At St. James, our Sunday Bible Classes are part of the foundation of discipleship. Because Bible Classes are a great opportunity for Christian discipleship and growth, our desire is that every person who attends St. James be a part of a Bible Class. All teaching is Christ-centered and Biblically-based. We have places options for children, youth, and adults– so find your place! Visit a class or two and make Sunday Bible Class part of your life. You will be greatly blessed if you do!
For more information, email info@sjumc.org.
ADULT CLASSES
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Aldersgate, Room 101
This class uses a rotation of teachers, each presenting a short series of lessons on a particular section of the Bible or a topic from a biblical perspective.
Adult Sunday School Class, Room 219
Finding the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the Old and New Testament is the major theme of this enthusiastic and warm group. Led by Bob and Mary Wallace, the class format is relaxed and a good fit for those new to Christianity, those who have been in the faith for years, or for those who are still exploring faith in Christ.
College and Career, Room 212 (The Parlor)
This class is for those who have graduated from high school and are continuing their education or are in the early stages of their career. The class is led by young adult members of the class along with an older adult mentor.
Faith Builders, Room 220
This class is blessed to have a stable of gifted, experienced teachers who rotate teaching assignments. Therefore, each week the topic and format will likely be varied from week to week. You will find a warm, nurturing environment suited to the new or mature Christian. If solid teaching and variety are what you are looking for, this is the class for you.
Wesley Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
This warm and caring group of involved older adults uses the Adult Bible Study Series with lectures and some discussion. A rotation of teachers using a lecture-style method is the usual format.
CHILDREN’S DIVISION
Newborns, Room 108
1 Year Olds, Room 108
2 Year Olds, Room 109
3 Year Olds, Room 109
Pre-K4, Room 120
K-1st Grade, Room 119
2nd-3rd Grade, Room 113
4th-5th Grades (“Route 54”), Room 112
YOUTH DIVISION
Middle and High School, The Jimmy (youth house next to St. James)
The mission of Children’s Ministry at St. James is to teach the Good News and show kids Jesus.
To learn more about our values and vision, click here.
Sunday School and Children’s Church Curriculum
Sunday School leaders use The Gospel Project for Kids curriculum, taking kids on a Christ-centered chronological journey through Scripture to see how the gospel unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. Through The Gospel Project, children learn that the Bible is not just a collection of stories, but one unified story—God’s story of redemption. The curriculum includes engaging Bible story videos, music, and lessons to emphasize how all of scripture points to Jesus. For more information about The Gospel Project, click HERE.
Sunday School Classrooms
- Room 109
- Babies – 3-year-olds
- Room 120
- *Pre-K (4 years old by September 1)
- K – 3
- Room 112
- Grades 4-5
- *Children in Pre-K must be 4 years old by September 1.
Sunday Night Wesley Groups
Our Sunday night Wesley Groups (small groups) provide a place where kids can gather to learn more about God and explore their faith while their parents participate in adult Wesley Groups. Wesley Groups meet during the school year, and include Bible teaching, music, games, and conversations about what it means to follow Jesus.
Other Activities
We celebrate Easter time with a fun event for children and families, including an egg hunt and petting zoo. At Christmas, we host “Seeking the Savior,” an interactive walk through the biblical accounts of Jesus’s birth, including games and take-home crafts.
Children’s Ministry Team
The Children’s Ministry Team supports the Children’s Minister and Nursery Minister by helping plan special events and providing input for Sunday and Wednesday ministries to kids. The team is comprised of parents and other adults who want to help lead children into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
If you have any questions concerning Children’s Ministry at St. James, please e-mail me at ahassell@sjumc.org, or call the Church Office at 706-548- 1680.
Grace and peace,
April Hassell
Children’s Minister
God calls us to make our church a safe place, protecting children, youth, and other vulnerable persons from abuse. To demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all children, youth, and vulnerable persons, we have joined with other United Methodist churches in establishing a Safe Sanctuary Child and Adult Protection Policy. Click HERE to learn more.
If you would like to volunteer in the Children’s Ministry, please click the button below and complete the online volunteer application.
Congregational Care Ministry is an extension of the St. James family, the Body of Christ, bringing the Compassion of Christ into difficult situations.
We visit those in the hospital, homebound members, and those who just cannot get out much; we also offer Home Communion. When you have surgery, someone will meet you and prays with you before you go into surgery. If you are admitted to the hospital, someone will visit you each weekday you are there.
Should there be a death in your immediate family, Pastor Bill Curington and Carol Staton, or other members of the pastoral staff, will visit you. We will spend time with you, and help personalize the funeral or memorial service. During this visit, you will receive further information about the options for a small reception following the funeral.
For more information, email our Congregational Care Minister, Carol Staton, at cstaton@sjumc.org or call the church office at 706-548-1680.
Fellowship among the congregation at St. James is one of the cornerstones of the church’s vitality. The Fellowship Ministry encourages this togetherness by arranging a variety of activities—from church picnics, to special luncheons, to the annual greening of the church at Advent. Our desire is to provide a fun and relaxing environment where everyone can come together to get to know one another better.
For more information about our fellowship events, email info@sjumc.org, or call the St. James office at (706) 548-1680.
In addition to involvement with all other aspects of church life, this group meets monthly for food and fellowship at one the many restaurants in the Athens, GA, area.
Contact Phyllis Larkins at (706) 338-0700.
