St. James' Episcopal Church
Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at this table.
Our Mission
St. James’ sets tables of welcome where all can encounter Christ'slove.
Weareaninclusive,multicultural,andaffirmingcommunity, groundedandrootedinourAfricanAmericanheritage.
Worship Schedule
Sundays
8:00 am Rite I Eucharist (In person)
10:30 am Rite II Eucharist (In person & Live-streamed)
1:00 pm Misa en español (In person & Live-streamed)
5:00 pm The Late Service (In person & Live-streamed).
On the last Sunday of the month, we offer a eucharistic service in Spanish at Casa Marianella, followed by a convivio meal.
Mondays
5:30 pm Intercessory Prayer
Wednesdays
8:00 am Morning Prayer and Bible Study (Zoom & in person on the 3rd Wednesday of the month)
Fridays
7:00 am Rosary (Zoom)
worship ministries
Liturgy Committee
The Liturgy Committee establishes our yearly liturgical calendar with its various special commemorations, thinks through how each liturgical season shapes our practices of worship, and develops ways to better welcome and include people of various ages and backgrounds in our liturgies If you are interested in serving on the Liturgy Committee, contact The Rev Eileen O’Brien (rector@stjamesaustin.org).
Altar Guild
The altar guild works behind the scenes to care for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the parish. If you are looking for a behind-the-scenes ministry that is meaningful to the life of a community that delights in the beauty of worship, contact Lois Coleman (loisirenecoleman@yahoo.com).
Acolytes & Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Youth and adult acolytes and eucharistic ministers serve during our eucharistic services in partnership with clergy and ushers. Contact the church office (office@stjamesaustin.org) if you would like to join a team or brush up on your skills.
Lectors & Intercessors
At every service, lectors and intercessors proclaim God’s word to us through the readings and they assist us in speaking before God through the prayers of the people. Trainings are designed to offer interpretive insight into the readings and the prayers of the liturgical season ahead in order to deepen preparation If you would like to be trained as a lector or intercessor, contact the church office (office@stjamesaustin org), and we will get you connected Functional fluency in Spanish is expected of lectors in Spanish
Ushers & Greeters
At each service of worship, ushers greet and orient those who come to worship They are essential in welcoming people, orienting them so they know how to participate, and making sure they feel at home. If you would like to be trained as an usher, contact the church office (office@stjamesaustin org)
Music Ministries
10:30 Choir
The 10:30 Choir gathers under the leadership of Music Minister Rick Gabrillo (rick@stjamesaustin.org), accompanied by Pianist Sharon Coleman.
1 pm Coro
Our worship team for the 1 pm service works with Francisco Chavez (francisco chavez silva@gmail com) to lead us on paths or rejoicing and return
5 pm Choir
The 5 pm choir gathers under the leadership of Martha Pulkingham (mpulkingham@gmail.com) and Pianist Shawn Ellison
Community Life
JANUARY
5-VisitfromtheTexasPoetLaureateAmanda Johnston
6-TheOrdinationtothePriesthoodofTheRev. AddisonMcMillan
7-NeighbortoNeighbortransitionstonew format
12-Baptismsat10:30amand1pm
18-YouthMissionsPIEAuctionbeginsonline
19-MLKSunday&YouthPIEAuction
20-MLKMarch
26-AnnualParishMeeting
FEBRUARY
BlackHistoryMonthSchedulecomingsoon!
1-Brushbusters
7-8-DiocesanCouncil
15-UnionofBlackEpiscopaliansGathering
16-FeastofAbsalomJones/BarbaraHarris MARCH
2-MardiGrasSunday
5-AshWednesday(7:30amand7pmservices andAshesfortheJourney)
5-6-AmplifyAustin
12-LentenSeriesbeginsonWednesdaynights
30-4Lent:TheLentenTea,Commemorationsof OscarRomeroandCesarChavez
APRIL
5-SpringParishWorkday
13-PalmSunday/SundayofthePassion
17-MaundyThursday(7pmbilingualservice)
18-GoodFriday(Noondayservice,3pmVia CrucisatCasaMarianella,8pmTheGoodFriday Project
MAY
3-UnionofBlackEpiscopaliansGathering 11-MothersDay 18-ThurgoodMarshallSunday 25-MilestoneSunday
JUNE
1-AscensionDay,CommissioningforYouth Missions
2-6YouthMissionTriptoHouston,Children’s VacationBibleSchoolatSt.David’s 8-DayofPentecost
13-14-LatinoLayLeadershipConference 15-FathersDay/FreedomSchool Commissioning
16-FreedomSchoolbeginsatNorman-Sims 28-DeaconsOrdinationsattheCathedralin Houston(ScottMadisontobeordained,God willing.Roadtrip!)
