Dear Friends,

I occasionally hear from parishioners wondering what to do when someone comes to the church looking for assistance. We offer a Crisis Ministry here, which is managed by our parishioner Nancy Warman, to connect people with resources through our community partners and other groups providing assistance. Sometimes we also offer direct assistance ourselves, often in the form of paying bills for housing or utilities or providing grocery cards for food. The Crisis Ministry is funded by an endowed fund set up many years ago for the purpose of helping those in need.

We also, through our Outreach Grants, underwrite many of these community partners through contributions raised at our annual Mardi Gras party and auction. Our intention is to provide meaningful assistance rather than cash handouts, and our partners have the resources and expertise in helping folks in a variety of ways.

Our clergy also have a fund that we can tap into for assistance to those in need. The practice in The Episcopal Church was established by Canon (i.e., church rules) in 1814 that the loose plate offering one Sunday a month would go to the clergy discretionary account, thereby offering the congregation an opportunity to participate in ministering to those who need our help through individual (but anonymous) contributions. St. James’s has not in the recent past followed this practice, but beginning this month we are going to begin. It is important to note that these discretionary funds, which will be available to each full time clergy member on staff for their use in providing alms, are to be used solely to benefit the poor or for other “pious and charitable” uses that are consistent with the church’s mission. The fund is not to be used for the clergy’s own needs or interests, nor is it to be used to cover expenses that are not in the church’s budget.

The vestry has established the loose plate offering from the fourth Sunday of each month to be designated for the clergy discretionary account. Loose plate offerings mean cash or checks (or electronic gifts) collected on that Sunday which are not pledge payments or money designated for some other use (such as poinsettias or donations to Episcopal Relief and Development, etc.). Most of the time the fourth Sunday is the last Sunday but not always. We will announce ahead of time the intention to collect contributions to the discretionary fund each month but I’d like to urge you to start remembering on your own that every month on the fourth Sunday you have an opportunity to provide for the poor and needy yourself by bringing cash or a check or by making an electronic donation that day. You can also directly contribute to the clergy discretionary fund by making a donation designated to that account at any time.

Many of our neighbors need help, and I urge you to join with us in ministering to them through contributing to the clergy discretionary fund.

The plate offerings on other Sundays will continue to go to the general operating fund, as always, and we encourage your continued generosity on all Sundays!

Blessings for a meaningful new year,

Caritas Bridge Week ...

January 26 - February 1

CARITAS Bridge Week starts next Friday. This is our chance to make a big difference in the lives of our friends and partners at CARITAS. Last year, more than 90 St. James'sers stepped up to help during Bridge Week. This year, they need our help just as keenly. We still have openings to do meals, provide fellowship and fun right at the shelter. Click here to sign up.

Click here to see a video about Bridge Week.

CARITAS has requested no elementary school aged children at the center, but middle and high schoolers may participate at your own discretion.

A second way to help: Backpack Drive

for the Men and Women at CARITAS

WE'RE ALSO collecting new and gently used ADULT backpacks for men and women graduating from the CARITAS Works program. The backpacks are essential to our graduates, especially when they enter the work world. We're still collecting backpacks until Sunday, January 28.

PLUS you can volunteer at

Youth Ministry CARITAS Night

Come volunteer at the Youth Ministry CARITAS night on Monday, January 29 from 5:30 to 8 pm! We’ll be serving chili and playing games with the women staying at CARITAS. Please sign up here.

Please note, we’re moving the Worship section to the bottom of eChimes on Friday. It will still be at or near the top of the Sunday email.

Tuesday, January 23

Tuesday Men's Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall

For details and contacts see the DOERS guide

Women & Wisdom Bible Study (WWBS) - 5pm

Michaux House Room 302 or via Zoom.

For details and contacts see the DOERS guide

"A Case of Love" Movie - 7 pm at the Regal Short Pump

”A Case for Love” is a new documentary inspired by Bishop Michael Curry.

This is a one day only screening. Click here to purchase advance tickets.

Wednesday, January 24

Living Faith Bible Study - 10 to 11:30 am

Currently on Zoom (in person gatherings TBD)

For details and contacts see the DOERS guide

Wednesday Noon Eucharist & Healing Service

held in the chapel inside the sanctuary

Summer Pilgrimage Preview

Following in the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul

6:30 pm, Valentine Hall

Come for a preview of our exciting 10-day 2025 Summer pilgrimage.

Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP to Amelia.

Contact: The Rev. Amelia Arthur, aarthur@doers.org.

Thursday, January 25

Thursday Men's Breakfast Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall

For details and contacts see the DOERS guide

Coffee on The Street - 9 am to 10:30 am

Corner of West Franklin and Birch Streets

If you’re interested in learning more about this ministry, contact Rev. Blake.

Contact: The Rev. Blake Singer, bsinger@doers.org

Friday, January 26 - February 1

Caritas Bridge Week Begins

Our work will be done at The CARITAS Center, 2220 Stockton Street.

You're invited to help provide food, fellowship, and fun right at the shelter.

CARITAS really needs our help this year. You can sign up here

Saturday, January 27

The Philadelphia 11 Movie - 5pm at The Byrd Theatre

This documentary tells the story of the first 11 women ordained in the Episcopal Church. Tickets are $5 and are available in advance or at the door.

