Events
Episcopal Church Women Game Night
We're back in the new year for a fun evening playing mahjong, a tile-based Chinese game, in the Parish Hall. We'll have snacks — just bring something to drink.
Please RSVP to Margy Thomas at mweastham@gmail.com or Jennifer Taylor at jennifer.taylor@saintjameswarrenton.org so we know how many people to plan for.
Firewood Initiative Split-and-Stack
The Fauquier Community Coalition’s Firewood Initiative provides firewood to local residents identified by the Department of Social Services who need firewood to keep their homes warm during the winter. Volunteers from several churches gather each week at the Warrenton Baptist Church property behind Brumfield Elementary School to split and stack wood for delivery to almost 60 individuals and families.
This is where you come in. We’ve committed to providing volunteers from Saint James’ on the second Saturday of each month. The time commitment is about two hours, and all adults and teenagers are welcome to volunteer.
Email Judy Williams at jwilliams0721@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Choral Evensong Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. appears during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 28, 1963. (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)
On this weekend set aside to reflect on the life and work of a formidable Civil Rights leader, the Saint James' choir will offer their gifts at this service dedicated to the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. and to celebrating the sacred compositions of Black composers. Through the prayerful tradition of Evensong, which is rooted in the monastic practices of the Middle Ages, the anthems, hymns, readings and prayers will reflect on God's call to love all people as his own creation and to work toward reconciliation when we have failed.
More about the service
The choir of Saint James’ Episcopal Church will offer the service of Evensong at 5 p.m. Jan. 18 to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. as well as celebrate the sacred compositions of noted Black composers.
We recall Martin Luther King Jr. as the formidable leader of the Civil Rights movement, but it is often overlooked that music bound the fabric of his being. In Marshall Frady’s book “Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life,” he describes that as a child, King was captivated by music of his home church, which was led by his mother. As he grew, King joined the junior choir, learned to play the piano and frequently listened to opera. While studying at Boston University, he was introduced to Coretta Scott, as she was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in voice at the New England Conservatory of Music.
The service of Evensong dates to the Middle Ages and features psalms, scripture lessons, sung prayers, choral anthems and hymns. For this service, the bulk of the music selected was penned by Black composers. The liturgy begins with the Phos Hilaron, which praises Christ as the light of God. In this place, “This Little Light of Mine” will be sung. The origins of this children’s hymn are ambiguous, but it was often used as a song of resistance by Civil Rights movements. This arrangement was composed by William Farley Smith (1941-1997), a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, a researcher and restorer of African-American sacred music, and an editor of the 1989 UMC Hymnal.
The psalm appointed for the evening is Psalm 150, and the musical setting is by Judge Jefferson Cleveland (1937-1986). It is composed in the gospel style and language. Cleveland was highly regarded as a scholar of 20th-century African American congregational song. The choral anthem is a soulful rendition of “Stand by Me,” which was originally composed by Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933). The Rev. Tindley was fondly referred to as “The Prince of Preachers.” Tindley was refused a formal education but taught himself to read by sounding out letters found on scraps of paper. He was able to develop his literacy skills with the help of a Philadelphia synagogue and later learned Greek via a correspondence course through Boston Theological School. In addition to being regarded as a clergyman, Tindley was a gifted composer of gospel hymns and is recognized as one of the founding fathers of American gospel music.
The service concludes with Doris Akers’ “Lead Me Guide Me.” Akers (1923-1995) was affectionately known as “Miss Gospel Music” due to her mastery in all the aspects of gospel music artistry: vocal performance, composing and arranging, choral directing and accompanying. In 1992, Akers was honored by the Smithsonian Institution as “the foremost black gospel songwriter in the United States.”
As the nation pauses to reflect on a man that helped initiate the change in how we embrace all people, may you find the memorable Hans Christian Andersen quote — “When words fail, music speaks” — a gentle reminder that music can break barriers of age, race, creed and language.
