WELCOME TO ST. JAMES!
Our worship times on Sundays are 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. (Children's Church available),
and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Our Thursday service is held in the Chapel.
We invite you attend one of our Sunday Services in person or watch our live stream
service by clicking on the picture below.
The Messenger Our Monthly Newsletter
Click here to read the current Messenger:
December 2025
Click here to read past issues: Past Messengers
St James Choir 2025 Christmas Concert
Click on the Picture to see the Video
Advent Sunday School Coming Home for Christmas
In preparation for the coming of Immanuel, God with us, we will begin a four-part Advent series
focusing on the promises of God as reflected in the book of Isaiah. Deacon Art, Deacon Sebastiana,
Dorry Curran, and Bob Tindall will each host a session. We will meet in the Parish Hall
between the services at 9 am on November 30, December 7, 14, and 21.
We also offer a wonderful daily devotional series, which will be emailed to everyone.
We pray that this short study in Isaiah strengthens your faith in the ultimate Christmas gift,
Jesus Christ, who is our shelter in the storm, our warmth in the waiting, and our welcome in the wandering.
Please join us!
Annual Parish Meeting and Vestry Election
Please mark your calendars for the 138th Annual Parish Meeting which will take place on
Sunday, January 18th, 2025 at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall. We will review key events from 2025,
confirm our budget, elect four new vestry members, and look forward to what God has in store for us in 2026.
We are in the process of taking Vestry nominations. If you would like to be nominated,
or have someone to nominate, please contact our Vestry Nominating Committee,
or Fr. Tom. Members of our Nominating Committee are: Terri Galyon, Linda Grizzard, Dan Robuck, and Dick Singeltary.
No spouse serving concurrently on the Vestry.
1) Communicant in Good Standing at St. James;
2) No less than 18 years old;
3) Faithful in religious attendance;
4) Financial supporter of record to the general parish budget;
St James Mens Group Ministry
The Men’s Ministry holds a prayer breakfast
on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at
8:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Their next
meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17th.
If you are interested in joining the Men’s
Ministry, please contact: Ted Kermode
Operation Homebound
Operation Home Bound provides hot meals to those who are homebound, five days a week, year
round,including all holidays. Meals are prepared at the Operation Home Bound Center at
North Lake Presbyterian Church in Lady Lake. A team of dedicated members of
St. James delivers the meals to Church members and other shut-ins in the Leesburg area.
Participate at our Services
If you have an interest in becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Usher
or Greeter, please sign up in the church office.
Our Mission
Saint James seeks to be a community that grows more Christ like, expressing
the love of Jesus Christ in our worship, our outreach, and our commitment to discipleship. Giving to Saint James and Stewardship.
MESSENGER MAILING LIST
We are in the process of updating our mailing list for the Messenger.
Currently, the Messenger is sent out by both postal mail and parish-wide email.
Copies are available in the church that may be picked up.
We are aiming to streamline our mailing list for those who wish to continue
receive the Messenger by postal mail.
If you would like to be kept on our list, please send us an email letting us know.
Click here to send us and email
office@stjames-leesburg.org
The Book Of Revelation
Beginning on September 4th at 6:30 p.m., we will begin our Fall/Winter evening
Bible study in the Parish Hall.
Revelations is arguably the most complex book in scripture.
But in its complexity it also has much beauty.
Over time it has received many interpretations,
understandings and has led to various prophetic thoughts.
It has inspired poets and authors. MacLean Gilmour described it as
“a drama of a high order set on a cosmic stage”.
It undoubtedly was the model for C S Lewis’ novel “The Last Battle”.
The Bible study will be lead by Jeff Brooke-Stewart. Please join us.
Ordination to the Diaconate
With joy and gratitude to Almighty God, the St. James community celebrated the Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Sebastiana G Springmann
at The Cathedral Church of St Luke
Orlando, Fl 32801
Click on the picture to see the video
Temporary Medical Epuipment Loan
If you have medical equipment at home that you no longer need, and is in
good working condition, and that you would be willing to loan to a fellow
parishioner for a short-term, we need your help.
St. James would like to set up a Medical Equipment Directory for our
parishioners. This directory will be filled with names and numbers of
individuals they can call for an equipment loan after an accident or befoe
a planned surgical procedure.
