St. James United Church of Christ

Missions and Activities at St. James

St. James' Mission Activities Committee (MAC) is an active group that meets monthly and coordinates many of the church's mission programs. St. James has "adopted" the boys in Dubbs Cottage at Bethany Children's Home in Womelsdorf, PA , as a way of supporting and caring for the tremendous work done there. The home, a place for children in need, is run by the United Church of Christ. In addition to food shelter and clothing, Bethany provides medical care, education, individual and group therapy, case management, counseling, therapeutic recreational activities, music therapy and music programs to the children placed there. St. James holds an annual Variety Show to raise funds to purchase Christmas gifts for the boys in Dubbs Cottage.

MAC also undertakes various one-time projects that differ from year to year, and past projects have included distributing "manna bags" as a way of increasing food bank contributions to neighbors in need, developing a group of "mission helpers" (people to call in furthering the mission of St. James), and raising funds for the work of St. James and the United Church of Christ through craft fairs and other means.

Each summer as St. James' teens leave for the annual workcamp experience a box of bibles are packed next to sleeping bags, tools and suitcases. At the end of the work week, every member of St. James presents a Bible to his/her house resident as a gesture of remembrance and friendship. These have always been received with love and thankfulness.

St. James also participates in an Auxiliary to the Wyncote Church Home, a United Church of Christ-affiliated nursing home for the aging, which helps raise funds to improve the quality of life for residents in the Home.

The sense of community, friendship and social life among St. James members is very strong. A few examples of activities offered through the church:

St. James joins five other area congregations in hosting a Senior Supper Club on a rotating basis;
an annual Strawberry Festival and craft sale is held in June (a fun-filled day that also raises funds for the St. James youth group);
community picnics held from time to time;
3rd Sunday social after church (sponsored through the Evangelism Committee), church-goers are invited to share in coffee, soda and snacks while catching up with their friends and meeting new members and visitors, and;
a weekly church bowling league with other congregations in the area.

St. James also lends its church facility to at least seven groups on a rotating basis, including the Masterworks Chorale, Metropolitan Painters, Sons of Italy-Benvenuto Lodge and the Grange Workshop; and also rents space to the Friendly Faces Day Care Center.

events and activities

music and worship

Sam's kitchen