— Jesse Ratcliffe
Annual Parish Meeting
This meeting is also an opportunity to hear presentations on the church and school and learn about the parish’s finances. We will also elect four new Vestry members to replace the members whose terms are expiring.
Learn more about nominations for Vestry here, and see the recap of the 2025 meeting here.
Christmas Day Eucharist
This informal and intimate Holy Eucharist service provides a time to worship with your parish family on Christmas morning.
Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist
This service is the liturgical high point of our Christmas Eve celebrations, featuring a festive liturgy and the full choir singing cherished carols with soaring descants and intimate choral anthems as we bask in the candlelit beauty of the space. An extended prelude performed by a guest harpist will begin at 9:45 p.m.
Children are welcome and an important part of our life at Saint James’. There are bags of crayons and children’s bulletins in the back of the church and outside the Side Chapel. And while there will be no Children’s Church or nursery offered during this service, the Reception Room will be open for children who need a little break or need to stretch their legs.
Photos from 2024
Christmas Eve Service with Eucharist
This service features a liturgy for Christmas Eve, with readings from the Bible that tell the Christian story along with familiar Christmas carols.
Children are welcome and an important part of our life at Saint James’. There are bags of crayons and children’s bulletins in the back of the church and outside the Side Chapel. And while there will be no Children’s Church or nursery offered during this service, the Reception Room will be open for children who need a little break or need to stretch their legs.
Photos from 2024
Christmas Eve Pageant with Eucharist
This service is especially geared to young families, but it is a joy to all. All children are welcome to participate in the reenactment of the birth of Jesus, and there is no prior rehearsal they need to attend. Just arrive at least 15 minutes early to be fitted in a costume. The service includes familiar Christmas carols woven into the celebration of Holy Eucharist.
The pageant is for everyone! No prior rehearsal is required. Parents can walk their children to the Parish Hall before the service begins and help them pick out a costume (angels, shepherds, sheep, Mary and Joseph, and the three wise men). Parents should also help their children put on the costume.
Crayons, coloring pages will be available to children to keep busy while they wait for their turn for the pageant. We have several volunteers helping the kids while they wait. Children will be included in the pageant as the Christmas story progresses and remain on the chancel until the end of the pageant. The children will return to their parents following the prayers of the people and the peace. Costumes can be returned to the Parish Hall following the service.
There will be no Children’s Church or nursery offered during this service. For children who need a little break or need to stretch their legs, the Reception Room just outside the Side Chapel will be open.
Photos from 2024
Lessons & Carols
The Saint James' Adult Choir, the Saint James' Church Band and the Saint James’ Ringers will offer their gifts as we tell the Christmas story through scripture and carols.
A festive reception in the Parish Hall will follow. It will feature bubbly beverages (both adult and kid friendly), chocolate-covered strawberries, and other treats.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was popularized by King’s College, Cambridge, in 1918, and its origins are found in Victorian-era Anglican traditions. The service begins with the hymn, “Once in Royal David’s City,” and continues with nine scripture readings paired with nine pieces of music that together tell the story of God’s redemption of the world and the birth of Jesus.
Contact Jesse Ratcliffe at music@saintjameswarrenton.org for additional information.
The service will be livestreamed here.
Blue Christmas Service with Eucharist
Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for many people, but that isn’t the case for everyone. This service acknowledges that fact, providing an opportunity to light candles in recognition of the sadness that comes from the loss of a friend or family member, or any other pain and emptiness we may feel. As we light those candles, we proclaim that foundational truth from John’s Gospel: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” The carols at this service reflect Christmas hope in that darkness, and we offer prayers for healing and support one another.
Interfaith Carol Sing at the Holiday Farmers Market
We will be joined by members of the Warrenton Latter-day Saints congregation and other churches in town as we sing familiar yuletide carols during the Warrenton Holiday Farmers Market in the municipal parking lot between Franklin and Lee streets, uphill from the county jail.