The men of St. James are intentional about fellowship and discipleship.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, the Lord tells us to “encourage one another and build each other up.” It is our desire that every man who is a part of the life of St. James will enter into this very welcoming fellowship of men.
Men’s Ministry Team: info@sjumc.org
Ministry Team Leader: Weldon Hardman
The Music Ministry is an important part in the life of St. James. Music opportunities include weekly Worship, Times of Healing Prayer, community Praise and Worship events, church retreats and all kinds of special occasions and services.
There are no auditions required at St. James, just a love for the Lord, a love for music and a sense of commitment to preparation and rehearsal.
Different ways to “plug in” include:
- Choir
- Praise Team
- Children’s music
- Instrumentalists
- Solos, Duets and small ensembles.
If you are interested in getting involved in the St. James Music Ministry, contact Bryan Shaw at bshaw@sjumc.org or LaMurl Morris at lmorris@sjumc.org.
The St. James nursery provides a safe and loving environment for babies, toddlers, and young children while their parents participate in the worship service, Sunday School, and Bible studies. The nursery is more than just childcare—it is an opportunity to introduce children to Jesus through singing, dancing, playing, crafting, and laughing.
Nursery care is provided on Sundays from 9:40 am until the end of the 11 o’clock worship service, and during Sunday night Wesley Groups and Wednesday evening Bible Study.
Upon your arrival, the Nursery Minister and/or other nursery workers will greet you and help get your child checked-in and settled in the appropriate room. They will also answer any questions you may have.
A team of paid workers and faithful congregational volunteers will care for your child. Our paid nursery workers are experienced in childcare, and dedicated to loving your children and teaching them about Jesus. Most of our paid workers are students at the University of Georgia. All workers are 18 years of age or older—they provide references, undergo background checks, and receive training in nursery policies and the church’s Child Protection Policy. Congregational volunteers complete the same screening and training.
We provide simple snacks and water for the children. (Please let us know if your child has any food allergies.) You should bring a change of clothes, diapers, wipes, bottle/sippy cup, and baby food, if needed.
If you would like more information about the Nursery Ministry, please contact me via e-mail at cgreco@sjumc.org, or via phone at the Church Office at 706-548-1680
In Christ,
Catherine Greco
Assistant Children’s Minister
Child Safety
God calls us to make our church a safe place, protecting children, youth, and other vulnerable persons from abuse. To demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all children, youth, and vulnerable persons, we have joined with other United Methodist churches in establishing a Safe Sanctuary Child and Adult Protection Policy. Click HERE to learn more.
If you would like to volunteer in the Nursery, please click the button below and complete the online volunteer application.
Overview of Prayer Ministry Activities and Opportunities:
Ministry to Church and Community
- Healing Prayer Services: The St. James Prayer Ministry cordially invites the public to the Night of Healing Prayer (NOHP) services offered at St. James. Find out more.
- Private In-Depth Healing Prayer Sessions: St. James offers private prayer sessions with two Prayer Ministers to address every need: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Find out more.
Classes offered by the Prayer Ministry
- Issue-Focused Ministry Training from Restoring the Foundations: Restoring the Foundations (RTF) is an integrated approach to healing and freedom with a focus on 4 interrelated areas. Find out more.
The St. James Women’s Ministry provides opportunities for women to grow deeper in their faith in Christ through Bible studies, as well as opportunities for connection and fellowship. Monthly “Ladies’ Night Out” events are excellent chances for women to get to know each other in a relaxing environment away from the responsibilities of home and work. Bible studies as well as periodic retreats give our women chances to learn more about Christ and His deep love for all of us.
Women’s Ministry leader:
Leigh Mabry and Brandi Maddox
Thank you for considering St. James United Methodist Church for your wedding. The sanctuary is available for weddings for both members and non-members. Weddings at St. James are considered to be Christian worship services and that should be reflected in the content of the wedding ceremony.
For information about church policies and fees, you may reach our Wedding Ministry Coordinator by calling the church office at (706) 548-1680.
Our youth programming (referred to as Sunday Night Live) takes place on Sunday nights from 6 to 7:30 in our youth building (affectionately named “The Jimmy”). During this time, students from 6-12 grade gather for times of fellowship, food, worship, a message, and small group time.
To break each of those things down, we give space for students to know one another better through structured games and simply giving them time to know one another. We also provide dinner for students every week, as we’ve found that one of the best ways for people to begin to feel comfortable around one another is for them to share a meal. We typically worship through song as we have both leaders and student leaders lead worship songs to provide space for students to personally encounter God. A biblical message is given each week to encourage both a deeper knowledge of God and to help students understand how to build their personal relationships with God. Students from the Wesley Foundation at the University of Georgia serve as our small group leaders and allow our students to ask questions about the message, learn from one another, and also simply to have a space where they belong and have both peers and someone a few years older than them caring for them.
We absolutely love our youth here at St. James, and we fully believe that God moves in and through our students every single week. There is no such thing as a junior Holy Spirit, and we always want to empower our youth to pursue God fully in this incredibly important time in their lives. Our heart is to not just fill them with rules and knowledge, but to actually give them the tools to know God personally and to create sustainability in their walks with God. If you have any questions or have a student in 6-12 grade, please feel free to contact our youth ministers:
Rosa Lee rlee@sjumc.org
Patrick Lee plee@sjumc.org
