St. James is a church of people who worship God, follow the gospel of Jesus, love and connect with each other, and walk alongside the most vulnerable members of our community. 

We don’t hide from the hard stuff.

Returning And Rest

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - From this Sunday’s Collect

Scripture is not a historical anthology. The Bible is organic, fills us with new understandings, and awakens us in new ways. Read more.

REFLECTIONS ON SCRIPTURE AND THE LIFE OF FAITH

Advent evenings

Practice Advent This Year With Some Intentional Sabbath Time
On the first three Mondays of advent, you are invited to a time of rest, relaxation, candlelight, food and connection.  Come to the rectory with some kind of very simple dish to share - it can be main dish, salad, bread, dessert - whatever you’d like to bring  (and you can stop in at the coop deli or some other place if you have no time to cook - this is supposed to be EASY). Cider will be available, but you you can also bring wine or other beverages to share.  We’ll have a loaves and fishes meal and enjoy whatever shows up.  
There is no agenda for these evenings except for a moment of prayer and advent reflection before we eat together.  The “holiday season” can be pretty hectic.  Our Advent Sabbath Evenings are meant to be an intentional, counter-cultural time out from the busy-ness of the season to honor this peaceful church season. Come get to know your friends from church better and be deeply nourishing by some quality face-to-face time.  No need to RSVP, and, as always, if you don’t have time to bring anything, show up anyway.  Come once, or every week.  
Advent Sabbath Evenings, 6pm each week:
Dec 3
Dec 10
Dec 17

Questions? Contact Elsa.

CELEBRATE the season of Advent at St. James

Show your love of God, your Neighbor and Yourself through community sharing and giving. Here’s what’s happening:

Community Advent Wreath Making - December 2nd right after the 10 am service, join with our community in making advent wreaths. Don’t know about Advent wreaths? We will share the experience with all ages and you can take the wreaths home to use with family and friends through the season. Snacks provided.

Soc et Tuum - What do you do if you lose a sock in the dryer? Eventually you find it, but there are often socks that are lonely. Imagine if it were winter in Keene and that was your only pair! Throughout Advent, we will be working on a project called “soc et tuum.” Let’s decorate a tree with warm, new socks of all sizes so  no one in Keene is sockless.

Questions? Email Lou-Anne

Reclaiming Jesus Bible Study
The Reclaiming Jesus Movement seeks a confession of faith in a time of crisis, and some members of St. James are participating through Bible Study. Held in the Jonathan Daniels Room after the 10 am service on Sundays, the group seeks to reconnect, explore, and go deeper into Christ's call to love and serve. 
This month the theme is exploring our understanding of being created in the image of God, based on Genesis 1:26-28. The first discussion was on November 4, but more will take place this Sunday, November 18 and on Sunday, November 25.
For more information contact Derek Scalia.

Turkey Carcass Sunday has returned!
On Sunday, November 25, bring your leftover Thanksgiving turkey carcass to church. Leave them in the fridge and volunteers will render the carcasses down for soup stock for the 100 Nights Homeless Shelter. For more information please contact Anna Goettle.

Just a reminder to please wear your name tag in church. If you do not have one, please contact Patrick in the office and he'll make you one.

The St. James Office will be closed on November 22 and 23, and will reopen on November 27.

This program on Homelessness is a culmination of a year long study done by members of St James and members of the local community and is co-sponsored by the Keene Homelessness Coalition. Come hear noted homelessness advocate Nate French of “Built for Zero” in NYC, and find out more about the assets Keene already has in place for helping those who do not have homes, as well as what more we could do to address this issue compassionately and effectively as a community.
Networking and refreshments at 4pm, event begins at 4:30. Free and open to the public. Keene State Alumni Center. Parking on street and behind the center.

A reading and discussion with author Abdi Nor Iftin will take place at 4 pm on Sunday, November 18 at the Monadnock Waldorf School Auditorium at 98 South Lincoln Street in Keene.
After growing up in war-torn Somalia, Abdi fled to Kenya, and then won a place in the American Green Card Lottery and went to Maine. You can get a copy of his book in advance at the Toadstool Bookshop.

Province News


Officials from Episcopal Province 1 are hosting a webinar on Tuesday, November 20 at 7:30 pm. Please note that the date has been changed - it was initially scheduled for November 13.
The subject of this talk is Brave Spaces, an evolution from the idea of Safe Spaces. "Rather than aspiring to create a space where everyone feels safe," stated Julie Lytle, Executive Director of Province 1, "the goal is to create an environment where individuals are supported in being brave - being vulnerable, being authentic, and speaking our truth even when we aren't sure if it is our truth or if it might reveal our own oppressive socialization - while also being open to others bravely sharing their experiences of us and holding us accountable so that we may all learn and grow."
For more information and to register, go here.

What are the Readings this Sunday?
(We are using Track 2 of the Lectionary.)
 

Who Is Serving this Sunday?

Who has a birthday in November?

Our Prayer List