It's prom season! We rolled out the red carpet for our community! | | Testaments to Community: The Welcome Table Open House
and Senior Prom | | |
Community is at the heart of everything we do at St. James, and The Welcome Table filled many hearts with joy at two events hosted this month in its new home inside the former Royal Electric warehouse.
The Welcome Table team invited neighbors, volunteers, staff, students, and families to an Open House and brunch on April 4th. Just a few days later, our neighborhood’s older adults joined us for a “Senior Prom” on April 11th.
| Neighbors enjoying The Welcome Table Open House. | | |
Throughout the Open House, guests enjoyed food, conversation, and the chance to learn more about what’s ahead. The Welcome Table team presented the spring calendar of events and highlighted the community-centered actions and programs we are actively working on this season.
The friendly energy in the room reflected exactly what The Welcome Table stands for: welcome, belonging, and shared purpose.
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One week later, high energy prevailed at the Senior Prom, which attracted some new faces as well as regular visitors to The Welcome Table’s weekly Senior Hub. Guests arrived dressed-to-impress and were greeted at the door by 8th grader James, who handed out roses. The playlist provided by attendees for the DJ was a hit and everyone danced the night away.The evening was filled with music, laughter, and the spirit of celebration.
The success of these events reminds us that community-building happens at every age and in so many meaningful ways.
| | “There were so many new faces in the space! We are excited our community is growing!" —
Tiana Jones, Assistant Director, The Welcome Table | |  | “This Open House was the highest energy event we've had. We had so much fun together!” — John Boccanfuso, Adult Education Coordinator | | We are grateful to everyone who participated and helped make these events so special! | | A Word from the Epiphany School,
One of Our Benefit Honorees | | We invited leaders of the two organizations to honor at the May 20th Annual Dr. Audrey Evans Benefit to introduce themselves. A Word from the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields will appear in the May edition of The Word. Epiphany School is an Episcopal, tuition-free school in Dorchester, MA that helped spark the vision for St. James School. | | |
Dear Friends at St. James,
Dr. Michelle Sanchez and I are honored by your amazing community. Back in 1998, the two of us were part of the team that opened the doors of our school to 40 5th and 6th graders.
Over the years, that audacious dream has grown and joined up with others across the country and overseas, excited by the promise and potential in our wonderful, hard-working children and their families.
I remember fondly the spark of enthusiasm when I got the call to come to Philadelphia to help galvanize support for St. James. From the beginning, I had no doubt something extraordinary was possible, but…WOW!!! You all should be enormously proud of what you are doing.
Please know that your work is making an impact far beyond your local community. Here in Massachusetts, we are learning from you, and together we are part of a network of schools that extends to Tucson, Arizona to Marseille in France.
God bless you all, and thank you all so much for sparking so much joy one person at a time.
Your Grateful Fan,
The Rev. John H. Finley IV
| | Join Us for a Fun St. James Day Event | | |
Food, music, children's games, tours, and a dedication are on tap for Saturday, May 2nd, when we celebrate the feast day of St. James the Less with our annual St. James Day event. It will take place on campus from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, rain or shine. There is no charge.
Bring yourself to grab a tasty hot dog grilled by Dave Kasievich, get a hands-on power tool lesson in our Building Trades classroom, and tour our new space in the former Royal Electric warehouse!
Bring your kids to brave the dunk tank, test their jump shot, clamber through the bounce house, tie-dye a shirt, get their faces painted, and enjoy cotton candy, water ice and other treats!
Bring your friends to tour the church where you will get to hear our brand
new organ, and witness the blessing and dedication of our new spaces in the
converted warehouse!
All are welcome and we'd love to see you! RSVP here so we will be sure to prepare enough food!
| | Catching Up with Three of Our Graduates | | The Graduate Support Team keeps in close touch with St. James alumni. Here are a few recent updates. | | At the invitation of Kevine (Class of 2016), a Program Coordinator in the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), our Chef Anthony judged a student competition. | | Elijah (Class of 2019) scored the 1,000th point of his basketball career at Penn State Scranton last week as he wrapped up his season on the court. | | Brynn (Class of 2023) is closing out her junior year at The Baldwin School as a star on the track team. | | Celebrating Holy Week and Easter at St. James | | The Rev. Walter Thorne and The Rev. Andrew Kellner led the faithful at the Church of St. James the Less. | | Palm Sunday – We celebrated on Sunday evening at 5:00pm Mass and Monday with our school Mass. Each student and parishioner processed with palm branches. | | Maudy Thursday – Blessing of the Feet, each member of our community has their feet washed or blessed my one of our school leaders. | | Good Friday – We started the service with Stations of the Cross. Each student brought up one of the images of each station, and readers led us in the remembrance of Jesus' journey. | | Easter Vigil – Saturday evening in the churchyard gathering we were reminded us of God’s story—from creation to resurrection—culminating in the return of light, the ringing of bells (including our new ones!), and a joyful, long-awaited Alleluia. | | Easter Egg Hunt – Students and families race for treats before the 5:00pm evening Mass | | Easter Sunday – Spring flowers in the church decorating the altar | | Who Will Be This Year’s Graduate
Award Winner? | | 2023 – Sydnee (Class of 2015) with her parents and Kevin Todd | | 2024 – Taki (Class of 2018) receiving the award from previous winner Sydnee | | 2025 – Mercedez (Class of 2021) with Dave Kasievich and Sonya Kedarnath | | Join the celebration on May 20th! | |
We come together as a community at the Annual Dr. Audrey Evans Benefit to celebrate a year of impact in all aspects of our work at St. James School, in Graduate Support, at the Church of St. James the Less, and through The Welcome Table.
Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening of food, drink, camaraderie, and fun! A major announcement will be made at the end of the event. Be there to share in the excitement!
This event sells out every year, so don't wait. Ticket prices are pay-what-you-wish to ensure everyone can attend.
| | St. James is a faith-based educational community deeply rooted in transformative loving relationships. | | | | |