JULY
6-PauliMurraySunday 27-St.James’Day
HospitalityGuild
Thehospitalityguildplansreceptionsfor Sundays,memorialservices,andother specialevents,graciouslygathering peoplearoundtablesforlifetogether. Be apartoftheSundayrotation. Contact office@stjamesaustin.org.
pastoral care
The ministry of caring for each other through change and transition as an expression of God’s love is at the heart of the church’s life together.
The Community of Hope
The Community of Hope are trained lay chaplains who offer pastoral visitation as a ministry to our church membership and beyond. The group convenes a monthly Circle of Care meeting, anchored in Benedictine spirituality, in order to support each other in pastoral work. If you are discerning a call to this ministry, contact The Rev. Eileen O'Brien at rector@stjamesaustin.org.
Monday Intercessory Prayer Group
This group commits to praying the St. James' prayer list every Monday at 5:30 pm whether they are praying from their homes or together in the sanctuary. Check the church calendar for the downloadable liturgy and the location
The Meal Ministry
The St James’ meal ministry provides support to individuals or families experiencing a moment of crisis or transition even as other sorts of pastoral care are provided Contact office@stjamesaustin org to be added to the email list or to notify the church of a need
Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Lay Eucharistic Visitors help us to extend our table of welcome into the community. Family members may be trained to take communion from our common table to elder members of their household, but we are also seeking individuals who can take communion to homebound community members. If you would like to be trained, contact the church office (office@stjamesaustin.org) to learn more about the process.
The Prayer List
The entire St James’ community is invited into the work of pastoral care through praying for each other through the Prayer List This list includes members of the extended family of St James’ who seek prayer for either short term or long term needs You can add people to the prayer list by filling out a prayer card in your pew and putting it in the offering plate, calling the office (512-926-6339), or emailing prayerbox@stjamesaustin org
Emergency Pastoral Care Line
Your clergy and lay pastoral care givers at St. James’ want to be there for you and your loved ones in those critical moments. Be sure to reach out to the church office and let us know when you are having a surgery or if you or a loved one is in the hospital. Even if you call after hours, the emergency pastoral care line (512-6777991) will connect you.
caring for community
Christian Formation
Children's Ministries
Nursery
To help provide a time of focused worship for parents and a positive church experience for our youngest children, we offer childcare during services and other scheduled events The nursery is available for ages 0-3 on Sunday morning beginning at 10:15 for the 10:30 service. Our professional childcare workers have completed both a background check and Safeguarding God's Children training (child abuse awareness and prevention education) For more information about our nursery, please contact Diana Espinosa, office@stjamesaustin.org.
Godly Play
Children (age 3 – 5th grade) are invited to join us for Godly Play in the Orange Building during the 10:30 am service. Godly Play is a Montessori-based program through which children become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives through parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action. For more information about Children's Ministries, contact Tanya Martinez, tanya@stjamesaustin org
Youth Ministries
We seek to foster a nonjudgmental and compassionate environment where youth in grades 6-12 can grow their faith and relationships through the diverse community of St James’ and the larger Episcopal Church. We offer youth regular Sunday opportunities plus additional special events, for fun, fellowship, food, and formation. Friends and additional guests ages 12-18 are always welcome at youth ministry activities. Youth are also encouraged to take on leadership roles in worship services and other activities in the life of the church
Our youth are accompanied on the journey by a dedicated group of adults, youth sponsors, who have completed both a background check and Safeguarding God's Children training, and who are committed to nurturing the social, emotional, and spiritual needs of young people.
For more information on youth ministry, or on becoming a youth sponsor, contact Kennedy Thedford, kennedy@stjamesaustin.org.
College Ministries
The Episcopal Student Center at the University of Texas does great work, and we support that work by feeding students there and connecting them with St. Jamesian UT faculty, staff, and alumni. Mark your calendars for November 10, when we will be serving up some post-election comfort foods (no matter who wins)
There are many college students who are not at UT, and we are starting a campus ministry that reaches out to Huston-Tillotson University and beyond. If you have connections to students, faculty, or staff at HT, ACC, St. Edward’s, or Concordia, reach out to The Rev. Addison McMillan (addison@stjamesaustin.org).
Christian Formation
Adult Education
St James' offers a variety of regular adult education opportunities: The Sunday Morning Forum, 9:15-10:10 am, hybrid
From January 5-June 1, the Sunday Morning Forum, 9:15-10:10 am, will focus on reintroducing you to the scriptures and world of the New Testament We will begin with some intertestamental literature in January in order to get a sense of the Judaisms inherited by the earliest Christ followers. Then, we will dive deeper into Luke, Acts, and Revelation as we shadow the lectionary.
Mueller Tuesdays, 7-8 pm
Join us for Bible Study and treats in the Cork Room at the Mueller Overture on second and fourth Tuesdays
The Wednesday Morning Bible Study, 8-9:30 am, online
This lectionary-based Bible study looks to the readings for the coming Sunday.
Education for Ministry, Monday and Wednesday Night Groups
Education for Ministry is a 4-year program, meeting weekly during the program year to study Christian scripture, history, tradition, and theology and to develop practices of connecting these things to our lives today
The Thursday Theological Reading Group (TREND), every other Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am, at Central Market on N. Lamar.
Sacramental Preparation
St James' clergy offer periodic baptismal workshops to prepare parents, godparents, and candidates for baptism. Contact Rev. Eileen about upcoming opportunities as we approach the baptismal feasts of Easter and Pentecost.
Adults seeking baptism, confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation are required to participate in one of our New Member/Confirmation Classes. New Member/Confirmation are small groups which orient newcomers to St James' and seekers to the basics of Christian faith and practices in the Episcopal Church. This spring, there will be a Sunday 12-1 pm class series during Lent.
St. James’ 20s & 30s
Keep an eye on the calendar for St. James’ 20s and 30s events The St James’ 20s & 30s group will be focused on the work of figuring out “adulting” together as they navigate this spiritual journey. Friends are always welcome For more information, contact The Rev. Addison McMillan (addison@stjamesaustin.org).
Discernment for Ministry
St. James' seeks to nurture each baptized person in their call to be an instrument of God's love in the world Some feel called to particular ministries (eg Deacon, Priest, lay chaplain). In concert with the diocesan Discovery Retreat, discernment conversations with clergy and discernment groups accompany people of all ages in listening to God's call. If you would like to start a conversation, contact Rev Eileen O’Brien (rector@stjamesaustin.org).
Welcome Table is a source of community for neighbors creating abundance together in East Austin We honor each other by nourishing mind, body, and spirit
Welcome Table faithfully advances a cycle of giving and receiving that began in 1941 with the founding of St. James Episcopal Church. Today our signature programs, Freedom Schools and Neighbor2Neighbor, demonstrate a deep commitment to Dr King’s inclusive vision of Beloved Community.
Neighbor2Neighbor shares food, diapers, utility assistance, and caring community with our lowincome neighbors in East Austin, with a special focus on our senior neighbors In the last two years alone, we have generated 8,000+ of volunteer hours and shared over 320,000 pounds of food and more than 150,000 diapers with our neighbors.
CDF Freedom Schools® Austin is a year-round culturally responsive family support network that culminates in a free six-week literacy and STEAM education program for scholars ages 6-11 Since 2014, almost 400 scholars averaged a 9-month increase in reading level during the program Scholars’ trajectory for success is fortified with family support, a team of collegeaged Servant Leader Interns, and professionals in the community who come together to support and celebrate their potential.
TrinityCenterSundays
Get involved with serving the unhoused by joining the Trinity Center Sunday team. The Trinity Center team prepares and distributes meals on select Sunday afternoons (roughly every other month). Check the St. James' Calendar page for dates or get on Trinity Center email list by emailing office@stjamesaustin.org.
