Ministries

Our parish seeks to provide a community of spiritual and intellectual engagement, renewal, and encouragement by which our souls and minds are equipped for living out the Christian faith in our world today. We seek to do this through lives rich in worship, prayer and ongoing ministries for Christian formation, service, and pastoral care and support.

Christian Formation and Education

St. James' Episcopal Church offers a wide variety of opportunities for children, youth and adults to form and develop a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. (See additional children and youth programs.)

Lay Eucharistic Ministry

The Lay Eucharistic Ministry at Saint James' provides the healing comfort of Communion to those who are home bound or hospitalized. When those who can not worship with us because of illness or injury are visited, the care and concern of our parish is evident. We at Saint James' believe that no one should be isolated from our community because of a temporary or permanent disability to come to church. Any requests for visits by our lay ministers can be directed to our church office at 262-334-4242.

Choir

We are blessed to have an active and strong choir/music program. Under the direction of Deanna Gibeau/Music Director, our choir performs at each 9:30 a.m. Sunday Service. Our choir also performs at a number of special services throughout the Christmas and Easter worship seasons. Music selection is designed to provide for a wide-ranging music experience to support and enhance our worship service. Practices are held each Wednesday evening from 7-8:15 pm in the sanctuary. For more information, contact Deanna Gibeau at 262-335-0119.

Evangelism

This committee led ministry works on events to promote awareness of St. James' in the community through a variety of activities. The Evangelism committee hosts a Friendship Sunday and a Tent Revival each year to spread the Good News. We also have an active greeter/newcomer Shepherds Program to help make certain all visitors are made to feel welcome at St. James. We meet on a regular basis throughout the year. For more information, contact Paula Altamirano at 262-334-0965.

Harvest House

This weekly free noon meal program, is a community service outreach of St. James' Episcopal Church along with 15 other churches in the Washington County area. We serve our Harvest House meals in the lower level of St. James' every Saturday from 11:30 until 12:30. There are no criteria to attend, and no questions are asked. All are welcome and lunch is served in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

St. James' volunteers help with Harvest House all months that have 5 Saturdays. If interested in learning more about Harvest House, please contact Peg Chechvala at 262-227-8630.

Haiti Project

The Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project is an outreach ministry of the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin. It is a partnership in mission and community development with St. Marc's Episcopal Church in Jeannette, Haiti, a small mountain village. The mission includes a church, medical clinic, elementary school, high school and a trade school that teaches electricity, plumbing, tiling, sewing and agriculture. The mission has been instrumental in helping local farmers produce a high quality coffee sold under the brand name "Singing Rooster." The coffee production helps the farmers support their families and helps the Haiti Project maintain the mission.

St. James gives support to St. Marc's Mission through individual and group sponsorships of school children, the financial aid of the "St. James' Friendship Circle" women's group and individual financial gifts.

For more information go to www.haitiproject.org or call Alice Kegley at 262-338-1457.

Mother's Room

The Mother's Room is a community resource for needy mothers and babies. It provides limited amounts of diapers, baby clothes and other baby items, excluding food and furniture. It also provides maternity clothes.

The Mother's Room is open the first and third Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 2:00pm and the second and fourth Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. It is not open when there is a fifth Wednesday.

For further information, please call the church office at 262-334-4242 or Alice Kegley at 262-338-1457.

DiVine Wines & Wheys Annual Fund Raiser

We are in the midst of planning our 5th Annual DiVine Wines & Wheys event which is going to be held on Saturday, November 13th at 6:00 to 8:30 pm. This is the main fund raiser that raises money for the general operating expenses of St. James'.

It features wine tasting sponsored by Jeff's Spirits on Main/West Bend, Wisconsin, award winning cheeses, delicious hors d'ouvres and desserts. We also include raffles and a silent auction with prizes ranging from a Vacation for Two, weekend getaways, large flat-screen television, electronics, as well as decorative, entertainment, household, seasonal, lawn/garden and sports items.

Event and raffle tickets are available for purchase before and after each of our Sunday services. For more information, please contact Loretta Laatsch at 262-338-0752.

Click Here for November 13th Event Details

Tent Revival

The Tent Revival is hosted by the Evangelism Committee. Held in July of each year, it features gospel and bluegrass music, worship and a barbeque. We're blessed to have again next year the very popular "Big Cedar Band", 30 to 35 homemade pies, Hot Dogs, Brats, Chicken sandwiches and hamburgers not too mention Children's Face Painting, Gospel Preachers and Worship opportunities. This event is extremely popular and enjoyed by our parishioners and the West Bend Community.

Mission Trip

For the past two years we have travelled to the Lakota Indian Reservation in South Dakota each June immediately after school is out. Adults and children over the age of twelve are encouraged to participate in assisting with building and maintenance projects on the reservation. Experiences gained and friendships made on this trip provide valuable opportunities to help share the Gospel and aid in programs assisting in our host tribe.