From Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe:

“We are part of a global communion of hope in the Risen Christ. We do not stand alone as we live by our baptismal promises: to persevere in resisting evil, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. In these troubling times, may we find courage and resilience in our identity as members of the Body of Christ.”

We at St. James take our participation in God's reconciling mission very seriously. We engage in many ministries at St. James - within our property, in the local community and beyond. This has been a distinguishing mark of our parish for many years. Listed here are some of the opportunities available that show our commitment to our mission and ministries.

• The Lord's Pantry:  During 2025, The Lord's Pantry provided more than 330,000 additional meals to individuals and families. Each week, we assist an average of 10 new families or individuals.  Food distribution to more than 200 families continues each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., along with emergency distribution five days a week serving individual referred to us by the Homeless Hospitality Center, Ledge Light Health District, Northeast Medical Office, Covenant Shelter, Safe Futures and other social service agencies. About 15 parishioners and neighborhood volunteers assist our small pantry staff in operating the pantry: loading and unloading of deliveries, packing boxes and distributing food and personal hygiene items each Wednesday. The Navy, Air National Guard, Salvation Army, Waltham Chemical, Mohegan Sun and other businesses have selected the Lord's Pantry as the recipients of annual and bi-annual food drives. We also sponsored vaccine clinics and host health and well-being resource informational gatherings provided by Ledge Light staff and a registered pharmacist.

• Jumble Shoppe: The thrift shop is housed in the lower level of the church and offers gently-used clothing, housewares, jewelry, and accessories of all kinds to our New London neighbors at very affordable prices. We have all come to regard our regular customers as friends and are happy that the shop serves as a friendly gathering place for the community. We also offer clothing free to people in special need, including people experiencing homelessness and those seeking employment. Sales generate funding for many national, statewide and local relief organizations, shelters, food distributors and other charities. The shop has operated since 1968, staffed by volunteers who sort and organize donations and offer help to customers needing particular items. Goods are donated by parishioners, customers, and gratefully, from our neighbors at the parish of St. Ann's "Nearly New Shop" in Old Lyme. The Jumble Shoppe is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays of each month, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Faith in Action Committee: meets regularly to review the various existing missional programs of the parish and discuss possible new avenues for outreach and parish involvement. The committee makes recommendations for donations from the Jumble Shoppe with the aim of supporting local, national and international programs in an equitable manner. The committee also is charged with staying in touch with and supporting our home bound and ailing parishioners.

• Prayer Circle: prays daily for anyone who has made a prayer request for themselves or others and prayer requests entered in the book near the church entrance. Both current and former parishioners who have moved away are a part of this effort.

• Hats, Mittens and Scarves Team: knits and receives donations of winter clothing items year-round that are contributed to all the New London elementary schools, the Covenant Shelter, Homeless Hospitality Center, and to many others who are in need of “warmth” each winter.

• St. James Quilters: meet in the parish parlor on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month to make quilts and offer them to non-profits such as the Covenant Shelter and the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) for the "Nurse-Family Care Partnership." This program provides intensive visits by a registered nurse for prenatal and post-partum care to first-time mothers from 20 weeks of pregnancy to the child's second birthday. In 2024, the VNA received 31 quilts, four fleece blankets and one baby afghan. The group also sells quilts and other handcrafts at the annual St. Nicholas Fair organized by the Jumble Shoppe to support the shop and other parish ministries.

• Stewardship Committee: encourages faithful giving to St. James in terms of our time, talents and treasure. While there is a "giving season" for yearly pledges in the fall, the group fosters stewardship as a year-round endeavor to keep all of our ministries moving forward.

• Investment Committee: oversees the St. James endowment, which is used to partially fund the annual operating budget and pay for other expenditures as directed by the Vestry. This committee meets quarterly with the portfolio manager from Citizens Bank to review the investments.

• Vestry: the governing body of the church, comprised of nine parish members who serve on staggered three-year terms, plus four officers: the senior warden, junior warden, treasurer and secretary. The Vestry meets monthly with the rector or priest in charge.

Ministries Beyond St. James

Covenant Shelter: founded as a compact between St. Mary's Star of the Sea Roman Catholic and St. James Episcopal churches in 1983. Today, volunteers from both churches support the Shelter by conducting food drives, birthday parties for the children, quilts, food  and monetary donations.

An additional ministry to the homeless is St. James’ longstanding involvement with the New London Homeless Hospitality Center. The church hosted the center in the parish center from its founding in 2007 until it relocated to a permanent location on State Pier Road, and St.James continues to support it with donations and volunteers.

Episcopal Relief and Development Fund (https://www.episcopalrelief.org) sends donations to charities both in the the United States and around the world. Gifts are administered by Episcopal or Anglican bishops living in areas of need. Donations can be made directly on the website link above or to ERD, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA, 22116-7058, or to St. James, with ERD in the memo line..