Sunday Mornings: St. James Downtown- 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.; More

  25 S. 3rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28401  ·   910.763.1628  ·       Give & Realm

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Spiritual Growth Moment ~ September 25, 2021

by Lindsey Gregg

As kids, many of us were taught the sweet, simple hymn, “This Little Light of Mine.” There aren’t many things more precious and heartwarming than listening to a child sing about God’s love for us. The words and the tune of “This Little Light Of Mine” are easy and repetitive. As children, it taught us that Jesus loves us so much that he gave us each a special gift, which, whether we realized it or not, offered us confidence and hope. But I learned that the hymn actually offers a wonderful and important message and it turns out it has translated throughout my lifetime.
I had heard and sung that song countless times as a little girl but when I was 18 years old, my classmates and I watched Bishop Michael Curry as he gave the keynote speech at our high school graduation. Back then, he was not yet Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. He came to our small school to offer advice to a group of high school girls about to embark on the world as adults and his entire speech was formulated around “This Little Light Of Mine.” He reminded us of the classic hymn and enthusiastically instructed us to go out into the world as new graduates and let our light shine! However, the additional sentiment he offered was something I’d never really considered- that when we let our light shine, it allows others to do the same. The words were what I had sung for years and the melody hadn’t changed. Bishop Curry’s contagious energy and sincerity offered us a whole new perspective on the song. Until Bishop Curry reframed the song’s message for us as adults, I hadn’t really thought about how that faithful act would impact others.

The fellowship that we experienced at graduation has stayed with me. (If you’re going to start your adult life taking advice from anyone, it doesn’t get much better than Bishop Curry!) Jesus said let my light shine and Bishop Curry helped me learn why. That’s simple enough, right? But suddenly in adulthood, you’re not warmly encouraged by your teachers or surrounded by old friends like a comforting blanket. Now there are bosses and coworkers and new cities and responsibilities. If you’re lucky enough to have figured out how to shine your light, you’re cautiously fumbling around its brightness. There were many great people those first few years in the “real world” who would shine their own light and allow me to do the same. But there were also instances where I felt dimmed. It took time but I finally realized that the shining light was what would point me in the right direction. The people that I needed to surround myself with would let me shine my light and I hoped that, in turn, they would feel comfortable doing the same around me. Letting your light shine is an act of trust between two individuals and faith between us and Jesus. Fellowship didn’t just exist within the walls of a church or during a service. It consistently exists within a community when we shine collectively our lights.

Now, as the parent of a young child, I see how children shine a light everywhere they go. They’re not thinking about why they do it or how that encourages others. They’re learning stories about God and Jesus and songs like “This Little Light of Mine” to teach them about faith and love. As Owen’s mom and dad, my husband and I try to encourage our son to find what he loves and pursue it. It’s my job as his parent to remind him of Jesus’s love for us and encourage him to shine just as the hymn encourages us. And hopefully he and his friends learn by watching us all shine our lights too.


Tags: Spiritual Growth Commission

Ask Us About Faith Formation!

Cookie Cantwell
Youth Ministries Coordinator
910-763-1628 
Ansley Trask
Children's Ministries Coordinator & Day School Director
The Rev. Cheryl Brainard
Associate Rector
910-763-1628 
Mandy Hackler
Faith Formation Ministry Co-Chair
Erin Trask
Vestry - Class of 2025, Faith Formation Vestry Liaison

Cookie Cantwell

Youth Ministries Coordinator
910-763-1628 |

Cookie Cantwell first came to St. James as a Youth Ministries Consultant. This position morphed into a full-time Youth Ministries Coordinator staff position, where the focus continues to be on building authentic relationships with Jesus Christ among the young people within the Parish and throughout the world. Through fun, friendships, Bible studies, service projects, mission experiences, music, and worship, young people and the adults who accompany them on their journey of faith strive to provide meaningful opportunities to grow spiritually within a Christian community. In addition to enjoying her ministry among our youth, Cookie also enjoys her family, Happening, Province IV Youth Ministries, hiking, kayaking, needlepoint and reading.

