St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
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St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church is located in La Jolla, CA. The parsh began in 1907. The current church building was begun in the fall of 1929 and finished in 1930. A Library/Gallery was added later to the church. The church administration offices were added in 1957.
St. James has two Sunday services, 7:30 a.m., a Rite I service with Eucharist and a 10 a.m. service, Rite II, a choral Eucharist. On Wednesdays at noon is a healing and Eucharist service. The fourth Friday each month at noon is a Requiem Mass for all who have died in that month. In November and December the Requiem is on the third Friday of the month. Additionally throughout the year are Taize services on Sundays.
St. James is active in the community. The largest outreach effort is the annual White Elephant Sale traditionally in February. Proceeds from the Sale, usually around $50,000 are distributed to local, national and international organizations. The church hosts several support groups: AA, Coda Step, and a Grief Group. In the Winter, the church is host for two weeks for the Interfaith Shelter. The Shelter provides for otherwise homeless families a place to stay while saving for an apartment. Church members provide food for the two weeks. The overall programs goes from the October through April.
Worship times
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteers are encouraged to contact the church office - 858-459-3421 and ask to speak to the Assistant to the Rector.
Ministries
Children's Ministry
The Children's Ministry runs Sunday School and two playgroups. Sunday School meets on most Sunday mornings during the 10 a.m. service. The children join their parents for communion. As the children gather in the Children's Chapel, they welcome each other before separating into the different age groups: Ages 3-6 and Ages 7-11. Children's Ministries produces the Christmas Pageant, the Easter Egg Hunt, Vacation Bible School, St. James Day, All Hallows' Eve, Homecoming Sunday, family movie nights among other events.
"Wiggles on Wednesdays" group from 9:45 a.m. - noon is for ages 0-5 yrs. old. It is a playgroup for children and their caregivers who join in for coffee, treats, fellowship, stories and fun. All children are welcomed to bring their parents.
"Wiggles & Scribbles" group is from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. for ages 18 months - under 5 years on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a preschool alternative where parents and caregivers work together with their to supplement or replace their children's education. This is somewhat more structured than Wiggles on Wednesdays, this group is a play-based environment using songs, games, and storytelling to teach basic skills. ABS's and simple math concepts. The group is free of charge but requests a $15 a month per family donation to supplement supplies and materials.
Youth Ministry
St. James wants to help young people discover their true identity as children of a loving God. We value an education built on Biblical and theological truths, and centered on community, service, and outreach.
We offer young people the freedom and support to ask their deepest questions and journey toward a deeper faith in God. They meet weekly on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. and enjoy occasional post-church lunches, movie nights and service projects among other events. The Youth join their families for the Eucharist during the 10 a.m. service.
Liturgical Ministries
The Altar Guild prepares the altar and sanctuary before and after all sacramental services and keeps all materials clean, ironed and polished.
The Flower Guild creates arrangements for the main altar in the sanctuary and the Chapel. They also provide flower arrangements for funerals, memorial services, and weddings when requested.
The Wedding Ministry assists the wedding party and clergy in the rehearsal and during the wedding service.
The Acolytes serve during the worship service, assisting the altar party.
The Greeters welcome parishioners and visitors to our Sunday services.
The New Member Ministry helps facilitate the new members' integration into the St. James community.
The Ushers Team, both men and women, serve on a rotating schedule. They are trained to assist visitors and parishioners as they arrive and to be of service in emergencies. They serve at the Sunday services, special events, and memorials.
Pastoral Ministries
Daughters of the King (DOK) is an international order of women who take a vow for a rule of life that includes daily intercessory prayer for those in need, study and service to clergy and congregation.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors Each week trained licensed lay members of the congregation visit parishioners who are at home or in the hospital, bringing news of the parish, the Sunday readings and Holy Communion. This provides a vital link between those who are gathered in workship and those who are absent due to illness or infirmity, reminding all people we are one body because we share one bread and one cup.
Hospital and Nursing Home Visits. Parish clergy regularly visit area hospital and health centers to see parishioners when they are ill or recuperating. In addition, St. James' clergy lead communion and vesper services at local retirement facilities.
Petal Pushers arrange flowers from the Sunday service arrangements in small vases to give to parishioners who are not able to attend church. They delivery the flowers and a copy of the Sunday service bulletin plus check on the parishioner to see if further services are needed.
Health Ministry Outreach Committee
The Health Ministries administers a fund that provides a stopgap to people in need of medications, physical therapy, medical/dental care, counseling and medical equipment.
Outreach Ministries
Loaves & Fishes provides a home cooked meal for parishioners who are recovering from an illness, or loss, a birth of a child, or any other unexpected event. Parishioners are encouraged to cook a meal and place it in the church freezer. Labels are provided to indicate the ingredients and how to warm up the meal.
St. James Knitting Ministry knits blankets for refugee families. The group works with the Episcopal Refugee Network. Blankets are knitted in all sizes from newborn to adult. They are warmly welcomed by the refugees who most likely fled with only the clothes on their backs.
The White Elephant Sale is the parishes annual rummage sale. The items are high end for an inexpensive cost. The proceeds from the three day Sale are distributed to local, national and international organizations who have submitted grant requests for their projects. In the past few years, the Sale has been able to raise $50,000 for this outreach.
Sacred Ground Race Dialogue Circles
Sacred Ground is dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race, racism, and whiteness while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Sacred Ground is a resource coming out of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is especially designed to help white people talk with other white people, while being open to all racial/ethnic groups. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
News about St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
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743 Prospect St
La Jolla, CA 92037-4290
United States
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