St. James' is a community where we come together in Christ to develop spiritually; find opportunities for outreach; receive comfort when in need; and engage in sacred experiences through our liturgy, music, fellowship, and mutual ministry.
Parish life is an integral part of who we are. Multiple times throughout the church year, we gather together for potluck dinners, special coffee hours, and other festive occasions. Coffee hour is held in the parish hall following the Sunday service and is hosted on a volunteer basis by parish members. The summer services are followed by lemonade on the lawn. From time to time, wine and cheese parties follow the Saturday evening service.
A variety of other fellowship events occur throughout the year. These include an Epiphany party, annual meeting and brunch, and the parish picnic in June. Young families gather periodically for barbecues, Halloween parties, tubing, and other activities. The Handiwork Ministry meets twice monthly, and its members put in many more hours, as they prayerfully knit, sew and crochet lap robes and prayer shawls for parishioners and nursing home patients, as well as sweaters for children in need.
LOVING THE WORLD
AROUND US
Outreach
St. James’ has a tradition of strong commitment to a vigorous outreach ministry, and we seek a rector who will join us in our efforts.
The Outreach Committee encourages parish support for local, national, and international programs. With a generous endowment, we strive to focus on projects which offer parishioners the opportunity to provide hands on and/or financial support.
We have a long history of involvement in numerous international outreach efforts, including support to the Central Asia Institute, the MDG Inspiration Fund, World Teach, the Sisters of St. Margaret for their Haitian orphanage, and Doctors Without Borders to help support efforts in the Ebola crisis. Since the earthquake in Haiti, we have tried to focus our efforts to help there.
Youth Group
The Youth Group has a mission to try new things, laugh out loud, be grateful and be kind. The group meets twice a month on Sunday afternoons under the
direction of several volunteer leaders.
Besides these meetings, the youth participate in a youth-directed service for Mother's Day and work the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, a “Souper Bowl” collection for the local food bank, along with other fun events including winter tubing, bingo nights, and more. Their activities often include other community youth groups.
Stewardship
The St. James’ community tries to make stewardship part of daily living. We give generously of our time and talents as well as from our wallets.
The theme of this year's stewardship appeal was “Moving Forward Together: Doing God’s Work.” It emphasized our mutual life together, and that by being faithful stewards of all our gifts, we are better able to further the mission of the church.
In addition to generous donations to help fund our operating expenses, parishioners have fully supported two six-figure capital campaigns to address periodic major projects, including a new slate roof in 2006.
Members travel regionally to serve on Diocesan committees. Closer to home, parishioners donate time in soup kitchens, the local food bank, and Your Neighbors Inc. Lay Pastoral Care visitors and Eucharistic visitors keep in contact with our shut-ins with phone calls and home visits. Finally, even more time and talent is donated within the walls of St. James’ by greeters, ushers, acolytes, lectors, choir members, Eucharistic ministers, worship leaders and all who assist with the worship. They are joined by coffee hour hosts, office help, and by those who serve on St. James’ vestry and committees.
Clinton Central School District has a village campus which contains the elementary, middle and high schools. It also houses the Performing Arts Center, which is capable of staging Broadway shows, symphony orchestra concerts, and ballets. The school district has a reputation for excellence in academic, artistic, musical, dramatic, and athletic programs. Over 1400 students are enrolled in the system.
The Clinton village green is a focal point for many community events. The artistic fountain, gazebo and welcoming benches invite you to relax and enjoy the ambience. In the summer there are concerts, farmer’s markets, book sales, Town and Gown events, and a 10K race sponsored by the art center. In winter the square is transformed into a beautifully lit winter wonderland, for shopping and greeting neighbors.
Clinton is also home to an ice skating arena, a town pool, a town park, and an historic cider mill. In addition, there are many and varied shops, cafes, and ethnic restaurants. Local churches include Methodist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends, Assembly of God, and Roman Catholic.
"[I enjoyed] Christmas caroling with the youth group and other parishioners; it was amazing to be out in the community and see the joy that something so simple can bring to people."
"The Advent vespers service is terrifically meaningful and innovative and provides respite in a harried season."
"[I enjoy] a beautiful service with great music, a wonderful sermon, the peace with hugs and handshakes and a social coffee hour. Also, small groups meeting in people's homes for dinner and religious study or a class meeting after church."
"A couple of years ago, I had a particularly bad day and felt lonely and needed some company. I realized it was Shrove Tuesday and I walked to the church for pancakes and people were there and smiling and eating pancakes together in the middle of a cold, lonely week. It tends to be the simple aspects of being present that make me feel part of [the church]."