1. Worship

a. The St. James Choir The purpose is to support the clergy in the conduct of public worship by recruiting and training members to serve as musicians, and choristers. At St. James, we strive to make music that celebrates the lasting, the liturgical, and the theologically sound. We are blessed to have dedicated, talented, and able volunteer choirs (young and adult) who can faithfully and beautifully offer music from Gregorian plainsong to music of the 20th century. The new organ, a visual delight, is now also both a marvelous leader of congregational song and a concert instrument of integrity. Instrumentalists join to inspire our worship and to help us praise God in the best Judeo-Christian tradition: Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord (Psalm 98, RSV). Worship of God deserves high standards and requires support of the constant attention that we give to music. b. Nine O'clock Worship The purpose is to provide an alternative worship service to accommodate different parishioners needs and time constraints without sacrificing content and care. The Nine O'clock Worship Service is designed primarily for families with young children and parishioners who prefer the earlier time. Offering an alternative encourages all members to worship our Lord and considers the different needs of a growing congregation. Music and stories are chosen to be more child accessible, and young children are actively involved in liturgy. c. Acolytes The purpose is to support clergy in the conduct of public worship and to recruit and train people for service as acolytes, lectors, and ushers. d. Altar Guild The purpose is to serve the congregation by maintaining the symbols used during Holy Eucharist, to assist the clergy by keeping the altar linens and vessels in good repair, and by maintaining adequate stocks of wine, bread, and candles for an unimpaired celebration of all church services.

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2. Social Ministries Community

The purpose is to provide the members of St. James a concrete way to demonstrate their faith and to view Christ incarnate in the world around us. The Social Ministries Community investigates and helps to implement projects with specific guidelines. The criteria considered includes: identifying a genuine need, ascertaining accessibility, and evaluating available resources. We have renovated a home in Collington Square, supported Paul's Place Community Kitchen and literacy program. We have provided simple but vital things such as bus passes for the women of East Baltimore to attend Caroline Center and air passage for nurses to travel to Ecuador for dental and medical outreach. Our "Chuck Wagon Crew" serves lunch twice a year to over 250 residents of East Baltimore while we work on renovation projects.

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3. Men's Community

The purpose is to raise funds to support those in need within our community and to improve the facilities in and around St. James' campus and to encourage fellowship among the men at St. James. The Men's Organization provides an opportunity for men to Join together in fellowship while supporting those in need in our community and improving St. James' facilities. Membership is open to all male parishioners. They prepare two pancake breakfasts per year, Mother's Day and autumn. Also, the Organization often helps the Grounds and Preservation Community with physical labor.

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4. Child and Youth Community

a. Confirmation The mission of the confirmation class is to express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. Confirmation classes provide consistency for and develop character in young adults who face an ever changing, complex and ambiguous world. Leaders direct youths in God's word and purpose for their lives. There is a separate class for adults seeking an introductory engagement with the faith and practice of the church and incorporation into this branch of Christ's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. b. Youth Choir The purpose is to include children as active members of our worship community through music and to teach them to serve God through play, work, music and prayer. By using their God-given talents, choristers learn that they are valuable members of Christ's church and that community achievements can be greater than singular ones. Children learn not only these valuable lessons, but also study music literacy, church symbols and traditions, and become more familiar with the church calendar. c. Sunday School The purpose is to provide age appropriate Christian Education in a loving environment where children learn, share faith, meet friends, and have fun. Also, we foster a greater bond between the Church and the parish community. We all want our children to grow in the faith, and we have extensive programs at St. James serving hundreds of our wonderful children. d. Godly Play The purpose of the Godly Play program is to bring the Bible to life by acting out stories, playing with props, and encouraging thoughtful questions. Part of our Sunday School Program is this intensive story and manipulative- based program for small children. Highly trained Godly Play leaders bring to life Bible truths for our young children. Animated faces listen, watch, feel and move with different stories. Wondering questions are then asked and children respond. Many materials are used to best illustrate a biblical story. This program prepares youngsters to engage worship at a much higher level and makes the stories of the church live for them (Note: St. James functions as a training center for Godly Play.) e. Youth Group The purpose is to foster friendships, share faith, guide spiritually, encourage and support teenagers, middle school age and above. This Community will begin efforts in Year 2001 to address the needs of an increasing number of young adults at St. James. Plans include trips, outreach projects, and social functions. The Anglican tradition has much to say to young people. Our intent is to get their attention and lead them into practical understandings of living as people of faith.

