Welcome

In the Name of God and along with the members of this parish: Welcome!

It is my genuine hope that you will find within our parish community the peace and joy of God to bless you in your life. We are eager to know you, and we are excited to share with you the marvelous ways God is working in our parish and in our lives. We have several opportunities for worship, as well as parish activities. All this and more can be found on our Calendar Page by clicking here, or read our latest newsletter, The Grapevine, by clicking here.

Welcome from the Rector

To the parishioners and friends of Saint James’ Church,

It is a privilege and blessing to serve as Rector of Saint James’ Church as it completes its first 100 years in its present location. Since 1854, God has bestowed many blessings on our parish. Through the prayers, faith, generosity and sacrifice of our church forefathers, we have this beautiful worship space. We are grateful for their grand vision and for the opportunity to worship where many generations have worshipped for the last century.

Through world wars, economic instability, and cultural turmoil Saint James’ Church has stood as a beacon of hope and healing for Long Branch and the surrounding communities. In more recent years the parish has served the needs of the poor and the hungry through the ministries of the Thrift Shop and St Brigid’s Pantry and Kitchen. Victims of Hurricane Sandy found within our walls not only disaster relief supplies, hot meals and grocery bags of food, but a safe haven--a place of welcome, peace and healing in the midst of turmoil and despair.

The world around us continues to change at amazing rates. As a traditional Anglo-Catholic parish we continue to hold fast to many of the stabilizing symbols, liturgies, music and teachings of Christianity. Yet we also recognize that the outside world is largely unaware of our Lord Jesus Christ. They hunger and thirst for Him. It is our mission to make His presence manifest to the world.

Jesus said,

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."[Matthew 28:19-20J

At Saint James’ Church we hear our Lord’s words not only with our ears, but also with our hearts. We take Jesus’ command seriously as we prayerfully prepare for the next century of ministry in his Name. We recognize that societal change is inevitable and that adaptation is necessary on our part to meet the future needs of the church and its ministries in the next century. Such change requires us to collectively and individually embrace love, passion, forgiveness, compassion, flexibility, and selflessness. We must commit to practice the spiritual discipline of self surrender. It is not an easy task, but it is possible because we will not be alone in this process. We trust that Jesus will be with us and watch over us, strengthening, guiding and inspiring us as we commit ourselves to boldly prepare for the future.

It is exciting to see the ways in which Saint James’ has embraced and adapted to the changes in recent years! It is our hope that generations to come will continue to find spiritual guidance and nourishment here as well as solace in trying times. It is our prayer that God will continue to bless us so that we may continue to be a comforting presence to all those in need of hope and healing.

Please join with us in giving thanks to God for the blessings we have received and for the blessings yet to come. In the words of the Doxology, written by Thomas Ken in 1654:

“Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In Christ’s love,

Rev. Valerie T. Redpath

15th Rector of Saint James’ Church