St. James has a history of reaching out beyond its doors to engage those who live in the surrounding neighborhood. We do this through vital partnerships with 360 Communities and CAP Agency, helping to support and stock food pantries. We also financially support the good work of CATCH, who received a half tithe of our Lenten offering (the other half tithe went to support Lutheran World Relief.) Currently, we are collecting cleaning supplies to residents in seven CATCH housing units (click here for more info)
St. James also provides space to community groups - such as Boy and Girl Scouts, Al-anon, AA, TOPS, an African prayer group, and the Prior Lake High School Knowledge Bowl team. We open our doors and share our wonderful building to as many groups as we can extend hospitality.
A few years ago, we took sharing space to a new level as we welcomed a SDA Hispanic congregation to use our sanctuary. What a joy it is to know that each week praises to God are lifted in our sanctuary in both English and Spanish! I guarantee you that God - who happens to be multi-lingual - smiles regularly on this relationship.
The neighborhood surrounding St. James is changing. We are becoming more diverse as an overall community, even as the demographic make-up of St. James remains largely the same. This poses a challenge as we seek to engage neighbors who are increasingly from other traditions, cultures, and languages. I have been talking with other leaders as to possible ways we might rise to the new ministry opportunities that at our front door.
As I think about ministry this week, I wonder if others share a passion to engage particularly our Spanish speaking neighbors. Who speaks Spanish? Let me know by sending me an email - pastorwalt@stjameslc.com.
I look forward to being with you in ministry and worship (on either Wednesday or Sunday) this week. Blessings to you during these warm summer days. Don’t forget to hydrate and while doing so remember your baptism.
in Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt