St. James' Episcopal Church
Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at this table.
Dear People of St. James’,
It is with great enthusiasm that the Vestry presents this draft of a Strategic Vision for St. James’ for 2025-2028 for your consideration A Strategic Vision is a long-term, forwardlooking statement that describes a church community’s hoped-for future reality and how it aims to get there. It serves as a roadmap for strategic planning and a guide for decisionmaking, stewardship, and mission In this particular moment at St James’, following the pandemic tumult of prior years and the paying off of all of the 2007 capital debt, this Strategic Vision is intended to rearticulate who we are and to offer us some guidance for receiving and carrying St. James’ unique legacy and identity into the future.
In Hebrew, there is a phrase l’dor v’dor, which can be translated “from generation to generation.” This phrase, which appears again and again in the Hebrew scriptures, speaks of the importance of sharing history, wisdom, and values from generation to generation in a way that is not so much about precise replication as it is about re-creation and recognition. Each generation takes what it has received from the generations prior and lives with the inheritance of that history, wrestles with the wisdom bestowed in new moments of struggle, and figures out how to embody the values in a changing world. A sense of family and relatedness comes about when people from different generations joyfully recognize in each other the way they have been formed by that shared inheritance of history, wisdom, and values. It is how we know that we belong to one another and can walk together through new joys and challenges
The Hebrew scriptures are delightfully candid about how incredibly difficult it is for communities to remember and not forget that shared inheritance from generation to generation, whether they are gathered together in the land of promise or scattered throughout the world in diaspora However, where there are communal practices for proclaiming, remembering, and sharing, that sense of family and relatedness is carried into the future
Over the course of the small group conversations last fall, it became apparent that one of the hopes attached to this strategic vision is that it would be attentive to the nurture of communal practices for proclaiming, remembering, and sharing the unique history of the people of St James’, the wisdom of generations of strong lay leadership inspirited by a sense of God’s call to all of the baptized, and the values of generations who decided to open their doors and their hearts in welcome over and over again. We hope that this strategic vision will guide St James’ as we continue to do the dance of embracing a unique identity as the only Black Episcopal Church planted in Austin and continuing to embrace inclusion and many diversities as a multicultural, multilingual community of faith
People of St. James’, we have come this far by faith trusting in the faithfulness and love of God and seeking to be a community that embodies that faithfulness and love May God’s Spirit be at work in us in new and surprising ways as we embark on this new chapter together
The Rev. Eileen O’Brien Rector
About our Process
This Strategic Vision is part of an ongoing-process.
Fall 2024 - Over 160 St. Jamesians (English-speaking and Spanish-speaking) were engaged in small group conversations, round tables, and individual feedback opportunities.
Spring 2025 - All of that data was transcribed, translated, and sorted. This was an enormous task, which yielded a treasure trove of testimonies about the impact of St James’ in the lives of its members, a batch of specific pastoral and action items for staff, a group of insights for the Spanish-language community’s quarterly Mesa de Liderazgo, a batch of insights which will be used in the Master Plan work ahead of us, a batch of insights for the Vestry Finance Committee, a space-related batch of insights for the Vestry Administration committee, and a Strategic Insights document
May 2025 - The Vestry worked on a Strategic Insights document designed around themes and salient ideas from your conversations in a variety of categories
May/June 2025 - The Vestry Finance Committee and Vestry Administration Committee looked at specifics related to finances and space. Space-usage document created to help with Master Plan work.
June 2025 - The Vestry worked with a Strategic Vision document designed to move us from insights in a variety of areas to goals in those areas
July and August 2025 sessions will carry us to a final document which will serve us in a variety of ways through 2028, including Master Plan work over the next year
Fall 2025 - We hope to get to work on a Master Plan which takes our vision and proposes a way to make it come to life on our campus. The Vestry has already set aside financial resources to hire a church architect, with columbarium-building experience, to work with us. The Master Plan process will be a further consultative process that engages the imagination of the congregation. We hope that it will result in a quickly feasible first-phase campaign to build toward some of our goals
The Vestry, its subcommittees, the Mesa de Liderazgo, and the staff will establish yearly and quarterly rhythms of returning to the Strategic Vision to ask how it’s going and to set more specific goals with appropriate metrics and reporting for our work together. You can also expect that we will be asking you how it’s going from time-to-time and showing you the work of our hands at the Annual Parish Meeting and through church communications.
A Brief History of St. James’
On December 7, 1941, the Church of the Advent, the first name of St. James' Episcopal Church, Austin, TX, was formed by 16 men and woman of African Ancestry Six individuals were confirmed Episcopalians. The 16 were associated with the two Negro Colleges in Austin. Episcopal congregations in Austin did not welcome Negros. Fr. John D. Epps, Dean of the Colored Convocation, in the Diocese of Texas, traveled once a month from Tyler, Tx to conduct services.
In 1947, 45 members moved into the first church building on E 7th Street across from Tillotson College, located in segregated East Austin. It continues to stand today. During this phase of the church’s life, St. James’ came to understand itself as “the little Church that cares ” , a community called to share God’s love beyond its four walls through education, invitation, and care for one another.
In 1970, 106 members moved into the second building on East Martin Luther King, Jr , Blvd Now Quakers worship in that building.
