What makes St. James the Less Special? Ask ten people and you may hear ten different answers. For some, it is Sunday worship or the music that fills our church. For others, it is watching their children grow in faith, serving our neighbors through outreach, finding friendship and community, or simply knowing there is a place to turn during life's joyful and difficult moments.

The answers may be different, but they have something important in common: all of them are made possible by this community.

That is the idea behind this year's Annual Appeal:

Together, We Are St. James.

St. James is much more than a beautiful church, or a collection of programs. It is something we create together. Every person who worships here, volunteers, sings, teaches, welcomes a newcomer, cares for a neighbor, serves on a committee, or makes a financial commitment contributes to the life of this parsih.

And every pledge matters.

Our Annual Appeal provides the financial foundation for nearly everything that happens at St. James. It supports our worship and music, Christian formation, outreach, pastoral care, clergy and staff, and the everyday work of caring for the place we all call our parish home. Last year, we spoke about sustaining our past and building our future. This year, we want to focus on what connects those two things: us.

Our goal for this year's Annual Appeal is $525,000. Reaching it will require all of us, not necessarily giving the same amount, but considering What St. James means to us and what we can contribute to its life and mission.

When we give together, something remarkable happens. Individual gifts become shared ministry. They become music on Sunday morning, care for someone in need, fellowship around a table, and a welcoming church community where people can encounter God's love. That is what our generosity makes possible. That is what it means to be St. James.

We hope you will join us by making your pledge to this year's Annual Appeal. Together, We Are St. James.

With gratitude, James West and Tracy Haffner

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What's Next: You'll receive your Annual Appeal materials in the mail next week, with information about our 2027 budget and how you can make your 2027 pledge. Also listen in church for testimonials from fellow parishioners and more Annual Appeal updates and news. Our Appeal wraps up in mid-December, just before Christmas! 

Thursday Choristers 5:00 pm (2nd-8th graders) and Adult Choir, 7:00 pm

Friday Morning Prayer Online, 9:00 am (at our Youtube Channel)

Friday Evening Helicon Concert, 7:00 pm

Sunday Morning Breakfast Run to NYC, 6:30 am

Sunday Services 9:00 and 10:30 am

Children's Chapel at the 10:30 AM Service

Preacher: The Rev. Daniel Bentley, Celebrant: The Rev. Astrid Storm

Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, 11:45 am

Confirmation Class, 5:30 pm

“Intimate, immaculately fashioned” -The New York Times

Join us for an intimate evening of chamber music by the renowned Helicon Ensemble on Friday, November 6th at 7pm.  They will present their program “Children of Orpheus”. Their 2026-27 season also includes performances at The Baryshnikov Arts Center and The Frick Collection. A great opportunity to hear them at St James!

Click the button below for more information and tickets. Tickets can also be purchased in-person during coffee hour on Sunday.

Advance ticket purchase recommended!

All are welcome to join us as we make a trip into the city to feed those without adequate access to food. This is program in coordination with the Westchester-based "Midnight Run" organization. Youth and children are welcome and encouraged to participate with their families. 

It's that time of the year again! Pageant rehearsals begin Sunday, November 8th from 11:30am-12:30pm right after church. Pageant assignments will be announced at rehearsal on Sunday, Nov. 22nd. Attending rehearsals before then gives us a good clue as to who would be a great fit for roles, so be sure to come on November 8 & 15!

Other key dates are:

Saturday, December 19th - All Cast Dress Rehearsal

Sunday, December 20th - Pageant Day!

Volunteers needed as well! Sign-up on the link below...

The Fordham Pantry is a great way for the whole family to get involved in helping others in our area. Volunteers pack 300+ grocery bags for the food-insecure in the neighborhood of our partner parish, St. James Episcopal Church in Fordham. To be added to the email distribution list for this ministry (where you'll receive reminders and occasional updates), click the button below and we'll add you to our list.

In last Sunday's sermon, Mother Storm talked about the history and tradition All Saints' and All Souls' Days in the church, and how it helps us to focus on what's most important in life--like loving and caring for the living while we have the time. From the sermon:

 Eventually an annual remembrance was set aside, two days: one for the Big-S Saints, whose lives and deaths exceeded most of ours in their commitment and courage; and one for the small-s saints who lived ordinary lives of faith. If we tend to blend them together in practice, I like to think that’s because even an ordinary life is extraordinary. Living in this world is hard. Getting through a life--with its struggles, disappointments, long stretches of nothing, its scattered and all-too-brief moments of purpose and joy--is heroic. So is every time we find the strength to look outside ourselves and do something for others, quite against the ego-driven impulse we seem to be born with--that’s heroic, too. 

Children's Chapel takes place weekly on Sundays at 10:35 am. More than a new name (and mascot! pictured above), this is a fresh way for our youngest members to worship together during the first part of our Sunday Holy Communion service. Kids will gather for a short, joyful liturgy filled with prayer, song, and stories from the Bible—then dive into hands-on formation activities that bring the day's lesson to life. Chapel is led by our High School interns, with support from our clergy. Victoria, our music director, will be teaching our Cherubs a new song each month to be shared at the 10:30 am. service! Children's Chapel takes place during the first half of the 10:30 am service. Everyone begins worship together, with the kids leaving after the opening Collect and returning for Communion.

Confirmation classes for kids 7th-12th grades take place Sunday evenings during the school year in this two-year program, culminating in confirmation by the bishop. All are welcome. Taught by the clergy of St. James. For the schedule and list of classes, click here. For questions, email Fr. Daniel at curate@stjamesscarsdale.org.

Come hear from last month's pilgrims to the New York/Canada border with Rural and Migrant Ministries. They'll share their impressions and experiences, and remind us all of the importance of our longstanding relationship with RMM and the people they--we--serve. Grab a cup of coffee and join us in the Isom Room.

Did you know we gather every Wednesday morning for a simple, 25-minute mid-week service? It's a great way to refresh or reset yourself spiritually. All welcome. Drop in as you can. Led by the clergy, and followed, for those who wish to join us, by an informal Bible Study. Absolutely no prior knowledge of the Bible needed.

Rural and Migrant Ministries Forum/Panel, Sunday November 15, 11:45 am

"O" Antiphons Advent Procession with Lessons & Carols, Sunday December 6th,  5pm

You can view this Sunday's bulletin at the link below. Names of all readers, servers, and acolytes are always listed on the last page of the bulletin. Readings are also there for readers to view in advance.