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Message for December 22, 2024

Silent Vigils for Peace

Silent Vigils for Peace, Wednesday, December 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm:

Beginning on Wednesday, December 11, St. James will be hosting a monthly silent vigil for peace. Given the many conflicts in our world, especially as we enter the second year of the war between Israel and Hamas, we all need a place to just sit together in prayer.

This is to be a no-taking-sides event, and so we ask people not to bring signs, or wear clothes with slogans, or to engage in conversation about one issue or another. This is a place of silent solidarity with all the people who are suffering because of our addiction to aggression and violence, seen especially in the bloodshed and destruction in Gaza, in the ongoing captivity of hostages from Israel, in war and violence in other places in our world. Let’s come together and prayerfully hold the world in love and a desire for peace.

Message for November 3, 2024

Alternative Worship Services

Alternative Worship Services:

In addition to our Sunday morning worship service, there are a number of other opportunities to gather for prayer and reflection at St. James United Church.

First and Third Sunday of the month at 7:30 pm: Inside-OUT

This time of reflection and discussion is unapologetically 2SLGBTQI+ focused, a space for people who identify as Queer to explore spirituality without having to censor themselves. This service is open to people of all faith traditions and none. It concludes with a time of socializing.

First Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm: Taizé Prayer

Based on the prayer tradition of the interchurch monastery in Taizé, France that is frequented by young people from all over the world, this reflective service uses chants, readings and periods of silence. The music is sung in many languages, repeating simple phrases from the Psalms and other Bible readings.

Second Saturday at 5:30 pm: Tapestry

Beginning with a potluck at 5:30 pm, this service celebrates the strands that make us who we are in terms of faith, experience, and identity. Based on a theme, the service makes use of popular music as its “hymnbook”. Participants are invited to bring a text or other media that represents the theme. Time is given for individual and shared reflection.

Fourth Sunday: Wild Light Spiritual Oasis (3 pm, locations vary – Generally the fourth Sunday of the month with some variation based on seasons and weather.)

This outdoor experience is not church outside but a time to seek connection with God in nature, often with a time of individual “wandering”, following an initial gathering as a group. Locations are chosen based on the time of year and participants are asked to dress for the weather.

Autumn Visitor 2024

Message for August 18, 2024

Life and Work – August 18, 2024

Bulletin – August 18, 2024

Message for August 11, 2024

Life and Work – August 11, 2024