St. James Episcopal Church

Truth for today. And always.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

We actively pursue racial healing today so that every person in our diocese and beyond knows that they are seen, heard, welcomed, and loved by God and by the Episcopal Church in Alabama. Learn about our plans to address racial healing and pilgrimage at https://www.dioalasaints.org/racialhealingandpilgrimage.

Welcome to Saint James at Church In The Pines. Click the link below to view the August 25th Sunday Service.
https://www.stjamesalexcity.com/tune-in

Join us today at Church In The Pines at 12 noon. This will be our last summer service at the lake.

Truth for today. And always.

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me."
John 15:4

Follow the link below to watch our Sunday Service.
https://www.stjamesalexcity.com/tune-in

Step up to the plate for Episcopal Day at the Ballpark in Birmingham!
Saturday, August 24, 2024 • 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Join us as we launch our diocesan capital campaign, Equipping the Saints, with a special event at the Birmingham Barons baseball game on Saturday, August 24th. Bring your family and friends to enjoy reserved seating, cheer for your favorite team, and celebrate our faith through fellowship. Get your $15 tickets now at the link below, or copy the link into your browser, and support our mission to equip the saints—tickets are limited, so don’t miss out!

https://www.dioala.org/event-details-id19/?id=34

Watch the Celebration of The Life of Judy Stone.
https://www.stjamesalexcity.com/tune-in

New Forward Day by Day for August, September and October. Pick up a copy in the rack located in the original narthex.

Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama Pilgrimage
Sat, Aug 10, 2024 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Alabama has many sacred spaces, places that are often connected with the civil rights movement. For Episcopalians in Alabama, perhaps the most significant is at Hayneville in Lowndes County, where Episcopal seminarian Jonathan Daniels was martyred in August of 1965. The Jonathan Daniels pilgrimage has become a fixture for many and a reminder that the equality for which he gave his life is a continuing sacrifice. There is something profoundly moving about going back to a sacred place and remembering that enables the pilgrim to resolve, to repent, and to carry on the work of building the beloved community. This year we will return again to Hayneville and remember Jonathan, one of only two American martyrs commemorated by a monument at Canterbury Cathedral in England. The other is Martin Luther King, Jr. We will gather in the courthouse square in Hayneville, Alabama, and begin our pilgrimage procession at 11 am. The procession will travel from the square to the old County Jail where Daniels was among those detained for a week after being arrested in Fort Deposit for picketing white-only businesses. The procession continues to the site of the old Varner’s Cash Store, where Daniels was killed. The procession ends in the Lowndes County Courthouse, where a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated in the courtroom where the man who shot Daniels had been tried and acquitted by an all-white jury.

Register at the link below.
https://www.dioala.org/event-details-id19/?id=18

A wonderful service today at Church In The Pines with Bishop G. The Episcopal Church in Alabama. Congratulations to Bee Worpell on her confirmation!

Join us this Sunday, July 28th at the lake as we welcome The Rt. Rev. Glenda Curry. One service this Sunday at 12 noon at the Church in the Pines.

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday I visited St Michael’s and All Angels in Fayette. As I preached about the beheading of John the Baptist, a very unsettling gospel, I was aware that there was an older woman giving me her rapt attention, from the front row only a few feet away. She was wearing a great white hat and seemed absorbed in every word, and in worship. As we exchanged the peace, she greeted me warmly and thanked me for my sermon.

Her priest told me her name is Agnes Doughty, and at 100 years of age, a faithful member and also someone who seemed to be “warming up” to female clergy. I smiled and realized how much her attention had encouraged me as I preached. I’m sure she does the same for many at St. Michael’s. Her peacefulness has to be the fruit of a faithfulness lived out for many decades, trusting God’s grace. As I reflected on Miss Agnes Doughty’s faith and peace, I realized that after last Saturday night’s events, being with her and the people of St. Michael’s was just what I needed.

In some of St. Paul’s last words from prison, recorded in Philippians, Paul encourages his church not to worry but to give thanks and pray in everything. Then he follows with a promise, and the “peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul’s life was difficult, painful, unpredictable. Instead of hopelessness, Paul’s faithfulness led him to hopefulness and God’s mysterious peace.

We live in an unpredictable world, amplified by real time video, constant internet communications, fast paced news, and incredible challenges. Faithfulness will lead us to anchor our hope in the life giving love of Jesus. Like Paul, in troubled times, we will discover a mysterious peace, leading to abundant grace and the ability to live life in Jesus. We come to church each Sunday to put ourselves in the path of grace and love that only Jesus can give us. We come to learn to live faithfully, to love each other and to love God. I give thanks for our 86 faith communities and their many faithful people of our Diocese. I invite us all to pray for peace. And as always, I hope I see you soon at church.

Blessings,
+Bishop G

𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘

Built in 2005 and unknown by even some of the biggest McDowell fans, the Council House is a short distance behind the lower camp nurse's station and maintenance area.

If you've attended the Environmental Center program, you've probably been to the Council House! You can also get to the Council House by following the trail that starts at the back-left corner of the Softball Field behind the climbing wall.

At Camp McDowell, we harness the power of the sun and the earth to create a more sustainable future!

🌞 In partnership with Eagle Solar and Light, we installed 298 solar panels across five buildings in 2018, including a ground-mounted array. This project generates approximately 86.4 kW of clean energy, reducing our carbon footprint and saving on energy costs. The savings go into a reserve fund to support future energy independence initiatives!

💧 We're also utilizing geothermal energy from Sloan Lake to heat and cool buildings in Bethany Village. This renewable energy source makes our HVAC systems more efficient by leveraging the lake's near-constant temperature, significantly reducing our carbon consumption.

By embracing both solar and geothermal energy, Camp McDowell is committed to protecting God's creation and paving the way for a better tomorrow!

Truth for today. And always.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

Two services this Sunday. 9am at Saint James and 12 noon at Church in the Pines! ✝️✝️✝️

Stay updated with every moment of the 81st General Convention this summer! Visit iam.ec/mediahub for all the latest news and livestreams starting June 22. Presented with support from Church Pension Group.