Click here to purchase your tickets in advance.

This week's eChimes features

Let the Good times roll!

Join our Krewe of Doers for a night of fabulous food, drinks, raffles, and an exciting live auction. It's sure to be a fun filled night! Get your Madri Gras tickets here.

Your generosity will support St. James's Financial Outreach Committee by funding yearly grants to our 10 local outreach partners.

To read why all Madri Gras proceeds will be going to Outreach this year and who our Outreach partners are, go here.

The Philadelphia Eleven

St. James’s Adult Formation and WomanKind are excited to present a screening of The Philadelphia 11: Breaking Down Barriers, Transforming the church.

This documentary tells the story of the first 11 women ordained in the Episcopal Church and how their ordination changed the church.

Join us on Saturday, January 27, from 1:30 to 5 pm at the Byrd Theater for a reception, screening and discussion. Tickets are $5 and are available in advance or at the door.

Click here to purchase your tickets in advance.

If you have any questions, contact Rev. Amelia Arthur.

CORRECTION:

This event is happening Tuesday, January 23

”A Case for Love” is a new documentary inspired by Bishop Michael Curry. Here’s how the filmmakers describe it: “A Case for Love” is a heartfelt yet personally challenging movie inspired by the teachings and writings of Bishop Michael Curry, most well-known for his passionate sermon about “The Power of Love” at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.”

Nothing formal is being organized but there is a group of St. James’sers who will be going to the Tuesday, January 23rd, 7 pm showing of A Case for Love at the Regal Short Pump, 11650 West Broad Street.

You can watch the trailer here. And you can buy tickets in advance by going here.

Pilgrimage Preview ...

in the footsteps of Paul

St. James’s is going on a pilgrimage in July of 2025 to Greece and Turkey, where we will spend 10 days following in the footsteps of the apostle Paul.

To learn more, see the full itinerary, and hear from our trip coordinator, please attend one of our two Pilgrimage Previews (both of which are the same):

• Sunday, January 21 at 10:15 am

• Wednesday, January 24 at 6:30 pm (with dinner)

All the meetings are in Valentine Hall.

Please RSVP or direct your questions to Amelia at aarthur@doers.org.

Click here for the brochure.

Save the date.

Internationally acclaimed Duo Organists Elizabeth & Raymond Chenault, who also happen to be former organists here at St. James’s (plus members of The New Wine Singers), are having a special FREE performance here at St. James’s on Friday, February 9, at 7 pm. Called “the world’s premiere organ duo” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Chenaults are also the 2024 recipients of the Distinguished Artist Award from the American Guild of Organists (AGO). They’ll be honored in April at a special AGO Gala.

To learn more about their amazingly accomplished careers, go here.

In the meantime, save the date – February 9 at 7 pm – for a spectacular musical event here at St. James’s.

More Parish News & Events you won't want to miss.

Three Staffing Updates at St. James’s.

As we look at our staffing for the coming year, along with implementing new church management software capabilities, we recognized that the position of parish secretary, which was held by Veni Davidkova, is no longer serving the needs of the overall management of the church. Unfortunately, that means that we have had to say goodbye to Veni, and we wish her well in her next endeavor. We will all miss her lovely presence.

Meanwhile, we have created a new position, Operations and Stewardship Manager, to assist in the area of finance, administration, and stewardship. Fortunately we already had just the right person for that position on staff and Betsy Lee will transition into that role over the next few weeks, which overlaps with much of what Betsy has been doing here at St. James’s.

Lastly, it’s time to let Rev. Dr. Doug Wigner retire…for real, this time. Doug will be with us through the end of February, and we will celebrate the countless gifts he has brought to our parish during our Annual Meeting on February 25.

We're having another

Sacred Ground preview

this Sunday.

If you missed the Sacred Ground preview last Sunday, you can come to a preview of the class, including Q&A, during the formation hour on this Sunday, January 21 in Michaux house library.

This winter/spring, St. James’s will be offering a Sacred Ground class led by parishioners Patty Duffy and Suzanne Hall that will meet on Zoom. To register, or for more information, email Rev. Amelia Arthur. What is Sacred Ground? Learn more here.

Youth Ministry Events - Don't wait to register.

EVENT 1.

SNOWFEST: February 2-4 for 6-12 graders at Shrine Mont. We ski, snowboard, reflect, and have fun together. Don’t miss it! The deadline to register is Tuesday, January 23.

EVENT 2.

RIVER CITY ROLL: Youth Night Out is this Sunday, January 21 from 4:00-6:00 pm. Come for bowling, snacks, and fun! A $5 donation is suggested to help cover expenses. Register here so we know to expect you.

EVENT 3.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY: Would you like to participate in Children and Youth Sunday on February 11? We are looking for lectors and ushers for the 9 am and 11:15 am

service. Interested youth should email Katie at youth@doers.org. Interested children and parents should email Ashlee at childrensministry@doers.org.

Save these winter dates.

We've made it easy to know what’s happening here at St. James. Click here to see the full Winter calendar (which is printable). There are also printed schedules in the Narthex and Valentine Hall.