Welcome to St. James Episcopal Church
St. James’ Mission Statement – As a christian community, St. James’ mission is ministering in God’s love to the spiritual and physical needs of all people in the name of Christ.
We are a parish of The Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the Diocese of Mississippi. Our Bishop is the Right Reverend Brian R. Seage. The Episcopal Church is part of a worldwide communion of Anglican churches. Our history is rooted in the Church of England and we look to the Archbishop of Canterbury for Communion leadership. St. James was established in Greenville in 1869 and we welcome you to walk with us in whatever stage of certainty or doubt you find yourself. We are a people whose life finds its source and meaning in Holy Baptism, through which we all are adopted as God’s children, and by which we become members of Christ’s holy and universal Church. The vows we take at baptism commit us to a radical love of God, of each other, and of all who might need us. Each Sunday we gather for Holy Eucharist, a ritual meal that binds us together in Christ’s love and strengthens us to take that love into the world. We seek and affirm the broadest kind of diversity in our membership and we welcome all baptized persons to the holy table.
New Member Information
If you wish to join our Church but you have not been baptized, you may speak to the minister about instruction for your baptism into the body of Christ. If you are a member of another church, you may have your present membership transferred to St. James from another Episcopal church; or you may speak to the minister about membership in the Episcopal Church.
All newcomers are invited to participate in any program of St. James. There are opportunities for people of every age to learn, grow, and meet others who are seeking to deepen their faith and connect with others. You may have your name added to our mailing list to receive our newsletter which includes information about our church programs.
If you are a member of another church and you work or live in the city temporarily, we encourage you to worship with us and join in our life as fully as you wish.
Message from the Rector
Greetings in the Name of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your interest in St. James’ Episcopal Church. If you are unfamiliar with the Episcopal tradition in general, then I would say that as an Episcopal Church we celebrate the Good News of God in Christ using liturgies drawn from the whole of Christian history. Some of the prayers we use were written in the first centuries of the Church; others, just yesterday. The focus of our services is worshiping God. To us, God is the audience and the people are the performers. We come to church not so much to receive something ourselves as to give something to God. But in giving, we do receive.
Our worship style varies through the Church year. We sing songs from the Southern Gospel tradition and hymns written in Latin centuries ago. Our House Church services are family oriented and extremely casual. Some Sunday services are “smells and bells” high church while others are “snake belly” low church. ( And if those terms mean nothing to you, then come on by and experience them for yourself.) We try to encompass the full spectrum of Episcopal worship in our offerings to God.
If you are looking for a community of believers who seek to serve God and be the Body of Christ to the world, then please consider joining us at one of our services. You are invited.
Peace,
Fr. Brandt+
Church Staff
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Parish Administrator
Betsy Bostic
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Organist / Choirmaster
Joey Polk -
Director of the Day School
Liz Weissinger
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Veronica Williams
Sexton
