WELCOME TO ST. JAMES!
Our worship times on Sundays are 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. (Children's Church available),
and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Our Thursday service is held in the Chapel.
We invite you attend one of our Sunday Services in person or watch our live stream
service by clicking on the picture below.
The Messenger Our Monthly Newsletter
Click here to read the current Messenger:
January 2026
Click here to read past issues: Past Messengers
Annual Parish Meeting and Vestry Election
Please mark your calendars for the 138th Annual Parish Meeting which will take place on
Sunday, January 18th, 2025 at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall. We will review key events from 2025,
confirm our budget, elect four new vestry members, and look forward to what God has in store for us in 2026.
We are in the process of taking Vestry nominations. If you would like to be nominated,
or have someone to nominate, please contact our Vestry Nominating Committee,
or Fr. Tom. Members of our Nominating Committee are: Terri Galyon, Linda Grizzard, Dan Robuck, and Dick Singeltary.
No spouse serving concurrently on the Vestry.
1) Communicant in Good Standing at St. James;
2) No less than 18 years old;
3) Faithful in religious attendance;
4) Financial supporter of record to the general parish budget; Click here to read the Bio's on this years Nominees
St James Mens Group Ministry
The Men’s Ministry holds a prayer breakfast
on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at
8:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Their next
meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21st.
If you are interested in joining the Men’s
Ministry, please contact: Ted Kermode
Operation Homebound
Operation Home Bound provides hot meals to those who are homebound, five days a week, year
round,including all holidays. Meals are prepared at the Operation Home Bound Center at
North Lake Presbyterian Church in Lady Lake. A team of dedicated members of
St. James delivers the meals to Church members and other shut-ins in the Leesburg area.
Participate at our Services
If you have an interest in becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Usher
or Greeter, please sign up in the church office.
Eucharistic Visitor Training
One of the very important ministries at St. James is the Eucharistic Visitor Program.
The Eucharistic Visitors take communion to people who are unable to make it to St. James.
This very nourishing ministry helps keep people connected to St. James at times when they are unable to be physically present.
If you would like to become a Eucharistic Visitor, we will be having at training session soon. This training will occur after the 10:15 Service on Sunday, January 25, 2026. We will meet in the Parish Hall.
If you are interested in participating in this training, please contact the Office at 352-787-1981 and indicate that you will be attending.
Young Adult Group Begins New Study
St. James began a young adult Bible study group in 2026, spearheaded by Sean and Lara Lahey.
The group is open to people between 18 and 30 (ish) years of age. They meet on Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm.
Dinner is included. There is no cost to participate. Click here for all the details
Our Mission
Saint James seeks to be a community that grows more Christ like, expressing
the love of Jesus Christ in our worship, our outreach, and our commitment to discipleship. Giving to Saint James and Stewardship.
MESSENGER MAILING LIST
We are in the process of updating our mailing list for the Messenger.
Currently, the Messenger is sent out by both postal mail and parish-wide email.
Copies are available in the church that may be picked up.
We are aiming to streamline our mailing list for those who wish to continue
receive the Messenger by postal mail.
If you would like to be kept on our list, please send us an email letting us know.
Click here to send us and email
office@stjames-leesburg.org
The Book Of Revelation
Our Fall/Winter evening Bible study continues in the Parish Hall on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Revelations is arguably the most complex book in scripture.
But in its complexity it also has much beauty.
Over time it has received many interpretations,
understandings and has led to various prophetic thoughts.
It has inspired poets and authors. MacLean Gilmour described it as
“a drama of a high order set on a cosmic stage”.
It undoubtedly was the model for C S Lewis’ novel “The Last Battle”.
The Bible study will be lead by Jeff Brooke-Stewart. Please join us.
Temporary Medical Epuipment Loan
If you have medical equipment at home that you no longer need, and is in
good working condition, and that you would be willing to loan to a fellow
parishioner for a short-term, we need your help.
St. James would like to set up a Medical Equipment Directory for our
parishioners. This directory will be filled with names and numbers of
individuals they can call for an equipment loan after an accident or befoe
a planned surgical procedure.
If you are interested, please contact Janice Tindall.
Caregivers Support Group
The Alzheimers-Dementia Care Givers Group welcomes all who have a loved one or are caring for a loved
one with Alzheimer's or dementia. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month to discuss the ways and
means of expressing compassion and how to care for our loved ones in the midst of a difficult challenge.
All discussions are kept in strict confidentiality. Please note that our meetings are for caregivers only
(and not the one with A/D) to allow the freedom to share as needed.
