Welcome to St. James

Thank you for checking us out. You may have more questions than those answered here. Please feel free to contact us anytime for questions and clarifications. Or visit us on Sundays. 

Questions & Answers

Here are some answers to common questions.

We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England (the chalotics) and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.

We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.

We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.

We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.

Episcopalians worship in many different styles, ranging from very formal (high church), with vestments and incense, to informal (low church) services with contemporary music. Here at St, James we struck a good balence of high and low church. With wearing vestments and having our good old hymns on one hand and having comfy seats and dressing more informal than not on the other. Therefore, no matter what your prefrence is we hope that you'll feel right at home here.

Worship in the Episcopal Church is “liturgical.” For the first-time visitor, liturgy may be exhilarating or confusing. Services may involve standing, sitting, and kneeling, as well as sung or spoken responses, which may provide a challenge for the first-time visitor. It is very uplifting, imaginative, and meaningful. As a frist time visitor please feel free to be involved with the service as much or as little that you feel comfortable with.

The Holy Eucharist is central in our worship since it's the celebration of the last supper of Christ. "thanksgiving" is another term for the Holy Eucharist, Jesus instituted this celebration before his death. In this celebration, we bless bread and wine and distribute them to those who are present. The bread and wine is considered the Body and Blood of Jesus after the prayer of consecration. All are welcome to receive it here at St, James Episcopal Church. If you are unable to consume bread or wine then please let our Preist or Deacon know and they will bless you instead.

Our Sunday Holy Eucharist service follows Rite II in the Book of Common Prayer 1979 version.

We use the 1982 Hymal and the Renew Hymal for our worship music.

On any given Sunday, you will hear us read a chapter from the Old Testament, a reading from the New Testament (usually from one of the letters), and a selection from one of the Gospels. In addition to those readings, the congregation will read one of the Psalms in unison.  

We welcome all people to the house of God. We do not subscribe to a racial or sexual preference as no matter what your preference, orientation, skin tone or defferent ability is, you are still a child of God. Therefore we welcome all to our community to explore, to encourage and to emulate Jesus in every manner possible. When God created man and woman, God created them all equal and worthy of all things Godly. Men and women serve at the altar regardless of their sexual preference or orientation. If God has called you, you have a place in the Episcopal Church.

We have programs for children, we curruntly do not have a youth group. Besides the Sunday School and Events geared towards their age we also have children and youth participate actively at worship as acolytes, servers, torch bearers. Children and youth make our community vibrant and live with their laughter and joy. 

Come as you are. No restrictions or expectations. Usually, we are in our casuals. Occasionally depending on what's going on, some might dress up for the occasion such as on a major feast day.