What are angels? How does our understanding of

science and quantum physics inform our concept

of angels and the supernatural? What role do

angels play in Jesus’ birth and life as well as in our

lives? What does the Bible teach us about good

and bad (fallen) angels? How can we mediate

with and learn from the angels?

Join us on three evenings in Advent for some dessert, study, and discussion about the fascinating topic of angels. We will have presentations and discussion with the St. James clergy, and view brief video cliips.

Childcare available by request to Mo. Rebecca, rebecca@sjbts.org

St. James returns to a holiday favorite, A Festival of Lessons and Carols, on Sunday, December 18th at 5:00 pm with choir and brass. Festival Choir rehearsals will be held on Thursdays, Dec. 1, 8, and 15 from 7:00 - 7:45 pm in the Parish Hall. In this time of pandemic, those who are fully vaccinated are invited to sing in the choir. No RSVP necessary, but please feel welcome to contact Alex Benestelli with any questions at alex@sjbts.org.

Questions - contact Karla Castetter at karlac@san.rr.com or Text (619) 852-8945.  

Saint Nicholas will make his yearly visit during our 10:00 service. All children are invited to enjoy a special children’s sermon, traditional treats, and a visit with Saint Nicholas.

Both the annual Christmas Bazaar and La Jolla Christmas Festival with Parade will be on December 4th. We invite you to stay after the 10:00 service to shop and enjoy the parade with us. The parade starts at 1:30 and Saint James’s lawn is the perfect place to enjoy the celebration. Bring a picnic lunch or walk around the La Jolla Festival. Youth will be selling popcorn during the parade and the children will continue to sell their fundraising bracelets and stationary for Uriel orphanage. It will be a great day for church community!

The Good News Festival is almost here! All youth are invited to special activities during the festival on December 10th. This is a diocesan event that will be very rewarding for all ages—but especially youth. Youth registration is FREE (and includes food and a t-shirt) but registration closes this Sunday.

Click HERE to register.

Save the date for the December Men's Breakfast with Father Mark.

RSVP to Fr. Mark at mark@sjbts.org

Christina Miller (our new Curate) will be teaching a two-part Adult-Education series for Advent on Sunday December 11th and 18^th at 9am. The series will explore the concept of vocation and how each of us are uniquely bringing Christ into the world through our lives today.

Bishop Silvestre Romero, Bishop of Guatemala, will be our guest preacher December 11th at both services.

The bishop is in town to attend the Good News Festival.

We will be rehearsing this Sunday, Dec. 4, during the 10:00 hour (after leaving the church service) and from 9:00-11:00 on 12/11. If you haven't signed up for a part, please email Leighton@sjbts.org. There is a part for everyone!

Following the Christmas Pageant, all are invited to our yearly Christmas Party in the courtyard. We will celebrate the Advent season and have a special birthday celebration for Jesus. Please join us for cake, refreshments, and snacks. 

Come mix, mingle, and make merry as we gather

together to celebrate the Christmas Season! So

set your calendars for Wednesday, December

21st from 5-8pm at the home of Chris and Lorna

McKellar. Tickets are $40 and include a Mexican

catered fiesta, hosted bar, sing-along led by Alex Benestelli and friends, not to mention a whole lot of fun! Reservations will be taken on Sundays

after services or you can email walter@sjbts.org.

Space is limited, so reserve your place now. Your

reservation is confirmed with payment.

Help Santa bring a smile to young military families struggling at the holidays to provide a Merry Christmas for their children. Once again this year, our Outreach Committee will be assisting St. Nick. Please bring a gift valued at approximately $25 to the volunteers at the table on the church steps after both services. Santa’s helpers always appreciate a check (made out to St. James), cash or gift cards from Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, or other major retailers. Our goal this year is to bring a smile to 125 children on Christmas morning. Thank you!  

Volunteering to help with the Interfaith Shelter is a great way to serve and show Christ’s love directly toward those in our community who need it most. Guests at the shelter are pre-screened to be free of drug and alcohol problems and are moving toward a more solid footing for their lives.

The shelter will be held in the St. James Parish Hall from December 31st, 2022 through January 14th, 2023. There are volunteer opportunities to shop for food, prepare meals, help kids with homework, provide overnight supervision, and otr roles. Please consider participation for yourself, your family, or your parish organization. An on-line sign-up is available HERE or contact Clark Guest at clark.guest@gmail.com or 858-414-2112.

San Diego Baroque’s "Bach’s Lunch" is back in the St. James sanctuary Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 12:30 immediately after the noon service presenting: Handel's celebrated “Messiah” Part I. Come celebrate Advent and prepare for Christmas with an intimate chamber ensemble performance of some favorite choruses, recitatives and arias from Messiah: Part I. This will be a unique performance with one musician on a part, singers and instrumentalists. Featured artists: Lisa Parente, soprano, Molly Fisher, alto, Chad Frisque, tenor, Soren Pedersen, bass, with San Diego Baroque: Pierre Joubert and Isaac Allen, Baroque violin, Angela Choong, Baroque viola, Alex Greenbaum, Baroque cello, and Alison Luedecke, harpsichord. 

Admission is free for all. We are very grateful to our past donors who have made this series a beautiful musical gift to St. James, La Jolla and beyond. We encourage donations from those who are able to support SD Baroque continue to bring Baroque music to life with period style instruments. 

Are you ready for two of the greatest preachers in

a generation to rock San Diego? Presiding Bishop

Michael Curry and the Rev. William J. Barber! The

Good News Festival is approaching fast! Make

sure you save your seat and don’t miss this free,

energy-filled event. Register below for regular

updates and be one of the first to receive the

exclusive room rate at the beautiful Town and

Country Resort in San Diego. Save your seat HERE.

Make a difference in a family's life this Christmas

season! Episcopal Community Services' Family-to-

Family For the Holidays program will match

compassionate donors like you with families

supported by ECS programs across San Diego.

With your help, we will provide Christmas gifts to

children and families who otherwise would go

without. ECS’ program managers identify clients

who need assistance and ask them to compile a

shopping wish list based on their family’s needs,

sizes, and preferences. Donors like you will be

matched with client families and be given

shopping lists to generously purchase gifts.

For more information, and to register to sponsor

a family visit: https://www.ecscalifornia.org/volunteer