The Guild of Saint Martha
This new ministry will be divided into teams and led by Mary Jane Duncan. The teams will go into the parishioner’s home, at the request of the parishioner, when there has been a death in the family to assist with meals, flowers, or other comfort needs. This will not replace our funeral visitation at the Church. If you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry, please contact Mary Jane Duncan.

The Guild of St. Nicholas
This group was created as a ministry to expectant parents and families with new babies. There are 5 teams consisting of 4 persons each with a team captain. Each team is assigned 1 week a month. During this week, expectant mothers and families with new born babies are given care and support. If you are interested in being a part of this special ministry or are expecting and would like to be added to our list, please contact Jennifer Bracken.

Hospital Visitation
Parishioners volunteer to visit members of the parish who are in local hospitals. 

Keeping Watch: A Vigil Committee at St. James’
A question we all face when confronted with loss is, ”What can I do?”  That feeling of helplessness touches us deeply and speaks to the heart of our common life.  One of the greatest gifts that we can give to each other during these times is the ministry of presence.  Sometimes this occurs at the bedside or in a home.   On occasion, the funeral home brings the body to the church for a visitation the night before a funeral.  It remains there over night until the visitation/funeral the following day.  It is our hope that parishioners will volunteers to come up to the church in one hour increments during the night to “keep watch.”  during this time, we choose to pray or read.  It is also a tradition to read the Psalter continually throughout the night.  Many of us may be familiar with this ministry at the Chapel of the Cross in Madison. 

If you are interested in being on the call list of volunteers for this ministry or if you have questions, please contact Shannon Manning at smanning@stjamesjackson.org  

Long-term Pastoral Care
Peggy Bowles and Mary Margaret Hickman are our long-term pastoral care volunteers. Each week they sends card, notes, service leaflets, sermons, goodies, etc. to those who are unable to come to church. They also call and visit with them on a regular basis. If you would like to be a part of this special ministry or if you know someone who should be added to Peggy & Mary Margaret’s Long-term Pastoral Care list, please contact Tammie Stephens at the Church Office.

Pastoral Care Teams
These teams are the heart and soul of the Pastoral Care Commission. There are 6 teams consisting of 10-12 persons with a captain. Each team is responsible for 7 days of care to parishioners in need. During your week, the team will be responsible for seeing that care is given to parishioners who have been released from the hospital or who are at home recovering from illness or providing support for families in times of sorrow or crisis. If there is a funeral during your team’s week, visitation at the church will be provided for the family. If you know someone who might need care from our Pastoral Care teams, please contact Shannon Manning or Tammie Stephens at the Church Office.

Prayer Chain
The Prayer Chain is a ministry consisting of a committed group of parishioners who offer intercessory prayer upon request. If you would like to add someone to the Prayer Chain or would like to join contact Barbara Brunson.

Shawl Ministry
We gather to knit, crochet, and converse and pray. 
From St. James’, we have bestowed more than two dozen shawls

• in homes, hospitals and hospice.
• for sickness and in health
• for comfort in loss of all kinds and persuasions
• for love’s sake

Completed shawls and a lovely record of our work are kept in the Church Office.  Handiworkers are all ages, male and female, and feature widespread expertise.  Barbara Dearman graciously instructs as we go.  This is a perfect time to learn to knit or crochet if you have the least little desire to do so.  The St. James’ Shawl Ministry is affiliated with www.shawlministry.com  The website contains instructions, information, guides for spirituality and so much more.  Please call us at the Church Office if you would like to give someone a prayer shawl for comfort.  If you would like to drop off a shawl at the Church Office, please fellfree to do so.  We are keeping them in Minka’s office.  There are bags in which to put them.  Just leave them and we will see that they are blessed, have a prayer enclosed, and then, beribboned.  Please come or call if you are interested in any way.  Watch the newsletter for gathering dates and times.

Wednesday Lay Eucharistic Ministry
Lay Eucharistic Ministers take communion weekly after the 10 a.m. Wednesday Holy Eucharist, to parishioners who are home bound or are in nursing homes. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Shannon Manning or Tammie Stephens at the Church Office.