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 Pam Daniel (pdaniel70@gmail.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

This fall, the 10:30 choir will be regathering under the leadership of Music Minister HouFei Yang (houfei@stjamesaustin org) and 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

This fall, the 5 pm choir will be gathering under the leadership of Martha Pulkingham (mpulkingham@gmail com) and Pianist Shawn Ellison.

Newcomers Groups and Gatherings

Each fall and spring, we form Discovery Classes, small groups for those who are new to St. James' or who want to discover more about the Episcopal and Anglican tradition, while getting to know other newcomers.

Quarterly Newcomer Gatherings invite long time members to gather with those who are new to St. James' to get to know each other.

Connections Groups

Connections groups are small groups that offer opportunity for deeper knowing of each other and sharing on the spiritual journey. Groups bring people together from diverse backgrounds who might not otherwise get to know each other by just sitting in the pews together.

Hospitality Guild

The hospitality guild plans receptions for Sundays, memorial services, and other special events, graciously gathering people around tables for life together.

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.

Jazz at St. James': November 10-12

Jazz at St. James' is a yearly festival weekend of holy improvisation, featuring jazz concerts and our yearly Jazz Mass. The JASJ team works to contract and host musicians, to run a communications plan that gets the good word out beyond our community, and to host the weekend in a way that welcomes many to discover the voice of jazz

Fall Seasonal Celebrations

August

13 Back-to-School Sunday

20 Godly Play & Youth Group Kick-off

September 3 Day of the Worker

10

17

October 1

7

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.