Finding Your Place at St. James: How to Become a Member
Learning About and Joining St. James
We hope you will consider making St. James your spiritual home. A wealth of information about the church can be found throughout our website. Read below for more on our introduction classes and church membership.
A note from our Rector:
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As St. James continues to grow, we love that we are hearing this question more and more. Like almost everything in the Episcopal Church, there’s a simple answer and a complicated answer. The simple answer: Do you consider St. James your spiritual home? If the answer is yes, then you’re a member. That’s it! Let us know and we’ll make sure to list you as a member in our online directory, Realm, and you will be sent a link to access the directory yourself. There is no series of tests, classes, or hoops for you to belong at St. James. This fits with the changing pattern of how newcomers and especially new Christians find and engage with the Church. In the past, one would “behave, believe, and only then belong” to a church. In other words, you first patterned your life in a way that fit with the faith, then you expressed and committed to the faith, and only then you belonged—became a member. Nowadays, it’s much more common for folks to come into the Church by belonging first, then behaving, then believing. This, in general, fits with the liturgical view that our praying shapes believing. By belonging to church and worshiping together, the Spirit gradually shapes us in the pattern of faith, discipleship, and commitment. What about my letter of membership? If you are coming from another church, especially another Episcopal parish, you might have a “letter” of membership that can be moved to St. James. This is a formality and has more to do with record-keeping for the broader, denominational church than with participation and membership in an individual parish. Think of it as administrative membership! What about Confirmation? The Church’s theology of Confirmation continues to evolve after the 1979 Prayer Book made Baptism the full initiation into the Church. Confirmation is no longer a gateway into the sacramental life of the Church; rather it is understood as a mature, public confession, affirmation, or reaffirmation of faith and, implicitly, a commitment to explore and work out your faith in the community of the parish and through the Episcopal church. It’s why there is a multi-week series required for Confirmation. But in truth, the only pieces of our community life that require Confirmation are serving on the Vestry and serving the Sacraments. How do I get involved or get to know other people? We are continually developing our process for connecting new folks to the life and heart of St. James. The first way of course is through the Newcomers Café, led by our robust and engaged newcomers ministry. You can also pick up our ministry directory and contact any of our ministry leaders for more information about how to be involved. Pay attention, too, to events and gatherings listed in the bulletin or e-bulletin. You are welcome at any and all of those gatherings, too. Come to Coffee Hour, Lemonade on the Lawn, or Sunday Adult Formation! One thing I am certain of — if this is your spiritual home, then there is a place for you to serve or to be connected. And, like most communities, the more you put into it the more deeply connected you will become. David+ |
How do I become a member?Introduction Classes
A series of Introduction to St. James classes (called Exploring the Episcopal Experience at St. James) is offered once a year to familiarize newcomers with their new church home and there are quarterly opportunities for newcomers to gather, learn about, and meet leaders at St. James. Topics include liturgical practices, church history, our various ministry groups, how you can get involved, and what the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement is all about. Please use the contact form below to let us know you are interested in attending.
Membership
If you have been coming to our services on a regular basis, you are already part of the congregation. You can make the decision to join St. James official by transferring your membership. If you wish to transfer, to enter St. James from another denomination, or to become a Christian, please contact our Rector, The Rev. David Henson or our Director of Operations.
Contact St. James to Learn More
If you would like to request an invitation to our Introduction to St. James classes, or learn more about church membership, please reach out to us with the contact form below. One of our clergy, or a member of our Welcome Committee, will be in touch soon to help you take the next steps.