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5. Entertaining Angels (Evangelism and Membership)

a. Entertaining Angels This community is a focal point for welcoming visitors into our church home. Through a variety of means, we strive to fulfill our baptismal vow to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. By welcoming visitors to St. James, we extend the renditions of hospitality rooted deep in the history of Christianity, and help to ensure the vitality of St. James into the future by sharing the journey. The Entertaining Angels Community seeks to provide the enduring structure useful to reach the newcomer with the warmth and caring of St. James, and a means by which the newcomer can be welcomed and included in the body and life of our Church. b. Hospitality The weekly coffee hour at St. James is a time when we serve at God's Other Table. It is a time when the parish can socialize and communicate with one another. It is a time when those in need of friends can find them. It is a time when new, or potential members of the community can find one another. c. Membership Services Clergy, staff and administrative support for members and communities of St. James consists of extensive involvement of clergy and of support staff in communication, accounting, and mailings.

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6. Stewardship Community

0ur charge from the Vestry is to investigate the theology and practice of Stewardship and to lead the Congregation into a new awareness regarding the various ministries at St. James. The goal is the transformation of this community and the actualization of our prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Our hope is to become facilitators to each ministry community in the telling of its story.

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7. Pastoral Care Community

The mission of this group is to care about and to visit the shut-in people of our community and to carry the message of the presence of Christ to them. This is a Rector's community and involves both lay and clergy participation. Clergy offer first line pastoral care and counseling and preparation for major turning points in life. They work through adult education and sermons to relate the Gospel to our life issues. They are not alone in this work, however. The Pastoral Care Community is approaching a new frontier with excitement and expectation.. It meets with clergy regularly to prepare themselves and to visit people who are unable to participate in the worship of the church because of age, injury or illness. They offer listening hearts, prayer, and connectivity to the faith community at times of isolation and discouragement. They assist clergy with good and timely communication about specific needs. They discover Lay Eucharistic Ministers developed by the Bishop for St. James and, in addition this group sponsors seminars from time to time which are open to all of us regarding life issues. These people are ministers of the church in every sense of the word. This community supplements the on-going work of clergy in pastoral contact and counseling about issues of life and faith.

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8. Adult Education Community

The mission of the Adult Education is to provide a climate and opportunity at St. James for personal and spiritual growth, so that we can "offer ourselves, our lives, and labors in union with Christ for the purposes of God. " (BCP, page 857.) Starting in September 2000, we have at least 14 course offerings for St. James' members to take care of their spiritual well-being. Classes include bible study, book groups, Inquirer's class with the Rector, retreats, and much more (see brochure mailed in September).

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9. Wider Church

The mission of this group is to help our congregation take its place in the councils and ministries of our Diocese in order to serve there for the enrichment of our work and that of other congregations. The diocese offers communication and consulting services through both volunteer and paid staff activities. Committees of the diocese correspond to those of this parish and offer opportunities for members to do ministry and learn about visions and techniques used beyond our hill. The diocese also oversees and supports many ministries beyond our ability to do, and takes its place in turn in the life of the national church and our Anglican Communion worldwide.

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10. Communication Community (see section III. B)

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11. Buildings, Grounds and Preservation

The purpose of this group is to review Church property and the grounds condition and recommend repairs or replacement when necessary while preserving St. James' historic character.

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12. Academy

The mission of St. James Academy is to offer, in a Christian environment, a program meeting the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical needs of a diverse student body, and to prepare each individual student not only for the demands of a higher education, but for living a creative, humane, and compassionate life worthy of a child of God and a contributing member of our society. 0ur Academy serves 375 children this year with 75 professionals, without financial support of the congregation. It has added to our facility in useful and beautiful ways in recent years. There is administrative time of the Rector involved in coordinating functions, Academy Community work, and looking out for parish interests. The Rector's Associate serves as Chaplain to the Academy community, but the church is reimbursed for much of his time. The Jr. Warden sits on the Academy board and a member of the Vestry sits on the Academic Advisory Community. The Treasurer of the church is also Treasurer of the Academy. The board reports to The Vestry. There is a presence of our Anglican Tradition and of this faith community which permeates our school and helps children and faculty discover a spirituality in the midst of education. This is an outreach of enormous import and touches thousands of people over the years.

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B. Needs for New Ministries: Response of Ministry Communities to the Data