Saint James Grief Support
Our next Grief Support Gathering is this Thursday, February 05, 2026 at the St. James Episcopal Chapel located behind the church (204 N. Lee Street in Leesburg). Meet and Greet will start at 3:00 on the Veranda In front of the Parish Hall. Bottled water and a small snack (usually chocolate) are provided.
Our conversation topic for February is “Refocusing after Losing a Spouse or Significant Loved One”. One of the most difficult tasks after loss is refocusing and rebuilding our lives. How do we find new purpose in our lives again? Join us as we share our experiences and thoughts on helping each other “Move Forward”.
Hope to see you Thursday, February 5th at St. James Episcopal Church’s Chapel . Our grief support group meets once a month and is open to anyone who has lost a loved one and needs support from others who know firsthand what they are going through.
Have a Questiion? Need Help? Click to email
Susan Cyrus
Invite - Welcome - Connect Update
Greeters and the “Welcome” Ministry of IWC at St. James
Our greeters provide the hospitality component of our Invite Weclome Connect ministry.
They arrive early and are stationed at the welcome table in the Narthex. With a smile on their face,
they greet our guests, provide our “Red Bag” and offer the Welcome card to be filled out by the guest.
They escort the guests to a seat in the sanctuary and introduce them to the members around them.
We have greeters at both services.
Contact/Text Chris Leware to offer your help (352-255-2535)
Connect Orientation Series
In order to have people learn more about St. James, a series of Power Point presentations
is provided several times a year. These sessions are designed to explain various aspects of
St. James to people who are new to the congregation. However, they are open to everyone,
and every session to date has included both "new" and "old" members.
The sessions stand independently -- you do not need to come to all of them.
Pick and choose the ones that interest you.
Each session lasts about 30 minutes. The presentations take place in the Parish Hall, starting at 9:15 a.m. January 11th: The Stained Glass Windows
When you first enter St. James you will be surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows.
This presentation will provide an overview of what these windows represent.
Ministries at Saint James
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Saint James seeks to be a community that grows more Christ like, expressing the
love of Jesus Christ in our worship, our outreach, and our commitment to discipleship.
If you feel the need to help us in our outreach, discipleship or any of our ministries click on this link
Ministry Catalog
to view and/or download the catalog, find the ministry that fills your
need to help and contact the parishioner that leads that ministry.
Crescendo Choral Festival
Mark your calendars! The St James Adult Choir and the St James Youth Choir will be participating
in the Crescendo Choral Festival on Sunday, Feb. 1st at 4pm! This free community event will take
place at Morrison United Methodist Church in Leesburg. This year, our singers have the privilege
of working with special guest conductor and composer, Joel Raney! This is a FREE event, but a ticket IS required,
so speak with a choir member if you plan to attend. We hope to see you there as we represent our church within this great music community!
Our young singers are back to weekly rehearsals, in the St Nicholas House!
All young singers are encouraged to stay after church for lunch, a few
games. If you know any young people who may be interested in singing with us, this is a great
opportunity for new members to give it a try and see what we're all about.
Pick-up is at 2:30 pm. Any parents who would like to stay as helpers, please
contact Beth Williams.
New Year, a new mission and renewed hope. I am writing a message to you, dear reader, about EPIPHANY, a day celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas and the end of the brief, twelve day period known as CHRISTMASTIDE, during which the three Wisemen, Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior, guided by the Star in the East traveled to Bethlehem, with their gifts, and beheld Jesus in the Manger, and honored him as their King. Think of all the carols, the evangelical scripture that record this blessed event.
Above the altar in the St James sanctuary hangs a glass Epiphany star, which commemorates this glorious event. Read more about it on Wikipedia or in books from our parish library.
The next Christian church season is Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th.
Until then, thanks to Ronnie Young for designing and crafting our beautiful EPIPHANY
STAR , and thanks to the parish crew who place it so high for all to enjoy and remember when.
P.S. Please visit your Library
Margaret Braham, The Parish Librarian
Saint James Tee & Polo Shirts
We have been asked to have an option for women's 3/4 sleeve polo shirts.
These are now available for $30. If any woman who has submitted a new order
in the last few weeks wants to switch to 3/4 sleeves, please contact me
directly via email, call, or text. Snowbirds. If you would like to order
shirts to have when you return (and pay for then too), please contact Marc
Crouch via email
crouch.marc@yahoo.com
to order the shirts or download the order form and give it to Marc.
Click here to
download the order form.
