St. James' Episcopal Church
2021 Fall Ministries Guide
Our Mission St. James’ embodies Christ’s love wherever we are by welcoming all to the table for spiritual nourishment to share with the world. We are an inclusive, multicultural, and affirming community, grounded and rooted in our African American heritage.
Worship Schedule Sundays 8:00 am Rite I Eucharist in person in the sanctuary 10:30 am Rite II Eucharist in person in the sanctuary (Live-streamed) 1:00 pm Misa en español (Live-streamed) 5:00 pm Evening Eucharist in person in the sanctuary (Live-streamed) Mondays 5:30 pm Intercessory Prayer
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 pm Evening Prayer (Zoom) Wednesdays 8:00 am Morning Prayer and Bible Study (Zoom) Fridays 7:00 am Rosary (Zoom)
worship ministries Liturgy Committee
Ushers & Greeters
The Liturgy Committee establishes our
At each in-person service, ushers greet and
yearly liturgical calendar with its various
orient those who come to worship. They are
special commemorations, thinks through
essential in welcoming people, orienting them
how each liturgical season shapes our
so they know how to participate, and making
practices of worship, and develops ways
sure they feel at home. If you would like to be
to better welcome and include people of
trained as an usher, contact the church office
various ages and backgrounds in our
(office@stjamesaustin.org).
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).
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.
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
5 pm Choir This fall, the 5 pm choir will be regathering under the leadership of Martha Pulkingham (mpulkingham@gmail.com).
(office@stjamesaustin.org) if you would like to join a team or brush up on your skills.
Children's and Youth Choir On the first Sunday of the month, Covid-
Lectors & Intercessors At every service, lectors and intercessors proclaim God’s word to us through the
conditions permitting, the Children's and Youth Choir rehearses and leads us at the 5 pm service. (mpulkingham@gmail.com)
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.
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ministries of welcome
arts, vision, and tradition
Newcomers Groups and Gatherings
Jazz at St. James'
Each September and January, we
weekend of holy improvisation, featuring
form Journey Groups, small groups
jazz concerts and our yearly Jazz Mass.
for those who are new to St. James'
Jazz at St. James' is a yearly festival
The JASJ team works to contract and host
or who want to discover more about
musicians, to run a communications plan
the Episcopal and Anglican
that gets the good word out beyond our
tradition, while getting to know other
community, and to host the weekend in a
newcomers.
way that welcomes many to discover the
Quarterly Newcomer Gatherings
voice of jazz.
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
Fall Seasonal Celebrations Back-to-School, Aug 21-22 Alexander Crummell Celebration, Sept 12 The Blessing of the Animals, Oct 9 The Feast of All Saints, Nov 7 Jazz at St. James', Nov 12-14 Founders Day, St. James' 80th, Dec 4-5 Tamalada and Feast of la Virgen de Guadalupe, Dec 10-12 Bishop's Visitation, Dec 19 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dec 24-25 Kwanzaa Celebration, Dec 26 Watch Night, Dec 31
and care for our grounds, contributing valuable volunteer hours and making our physical environment
Each of these celebrations needs a small team to make it come to life. To join a
one that nurtures the spirit and sense of welcome.
team, contact office@stjamesaustin.org.
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pastoral care
Lay Eucharistic Visitors Lay Eucharistic Visitors help us to extend
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.
our table of welcome into the community.
The Community of Hope
communion to homebound community
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
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
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.
liturgy and the location.
Emergency Pastoral Care Line
The Meal Ministry
Your clergy and lay pastoral care givers at
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.
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 and on Sunday evening at 4:45 for the 5pm service. The nursery is also available most Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:15 for children ages 0-fifth grade. Our professional childcare workers are all vaccinated for Covid-19, and 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 our Director of Youth and Nursery, Simone Monique Barnes, familyministry@stjamesaustin.org.
Godly Play Children (age 3 – 5th grade) are invited to join us for Godly Play online 9:15-10:15 am. 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.
BYG (Before Youth Group) is a new once a month formation opportunity for children aged 9-12 to fellowship with their peers and dig deeper into the Episcopal faith traditions.
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 and weekday 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 Simone Monique Barnes, Director of Youth and Nursery Ministries, familyministry@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 This fall, we are reading Secretly and Often: The Journey of Prayer by The Rev. Victor Thomas, and we will use The Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams' book Holy Imagination, as well as other resources to guide our study of Exodus.
The Wednesday Morning Bible Study, 8-9:30 am, online This lectionary-based Bible study looks to the readings for the coming Sunday.
The Wednesday Night Young Adult Group, 6:30-8 pm, in person The Wednesday night group gathers to continue to grow in faith together, even in the midst of the stresses and strains of adulting. Join us for thought and prayer-provoking conversation and for doing life together.
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, online This fall, TREND will be reading The American Jesus: How the Son of God became a national icon by Stephen Prothero. Phenomenal Women, second Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm Taking its name from the poetry of Maya Angelou, this is our St. James' Women's Group.
