Ministry At St. James
This web page describes the opportunities for service at St. James Episcopal Church. New members are always
welcome on every committee. Please prayerfully consider how you would like to
minister at St. James.[note the pictures have
been reduced to thumbnails to load faster, you can click on each picture to see
original size].
Membership Committee
- Leader:
Dick Metzgar - All are on the membership committee: seeking friends, neighbors,
work associates etc. to consider St. James. Matt: 28:19 “Therefore go forth and make
disciples of all nations..”– including Rabun County. A smaller group of
“committee members” meets four times each year to act as a catalyst for all members
in welcoming guests and helping them get acclimated. The committee calls local guests,
writes welcome letters to all guests, follows up to help them find a fit for service
they might like to provide at St. James. In addition we maintain promotional literature
and do the press releases for the parish. All meetings are announced and all are
encouraged to bring ideas on how we can be more effective in helping St. James grow
in numbers and service to our Lord. The principal need is greeters. Won’t you volunteer
once each month at the second service? Sign up today, or call Dick Metzgar for details.
This is a real service of welcoming guests and assisting them to feel comfortable
at our services and helping them meet our members who would most likely have something
in common.
Education - Leader: George
Stewart - The weekly lectionary discussion group meets on Wednesday at 11:00. The
lessons fro the coming Sunday are read and discussed using the commentary on the
Tennessee Diocesan website. Evening weekly book studies or film viewing and discussions
are held in the Fall and during Lent. They are preceded by a soup supper that starts
at 5:30 P.M. with the study discussion starting at 6:00. Currently only the Senior
and Junior Wardens are working with the priest to organize education. We would love
to expand this group so we generate new ideas and enthusiasm for study.
Foyers - Leader:
John Templeton -
Foyer groups were started in Coventry, England. Small groups from the
Parish meet for a simple meal and fellowship. At the present time, there are 8 Foyer
Groups at St. James with 7 to 9 members. Please contact the Foyer Leader to be placed
in a group if you wish.
Buildings and Grounds -
Leader: Nannette Curran -
The building maintenance is managed by a vestry member. A paid sexton
does the weekly cleaning and a contracted lawn service does the scheduled lawn care.
Areas such
as the labyrinth, memorial garden, and the two gardens at the church entrances are
maintained by parishioners. Periodic workdays are held to clean up the grounds on an as-needed basis.
Congregational members volunteer to do other maintenance tasks as the need arises.
We can always use extra hands and expertise to help out.
Daughters of the King -
Leader: Mary Williamson -
St. James has an active
chapter of the Daughters of the King. It meets on the third Sunday every month after
the 10:30 service. We pray daily for those referred to us for prayer and host receptions
for funerals and the coffee hour twice monthly. We also do other special projects
throughout the year. Contact any woman you see who wears the Daughters of the King
cross if you are interesting in joining us.
Finance Committee - Leader:
Crawford Grice - The senior and junior wardens, treasurer
and two congregational members are on the finance committee. They meet on an as-needed
basis to study financial needs, generate a budget and make recommendations to the
vestry.
Vestry- Sr. Warden: Crawford Grice -
Our vestry has six members elected
for three year terms, two elected each year. They meet on the third Tuesday of every
month at 5:30 P.M. either in the parish hall or office building. The vestry is tasked
with overseeing all committees and making decisions to keep our church a place of
spiritual nourishment that is run smoothly in a fiscally responsible way.
Worship Committee - Leader:
Bev Mannes -
Worship committee meets bi-monthly to review worship services and plan upcoming
worship services. The priest is usually present. Members include the assigned Vestry
member, Altar Guild chair, Flower Guild chair, Music Director, Liturgical Arts chair,
and the Church Scheduler. There are many volunteer opportunities which enhance worship
such as ushering, reading as lector, chalicing, etc. Several special services are
provided throughout the year, such as the Blessing of the animals in October, and
Rogation Sunday in May. The worship committee also is open to offer different ways
in which to worship, including Taize, centering prayer, and walking the labyrinth.
We welcome all input and participation from the parish.
Altar Guild - Leader: Peggy Melton -
The Altar Guild is comprised of twelve members who serve in teams of
two or three on a monthly rotation basis. The members prepare the Eucharist for
the Wednesday healing service, funerals, weddings and both early and late Sunday
services. Each team works out their own schedule, setting up on Saturday and early
on Wednesday. Cleanup is done immediately after each service. All brass and silver
and all linens are shined/ironed by the Altar Guild volunteers. The Altar Guild
is supported with donations from our parishioners. Volunteers, both men and women,
are always needed and welcomed.
Music - Leader:
Joanne Harwell - Music is a very important part of worship at St. James as we praise God
with our voices and serve Him with our talents. Our choir is all volunteer and no
auditions are required— just a love of singing. Rehearsals are every Wednesday evening
from 7:00 until about 8:30. We sing each Sunday at the 10:30 service. We invite
you to give the gift of yourself as you join the choir and receive the satisfaction
of sharing God’s song with God’s people.
Flower Guild - Leader: Bev Mannes -
The flower guild arranges all the flowers for worship services. All that
is required is a love of flowers. We can teach you to arrange them. We currently
have about ten active members who serve on a rotating weekly basis. We use garden
flowers when available or purchase them, the cost is reimbursed by congregation
members. We welcome funding and calls from parishioners who have flowers they are
willing to donate. All church members are invited to help decorate the church for
Christmas.
Liturgical Arts Committee
- Leader:
Bev Mannes
- The Liturgical Arts committee meets on an as-needed basis. All
of the needlepoint kneelers and cushions, banners, vestments and paraments were
made by members of our church. We use a variety of media and techniques so that
many people can participate in their creation. Please call the chairperson if you
have sewing or artistic skills you would like to share to enhance worship.
Parish Life -
Peggy Melton and Katherine Grice -
Parish Life enhances
fellowship by sponsoring several events each year. They do the coffee hour and receptions
for many special occasions and prepare the food for annual events like the Shrimp
Boil each summer. They also arrange for food to be brought to those who are ill
or need cheer. They can always use people to help setup and cook food.
Outreach -
Peggy Melton - Outreach at St. James extends far and wide. St. James outreach supports
our Companion Parish in Ecuador, our two godchildren in Honduras, Emmaus House in
Atlanta and our own community here in Rabun County. The Vestry annually approves
our recommended list of recipients together with the budgeted funding. Requests
for help come to the Outreach Committee throughout the year and every effort is
made to respond in a helpful way. The Outreach Committee sponsors Brown Bag Sunday
each month. The Committee consists of 6 - 8 people and is always in great need of
additional volunteers to help with occasional projects. The Prayer shawl Ministry
meets on Thursdays at Shirley Leavens’ home to knit shawls for bringing love and
cheer to those who need uplifting and personal projects. Everyone is invited to
come learn and share in fellowship.
Church Scheduler - Cal Mannes
- The scheduler
prepares and distributes the schedule for chalicers, lectors, ushers, and nursery
helpers for our Sunday and special services If you can help or would like to know
more, please contact the scheduler. For new chalicers, the priest provides training
and the chalicer must be then licensed. The scheduler usually prepares the schedule
for one month at a time.
Stewardship Committee -
Chuck Paulsen -
The stewardship committee encourages
stewardship of time and talent throughout the year and organizes the annual stewardship
drive.