If you are interested, please contact Janice Tindall.
Caregivers Support Group
The Alzheimers-Dementia Care Givers Group welcomes all who have a loved one or are caring for a
loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. We meet to discuss the ways and means of expressing
compassion and how to care for our loved ones in the midst of a difficult challenge. As a care giver,
what is the best response to the many repetitive questions that are asked by your loved one? And
what can be done when other uncontrolled behaviors arise? Also, we will look at some online
resources that deal with this and a variety of other situations while caring for someone with
dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
All discussions are kept in strict confidentiality. Please note that our meetings are for caregivers only
(and not the one with A/D) to allow the freedom to share as needed. Meeting are led by Jeff Livesay
Saint James Grief Support
BLUE CHRISTMAS” GET TOGETHER DINNER on Friday, December 5th at 5pm in the Parish Hall.
Anyone who has previously attended our Grief Support Sessions (Even one or two meetings) is invited.
The Holiday Season, especially Christmas, reminds us of the absence of our loved ones and makes this time of the year very challenging for all of us.
There is something very comforting about being in a supportive environment where we can find solace in knowing that there are others who understand
our pain and are willing to walk alongside us through this difficult time. Together, we can help each other heal and can give us hope as we walk
through our Grief Journeys.
Have a Questiion? Need Help? Click to email
Susan Cyrus
Invite - Welcome - Connect Update
Greeters and the “Welcome” Ministry of IWC at St. James
Our greeters provide the hospitality component of our Invite Weclome Connect ministry.
They arrive early and are stationed at the welcome table in the Narthex. With a smile on their face,
they greet our guests, provide our “Red Bag” and offer the Welcome card to be filled out by the guest.
They escort the guests to a seat in the sanctuary and introduce them to the members around them.
We have greeters at both services.
Contact/Text Chris Leware to offer your help (352-255-2535)
Connect Orientation Series
In order to have people learn more about St. James, a series of Power Point presentations
is provided several times a year. These sessions are designed to explain various aspects of
St. James to people who are new to the congregation. However, they are open to everyone,
and every session to date has included both "new" and "old" members.
The sessions stand independently -- you do not need to come to all of them.
Pick and choose the ones that interest you.
Each session lasts about 30 minutes. The presentations take place in the Parish Hall, starting at 9:15 a.m. December 28th: History of St. James Come and learn about the fascinating history of our church, from its beginnings in 1885 until the present day. January 4th: Why We Do What We Do
Many people are unfamiliar with a liturgical church. "What is all this getting up & down?" "
Why are there different colors on different Sundays?" "What do all those bells mean?" T
his presentation will take you stepby-step through a typical service at St. James. January 11th: The Stained Glass Windows
When you first enter St. James you will be surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows.
This presentation will provide an overview of what these windows represent.
Ministries at Saint James
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Saint James seeks to be a community that grows more Christ like, expressing the
love of Jesus Christ in our worship, our outreach, and our commitment to discipleship.
If you feel the need to help us in our outreach, discipleship or any of our ministries click on this link
Ministry Catalog
to view and/or download the catalog, find the ministry that fills your
need to help and contact the parishioner that leads that ministry.
This year’s Christmas Concert will be featuring both the Adult and Youth
Choir, as well as a 14 piece Orchestra!
Our young singers are back to weekly rehearsals,
in the St Nicholas House!
All young singers are encouraged to stay after church for lunch, a few
games, and a first look into our songs for Christmas and Advent. If you know
any young people who may be interested in singing with us, this is a great
opportunity for new members to give it a try and see what we're all about.
Pick-up is at 2:30 pm. Any parents who would like to stay as helpers, please
contact Beth Williams.
ADVENT, THE NEXT SEASON TO CELEBRATE DURING THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH YEAR.