Sacramental Preparation
Discernment for Ministry
St. James' clergy offer periodic baptismal
St. James' seeks to nurture each baptized person in workshops to prepare parents, godparents, and
their call to be an instrument of God's love in the candidates for baptism.
world. Some feel called to particular ministries (eg Adults seeking baptism, confirmation, reception, Deacon, Priest, lay chaplain. In concert with the or reaffirmation are required to participate in diocesan Discovery Retreat, discernment the fall or spring Journey Group. Journey Groups conversations with clergy and discernment are small groups which orient newcomers to St. committees accompany people of all ages in
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James' and seekers to the basics of Christian listening to God's call. faith and practice in the Episcopal Church.
Welcome Table, a 501(c)3 of St. James' Episcopal Church Welcome Table builds communities that increase access to education and wellness for children, families and elderly neighbors in our east Austin community. In partnership with local schools and other nonprofit organizations we offer programs and resources intended to bring people together for learning, inspiration, sustenance and friendship.
We practice radical hospitality that nurtures wholeness as we seek to create spaces where everyone feels welcome, where their gifts are celebrated and nurtured, and their needs are met.
CDF Freedom Schools® Austin is a free six-week summer enrichment program available for east Austin scholars, ages 6-11. Our program aims to stop and reverse summer learning loss, build self-esteem, and inspire a life-long love of learning. Literacy is a primary focus, and our students average a 10-month increase in reading level during the six weeks. This program uses the reading program designed by the Children's Defense Fund. Summer scholars and their families are connected year-round in the Freedom Schools Community through parent and scholar engagement efforts, and the Reading Buddies program.
Neighbor 2 Neighbor builds community and provides basic needs assistance, including food, diapers, utilities assistance, and emergency assistance to senior neighbors in East Austin. Since the pandemic began, we have generated 5,000+ volunteer hours and shared over 270,000 pounds of food and more than 120,000 diapers with our neighbors in need.
Trinity Center Sundays and Service Saturdays Get involved with serving the homeless by joining the Trinity Center Sunday team or the Service Saturdays 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. Service Saturdays are the third Saturday morning of the month. We plan to partner with various volunteer run organizations in the East Austin area. To get on the email list, email office@stjamesaustin.org.
Make a difference at Norman-Sims Elementary! 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.
serving east Austin To sign up to help this fall, email office@stjamesaustin.org for the link.
ministries of stewardship and governance The Vestry
The Vestry Finance Subcommittee
The Vestry of an Episcopal church is like the
The Finance Subcommittee of the Vestry is made
governing board of directors, which meets
up of vestry members and non-vestry members.
monthly to take decisions on financial,
This committee is charged with development and
personnel, and infrastructural issues, but also
oversight of the annual budget, regular
to drive the implementation of the mission
communication with the parish about the
and vision of the congregation.
finances of the church, financial policies, and long-term financial planning for the health of the
Each year our parish seeks and elects four
parish.
new Vestry members. Each Vestry member also serves on one of the subcommitees.
The Vestry Mission and Ministry Subcommittee
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
The Mission and Ministry Subcommittee of the Vestry is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members. This
on pay scale questions, and advises the rector in personnel matters, while maintaining appropriately high standards of confidentiality.
committee is charged with maintaining a strong and clear sense of our mission as a parish, ensuring that our ministries are
The Land Committee
aligned with that mission, and attending to the health of our varied ministries.
The Land Committee is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members. This committee monitors development contiguous to
The Vestry Administration Subcommittee The Administration Subcommittee of the Vestry is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members. This committee is
our property and is charged with making suggestions to the Vestry about how to respond and adapt to our developing landscape.
Stewardship Committee
charged with oversight of the
The Stewardship Committee takes the lead each
maintenance of buildings and grounds,
year in our annual October/November pledge
and policies related to campus safety
campaign to secure the needed operating funds
(eg implementation of the emergency
to make the mission of St. James' possible.
plan, COVID-related policies, etc.)
Planning starts in August and the last phone calls are made in January.
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 get involved with voting efforts, contact Chaz Nailor at chaznailor@gmail.com. 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. 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 lowincome families with comprehensive early childhood education, including extensive child and family support services. For more information, go to childinc.org.
Center for Health Empowerment (CHE) St. James' is a clinic site for CHE. CHE Center for Health Empowerment offers educational services and FDA approved medical treatments at little to no out-of-pocket cost. The CHE wellness clinic provides PrEP and PEP medications, STI screenings, prevention, treatment and continuing care. We work with community partners to help eligible participants find community resources for transportation, housing, mental health and substance abuse. Our navigators provide personalized, caring support at all stages of care. For more information, go to checlinic.org.
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Get Involved! 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.
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WHEREVER YOU ARE ON YOUR JOURNEY OF FAITH, YOU ARE WELCOME AT THIS TABLE.
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