In 1997, over 400 multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, members participated as St. James' became a Parish in the Diocese of Texas In the 80s and 90s, St James’ discerned a call to be an inclusive and affirming community of faith, and in the early 2000s, leadership from St. James’ was active in the movement for full inclusion for the LGBTQ community in the larger Church and the Diocese of Texas.
The congregation has a solid foundation and heritage in the Black American worship tradition and a uniquely Episcopal expression The preservation of it is an integral element of the future. And yet, every Sunday we proclaim, "Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at this Table!"
In 2004, a Spanish-speaking community made its home at St. James’ by beginning a Spanish-language worship service and active outreach to Spanish-speaking immigrant generation communities This continues to shape St James’ understanding of what it means to be a multicultural and multilingual community of faith in the Episcopal tradition.
In 2007, the Church and School moved to the current location, 1941 Webberville Rd , to pursue its mission: "To foster a loving and accepting Christian environment in the Episcopal Tradition, where all individuals are valued and empowered to use their time, talent, and resources in spreading the Good News "
Moving to a new location was not without its challenges. In the midst of a season of financial challenge for the congregation, St James’ made a courageous commitment to the needs and concerns of its East Austin community by establishing, Welcome Table, Inc., the 501(C)3 which reaches out to build up the Beloved Community through 'Neighbor to Neighbor' and the 'Children's Defense Fund's Freedom School' 'N2N' supports neighbors by attending to basic needs particularly among the elders of the East Austin community and immigrant communities CDF Freedom School, is a year round literacy and STEAM program for Scholars ages 6 - 11, culminating in six free weeks in the summer.
In 2024, the congregation continues to be inclusive, affirming, multi-ethnic, and multilingual St James’ Episcopal Church sets tables of welcome where all can encounter Christ’s love. And we continue to sing with joy, "...Thou who hast by thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray "
Deep gratitude goes to Ms. Ora Houston for her work in revising this brief history of St. James’ Episcopal Church
Our Core Virtues
Virtues are the way we reflect the character of God.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
BEING ROOTED IN THE COURAGE OF OUR FOUNDERS
BEING DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT JUST HEARERS COVENANT RELATIONSHIP: BELONGING TO EACH OTHER WALKING TOGETHER ON A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
The Three Pillars of the Strategic Vision Expanding Welcome
Connecting Generations Building Partnerships
These three pillars of the Strategic Vision were the key themes that emerged across the small group conversations and individual feedback in Fall 2024. The following Strategic Vision document is organized around these three pillars as we sought to articulate some goals flowing from your Fall 2024 conversations in each of these areas.
Expanding Welcome
At St James’, the gospel virtue of radical hospitality drives us to open our doors, our hearts, and our lives ever-wider to those whom Jesus sought out: to the vulnerable, the invisible, the marginalized, and the seeker of God This is our story; this is our song: Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at this table.
Prioritize the building of diverse teams in hiring and volunteer leadership recruitment
Expand volunteer support for ministries with young people and ministries that bring different generations together: children’s ministry, youth ministry, campus ministry, pastoral care, and hospitality
Engage newcomers in friendship-building, Episcobasics (St James’ style: with racial justice, history & equity emphasis), and discernment around ways to serve as soon as possible
Create and implement an internal and external communications plan (English and Spanish) that specifically addresses various constituencies and leverages technological opportunities
Expand and increase the depth of participation through online community
Design stewardship communications attentive to and affirming of socioeconomic diversity
Create more opportunities for people English and Spanish speakers to come together to build community. Implement neighborhood-based gathering strategies
Create a Master Plan.
Connecting Generations
St. James’ has a strong awareness that we are called to carry on an important legacy from generation to generation, both as the only Black Episcopal Church planted in Austin and as a church that has intentionally chosen the work of inclusion and social justice over and over again We value this multigenerational space where the sharing of stories and witness strengthens and inspires generations to come. The work of connecting generations to this legacy and to one another will help us continue to be St. James’ in the future.
Create experiential training for aspiring leaders who want to develop skills for radical hospitality and leadership in multicultural, multilingual communities, which draws upon the gifts of those who have been a part of St. James’ and East Austin for a long time Nurture a culture of ongoing discernment for ministry and leadership for all ages Implement mentoring and sponsorship strategies in areas of leadership, sacramental preparation, and music leadership (1 pm).
Build up multigenerational teams in key areas (Liturgical ministries, hospitality, and communications). Implement next phase of Arts & Identity Plan (Oral Histories/Archives/Founders Hall Work)
Increase focus on specific stages of life (e.g. new parent visits, caregiving supports, Legacy planning, end-of-life planning bereavement support)
Building Partnerships
Building meaningful partnerships with organizations that share our values will deepen our commitments within the East Austin community, African American and Spanish-speaking communities; enrich our sense of mission; build greater financial resiliency; and facilitate spiritual growth
Huston-Tillotson and ACC connections. Go all in on Austin Canterbury (campus ministries)!
Deepen partnerships in arts, education, and food insecurity spaces.
Deepen connections with Latino/Immigrant serving organizations.
Build upon Interfaith partnerships - pursue curiosity about Interfaith of Central Texas & Texas Impact as advocacy/organizing partners
Expand the usability of our campus. Create a community ambassadors cadre who will maintain communication and relationships with partner organizations on St. James’ behalf
In communications plan, include more timely updates from current partners and community Build up mental health, caregiving, grief, and bereavement connections and referrals. Investigate local partnerships for greening the campus and sustainability work (e.g. City solar grants, etc )