“ADVENT always starts on the 4th Sunday before Christmas. This year, that will be Nov. 30th
(St.Andrew’s Day). This marks the start of the liturgical year, and is the preparation for
Christmas. Advent ends on Christmas Eve:
Advent 1st Sunday -Nov. 30, followed by celebrating a week of HOPE for the arrival of the
Messiah. Lighting of the Ist candle in our Advent wreath Advent 2nd Sunday -Dec. 7, followed
by a week to celebrate PEACE, which Christ brings into the world. Lighting of the 2nd candle
in our Advent wreath Advent 3rd Sunday - Dec. 14, followed by a week to celebrate JOY in the
coming birth of Jesus. Lighting of the 3rd candle in our Advent Wreath Advent 4th Sunday -
Dec. 21, followed by a week to celebrate LOVE, God’s selfless love for all humanity,
encouraging us to love those in our own lives. Lighting of the 4th candle in our Advent
Wreath.”
During the whole season we pray, worship and give to those in need. This is a wonderful
Christian Season, a time of remarkable beauty and fellowship. In anticipation, Wishing you all
a Merry and Hallowed Christmas.
Margaret Braham, The Parish Librarian P.S. Please visit your Library
Saint James Tee & Polo Shirts
We have been asked to have an option for women's 3/4 sleeve polo shirts.
These are now available for $30. If any woman who has submitted a new order
in the last few weeks wants to switch to 3/4 sleeves, please contact me
directly via email, call, or text. Snowbirds. If you would like to order
shirts to have when you return (and pay for then too), please contact Marc
Crouch via email
crouch.marc@yahoo.com
to order the shirts or download the order form and give it to Marc.
Click here to
download the order form.
As a reminder, payment is due when you pick up the shirts
St James Episcopal Church Women Events
No ECW Chapter Meetings in December
Current and future opportunities to support ECW’s Fundraising
The Jody’s Giftshop has the below items for purchase: * New St. James’ Stain Glass Christmas Ornament Pre-purchase only.
*Holiday Chances, $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. *Plant Sale is on December 7th, See Chris Meade to order, 352-406-1472.
*“Souper Bowl” takeout soup for the Big Game February 8th!! *Tablescapes, “Love Is In The Air” is on February 14th.
Ronald McDonald House Outreach
You all know how important the Flip Tops are to Ronald McDonalds. We
thank you all for your continued support. It takes 1,200 flip tops to
make a pound, so many, many tops are needed! Not to worry, with all of us
pulling we are able to support the three RMD houses. Of course the other
houses are pulling too.
The monetary donations you send will support the “Home away from Home” for these families. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida
To make a gift by mail, send your check made out to RMHC of Central Florida to
P.O. Box 547537 Orlando, FL 32854-7537. To make a gift by phone call 407-206-0957.
P.S. Your donation is tax deductible. Many Blessings to all for the coming year. Meg Bremer
Visit the ECW webpage for additional details: stjames-leesburg.org/ECW.html.
JODY'S GIFT SHOP
JODY’S GIFT SHOP HOURS
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY,FRIDAY
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?
Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise
a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality,
one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community
experiencing life difficulties. WHO ARE STEPHEN MINISTERS?
Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care
to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss,
chronic or terminal illness, or relocation. WHAT DO STEPHEN MINISTERS DO?
After being matched with a person experiencing a life crisis, the Stephen Minister
meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, and provide
emotional and spiritual support, as long as the need for care exists. HOW CAN I BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER?
Stephen Ministry training is typically offered once a year.
The next session starts in the Fall, starting September 16, 2023.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact either:
Bob Tindall (717) 575-3092
walruselect@gmail.com
Sherry Lash (706) 614-0290
sblash@protonmail.com
MEMORIAL FLOWERS
Those desiring to offer flowers for any service – either in Memory of Loved Ones or in Thanksgiving,
please contact Bonnie Binneveld @ 352-255-1658. On behalf of ECW, Bonnie will handle
the monthly calendar for Altar and Madonna flowers. Then it is up to the donor to contact
a local florist and make arrangements. They should bill you directly, not St. James.
You can also reserve the Altar candle for $5.00.
Please Stay Tuned
For future updates about Worship times, and for other opportunities to
reach out to those in need, If you have any questions,
call us at 352-787-1981, or email:
office@stjames-leesburg.org
Drive-By Food Drive
St. James ECW is sponsoring an on going “Drive-By” Food Drive,
on behalf of the Leesburg Food Bank
on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
Thank you for your generous donations!
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