Mission Statement
The mission of Saint James' Episcopal Church is to profess the Good News of Jesus Christ through worship, effective ministry and outreach so that others may know his redeeming love.
Our Vision
Worship:
The prayerful structure with which we worship is found in the Book of Common Prayer. The Book of Common Prayer was compiled centuries ago by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and contains the patterns of worship and ancient forms of prayer that existed in the earliest days of the Christian church. The Book of Common Prayer guides our worship in the Daily Offices of Morning, Noonday, and Evening Prayer and celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. The Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer explicates the Sacraments of the church.
Saint James' Church in Watkins Glen is committed to maintaining the Book of Common Prayer as the center of our worship.
Ministry:
Through our various ministries, Saint James' has a very real presence in the community.
- Pastoral Care - Being there to listen, council, pray, worship and to administer the sacraments to all of our people.
- Education - Through sermon and through study, the Church can be a source of knowledge to anyone interested and willing to learn.
Outreach:
What is outreach? Well, it's exactly what it sounds like - reaching out. What can we give back to society? What positive role can the church have in terms of helping the community? These are the central questions. While Saint James' is not a massive church that has tons of programs of its own, we can still make a difference in the lives of many people in Schuyler County. Our Thrift Shop which provides gently used clothing and shoes has served the people of Schuyler County for decades. And through our collaboration with Catholic Charities, we can also reach out by providing food, clothing and support to the less fortunate on a larger scale.