Anyone who wants to sing Christmas carols is welcome, including kids and adults of all ages. We'll have song books and hot chocolate.
Please arrive at Saint James' by 11:15 a.m., and we will gather in the Parish Hall before walking to the farmers market together at 11:30 a.m.
Firewood Initiative Split-and-Stack
The Fauquier Community Coalition’s Firewood Initiative provides firewood to local residents identified by the Department of Social Services who need firewood to keep their homes warm during the winter. Volunteers from several churches gather each week at the Warrenton Baptist Church property behind Brumfield Elementary School to split and stack wood for delivery to almost 60 individuals and families.
This is where you come in. We’ve committed to providing volunteers from Saint James’ on the second Saturday of each month. The time commitment is about two hours, and all adults and teenagers are welcome to volunteer.
Email Judy Williams at jwilliams0721@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Family Night at Maple Tree Farm
Enjoy the wonder of the season with your Saint James’ family as you stroll along this 3/4 mile walking trail of holiday lights at Maple Tree Farm. You’ll meet your favorite holiday characters, sip a hot beverage, and listen to the melodies of this magical season. There are campfires, two trains, activities for children and a play area.
Admission is $16 per person.
(Sold out) Gingerbread House Party
This event is sold out.
This family-friendly evening in the Parish Hall is a great opportunity to participate in a fun holiday tradition without having to clean the gingerbread crumbs from your kitchen floor. We’ll have all the decorating supplies ready to go, and we can even order a pizza for your family.
The cost is $20 per gingerbread house and $15 per pizza. Water will be provided, but please bring your own drinks.
Episcopal Church Women Sip-and-Shop at Latitudes
This festive gathering is the perfect opportunity to connect with each other and start your Christmas shopping at Latitudes Fair Trade Store on Main Street. It’s also a great opportunity to bring a friend. We’ll have snacks and something to sip on.
Latitudes is donating 15% of all sales from 6 to 8 p.m. that evening to ECW, so even if you can't stay for a chat, it's a great time to find some unique holiday gifts for your loved ones.
Please email Margy Thomas (mweastham@gmail.com) and/or Jen Taylor (jennifer.taylor@saintjameswarrenton.org) if you plan on coming so we know how many people to plan for.
Common Threads Sunday
The First Baptist Church congregation will join us for worship at the 10:15 service, and the Rev. Dr. Dwayne E. Brown from First Baptist will deliver the sermon. This is part of our shared Common Threads initiative, a racial healing and justice ministry founded by Saint James’ and First Baptist. It’s also Christ the King Sunday — and we’ll celebrate a baptism — so it’s sure to be a very Spirit-filled morning at church! Please also join us for Café (8:45-10 a.m.) to help welcome our guests before we worship together.
Gobble, Gobble, Run or Wobble 5k
This family-friendly 5k race and kids dash in Old Town Warrenton is the largest annual fundraiser for Learning Starts Early, an independent nonprofit founded at Saint James’.
The 5K is timed and begins at 8 a.m. in front of the courthouse. Walkers will have the option to complete a shorter course. The kids dash begins at 8:45 a.m.
There are prizes for the winners and hot chocolate for all, and drawings for gift certificates to local businesses.
By joining us and supporting Learning Starts Early, you help ensure that every child in the county has access to all of the opportunities necessary to be ready for kindergarten and to succeed in school and in the workforce. This is an event for the whole family to run or wobble!
If you’re not planning to run or walk the 5k, please consider volunteering to help by serving as a course monitor. Learn more and sign up here.
Thanksgiving Eucharist
In this special Thanksgiving service with Saint James’ Episcopal School, we thank God “for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them” and ask that we may be “faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need.”
This service replaces the usual weekly Wednesday noon service.
Heartsaver CPR, AED, and First Aid Class
This class offered by the Parish Health Team at Saint James’ teaches skills to provide assistance in an emergency. It's open to anyone 12 or older, and there is no written test. Each participant received a manual and a first aid kit to take home.
