Click here to read the candidates' bios and/or view the interviews held on January 14th and 21st during forum hour. (You'll need to scroll down the page to see the recordings.)

All set to vote? Click here to go directly to the online form in Survey Monkey and cast your vote.

Gather with us on January 28th at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary for our annual meeting when Fr. David and vestry leadership will present a new annual report highlighting the growth of our parish along with what's on the horizon for Saint James. Click here to view the livestream.

New this year, our annual report describes the ministries of Saint James in a story-telling format highlighting "how our lives are being deepened and transformed in Christ together." Click here to read more.

If you missed the long-range plan presentation by Fr. David, Lewis Thayne and Gene Clark, it can be viewed by clicking here. If you'd like to view the long-range plan document, click here.

Giving envelopes are available for pick-up on Sundays in the cloister narthex, or we are happy to mail them upon request for any who are not able to make it to church. If you have questions about giving envelopes, contact the office at 717-397-4858 X112.

Join us for a contemplative service of quiet reflection at the end of your day. A tradition that dates back to the 6th century, Compline is based on the closing time of prayer in the Daily Office. It is spoken or sung in monasteries around 9 PM when darkness has fallen and bedtime is near. Sung a capella by candlelight in our softly lit sanctuary, our prayers are inspired by the need for divine protection, peace and rest. Click here to view via livestream.

Join us for a transformative day with Erin Jean Warde Saturday, February 10th. Dive deeper into recovery and healing through prayer and rest. Explore common challenges, break down barriers to joy, and discover the power of meditation and prayer in your healing journey. Click here to learn more and register.

Join us during the 9:30 AM forum hour on Sunday, February 11th for a Shrove Sunday pancake breakfast! It's ideal for those who can't make the traditional Shrove Tuesday gathering!

You won't want to miss this family-friendly celebration on Fat Tuesday, better known to the French as Mardi Gras.

Start the evening with a drop-in pancake supper in the parish house forum room from 5:00 - 6:30 PM. Then head on over to the sanctuary at 6:45 PM and enjoy the New Orleans style brass band, Dutchy Funk, in concert.

Observe the beginning of the season of Lent—a season of introspection, fasting and prayer symbolic of the 40 days and nights Jesus spent in wilderness in prayer and fasting.

Group spiritual direction undertakes some of the same exercises as individual spiritual direction, but in a small, intimate setting with just a few other people. The group will meet for six Thursday evenings at 5:30 PM in the parish house library February 15th through March 21st. Cost: $125, scholarships are available. Click here to learn more and register.

This year Prof. Randall Zachman and Fr. David Peck will explore Buddhist and Christian spirituality using classical spiritual texts like the Tao Te Ching from China and selections from an authoritative manual on spiritual formation from the Zen Buddhist tradition in Japan. The guiding question for the series will be, “How can the insights of Christianity, when compared to other faith traditions, help me to experience my own faith and be God’s mercy in the world?” The Mercy Seminar meets from 7:00 - 8:30 PM entirely on Zoom for six consecutive Thursday evenings. Click here for more information and registration.

Have Questions? Click here to email Mother Shayna for more info. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.

9^th Annual observance for The Feast of

On Saturday February 17, 2024, the Bishop Nathan Baxter Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians along with the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, Saint James Episcopal Church and community partners will host its 9^th Annual observance of the Feast of Fr. Absalom Jones with the theme, “Resurrection.”

The day features guest preacher The Rev. Ricardo Sheppard, Atonement Episcopal Church, Washington, DC; guest musicians Dr. Michael Clarke, Atonement Episcopal Church, Washington, DC and Dr. Donald Locklear, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ. The day includes a series of events that are free to the public, all are welcome. Click here to learn more about the event.

All are welcome to participate and volunteer your voice in the Absalom Jones Community Choir under the direction of Dr. Michael Clarke, PhD. The choir will be singing deep and exciting music from the African Diaspora tradition.

Singers are asked to check in at 12:45 PM for a 1:00 PM rehearsal lasting until 3:30 PM. At 4:40 PM, the choir will be in place for the prelude and service that begins at 5:00 PM. Interested singers, please click here to register.

Join us as we embark on a journey of reflection and growth in a study of the Book of Psalms. Beloved by many, the Psalms express the profound human experience with God in a range of emotions from grief and despair to joy and hope, and they offer us valuable insights into our own spiritual lives.

For our first session, we will be joined by Dr. Emerson Powery, Professor of Biblical Studies at Messiah University who will help us explore general themes and the history of the Book of Psalms. We warmly invite you to join us on this meaningful journey of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and connection with God as we rise from the ashes together and find inspiration in the timeless wisdom of the Psalms. Click here to let us know you'll be attending.

Sacred Ground is a film and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith and is part of the Episcopal Church's long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. We invite you to join Circle 3 in this insightful exploration of America's history of race and racism and how it might have contributed to and shaped our own preconceived ideas of economic class, and political and regional identity.

Sacred Ground Circle 3 starts on February 27 and meets in the chapel every other Tuesday evening through May 7th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Contact the facilitator Brenda Buescher to sign up or for questions. Signup deadline: February 23rd. For more information about Sacred Ground, click here.

The Lancaster County Food Hub is in need of temporary shelter attendants for the Winter Shelter program. They are seeking candidates with social work, trauma informed care, and/or de-escalation experience. The environment is emotionally challenging but the work rewarding. Click here to learn more about this position.

January 28, 9:30 AM: Annual meeting, vestry elections conclude

February 2, 9:00 PM: First Friday, Compline at the Urban Well

February 3, 6:30 PM: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

February 4, 9:30 AM: Women's Bible Study begins

February 10, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Spiritual Healing: Connecting to Joy and Purpose with Erin Jean Warde

February 10, 5:00 PM: Addiction and recovery mass with Erin Jean Warde

February 11, 9:30 AM: Shrove Sunday Pancake Breakfast

February 13, 5:00 - 7:30 PM: Fat Tuesday Celebration

February 14, 3:00 PM: Ash Wednesday service at Willow Valley

February 14, 7:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 7:30 PM: Ash Wednesday services in the sanctuary

February 14, 5:30 PM: Ash Wednesday with Godly Play

February 15, 5:30 PM: Group spiritual direction begins

February 15, 7:00 PM: Mercy Seminar, Term 1 begins

February 17, 1 - 3:30 PM: Absalom Jones Day Community Choir Rehearsal

February 17, 5:00 PM: Feast Day of Absalom Jones Observance

February 21 - March 20: Lenten Bible Study with Mother Shayna

February 27: 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Sacred Ground circle 3 begins