Church and the World Ministries

Church and the World Ministries
The Church and the World ministry at St. James is creating Shells (small groups) which focus on outreach ministries as well as topics of special interest to us in our lives and in our world. C&W effort aims to lift our vision and connect us with our world as followers of Christ. Each shell has a special focus. Participants in Shell groups pray, study, and decide on relevant and appropriate actions or outcomes for their focus area. Shells bring people together who share a passion or special interest and want to make a difference and they benefit the whole parish.

Shell Groups continue to form around areas of interest, old and new. Special School/Special Kids; Immigrants in our Midst; Sri Lanka; Affordable Housing and Habitat; Religion, Science & Geo-politics; Sunday School Church and the World "Heifer Project" and "Sri-Lanka Back-pack Project". Other Shell examples: Africa, Young Adults & Community, Literacy, Women in the World, and Religion and Art.

Rebuilding the Coast after Katrina
A group from our Diocese, including members of St. James, traveled to help those in need after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in parts of the Mississippi Episcopal Diocese. This trip was backed by Camp Coast Care,  which is largely funded by ERD and is operated by the Lutheran Episcopal Community Services under the Episcopal bishop in that diocese. Way to go volunteers!

Thank you to the Literacy Shell!
Eight dictionaries, (the Picture Plus Dictionary), were purchased for students that are deaf at Lafayette Elementary School. These dictionaries have an illustration of the sign (in American Sign language), of the concept, and examples of the word used in English sentences. the students were thrilled to receive their very own dictionaries to use at home, which will help facilitate communications with their (primarily hearing) families.  

St. James Sponsored Fishing Boat for South Indian Coast Families
In coordination with the Foundation for Women here in San Diego, St. James by-the-Sea purchased a boat that will support 12 families on the South Indian coast ravaged by the December 2005 tsunamis. The cost of the boat was $3,500.00. Thank you to all who helped with this effort!

Congratulations to All of our Knitters!
We are continuing our effort to ship knitted scarves, hats, and vests to the Merchant Seaman's Association. We welcome knitters to join us in the Knitting Shell Group here at St. James. For more information, please call Ethel Jackson.

Affordable Housing
The St. James Affordable Housing Group participated in the 2007 EarthFair in Balboa Park celebrating Earth Day.  Click here for pictures of the 400 square foot structure that was erected entirely by 6 volunteers and power drills...in 3 hours!

The Gift Shop
The St. James Gift Shop serves the Church's parishioners, its clergy, and the community by making available for purchase religious items, quality Christian reading, and a variety of special gifts. For more details about our gift shop please click here.

Interfaith Shelter Program
The Interfaith Shelter Network is a 16-year-old collaborative of religious, social service, and government entities helping homeless San Diegans. This program represents the work of more than 120 San Diego County congregations and 3,500+ volunteers who offer hands up to people seeking to end their homelessness. Our volunteers and congregations collectively have sheltered 5,700 people for 128,000 nights over the past 16 years. More than half of our guests leave the shelters for their own housing because of the professional direction and care they receive from Network volunteers. About 60 congregations host the program in their facilities for two to four weeks a year. The remaining churches serve as valuable supporters providing volunteers for meals and overnight hosting, transportation and donations. Guests are only sent to congregations after being screened by an area social service agency to assure there will be no active drug, alcohol or mental health problems. At St. James, we are blessed to have a wonderful space in St. James Hall with a kitchen, showers, and laundry that can accommodate these struggling people as they seek to put their lives together. We host guests for six weeks each spring. Volunteers are welcome for the many tasks including; spending the night, cooking meals, visiting, transporting, and praying with these people in our care. The next Interfaith Shelter will be spring of 2008.

New Member Ministries
Newcomers to St. James are invited to new member lunches and coffees, which occur on a quarterly basis. Vestry and committee heads will often call new members to invite them to participate in a program of activity that may be of interest to them, such as the Men of St. James and the Women's Group monthly dinners. Newcomers are often recruited to help with the White Elephant Sale, Rally Sunday, and other big events throughout the year. For more information on our New Member Ministry call the office at 858 459-3421.

The New Golden Elephant Sale
The Women of St. James draw together parish members and friends to host one of the largest volunteer-fundraising projects at St. James. This annual event known as the White Elephant Sale is now under a new name, The New Golden Elephant Sale. The Sale takes place in September. Volunteers sort, price, and receive donated items, as well as staff the sale itself. The proceeds from this two-day event benefit parish projects, and support outreach activities within the community as well as worldwide charities. Beginning June 3 you may donate to the upcoming sale every Sunday from 8:30 am-9:45, and after the 10 am service. Call Nan Thomas for info and furniture pick-up. For more information on the history of the White (Golden) Elephant Sale, click here.

If you would like more information regarding these programs, please contact the church office at (858) 459-3421 or info@sjbts.org.