Study and Learning

Wednesday Nights (September - May)

Wednesday Night Programs

The History of St. James's From the Beginning. Wednesdays, April 14 – May 5, 2021 No matter how much you know about St. James’s, you’re about to learn a whole lot more. Every Wednesday evening from April 14 through May 5, we’ll see the history of St. James’s through the lens of race in our [...]

Christian Journey Series: “Life in the First Century”

Wednesdays: January 15, 22, 29, and February 5, 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Valentine Hall AND Sunday, January 26, 10:15-11:00 a.m., Valentine Hall What was a Roman banquet like? What were illness, medicine, and death like in the ancient Near East? How were Roman cities designed? How do stories of mythical heroes compare to stories […]

Life Transitions Study Series

This three-week study with the Rev. Dr. Mark Cooper addresses how to prepare for and approach major life transitions, considering spiritual, practical and emotional aspects. Explore topics relevant to those in the “sandwich generation,” such as how to care for both aging parents and adult children, what legal paperwork to prepare, and how to manage [...]

Learn the Way of Love

Our next Wednesday-night series considers "The Way of Love." Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s office released this magnificent guide for Christian living for use across the Episcopal Church. Come learn more about the Way of Love in particular and the ancient Christian tradition of rules of life in general with the Rev. Hilary Streever and Br. [...]

Financial Peace with Wisdom for Life

Not your typical “money” class, Financial Peace University is practical, entertaining and fun! 9 Wednesdays, starts January 10. Chris and Mary Beth explain.

Bible Studies

Sisters in the Word Bible Study

In this weekly Bible Study, women from St. James’s and other local churches gather for coffee, fellowship, reflection (more…)

Lectionary Ladies Bible Study

This is a lectionary Bible Study for women of all ages. Each week, we examine the scripture passages for the upcoming Sunday, (more…)

Living Faith Bible Study

This opportunity for spiritual refreshment and enlightenment begins with a period of silence for prayer and meditation, (more…)

Thursday Men’s Bible Study Breakfast

We are led by Christ’s example of service to others, and members take turns in leading the morning worship (more…)

Tuesday Men’s Breakfast Bible Study

A weekly hour of fellowship, discussion and good food. (more…)

Women’s Bible Wisdom Study

Second and Fourth Tuesdays 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Michaux House Library (more…)

The reverend Thom Blair, interim rector

Sunday Bible Study

Most Sundays of the month, September to May. 10:15 to 11:00 a.m., Parkinson Room (more…)

Small Groups

Adult class

Adult Confirmation Spring 2019

(formerly Pilgrim’s Path) This year, our adult confirmation program has a new model based on the early church’s practice of teaching new members during Lent in preparation for Easter. (more…)

Generation Change: A Financial Education Series for Teens

This is a brand new financial education program called Generation Change for students in 10th-12th grade.

Book Clubs

The Permanent Things Book Group

Augustine. Dorothy Day. Julian of Norwich. Gregory of Nyssa. Evelyn Underhill. You’re invited to join in the discussion of classic works of theology with the Permanent Things Book Group, meeting on second and fourth Tuesdays, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., in the Michaux House library. At our first meeting on Tuesday, September 10, we will discuss [...]

Brown Bag Book Club

first Thursday of the month, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Gibson Hall, Conference Room B (more…)

Tuesday Readers Book Club

Fourth Tuesdays (with exceptions), 7:00 to 8:30 p.m, Michaux House, Fagan Parlor January 28: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Lewis’s classic reflection on faith and theology that sheds new truths as relevant today as they were when written- based on BBC Broadcasts- in the 1940s. February 18: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson A story of justice [...]

Rector’s Book Club

The Spiritual Book Club has been meeting for a decade. If you love to read and discuss good literature, you’re invited to attend.

Lectures

Interfaith Dialogue: Honoring and Remembering the Dead

Interfaith Dialogue with Congregation Beth Ahabah: Tuesdays, October 29 & November 5, at Congregation Beth Ahabah We are excited to offer our interfaith dialogues with Congregation Beth Ahabah throughout the program year. This fall, we explore how we honor and remember our dead through both traditional customs and superstitions. We’ll discuss Yizkor, Mourner’s Kaddish, Halloween [...]

Dr. Garwood Anderson, New Testament scholar

Dr. Gar Anderson Talks About St. Paul February 10

St. Paul: A Man Misunderstood with Gar Anderson, Ph.D In her popular book, Karen Armstrong called St. Paul “the apostle we love to hate.”  And, to be sure, Paul of Tarsus has been the object of both veneration and intense contempt. But is it really Paul or is it a caricature of the historical figure, […]

Beth Ahabah and St. James's

Interfaith Dialogue with Beth Ahabah

Interfaith Dialogue with Congregation Beth Ahabah We are excited to offer our interfaith dialogues with Congregation Beth Ahabah throughout the program year, rather than simply once per year. First Session: Let the Good Times Roll! Monday, February 25 Meal at 6:00 p.m., in the Main Lobby of the Joel House Dialogue at 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., [...]

Generation Change: A Financial Education Series for Teens

This is a brand new financial education program called Generation Change for students in 10th-12th grade.

Retreats and Pilgrimages

Exploring God’s Creation Field Trip

Looking for a chance to reconnect with the natural world and reflect on the many gifts God has given us?

SNOWFEST

St. James’s SNOWFEST (6th-12th) A winter youth retreat to Shrine Mont, February 7-9, 2020 (more…)

Lenten Retreat: Mindfulness Meditation

Saturday, March 9, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Valentine Hall On Ash Wednesday, the people are invited “to the observance of a holy Lent” through a number of practices, including self-examination and reflection. (more…)

Annual Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont

The historic Shrine Mont Retreat Center offers a beautiful setting for St. James’s annual fall retreat in the mountains!

Lenten Retreat: “Connecting to the Faith That Is In Us”

Saturday, February 29, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Valentine Hall This phrase comes from the Litany for Ash Wednesday - “We confess to you, Lord, our negligence in our prayer and worship and our failure to commend the faith that is in us.” Dr. Friend will offer five meditations interspersed with silence: 1) lack of [...]