Click here for information on our separate pre-baptism program for parents who wish to have their infants or children baptized.
We would love for you to be part of our community of faith. We view
membership not as simply adding names to our roles, but seeing that each
person is a member of Christ's body and therefore important to our life
as a whole.
Do You Want to Get More Connected with St. James’?
Are you thinking about Membership here?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, see below...
The first step is to attend services.
The first step in becoming involved in any church is to worship there, and to ask yourself if it is the kind of place you could make your spiritual home. We conduct three different services each Sunday – at 7:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:15 a.m. For more information about our services, click here.
Then, attend Newcomer Coffee and Newcomer Orientation.
Newcomer Coffees, hosted by our Newcomers’ Committee, are an informal, relaxed time to meet the clergy and leaders of St. James’. They are usually held on the first Sunday of every month at 10:10 a.m. in the Janney Parlor (in the Janney House on Cornwall Street, where the Church Office is located).
Newcomer Orientations give you a brief introduction to St. James’ and are typically held on the second Sunday of each month. Attend one of these, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, meet other newcomers, and have a brief tour of the buildings in which we worship and gather.
Participation in a Newcomer Orientation is asked of all those who attend our Discovering St. James’ and Exploring the Episcopal Church classes.
After that, meet with a member of the clergy.
If you’ve attended services for a while and have attended a Newcomer Coffee and Orientation, and would like to explore St. James’ further, the next step is to meet with Fr. John, Rev. Kate, or Pastor Mary in person, in a one-on-one conversation. This is the single best way we can get to know and welcome you. It is a great opportunity to ask questions you might have. And it helps begin to identify ways in which your interests, background, and passions might intersect with the church’s vision, needs, and mission.
Then, attend Discovering St. James’.
After meeting with the clergy, if you are interested in learning more about St. James’, we invite you to attend Discovering St. James’, a three-part class taught by Fr. John and Rev. Kate. This informal, lively class is designed to introduce you to the unique features of St. James’, and – through our exploration of The Book of Common Prayer – help you to develop a greater understanding of the Sunday morning worship and liturgy.
After attending the Discovering St. James’ class:
If you are already a baptized and confirmed Episcopalian and you simply wish to transfer your membership to St. James’, you are welcome to do so. Kay Gregg, our Parish Registrar, will help arrange for a letter of transfer, pledge card, and other paperwork.
- If you are an adult* and are baptized** but have never been confirmed (i.e., made an adult, public affirmation of your faith), and you want to be confirmed as an Episcopalian, OR
- If you have been baptized and confirmed in another denomination but you want to be received into the Episcopal Church, OR
If you are already a baptized and confirmed Episcopalian but wish to reaffirm the commitment you made earlier in life, THEN
Attend Exploring the Episcopal Church.
This three-part class is taught by Fr. John and Rev. Kate, and prepares you (if you so choose) to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church at the time of the Bishop’s annual visit to St. James’.
The next Exploring the Episcopal Church will be held on Sunday, May 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and on Saturday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall, in preparation for this year's visit by Bishop Jones on Sunday, May 18. A light lunch will be provided, and childcare will be available.
*For purposes of these classes, “adult” is defined as 18 years of age, or older. Separate baptism preparation programs are offered for parents who wish to have their infants or children baptized, and for youth (13-17) who wish to be confirmed or baptized. Please contact the Church Office for details.
**If you have never been baptized, but wish to explore this opportunity, please contact Rev. Kate.
For information on classes, contact the Church Office by email or at (703)777-1124.