Weddings at St. James’
Marriage is a sacred covenant. Two people promise before God and their community to love, honor and cherish each other for as long as they live. As an inclusive and affirming church, we believe that love is love and marriage is marriage.
Covenant relationship is at the heart of who we are. In marriage, two people choose to belong to each other, and the gathered community promises to uphold them in that walk together. Their love becomes another thread in the diverse tapestry of God’s creation, a sign of the faithful, generous love God has for each of us.
Whether you are a longtime member or new to our community, our clergy will walk with you through prayerful preparation for your life together. Pre-marital preparation is required. We are delighted to celebrate in English, in Spanish, or in both in order to gather your loved ones together. When you marry at St. James’, we set a table of welcome for you, your families and your friends, where all can encounter Christ’s love.
Quinceañeras at St. James’
A quinceañera marks a young woman’s fifteenth birthday. It is a joyful milestone as she grows from girlhood into young adulthood. At St. James’, we celebrate it as a sacred moment in her spiritual journey. She gives thanks to God for her life, renews her commitment to follow Christ, and receives the blessing of her family and her church community.
As a multi-ethnic and multilingual congregation, we believe this tradition enriches the diverse tapestry of God’s creation that we are blessed to be part of. Rooted in our Spanish-speaking community, which has made its home at St. James’ since 2004, the quinceañera is one of the ways we set tables of welcome where all can encounter Christ’s love.
We don’t walk alone. Family, padrinos and the whole parish promise to support her in faith and friendship as she continues to grow. This is our covenant of belonging to each other. All are welcome to rejoice with us.
Celebration of Life at St. James’
When someone we love dies, we gather to give thanks to God for their life, commend them to God’s eternal care, and comfort one another in our grief. As the Book of Common Prayer reminds us, “The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy.” Even as we mourn, we proclaim our hope in the resurrection and in the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.
At St. James’, we walk together on a spiritual journey, and we keep walking with one another in times of loss. We belong to each other in life and in death. Each life is a unique thread in the diverse tapestry of God’s creation, and we honor the particular gifts, stories and love of the person we remember.
Our clergy will help you plan a service that reflects your loved one’s life and faith. It can be in English, Spanish or both, and it can include music, readings and traditions that hold meaning for your family. We will set a table of welcome where all who grieve can encounter Christ’s love.