Ansley Trask

Children's Ministries Coordinator & Day School Director

The Rev. Cheryl Brainard

Associate Rector
910-763-1628 |

Cheryl Brainard came to St James to complete an internship for Holy Orders to the priesthood in 2018. After ordination to the priesthood, Cheryl remained on staff as an associate rector. She attended Furman University and worked as a flight attendant for 20 years prior to attending seminary at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. Since seminary, she has served as a hospital chaplain and continues to hold a part-time position at Novant Health Care where she works with our local community. Her areas of focus at St James are Congregational Care and Faith Formation. She loves music and enjoys playing the piano, sewing, and boating. Cheryl is married to Don and as a blended family, they have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Mandy Hackler

Faith Formation Ministry Co-Chair

Erin Trask

Vestry - Class of 2025, Faith Formation Vestry Liaison

Faith Formation Opportunities

Disciples' Class & Faith Discussions: Serving Our Young Neighbors: The Communities In Schools Program
Sunday, Feb 05, 2023, 10:10 AM
Details »

Children's Ministries: Sunday School
Sunday, Feb 05, 2023, 10:10 AM
Details »

Jubi-latte Roundtable Discussion
Sunday, Feb 05, 2023, 10:10 AM
Details »

Starbucks High School Bible Study
Wednesday, Feb 08, 2023, 7:00 AM
Details »

Wednesday Bible Study: Epiphany Edition
Wednesday, Feb 08, 2023, 11:00 AM
Details »

Sunday, 2/5 at 8:00 AM
Holy Eucharist Rite I
Sunday, 2/5 at 8:30 AM
Family Breakfast
Sunday, 2/5 at 9:00 AM
Holy Eucharist Rite II
Sunday, 2/5 at 10:10 AM
Faith Formation/Sunday School Hour
Sunday, 2/5 at 11:15 AM
Holy Eucharist Rite II
Monday, 2/6 at 8:00 AM
Weekday Morning Prayer on ZOOM
Monday, 2/6 at 5:00 PM
Living Well in the Midst of Grief
Monday, 2/6 at 7:00 PM
Fellowship A.A.

Holy Eucharist Rite I

Sunday, February 5, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

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Family Breakfast

Sunday, February 5, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Come join the St. James family for breakfast in the Great Hall!

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Holy Eucharist Rite II

Sunday, February 5, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Join us as we worship Downtown!

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Faith Formation/Sunday School Hour

Sunday, February 5, 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM

Come experience Faith Formation for all ages!

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Holy Eucharist Rite II

Sunday, February 5, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Join us as we worship Downtown!

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Weekday Morning Prayer on ZOOM

Monday, February 6, 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/414191126?pwd=MGl3QUpWSnZiUHFOaHdYaE1TeDhZZz09

Morning Prayer is live on Zoom! Use THIS LINK to tune in. Password 1729.

We’d love to have you join us on weekday mornings at 8:00 am for Morning Prayer on our Zoom! Zoom is a video conferencing tool that allows us to hear and see one another.

Below are some resources for next week's Morning Prayer and the Zoom Link to long in. Follow the link at 8:00 a.m. on weekdays to participate.

  • Use this link to find this week’s readings for Morning Prayer

New to using Zoom? That's okay! Chris put together a wonderful tutorial page. CLICK HERE to see the tutorials.

Don't worry if you missed morning prayer! You can always catch our replays on OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.



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Living Well in the Midst of Grief

Monday, February 6, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

1st and 3rd Mondays | 5:00-6:00 PM | Graham Parlor or via Zoom

When someone you love dies, you experience grief in a number of ways and one size does not fit all. The way we react to and process grief depends on the relationship, manner of death, if and how you were able to say goodbye, your beliefs, your background, and your personality.

We also grieve many things other than death and we want to acknowledge this also. There is grief that comes from loss of a health, loss of a job, sending a child off to school, losses that come from divorce, to mention a few.

Please reach out to the Rev. Cheryl Brainard at [email protected] for more information.

To join us via Zoom: CLICK HERE


Meeting ID: 829 2336 5988
Passcode: 204347

Dial by your location


+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)


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Fellowship A.A.

