Welcome to St. James' Church in Potomac where our hearts, minds and doors are open to all who are seeking a community in which to worship God.  We hope you will find our service uplifting and our members friendly.  At St. James', you will find a strong liturgical tradition in which clergy and congregation join in the excitement of sharing our faith through worship.  It is through our worship and our service to our community that we grow spiritually at St. James'.  Hard copies of the information about our parish that you find here in the web site are at the Welcome Table in the entrance lobby (Narthex) of our church building.  Each Sunday, we invite you to join us for fellowship in our Parish Hall following our services; that allows us more informal time to enjoy refreshments and friendly conversation with new and established parishioners.

So that we may get to know you and understand better how to serve you, please fill out the Newcomer Information Form.   We look forward to welcoming and getting to know you!

We would like to send you our bi-weekly Pilgrim newsletter so that you can learn about us as a worshiping community and about our regular programs for adults and children.

Our Parish

You are welcome in the community of St. James' and we hope that the information in this section will help you get a feeling for life at St. James'. We are truly a loving, active and faith-filled community, made possible by God's grace and the energy and commitment of our members. We rejoice in all those who come to St. James' for worship, spiritual growth and service, whether visitors, friends or members. 

In 1963, the neighboring parish of St. John's, Norwood Parish, in Chevy Chase, and the diocesan Department of Missions joined efforts to provide for the rapidly growing suburbs between existing parishes in Rockville, Potomac and North Bethesda. The new congregation met in local schools, erected a church building in 1967, and was designated a parish in 1971. Through over forty five years, the vision of inspired clergy, dedicated leadership of the laity and loyal members guided us, offering many opportunities to see and follow God's plan, and to grow in spirit and in community.

In 1999, the Reverend Cynthia Baskin joined us as rector. Cindy serves with strong leadership, inspired vision and endless energy. She encourages us to use our talents in service to the community, while ministering to the congregation as pastor, priest and friend.

Parish life is centered in Sunday worship services. It is a great joy and privilege to come together each week to worship God, share the Eucharist and our faith. All other programs, activities and services flow from being renewed by God's love.

Let us know how we can assist you as you explore the possibilities of membership in our parish. Please use the Ministry Contact Persons listing enclosed or call the church office to get questions answered and find out about program schedules. In all activities you are welcome.

Programs

(Some programs do not take place during the summer.)

Youth Programs: Middle school and senior high youth meet Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the parish hall during the school year. They start with dinner followed by a program, ending at 8:00 p.m. Many special events occur throughout the year. Contact Don Mullins for further information (301-762-8040).  See the Youth Web site.

Lay Ministries: There are opportunities to serve as a lector or lay minister for the communion, and/or on pastoral care for the homebound.

Supporting Individuals and Families

Men's Breakfast: Every Wednesday morning the men of St. James' are invited to come together to pray, read, study the Bible and share Christian fellowship over breakfast. The program runs from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. in the parish hall.

Women's Bible Study: The women of the parish (and friends) are invited to come Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for fellowship and to study the Bible.

Open AA Steps Meetings are held Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the basement of the church.

Al-Anon Group: Meetings are held Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in the parish hall library.

Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington: The food placed in the baskets in the narthex entryway and brought to the altar during the offertory supports outreach efforts to the hungry and homeless. St. James' is one of more than 40 Episcopal partner parishes in the Washington metro area that support Samaritan Ministry, who provide counseling, social and employment services to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and willing to work to improve their lives.

Shepherd's Table: St. James' provides volunteers to serve a hot meal to the homeless on the 5th Wednesday of a month (when that occurs). This ministry touches many lives in our community.

Nursing Home Ministry: Each Wednesday a team of volunteers visits one of our companion nursing homes, leading worship services and visiting with residents. If you want to join this ministry team, call Fran Dover.

For the Parish

Memorial Garden: We have created a Memorial Garden and Columbarium and are seeking subscriptions from members who wish to have ashes interred or placed in a niche. For further information, call the church office.

Endowment at St. James': An Endowment Fund has been established at St. James'. Contributions of any amount help this fund grow. You may give to celebrate a birthday or wedding anniversary. You may give a memorial gift, or include St. James' in your will. Please call the church office for information.

How Do I . . . ?

How do I become a member of St. James' ?

Baptized persons who attend worship at St. James' regularly, are at least 16 years old, and intend to give the parish financial support can become members by transferring their membership to St. James' from their prior church. You should talk to the rector or any staff member in order to transfer. You will receive mailings as soon as you indicate interest, and may vote in parish elections after you have transferred in.

Mailing List and Newcomer Information Form - Print this blank form, fill in the blanks, and return it to the parish office.

What is Confirmation?

It is normal when adults are baptized that they also receive the laying on of hands by a Bishop and share in the tradition of the world-wide historic Anglican church. Confirmation for teenagers and adults who were baptized as infants or children is valuable because they receive adult level instruction and confirm the promises made on their behalf by their parents when they were baptized.

How do I get married at St James'?

Speak to the rector before you select a date. The rector will arrange for instruction about what a Christian marriage means, go through the service possibilities with both of you, and make arrangements for the use of the parish hall if you wish to use that for a reception. A marriage between divorced couples is possible, but more information about the state of the previous marriage is requested, and the Bishop requires a minimum of three months to give his or her permission. It is not normal for couples who are not members of the parish to be married at St. James'. There is a cost for the parish hall and organist, and an honorarium for the officiating clergy person.

How do I arrange for a funeral?

Members of St. James' should contact the rector if a death is imminent so that she can help, perhaps bring Communion to the person who is sick, begin to discuss funeral arrangements, and perhaps medical arrangements with the relatives. Upon a death, the rector should be notified at once so she can minister to the family, be involved in actual funeral arrangements, and help set the time and date of a service. There is no cost for any of the above services, though if finances permit, memorial donations to the parish Endowment Fund are welcome.

Critical Issues

Rest rooms are found in two locations in the church building:
Go down the stairs inside the front entrance of the church. Follow the hallway until the open space and continue slightly to the right and straight across the large room (undercroft). The rest rooms are on the left before reaching the outside door.

From inside the main part of the church, go to the door to the right of the altar. Go down the stairs and turn right.

Also from inside the church, go to the door to the right of the altar. Enter the first and only door at the top of the stairs labeled "vestry". A small restroom is in the second door on the left.

Parking is available in the lot in front of the church and also in a large lot located on the driveway on the right side of the church building. Enter the church building using the doors on the left rear side (from the back of the church building). Cross the large open space and continue straight ahead up the long hallway. The main worship area is up the stairway. (Handicap access is provided only from and on the upper level.)