St. James has a number of opportunities to get involved both inside and outside our building’s walls. There are several groups that meet regularly, such as Book Club and Visual Artists. We are also committed to serving those in need by providing many ministries to the community, often through partnerships with other organizations such as Loaves and Fishes and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
Contact the Church Office (503-227-2439) for more information.
Groups
St. James Book Club
Fourth Tuesday of Every Month, 7:00pm
St. James Book Club meets on a monthly basis to discuss all kinds of books! In the past, we have read such titles as The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones, The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman and Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. All are welcome to attend, nominate book selections, and participate in discussion!
St. James Visual Artist’s Group
Last Saturday of Every Month, 10:00am-12:00pm
St. James Visual Artist’s Group is a collection of visual artists who gather once a month to show our art to each other and receive feedback and suggestions! All practicing artists are welcome to attend!
St. James Women of the ELCA (WELCA)
Meeting: Third Tuesday Sept.-June, 10:00am
Fair Trade Sales: First Sunday of Every Month, 10:30am
St. James WELCA Group meets regularly for prayer, conversation, and bible study. We work diligently to provide both funds and services to those in our community and elsewhere who are in need. We also sell fair trade coffee, chocolate, and other products once a month after worship through a partnership with Lutheran World Relief. These monthly sales help various people throughout the world generate income through fair trade practices.
Contemplative Prayer at St. James
First and Third Saturday mornings, 9:30am
Contemplative Prayer is continuing to happen remotely during this time of quarantine and isolation.
NOTE: Contemplative Prayer continues to meet every First and Third Saturday at 9:30am on the Zoom platform. If you want to be added to the list of participants, please let Susan McBerry know (mcberry@lclark.edu).
Taking time to remove oneself from the noise of daily life is a gift you can give yourself.
Anyone interested in contemplative listening to God is invited to join us. We spend time in silence, in reading sacred texts, and praying for the world, each other and ourselves.
Ministries
St. James — Let’s Stay Connected
On April 1st, St. James began a ministry that has brought us together even as we social distance. Fifteen St. James members either volunteered or were asked to take seven to ten members and contact them weekly just to check in. Friendships blossomed and those who were isolated felt part of the church. At this point in the pandemic we are drawing this ministry to a close as we get used to the new routines of life. Although officially concluded, many are remaining connected with calls or emails. We are grateful to the fifteen who gave of their time to make this happen. The leaders of “St. James — Let’s Stay Connected” are Linda Riddle, Cathie Coffman, Margie Lee, Mandy Ellertson, Scott Ellertson, Alison Dillon, Sue Hammond, Marsha Gulick, Keith and Joyce Amundson, Carl Cottingham, Linda Rickert, Kris Zellmer, David Zellmer, and David Ghetti.
Feeding those who live on our Streets
Weekdays at 12:00 Noon
For several months now, St. James members have partnered with Pastor Bruce Arnold in distributing a meal to those in need. We hand out food, hygiene items and new socks. We have conversation, build relationships and learn about particular needs.
This pandemic is disrupting the lives of those who live on our Portland streets in an alarming way. In fact, a number of helping agencies have stopped providing needed food. So St. James is helping even more. We are continuing to partner with Pastor Bruce Arnold in providing food, bottled water, socks, and hygiene items every weekday at 12:00 Noon in the Park Blocks in front of our building. The Multnomah Health Authority has “strongly recommended” that those over age sixty not participate in these distributions, but we can provide needed items for others to distribute. Our St. James Social Ministry continues to purchase items thanks to your faithful offerings to St. James.
Lutheran Ligaments
Every year, a group of 12 people mostly from St. James participate in the annual Hood to Coast Relay. This group of walkers starts in Portland and makes their way to the Oregon coast along with the many others that participate in this event. Donations received for the event benefit Lutheran Community Services.
Boxcars (School and Health Kits)
Spring, Fall
Twice a year St. James assembles school and health kits that are shipped to developing countries all over the world, through Lutheran World Relief. School kits help children attend school with the needed supplies, and health kits are provided to people who have experienced natural disasters and other trauma.
Shrove Tuesday
St. James comes together the day before Ash Wednesday, which is typically called Fat Tuesday, with a pancake feed. We open our doors to the surrounding neighborhood; all are invited to join in this festive meal.