Monday, February 6, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Wes Clewis Facilities Manager 910-859-0420

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St. James Parish
25 S. Third Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Phone: 910.763.1628

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday;
8:30 am to 1:30 pm on Friday.

Disclaimer


ST. JAMES PARISH

St. James Mission Statement: To welcome all to grow in love of God and neighbor.

St. James Vision Statement: To build community through ministries that strengthen our faith.

  • 8:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite I
  • 9:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II & Online Worship
  • 10:10 AM: Faith Formation & Sunday School Hour
  • 11:15 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II & Online Worship

Click here for service descriptions and more info

Click here to request room/space use at St. James


© 2023 St. James Episcopal Church. All Rights Reserved

Affiliates

St. James Day School

St. James Parish Foundation

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St. James Episcopal Church is a member parish in the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina. We welcome everyone who wishes to attend our services and events.

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Service Times


St. James Parish

Welcome Sunday

  • 8:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite I
  • 9:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II & Online Worship
  • 10:10 AM: Faith Formation & Sunday School Hour
  • 11:15 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II & Online Worship

Click here for service descriptions and more info

Location

St. James Parish
25 S. 3rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Contact Us
910.763.1628

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Wwe have three services, 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m services are also available via livestream.

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Welcome Children Service Times Location Membership

We extend a sincere welcome to you and we hope you will come and find your place at St. James. We have long been an active, working church with parishioners who play a vital role in parish ministries and community life. The range of St. James' ministries is as broad as the interests of its members.

Christian Formation for children endeavors to support and supplement the family's efforts to raise children as followers of Christ. Children's Formation includes Sunday classes as well as seasonal festivals and intergenerational events. Preschool ages 2 to 5 years, and grades 1 through 5 use a lectionary-based curriculum enhanced with art and music. Middle school classes include confirmation preparation and current event issues. Senior high classes engage in weekly Bible study from a young person's perspective.

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Sunday Services

On Sunday, we will be offering the following services:

  • 8:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite I
  • 9:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II
  • 10:10 AM: Faith Formation & Sunday School Hour
  • 11:15 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite II

Wednesday Eucharist

Holy Eucharist Rite II - 12:10 p.m.

Click here for service descriptions and more info

St. James Parish occupies a full city block in downtown Wilmington, surrounded by Market St., 3rd Street, Dock Street, and 4th Street. Parking is available through the week and on Sundays on Market, 3rd, Dock and 4th Streets, adjacent to the church. Although the street parking is free, please note that on weekdays, parking on Market, 3rd and 4th Streets (other than the block of 4th Street behind the church property) is restricted to 2 hours, after which parking fines may be imposed by the City of Wilmington.

Maps & Directions

Membership at St. James, as with any other Episcopal parish, is governed by Canonical requirements of the Episcopal Church. It begins with the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, it continues with confirmation or reception by a bishop of the Episcopal Church, and it is maintained through a continuing commitment to the mission and ministries of the local parish.

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Make a Donation Stewardship 2022 St. James Foundation Realm

Thank you for supporting the mission and ministry of St. James Parish! For more information see our give page. To give a gift now, click the button below. To pledge, please login to Realm and follow the instructions in this video. Let us move Forward Together with Joy, Gratitude, and Generosity!


Give Now
On behalf of the wardens and vestry of St. James Parish, we want to thank you for being a part of the Community of St. James. The contributions and the faithful ministries of all who served in various capacities across our parish have helped this parish to fulfill the mission and ministry to which we are called. Let us move Forward Together with Joy, Gratitude, and Generosity!
Make a Pledge

The St. James Parish Foundation was established in 2003 with the mission of supporting the needs of St. James Parish’s wonderful and historic church campus in perpetuity. The Foundation supports its mission by providing financial contributions to the Parish through targeted distributions for capital or specific campaign-related needs. Those contributions are through the assets that have been so generously donated to St. James Parish over the years by its’ congregation. You can easily donate online! Donate Online Here


Learn more about the St. James Foundation

Access your giving history and discover your St. James Parish community. Visit our Realm Help Page or contact our financial administrator, Maria Hollopeter, if you have any questions.

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