Sunday Mornings: St. James - 8:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m. ; More

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

St. James Parish
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St. James Committee on Racial Unity

Committee Vision Statement:

In alignment with the Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan of St. James Parish and in furtherance of our Baptismal Covenant to respect the dignity of every human being, our committee will foster compassion and mutual understanding among people of different racial identities and will create a trusted community of love and reconciliation.

Committee Goals:
  1. Increase awareness of racial inequities in our local community and country to enable parish members to grow in love of God and neighbor.
  2. Cultivate relationships with our neighbors of color to collectively promote justice and equity in the community.
  3. Participate in anti-racism training and activities within the Wilmington community.

Welcome to the Committee on Racial Unity webpage. We are glad you found us! And we hope you will want to learn more and perhaps join us in this important work of our Parish.

In the summer of 2020, in the early stages of the Pandemic, the Vestry established a Race Relations Task Force in response to racial violence occurring in our country. The first meeting was held at Lebanon Chapel with about 30 attending. Subsequently, St. James offered 4 series of “Sacred Ground,” an education program produced by the Episcopal Church, with a total participation of more than 80 people. The common refrain following the course: “What now?”

The St. James Committee on Racial Unity was formed in the fall of 2022 to address next steps. Our hope is to offer more education, outreach, and relationship-building opportunities to address racial relations in our community and beyond. The first offering was a book study on Just Mercy with our rector last fall.

We will use this webpage as a communication tool to share upcoming events in our Parish and community that we hope will be of interest to our congregation. You will also find links on this page to our Diocesan and National Church Websites and to other local efforts in Wilmington.

Interested in joining us? Please prayerfully consider if this ministry is one that God is calling you to join. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the people listed above on the webpage. We would love to talk with you.

Upcoming Opportunities

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Book Review Corner

Welcome to the Book Corner! Join us as we share some of the books that have been of interest to members of the St. James Committee for Racial Unity in learning more about race and racial issues in our world. Members share books we hope will inspire you to read and learn as we all work together to share the message of Jesus' love for us and ALL of our neighbors. Check back to see …

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Neighbors' Events

St. James' mission is "To welcome all to grow in love of God and neighbor." One of the ways we hope to do this is through community engagement! Here are some great ways to get involved with other community events hosted by our neighbors and outreach partners.


Share this page: St. James Committee on Racial Unity

Ask us about how St. James is working towards Racial Healing!

The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.
Rector
9107631628 
The Rev. Cheryl Brainard
Associate Rector
910-763-1628 
The Rev. Joseph "Gray" Hodsdon
Associate Rector
Barbara Whitesides
Vestry Class of 2024 - Congregational Care Vestry Liaison
Ginny Woodruff
Search Committee Member

The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.

Rector
9107631628 |

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.

The Rev. Joseph "Gray" Hodsdon

Associate Rector

Prior to his call as Associate Rector at St. James, Gray served for two years as Curate at San Jose Church and Day School in Jacksonville, FL.

Gray graduated in 2020 from The School of Theology at Sewanee: The University of the South, where he served as Student Body President in 2019. Before seminary, Gray interned for a year with the Bishop’s Institute for Ministry and Leadership in the Diocese of Florida. Gray graduated from Florida State University in 2016, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sacred Music. While at FSU, he became actively involved at the Episcopal University Center (Ruge Hall) as well as St. John’s Church, Tallahassee. It was during these years that he discerned a call to ordained ministry.
Gray loves God and sharing the Good News of Christ. He met his wife, Catie, at Ruge Hall in 2012, and they married at St. John’s, Tallahassee in 2019. Catie is a Physician Assistant and has a passion for service. Together they live with their Australian cattle dog mix, Frannie.

Barbara Whitesides

Vestry Class of 2024 - Congregational Care Vestry Liaison

Ginny Woodruff

Search Committee Member

A lifelong Episcopalian, I was raised in Christ Church, Charlotte, NC. I moved to Wilmington in 1977, following graduation from NCSU School of Design. I joined St. James, where my mother was baptized and confirmed, and my grandmother was an active member. I met my husband, Ron, while living at Wrightsville Beach. I became a licensed architect in Wilmington in 1983 and established my firm in 1998.

When I contemplated raising our two children in the Church, I felt the desire to more fully understand my faith. I began my adult spiritual journey in DOCC (Disciples of Christ in Community), serving as a facilitator and presenter, and continued with EfM (Education for Ministry), serving as a co-mentor for 20 years. These committed small group communities involving study, worship, and theological reflection nourished my faith and supported me through the challenges and joys of my life, including raising children, loss of our parents, breast cancer plus two weddings in one year, and becoming a proud grandparent to four precious grandchildren.
I served on Altar Guild and as a lector. I am a chalice bearer, a member of St. Martha's Guild, the Spiritual Growth Commission, COHI (Community of Hope International), and the Confidential Prayer Group. As a youth advisor for years, I continue to enjoy teenagers through Happening, Wednesday morning youth Bible Study, and mission work at Glory Ridge. I attended Cursillo as a candidate and on team. Active in Christian Formation, I helped facilitate partner sites at St. James for Trinity Conferences on "Racial Justice" and "Values in Action." I have served on the Vestry twice, as junior warden, as a delegate to Diocesan Conventions, on the Diocesan Commission on Ministry, and on a number of local discernment committees for ordained ministry. I served on the rector search committee in 1998 and as a delegate in the election of the Bishop of East Carolina in 1996. I am honored to participate as a member of the current Search Committee.


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Helpful Resources from the wider Episcopal Church

Diocesan Committee on Racial Healing

National Church Resources for Racial Healing

Community Resources

YWCA of Lower Cape Fear


St. James Committee on Racial Unity Book Review Corner Neighbors' Events

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

Phone: 910.763.1628

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
  • 10:15 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

Sundays at St. James

  • 8:00 AM: Worship at St. James Parish- Holy Eucharist Rite I
  • 10:15 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

Newsletter Signup

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
  • 9:10 AM: Faith Formation & Sunday School Hour
  • 10:15 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 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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