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There are a variety of programs for individuals and families:
Lay Opportunities in the Parish by Commission
Pastoral Care
Prayer Shawl
Ministry
Music Ministry
Altar Guild
Flower Guild
Adult Forums (Sundays)
Men's Breakfast
Prison Ministry
Womens' Bible Study
"The Shepherd's Staff" Ministry
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington
Shepherd's Table
Out-reach ministries to area nursing homes
Gideons
Children's Rights Council
Community
Ministry of Montgomery County
For more information call the church office or send a message
Men's Breakfast: Every Wednesday morning the men of St. James' are invited to come together to pray, read, study and share Christian fellowship over breakfast. The program runs from 6:30am to 7:30am.
Prison Ministry: St. James' has two programs that reach out to inmates at the Montgomery County Detention Center. The first, the Tutoring Ministry, provides volunteers to help inmates get their GED certificates, improve occupational skills, or speak better English, thus increasing their future employment opportunities. The second program is the Aftercare Ministry, working one-on-one with prisoners slated for release within three months. They strive to remain in contact for at least six months afterward, offering prayer and encouragement to former inmates who are rebuilding their lives. For more information, call James Finch.
"The Shepherd's Staff" Ministry: Parishioners provide food, meals, transportation to doctors, church, or other needed places, or to run an errand from time to time for parishioners who are in need of assistance due to illness or injury. If you would like to be a part of this ministry call the church office.
St. James’
Women’s Bible Study and Fellowship: Meets
weekly on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Meet in the Bell Room for Bible
study and fellowship starting at 10:30 am. Until 12:30 pm we will study the
lectionary for the coming Sunday and some of the sources for our biblical
scriptures. Occasionally, we will include topics of special interest to the
group.
Bring a bag lunch and some handwork! After a lunch break from 12:30 - 1:00 pm we
will form a fellowship craft circle from 1:00 - 2:00pm. Bring your knitting,
crochet work, sewing, needlepoint, handwork of any kind, and enjoy a relaxed
hour in the company of your St. James' friends. Feel free to come and leave at
any time that suits your schedule, whenever and as often as you can.
Prayer and Healing Ministry (Contact: John Miers)
Members of the Prayer and Healing Ministry are present at every Sunday morning worship service with Holy Eucharist, and we believe it is of great value to both the members of St. James’ and to our visitors as well. Such a ministry is one of our most visible means of assisting spiritual growth and tending to spiritual needs.
The St. James’ chapel, where prayer desks are located, is always in use. A custom-made altar was a memorial gift to the parish, and a third prayer desk was also donated. People come to the prayer desks for more than healing prayers. Many want prayers for private concerns, family concerns, and other issues. This chapel serves to encourage these people. The chapel also serves as a focal point for smaller and more intimate services at St. James’.
Card Ministry (Contact: Ann Pararas)
This ministry strives to address the concerns of those parishioners who are on our healing list. Computer-generated personalized cards are sent to those who are ill, the caretakers of those who are ill, those who have experienced a death within the family, assuring them that they are in our thoughts and prayers. On a lighter note, marriages, baptisms, confirmations and other monumental steps in our lives with the Lord, as well as our appreciation for extraordinary service to the parish, are also personally acknowledged.
Nursing Home Ministry (Contact: )
Members of this ministry devote their Wednesday mornings to visiting residents of four area nursing homes, on a weekly rotating schedule. They present a worship service that includes Holy Communion, scripture, music and support to those unable to attend services at church.
Food Ministry (Contact: Peggy Sussman)
This is to provide and deliver food to those parishioners who were in need for any reason. Some volunteers make meals; others deliver them
Prayer Chain (Contact: Grace Huff)
The St. James’ Prayer Chain serves our parishioners by directing prayer to meet the needs of these people and those close to them, for healing or support in time of distress. When contacted by parishioners with a name of someone for whom prayer is requested, members of the prayer chain are contacted and they add that name to their private prayer list. Some persons remain on the list in continuing prayer, while others may be on the list for a limited period of time.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors (Contact: Doris Wallace)
The team of visiting Lay Eucharistic Visitors serves as a personal bridge with our parishioners who are unable to come to church. The LEVs go to their homes and take them communion, and a personal contact to let them know they are part of the Body of Christ. These persons are generally among those on the church prayer list.
Prayer Shawl Ministry (Contact: Beverly Bartolomeo)
In 2005, St. James’ Prayer Shawl Ministry was begun. Compassion and the love of knitting or crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl. In addition to prayer shawls, members of the ministry began the practice of knitting or crocheting blankets to be presented to infants and young children when they are baptized. It is becoming a model for such ministries in other parishes of the Diocese of Washington. See article about this ministry: The Window at EDOW, February - 2006.
Cassette Tape Ministry (Contact: Scott Zimmerman)
This ministry records our Sunday services, especially sermons, for persons who cannot be with us in church. The cassettes are available for purchase and are distributed by the LEVs to those who are shut-ins.
Service
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington: St. James' is one of 36 partner parishes in the Greater Washington area that helps this outreach program to help the temporarily homeless and disadvantaged persons in our community. The food placed in the baskets in the narthex entryway and brought to the altar during the offertory supports and sustains outreach efforts to the hungry and homeless of the City. Particularly needed are items suitable for lunches (individual servings), toilet articles, powdered milk, canned meats, fruits and vegetables, and baby food. Volunteers are always needed to teach and counsel. To volunteer call 202-722-2280.
Out-reach ministries to area nursing homes: Each Wednesday a team of volunteers visits one of our "companion" nursing homes leading worship services and visiting with those in residence. This is a very important ministry to these seniors. If you would be willing to assist on Wednesdays, please speak with the church office.
Shepherd's Table: St. James' provides volunteers to serve a hot meal to the homeless on the 5th Wednesday of any month that this occurs. Come join this ministry which touches so many lives in our community. If you are interested in serving, please.
Gideons: The Gideons were organized for the purpose of providing a service for business and professional men in placing the Bible or portions thereof in hotels, hospitals, schools, institutions, and also in the distribution of Bibles for personal use. If you are interested in being a part of this important ministry, contact Jerry Morrison.
Children's Rights Council: Supervised child access services, and drop off and pick up of children services. These enable children and parents to see each other in a safe, secure way. This Center is unique because it involves participation by the federal government (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), the State of Maryland (Department of Human Resources, Office of Community Initiatives), the Prince George's County courts, a churches including St. James Potomac, and a non-profit organization, the Children's Rights Council, which works to help children and families.
Community Ministry of Montgomery County