As a reminder, payment is due when you pick up the shirts
St James Episcopal Church Women Events
ECW Chapter Meetings
ECW Board Meeting January 6th
9AM St Nicholas House
ECW General Meeting
10AM Parish Hall
Chapter Meetings January 20th
10AM St Ann's - Parish Hall
10AM St Francis - St Nicholas House
3PM St Cecilia's - Parish Hall
ECW FUNDRAISESRS FEBRUARY 8TH "Souper Bowl"- Takeout Soup for the Game
Pickup between the services 9am - 10 am and after the 10:15 service. Please pickup order forms at Jodi's or the Church Office. Please Order in Advance! (352)-787-1981. FEBRUARY 14TH "Tablescrapes"
– Come join us on Saturday, February 14th @ 4:30 in the Parish Hall for a delicious dinner and fellowship in support of ECW.
Childcare will be provided in the St. Nicholas House if needed by Beth Williams.
The price is $35.00 per plate, with a choice of Chicken or Shrimp over pasta, soup, salad, dessert, wine, iced tea or lemonade.
Tickets will be available on the veranda on January 18th and 25th then again on February 1st and 8th. This is a limited seating event.
For more information regarding these two events, please contact:
the church office (352) 787-1981
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!! ~ ECW GRAND AUCTION ~MARCH 7, 2026
It's hard to believe, but the ECW Grand Auction is just around the corner!
This is a huge fund-raiser for ECW's outreach efforts, and it has traditionally been strongly supported by the St. James Community.
A project of this size requires "many hands" in order to be a success, and we are hoping you will be able to help. HOW CAN I HELP? 1. PRAY that this event will provide meaningful financial support to the programs that have been chosen by ECW. 2. DONATE something to the Auction. We need items for both the Live Auction and the Silent Auction.
Not everything is appropriate, so if you have an ideas please discuss it with the Chairperson, Bob Tindall: 3. VOLUNTEER to help with the Auction. We have a specific need for someone to take care of the Food Beverages.
And there are several other ways you can help as well. 4. ATTEND ~Tickets are only $5. 5. BUY lots of stuff!
For more information, please contact:
Bob Tindall (717) 575-3092 /walruselect@gmail.com or call the church office at 352-787-1981.
Ronald McDonald House Outreach
This is one of the times of year we are grateful and count our many blessings.
As you enjoy celebrating with family and friends, pulling flip tops, Ronald McDonald House is also grateful,
and thanks you for pulling the tabs. These tabs make it possible for families of critically ill children that
need hospitalization to have comfortable lodging and meals, gratis. Many blessings and a Happy New Year.
The monetary donations you send will support the “Home away from Home” for these families. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida
To make a gift by mail, send your check made out to RMHC of Central Florida to
P.O. Box 547537 Orlando, FL 32854-7537. To make a gift by phone call 407-206-0957.
P.S. Your donation is tax deductible. Many Blessings to all for the coming year. Meg Bremer
Visit the ECW webpage for additional details: stjames-leesburg.org/ECW.html.
JODY'S GIFT SHOP
JODY’S GIFT SHOP HOURS
WEDNESDAY,THURSDAY,FRIDAY
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?
Stephen Ministry offers a proven and effective way to organize, equip, and supervise
a team of congregation members—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality,
one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community
experiencing life difficulties. WHO ARE STEPHEN MINISTERS?
Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care
to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss,
chronic or terminal illness, or relocation. WHAT DO STEPHEN MINISTERS DO?
After being matched with a person experiencing a life crisis, the Stephen Minister
meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, and provide
emotional and spiritual support, as long as the need for care exists. HOW CAN I BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER?
Stephen Ministry training is typically offered once a year.
The next session starts in the Fall, starting September 16, 2023.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact either:
Bob Tindall (717) 575-3092
walruselect@gmail.com
Sherry Lash (706) 614-0290
sblash@protonmail.com
MEMORIAL FLOWERS
Those desiring to offer flowers for any service – either in Memory of Loved Ones or in Thanksgiving,
please contact Bonnie Binneveld @ 352-255-1658. On behalf of ECW, Bonnie will handle
the monthly calendar for Altar and Madonna flowers. Then it is up to the donor to contact
a local florist and make arrangements. They should bill you directly, not St. James.
You can also reserve the Altar candle for $5.00.
Please Stay Tuned
For future updates about Worship times, and for other opportunities to
reach out to those in need, If you have any questions,
call us at 352-787-1981, or email:
office@stjames-leesburg.org
Drive-By Food Drive
St. James ECW is sponsoring an on going “Drive-By” Food Drive,
on behalf of the Leesburg Food Bank
on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
Thank you for your generous donations!
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