Firewood Initiative Split-and-Stack
The Fauquier Community Coalition’s Firewood Initiative provides firewood to local residents identified by the Department of Social Services who need firewood to keep their homes warm during the winter. Volunteers from several churches gather each week at the Warrenton Baptist Church property behind Brumfield Elementary School to split and stack wood for delivery to almost 60 individuals and families.
This is where you come in. We’ve committed to providing volunteers from Saint James’ on the second Saturday of each month. The time commitment is about two hours, and all adults and teenagers are welcome to volunteer.
Email Judy Williams at jwilliams0721@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Episcopal Church Women Holiday Wine Tasting
This ECW gathering will feature a holiday wine tasting and light appetizers with Greg Arthaud. The cover charge is $25 per person to cover the cost of the wine and food.
Email Margy Thomas at mweastham@gmail.com or Jen Taylor at jennifer.taylor@saintjameswarrenton.org to be added to the ECW email distribution list.
All Saints' Sunday
On this day when we “remember those we love but see no longer,” the Saint James’ choir will present a choral Eucharist at the 10:15 service that utilizes music spanning styles and eras. An organ transcription of Samuel Barber's transcendental “Adagio for Strings” will begin the service. The Mass setting and Communion anthem were composed by English composers Charles Stanford and John Goss — both known for composing “Cathedral Music.” The offertory is a shape-note hymn harmonized by William Averitt, a retired Shenandoah Conservatory professor. As the melodies soar over you, we hope that you are inspired and can reflect on those that formed you.
There will also be special music at the 8:00 service, including an choral anthem from Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem.”
Firewood Initiative Split-and-Stack
The Fauquier Community Coalition’s Firewood Initiative provides firewood to local residents identified by the Department of Social Services who need firewood to keep their homes warm during the winter. Volunteers from several churches gather each week at the Warrenton Baptist Church property behind Brumfield Elementary School to split and stack wood for delivery to almost 60 individuals and families.
This is where you come in. We’ve committed to providing volunteers from Saint James’ on the second Saturday of each month. The time commitment is about two hours, and all adults and teenagers are welcome to volunteer.
Email Judy Williams at jwilliams0721@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Episcopal Church Women at 4Js
Spouses and families are welcome at this ECW gathering — there's plenty of space to spread out and enjoy time together! Saint James’ own Jim Shreve will be playing music at the brewery that day.
Contact Jennifer Taylor at jennifer.taylor@saintjameswarrenton.org or Margy Thomas at mweastham@gmail.com to be added to the email list.
Episcopal Schools Celebration
This abbreviated Holy Eucharist service geared especially toward young families brings our church and school together as part of a nationwide, weeklong celebration of the more than 800 Episcopal schools and early childhood education programs throughout the Episcopal Church.
As part of this Sunday dedicated to celebrating our school, any SJES student who comes to Café in their school uniform or SJES spiritwear gets to eat for free. Café, from 8:45 to 10 a.m. each Sunday, is the church's weekly buffet breakfast in the Parish Hall. It features all kinds of delicious and family-friendly breakfast fare, including a waffle bar.
There will not be Children's Church during this service, but nursery will still be available for small children.
Iberian Wine Dinner
This evening, curated by our very own Greg Arthaud, will feature a five-course meal inspired by the bold, fresh and diverse cuisines of Spain and Portugal. Between gazpacho, tapas and chocolate Basque cheesecake, you’ll enjoy a main offering of lamb stew or chicken and seafood paella. Each course will be paired with a Spanish or Portuguese wine. Conversation and laughter with friends new and old are sure to abound!
Registration is $100 per person. All proceeds from this event will benefit Saint James’ food and fellowship ministries, including Café and Coffee Hour.
