St. James' Episcopal Church

The ECW chairs both the Historic Green’s Market (since 1928 - over 87 years!) and our Semi-Annual Rummage Sales (for over 65 years!).

Our Historic Green’s Market had its humble beginning in 1928 and happens every year in November.  Since it’s humble beginning, more than 21,000 wreaths & 14,500 tabletop live trees among other holiday greenery have been hand made for public purchase through a community-wide effort.

Our Semi-Annual Rummage Sales have been going on for over 65 years.  St. James has used the proceeds of its Rummage Sales to support over a dozen charitable organizations.  The sales are held every year in May and October on the first Friday & Saturday.

The Men’s Ministry Group continues to be an active and vital organization here at Saint James. Our monthly breakfasts vary in attendance but they are always a chance to get out and meet up with other guys from the Parish and share a meal and conversation. Our conversations at breakfast generate many of the ideas for activities that we sponsor.

In 2014, we launched our first Parish Boat Cruise on the Detroit River. The Men’s Ministry Group hosted a sellout crowd on the Diamond Jack Riverboat as we cruised the Detroit River and enjoyed a narrated tour. The Men’s group hosted a Parish bonfire in November and our annual drive for warm winter clothing for men served by the Spirit of Hope community was a huge success. We continue to seek ways to be of service to the Parish and to the greater community beyond our doors.

In 2015, we will continue to gather for our fellowship breakfasts at Mom’s Restaurant in Trenton on the second Saturday of the month at 8:30 am. Come join us and help plan this year’s boat cruise and other fun events. There’s always room at our table.

This devoted team travels down to the Spirit of Hope Soup Kitchen in Detroit on the third Saturday of the month, leaving from Saint James at 8:20 a.m. We set up, wipe down and prepare the meal. Grosse Ile's Sacred Heart Catholic Church arrives at 11:30 a.m. to serve the meal. Around 175 people were served during each visit last year. Sign up sheets are on the Outreach bulletin board in the hallway.

“The Grosse Ile Inter-Faith Council is an association of lay representatives from the Island churches who purpose is to promote interfaith cooperation, and to carry out common ministry efforts. It is also a vehicle to communicate and promote programs of individual or several congregations that would be of broader interest.”

The five member Churches include, Sacred Heart Catholic, St. Thomas, Lutheran, Grosse Ile Presbyterian, North Ridge and St. James, Episcopal.

The lay representatives meet monthly or as needed with a Ministerial Liaison, who rotates on a yearly basis.

The Inter-Faith Council organizes a Baccalaureate Service for High School seniors from our Church communities and Grosse Ile High School. There is a reception after the service.

A CROP Walk is planned each fall. We have participated in the CROP Walk for over 30 years and are one of 2,000 communities that take part each year. By walking together we take a stand against hunger in our world - together we raise awareness and funds for international relief and development through Church World Services, as well as for local hunger programs.

Each year we have a Thanksgiving Eve Service. The churches rotate hosting the prayerful event. All church adult choirs participate. Often the Grosse Ile Children’s choir will join us. Monies collected at the offering are given to Church World Services and local charities. There is a reception after the service.

ChristNet is a rotating shelter program that we have been involved in since the mid 90’s providing shelter and meals from early October to late May. Since 2005, the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church has been the host church for the one week the program is on Grosse Ile. They host each year as they built a shower in each new bathroom as part of an addition to their facility. Each night a different Grosse Ile church prepares dinner, members of their congregation spend the night during which lunches are prepared and breakfast served to our guests before they leave in the morning. During the 8 month period over 34 churches in the downriver area host the ChristNet program enabling as many as 30 people each night to have a warm bed, hot food and protection from the cold.

CHAPEL TOURS We offer historical tours of our 1868 Chapel. Tours are scheduled for small or large groups. Join the team and help us learn more about our history while getting the word out about the treasure that is our chapel’s founding.

In addition to Godly Play for the younger children and Sunday School for the school age children, St. James has a Vacation Bible School for one week during the summer.  The children learn about Christ through stories, games and fun interactive lessons.  A light lunch with a special summer treat is also provided to the children each day.

Our Senior High Youth Group meets bi-weekly for fun excursions and Bible Study discussions. We seek to go on a mission trip every other year, and always include work at the soup kitchen, Christmas Caroling to the homebound, and Laser Tag in our annual events.