringing.

Sunday, June 14 | 11:45

Sunday Brunch Revolutionary

Texts Lecture Series

Parish House Forum Room

Catered by the Hamilton Club

Many texts containing “revolutionary ideas” have shaped American history and identity, not just one. Our Christian calling as citizens of this great country is to help Rejoice, Repair and Renew our national life. In a special Sunday Brunch Lectures series in honor of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, thought-leading social historians and theologians will reflect on a range of radical texts that challenge, expand or declare unfulfilled the rights and aspirations set forth in the Declaration of Independence.

Registration is required for catering, with a suggested donation of $25 for adults. Click here for more information and registration.

A Week of Rejoicing, Repairing and Renewing at Saint James

From tree planting at Crystal Park last Friday to the Race Against Racism and the Habitat for Humanity Intergenerational Build on Saturday, Saint James parishioners helped to address tree inequity, walked and ran to help eliminate racism, and helped a local family complete their new Habitat Home.

Now Accepting Applications through

Friday, May 29th

Saint James Scholarship

We are happy to announce that scholarship applications for the 2026 –2027 academic year are now open.

Thanks to the generosity of our endowment fund, Saint James Episcopal Church is honored to support parishioners pursuing post-secondary education, whether full-time or part-time. Eligibility also includes immediate family members of Saint James staff, including children and grandchildren.

Deadline to Apply: Friday, May 29, 2026, by 12:00 PM (noon)

Decisions Announced: July 3, 2025. Click here to get started in the application process.

Thursday Evenings through June 11 | 6 -7:00 PM

Community Choir Rehearsal for

Pride Service With St. John's

Calling All Singers

Saint James is excited to be partnering with St. John’s for this year’s Pride Service, which will take place on Saturday, June 13^th, at 7:00 PM at St. John's. The service will feature a community choir performing the Grammy-nominated oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard, by Craig Hella Johnson.

Rehearsals take place on Thursdays beginning April 23^rdfrom 6 - 7:00 PM at St. John’s, and continue through June 11^th. To indicate your interest and availability to sing, please click here to email Mark Herr, Minister of Music.

St. John’s is located at 321 West Chestnut Street in downtown Lancaster.

Thursday, May 7 | 6:15 - 7:45 PM

Spring Renewal Yoga Series

This 4-week introductory yoga series is designed for both new and returning students seeking a thoughtful, supportive way to reconnect with their bodies. Together, we’ll explore yoga as a practice of whole-person care through movement, breathwork, reflection and gentle wellness education.

Each session offers a different entry point into renewal while building on the previous session in a way that feels accessible, grounded and practical for everyday life. For more information and to register, click here.

Saturday, May 9 | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Growing in Faith at Saint James

There will be two opportunities for deepening one’s spiritual growth at Saint James and the Urban Well. The day will begin with a shared meal between youth contemplating confirmation and adults exploring membership. Both groups will meet with clergy and share their faith journeys while discussing Church history and its impact on our present practices. There will also be a tour of our beautiful campus. Come and discover what it means to be a member of this vibrant community! Click here to let us know you'll be attending!

Saturday, May 9 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Women's Gathering

Via Zoom Only

Women’s Gathering is continuing its study of Uncommon Gratitude and the spiritual treasures that can be gained by "giving thanks in all things."

Whether we are grateful for the positive aspects of our lives or facing challenging circumstances, being thankful in all situations is to invite God to perform His miraculous work in and through us.

Available via Zoom only. Click here to email Lorraine Rollo for the link.

Wednesday, May 13 | 3 PM

Holy Eucharist at Willow Valley

Residents of Willow Valley are warmly invited to come together with clergy and staff from Saint James and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches to celebrate Holy Eucharist in Manor North Auditorium on the third floor of the main building in Manor North. All are welcome to partake in this meaningful occasion; feel free to bring a friend!

Saturday, May 16 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM

Upper Room Men's Group

Join the Upper Room Men's Group for breakfast in the parish house forum room on May 16th. Men of all ages are welcome to enjoy a time of food, fellowship, and engaging discussions on some of today's most important topics. Bring a friend and your appetite!

Saturday, May 16 | 11:00 AM

Intergenerational Hike & Picnic

Lancaster County Park,

Pavilion # 3

All are welcome to enjoy a day of fellowship, food, and time in nature! Our potluck picnic is open to everyone!

The Hike has a limit of 25 spots. Confirmed hikers will set off with a park naturalist from Pavilion #3 at approximately 11:00 AM. Picnic-only attendees will stay in the pavilion and enjoy a presentation by The Grange on soil management and agricultural practices.

The picnic is open to all and is unlimited! You do not have to bring food to attend, just come and enjoy; held rain or shine.

Pavilion #3 is located at 1098 Rockford Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.

Saturday, May 16 | 7:30 PM

Susquehanna Chorale at Saint James

Come and hear the award-winning Susquehanna Chorale as it makes its Lancaster debut at Saint James at 7:30 PM on Saturday, May 16th! Based in Central PA, the group is a nationally recognized ensemble comprising 40 auditioned singers, including four from Saint James: Brian and Anne Moul and Phil and Nicolette Norris.

The spring concert series celebrates artistic director and founder Linda Tedford’s incredible 45-year leadership of the Chorale as she steps down at the end of this season. The all-American lineup of choral classics in honor of our nation’s 250th birthday includes Morten Lauridsen’s “Sure on this Shining Night,” selections from Randall Thompson’s Frostiana, and beloved works from Dan Forrest, Leonard Bernstein, Shawn Kirchner and Mack Wilberg. Tickets at susquehannachorale.org and at the door.