MakeadifferenceatNorman-SimsElementary!
Reading Buddies volunteers are paired with an elementary-aged student at Norman-Sims Elementary School, with whom they read for 30 minutes each week, for the duration of the school year. Most of our volunteers work with two students for a total of an hour-a-week on campus. Throughout the school year, our teacher appreciation team supports and encourages the teaching and administrative staff.
To sign up to help this fall, email office@stjamesaustin.org for the link.
ministries of stewardship and governance
The Vestry
The Vestry of an Episcopal church is like the governing board of directors, which meets monthly to take decisions on financial, personnel, and infrastructural issues, but also to drive the implementation of the mission and vision of the congregation. Each year our parish seeks and elects four new Vestry members. Each Vestry member also serves on one of the subcommitees. Meetings of the Vestry are open, and Spanish-language interpretation is possible with notice to rector@stjamesaustin.org.
The Vestry Finance Subcommittee
The Finance Subcommittee of the Vestry is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members. This committee is charged with development and oversight of the annual budget, regular communication with the parish about the finances of the church, financial policies, and long-term financial planning for the health of the parish.
The Vestry Administration Subcommittee
The Administration Subcommittee of the Vestry is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members. This committee is charged with oversight of the maintenance of buildings and grounds, and policies related to campus safety (eg implementation of the emergency plan, COVID-related policies, etc )
Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members. This committee assists with personnel-related policies and procedures, advises the Finance Committee on pay scale questions, and advises the rector in personnel matters, while maintaining appropriately high standards of confidentiality.
The Land Committee
The Land Committee is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members This committee monitors development contiguous to our property and is charged with making suggestions to the Vestry about how to respond and adapt to our developing landscape
Brushbusters
The Brushbusters help to maintain and care for our grounds, contributing valuable volunteer hours and making our physical environment one that nurtures the spirit and sense of welcome.
partners in ministry
The Union of Black Episcopalians, Myra McDaniel Chapter
The Myra McDaniel Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians has its origins in the St. James' congregation, but it now reaches out to gather Episcopalians from all over the greater Austin area to its mission, which is: To unite the diverse cultures, concerns and gifts of Black Episcopalians by providing preparation and encouragement for living the Baptismal Covenant and fully participating in the mission and governance of The Episcopal Church
Our local chapter of the UBE is particularly engaged in actions that nurture multicultural democracy, such as voter registration, voting rights advocacy, and voter education, as well as creating open spaces for people of many backgrounds to learn and share about race and to practice anti-racism.
To learn more about the One Human Race program, go to onehumanraceaustin.org. One Human Race is essential formation for being a part of the St. James' community.
Child, Inc. Early Childhood Education Center
St. James’ mission includes being a good neighbor in East Austin. As part of that goal, St. James’ partners with Child, Inc. to provide a full-time preschool on our campus. Child, Inc. provides low- income families with comprehensive early childhood education, including extensive child and family support services. For more information, go to childinc.org.
Casa Marianella
Casa Marianella welcomes displaced immigrants and promotes self-sufficiency by providing shelter and support services Two clusters of shelters in renovated houses in residential neighborhoods in East Austin serve women and children escaping violence and adult immigrants. In 2022, we added a house for families as well. Our shelters are home-like facilities designed to meet emergency or transitional needs so vulnerable and injured people can resolve their immediate crisis, get stabilized and once again become independent, which then opens up space for new residents. In 38 years, our population has evolved from survivors of the Salvadoran war to asylum seeking refugees and other immigrants from over 40 countries
For many years, St. James’ has been a part of the communal life of Spanish-speakers and others at Casa Marianella through regular worship and advocacy work This partnership continues
We hope that you will make the mission of St. James' your own!
How will you set a table of welcome for others who are seeking nourishment?
Where will you seek refreshment for your own spirit and to know and be known by those unlike you?
Where will you find clarity about your call?
If you aren't quite ready to jump in, set up an appointment with Rev. Eileen, rector@stjamesaustin.org, to think and pray about some options, to hear more about community needs and hopes, and to ponder where your gifts might be a God-send.