Christian Formation

Adult Education

St James' offers a variety of regular adult education opportunities: The Sunday Morning Forum, 9:15-10:10 am, hybrid Through September, we will continue with the Becoming Modern series, which provides an introduction to church history that traces some of the major movements that have shaped our modern Episcopal Church, while paying attention to developments related to colonialism and non-dominant cultures. In October-November, we will read and discuss Miguel Escobar's The Unjust Steward: Wealth, Poverty and the Church Today

Mueller Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm

Join us for Bible Study and treats at a rotating location in Mueller on Tuesday nights. This fall, we will be doing a study of Simon Peter, the disciple who represents us all.

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

This year ' s groups are already fully registered, but 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

Adults seeking baptism, confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation are required to participate in the fall or spring Journey Group. Journey Groups are small groups which orient newcomers to St James' and seekers to the basics of Christian faith and practice in the Episcopal Church

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 committees accompany people of all ages in listening to God's call

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. This year Norman-Sims is also in need of volunteers to help keep the library open

To sign up to help this fall, email office@stjamesaustin.org for the link.