Courses
Amuse-bouche — gazpacho
Spanish/Portuguese charcuterie
Tapas — 4-5 different selections
Main course (served with asparagus and papos secos)
Option A: Spanish lamb stew with white beans
Option B: Paella — chicken and seafood
Chocolate Basque Cheesecake
A selection of six to seven Spanish and Portuguese wines — white, red, bubbly and port — will be served throughout the evening.
Photo by Eva Bronzini from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/glass-of-red-wine-and-grazing-board-on-a-flat-surface-5975511/
Blessing of the Animals
This short outdoor service honoring the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi is a longstanding and beloved tradition at Saint James'. We will celebrate with a special blessing to which all of our animal companions — and their humans — are invited to attend.
Park in the Saint James’ Episcopal School parking lot on Beckham Street.
Saint James' is also accepting donated items for the Fauquier SPCA. Consider bringing an item from the SPCA’s wish list so we can show our love and appreciation for the caretakers at the shelter and the animals they care for.
CPR, AED & First Aid Class
This class offered by the Parish Health Team at Saint James’ teaches skills to provide assistance in an emergency. It's open to anyone 12 or older, and there is no written test. Each participant received a manual and a first aid kit to take home.
Parish Picnic at Chapultepec
Our gathering at this beautiful Free State farm is all about reconnecting with our fellow parishioners and having fun as a new program year begins. Families of all ages are welcome, and there’s something for everyone — lawn games for all ages, a heated pool for swimming, a pond for fishing and trails for a short hike to the Rappahannock River.
The church will provide the main meal and non-alcoholic beverages.
If your last name starts with A-L, we suggest bringing a savory side.
If it starts with M-Z, consider bringing a sweet side.
Those are just guidelines — don’t let the letters get in the way of bringing a family favorite. All are welcome to bring a beverage of their choice. And don’t forget a lawn chair.
Firewood Initiative Split-and-Stack
The Fauquier Community Coalition’s Firewood Initiative provides firewood to local residents identified by the Department of Social Services who need firewood to keep their homes warm during the winter. Volunteers from several churches gather each week at the Warrenton Baptist Church property behind Brumfield Elementary School to split and stack wood for delivery to almost 60 individuals and families.
This is where you come in. We’ve committed to providing volunteers from Saint James’ on the second Saturday of each month. The time commitment is about two hours, and all adults and teenagers are welcome to volunteer.
Email Judy Williams at jwilliams0721@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Youth Group Kickoff at Verdun
All middle- and high schoolers are invited to this fun day of team building — and activities like ziplining and ropes courses — at Verdun Adventure Bound in Rixeyville. Lunch will be provided.
Register by Thursday, Sept. 11.
Photos from last year
Episcopal Church Women
This first gathering of the program year, in the Parish Hall, will be about reconnecting with each other and talking about the plans for the rest of the year. No need to RSVP. Bring a bite or sip to share.
Email Jennifer Taylor at jennifer.taylor@saintjameswarrenton.org, or Margy Thomas at mweastham@gmail.com to be added to the ECW email list.
SJES Summer Social
Saint James’ Episcopal School invites you to this end-of-summer celebration featuring games and prizes for kids and adults alike, food, drinks and live music. Weather permitting, this free event will be held on the newly renovated playground and outdoor space next to the school parking lot, and Father Ben will take the opportunity to bless the space. The event will move indoors if it rains.
Moo Thru and Barking Rose Brewing Company will each be on site, and the High School Youth Group will be selling food as a fundraiser for its annual volunteer trip to Hurley, Virginia. Local band DMH will perform.
RSVP by Aug. 22.
Breakfast for Dinner
Join us as we kick off a new year of Café Ministry! This ministry is all about serving food with love and creating a warm place for our parish to gather. Whether you’re on a team already or just curious, come enjoy yummy breakfast fare and laughter while learning how you can help bring our community together one meal at a time. All are welcome.
Please RSVP so we know how many people to prepare for.
Events listed on this page reflect special events and services that occur once a month or less. Click here to find a comprehensive schedule of what’s happening this week at Saint James’ Warrenton, including weekly services and events.
