St. James’ serves God and the community every day. Our members are engaged in dozens of different ministries, partnerships, and service opportunities that bring life to the parish and the Gospel to the world. Please contact us if you’re interested in taking part in any of these activities — and know that you are welcome!
Adoption and Foster Care Support. This ministry seeks ways to encourage and support families who are adopting or providing foster care in the community.
BEAT. Multicultural, anti-racism, and connection ministry, gathering monthly.
Casa Marianella. St. James’ members visit this immigrant services organization monthly to provide worship, food and needed items.
Community Garden/Marathon Kids. A joint project of St. James’ and neighboring Norman Elementary to plant, nurture, tend, and enjoy food grown on-site. A fitness trail is being considered for the future.
East Austin Wellness Center. A ministry to promote healthy lifestyles within the congregation and in the surrounding community.
Episcopal Church Women (ECW). ECW empowers women to do Christ’s ministry in the world. Women of all ages, ethnic origins, and socioeconomic backgrounds come together in the ECW.
Huston-Tillotson University College Ministry. This ministry celebrates and acknowledges the origin of St. James’ and encourages Huston-Tillotson student participation in spiritual and leadership activities, while introducing students, faculty, and staff to the Episcopal Church.
Jazz at St. James’. A weekend of concerts, jazz masses, and celebrations with internationally renowned musicians. Jazz at St. James’ integrates the jazz medium into the sacred context, giving thanks to God for the beautiful gift of music.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Outreach. We reach out to the LBGT community both within and outside of St. James’ and educate and advocate around the community, especially in churches and in East Austin.
Mobile Loaves and Fishes. A St. James’ team partners with MLF to prepare and deliver meals to each month to persons struggling with homelessness.
Neighbor-2-Neighbor. We provide food, grocery gift cards, assistance with utilities and rent, health education, and other basic needs for low-income people in our neighborhoods.
New Members. We work together to greet and welcome all visitors, reach out in the community, and connect new members to pertinent activities in the congregation.
Parenting Across Color (PAC). This ministry provides education and support for adoptive families with Caucasian parents and children of color, many of whom have spent time in the foster care system. Our goal is to assist families in raising strong, confident children who are comfortable in their own skin. To achieve this mission PAC focuses on education and information sharing, adoption support, collaboration building, and advocacy.
Peace and Justice Affinity Group. Discussions and activities to seek and bring about peace and justice in the community and the world.
Phenomenal Women. Women gather in a safe space, to provide dialogue and support as we strengthen our spiritual relationships with self and others on a mission to living our lives as fully expressed children of God.
Recycling and Environmental Action. We identify ways to make the congregation aware of and demonstrate behaviors and habits that would reduce the carbon footprint of the church, save energy and water, and respect all of God’s creation.
St James’ Episcopal School. We provide educational opportunities for children ages 18 months through 6 years.
Theological Discussion Group. A weekly gathering to break bread together and engage with big questions, doubts, beliefs, and practices about God and life.
Trinity Center. A team from St. James’ works to prepare and serve food and worship with our homeless neighbors downtown.
Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). This national group advocates for and encourages greater involvement and participation of members of African descent in all levels of the congregation, the Diocese of Texas and the Episcopal Church. We encourage children and youth to see a variety of vocations in the Episcopal Church, and we work to make the congregation and the Diocese aware of the contributions of people of African descent to the Church.
