About Our Campus
Our current church campus at 1941 Webberville Road was consecrated in 2007 and is home both to our congregation and St. James’ Episcopal School, as well as community-serving ministries such as Neighbor-2-Neighbor and the East Austin Wellness Initiative. Our Founders Hall is fully equipped to serve the church and community’s needs for hospitality and fellowship, hosting education events, receptions, weddings, and celebrations. Much of our 23-acre property has been left undeveloped as an open space preserve and wildlife habitat.
Our Church and Parish
The operations of St. James’ are overseen by a large and diverse team of staff, congregational leaders, and volunteers. St. James’ clergy, staff, and Vestry are aided in the ongoing work of the church and parish by participants in a number of committees and ministries:
- Audio-Visual (AV) Ministry. The AV ministry monitors sound system during worship, records sermons to audio or video media when possible, and shares recorded materials.
- Building projects include maintenance and improvements of the physical buildings and the items within, including plants, art and decor.
- Brushbusters maintain and improve the property, by removing invasive or otherwise unwanted plants and cultivating desired plants, with a view toward water and energy conservation.
- Communications. We use website, social media, weekly e-news, video stories, and monthly Voice of St. James’ to share information germane to and about the parish.
- Congregational Involvement. To connect members with ministry opportunities in the congregation and ministry opportunities in the community. This involves equipping members to identify, claim and do the ministry God is calling them to. Connections are based on spiritual gifts, personalities, interests balanced with the needs of the congregation and/or the community.
- Finance. Our Finance Committee works to monitor and guide the church’s fiscal health.
- Hospitality. We encourage fellowship and connections among people by serving food and drink after church services, to celebrate holidays and special church traditions, and to assist families who have lost a loved one with a funeral reception.
- 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.
- Office and special project volunteers. St. James’ members help with both regular and extraordinary administrative tasks and projects in the church.
- Photography. Our members work to ensure that we have an ongoing history of the church in pictures.
- Special Events. We gather for many social and educational events, including feasts of the liturgical calendar, cultural and multicultural events such as Caribbean Day, and parish retreats.
- Stewardship. Leadership for the ways we share our time, talent, and treasure in living a Godly life.
Programs for Children and Youth
We serve God by assisting in the formation of Christians from birth through age 12, using hands on, child-centered programs nestled in a diverse, loving, and Episcopal community.
- Nursery for birth to age 3: Loving care during church services and select meetings.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for age 3-9: A Montessori-based program in which young children work, pray, play, engage, and come to know and love Christ, the Good Shepherd.
- Godly Play for age 10-12: Children become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives through parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action.
- Journey to Adulthood and Episcopal Youth Community for age 13-18: Youth group and spiritual formation that encourages relational ministry and uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore that manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God, but that adulthood must be earned.
- Boy Scouts: For boys from St. James’ and beyond, the troop builds character, trains Scouts in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
- Girl Scouts: Girls from St. James’ and beyond build courage, confidence, and character, and make the world a better place.
Programs for Adults
In addition to weekly worship services, St. James’ offers several programs that bring members together for fellowship and exploration of our calling as members of an inclusive Christian community. We also come together for outreachto the community with a variety of ministries.
- Adult Forum. Sunday morning and evening events during the week allow adults to connect with each other and better understand and live the Good News of Jesus Christ.
- Connections. Small groups meet monthly to build community in an informal setting
- Dinnerana. Occasional social events for fellowship and fun.
- Hospitality. We encourage fellowship and connections among people by serving food and drink after church services, to celebrate holidays and special church traditions, and to assist families who have lost a loved one with a funeral reception.
- Intercessory Prayer Group. Prayers are offered for the congregation, the community and the world on Monday evenings.
- 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.
- Special Events. We gather for many social and educational events, including feasts of the liturgical calendar, cultural and multicultural events such as Caribbean Day, and parish retreats.
- Theological Discussion Group. A weekly gathering to break bread together and engage with big questions, doubts, beliefs, and practices about God and life.
- Young Adult Fellowship. Activities for parishioners in their 20s and 30s.
