Outreach Ministries
Our Baptismal promises encourage us to go out into the world and share of our love and our resources. There are many ways to do this. We regularly support Batavia Middle School students by providing school supplies and other local organizations as the need arises.
Below are just a few ways that St. James engages in the community and in the world.
St. James Thrift Store
Our Thrift Store is open on Thursdays from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. This ministry provides an opportunity for affordable shopping for all. New or gently used clothing, housewares, small furniture, children's toys and holiday items are available in our store which is located in the basement of the Parish Hall. Patrons can enter the store using the stairs in the back of the building. Donations are gratefully accepted and may be brought in on Thursdays. We do not accept electronics or large pieces of furniture. For more information, see any ECW Board member.
The Thrift Store is periodically open on Saturdays, 11:00-2:00
We will be closed Thursday, April 17th
Open Saturday, April 26th
The Blessing Box
The Blessing Box is a ministry through the collaborative efforts of churches along East Main Street, including the First Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church, Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish, and St. James Episcopal Church. A local business - Blue Pearl Yoga - is also a partner, along with the important Genesee Region Center for Independent Living located in Batavia. Nonperishable food, hats, gloves and other items are available in the Blessing Box for all those in need.
Dress a Girl Around the World
The ECW has recently committed to forming a "Dress a Girl Around the World" chapter at St. James. Dress a Girl Around the World is a Campaign under Hope 4 Women International (a 501 (c) 3 organization) bringing dignity to women around the world since 2006. Hope 4 Women International is a nondenominational independent Christian organization. Visit their website to learn more at Hope 4 Women International.
We dream of a world in which every girl has at least one new dress. We want girls to know that they are worthy of respect, and that they are loved by God.
Recently a suitcase full of dresses and t-shirts were delivered to the Kasese region of Uganda. The families are grateful for the generosity shown to them!
This video shows where the clothing was distributed. Video
St James and Zonta Club of Batavia Make Donation to Assist Evacuees Relocating to WNY
Read the full article that appeared in the Batavian here
The George Rupprecht Fund
The George Rupprecht Fund is held in trust by the St. James Episcopal Church. The Trustees are the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of St. James. The purpose of this fund it to provide support for care and maintenance of females, 20 years of age and younger, residing in Genesee County, who are deprived of one or both natural parents or are placed in the custody of Genesee County Department of Social Services and are in financial need.
In order to qualify for assistance from the George Rupprecht Fund, the individual must be:
In order to receive on-going support from the Fund, each Applicant must fill out an application and provide proof of residence in Genesee County.
Examples of assistance that may be provided to qualified applicants:
The Rupprecht Fund is not an emergency agency. All requests for support for new and existing
clients are reviewed on a monthly basis.
Contact Information:
St. James Episcopal Church
Attn: Rupprecht Fund
405 E. Main St
Batavia, NY 14020
Phone: 585-343-6802, option 2
Email: Rupp789@yahoo.com
Social Respite Program
The second Monday of every month from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. This is once-a-month program, affiliated with the Alzheimer's Association, offers a few hours of respite for care givers while their loved ones engage in a specially-designed program of activities, games and lunch. Pre-registration is required. Call Diana Leiker at (585) 343-6802.
Other resources for Memory Care include:
Finding Memory Care Options Near Me
What you should know about Alzheimer's Disease
What you should know about Dementia
Community Health and Education for Rural Africa (CHERA)
in Support for Kasese Community Health and Education Foundation (KCHEF) in Uganda
Through this program, St. James parishioners are able to reach out to orphans and other vulnerable children and contribute to the support of the medical clinic in Kasese, Uganda. These students receive tuition, school supplies, uniforms, and a meal in selected schools. The Medical Clinic treats over 30,000 patients annually. By supporting this grass-roots organization, we are able to help provide much-needed medical care and education to people living in remote, rural areas. For more information go to: https://cherahealth.org/
The United Thank Offering (UTO)
United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal daily spiritual discipline of gratitude. UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering for each blessing using a UTO Blue Box. UTO is entrusted to receive the offerings, and to distribute the 100% of what is collected to support innovative mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion. Twice a year St. James has a UTO ingathering of donations to be used to help people in need across the world.
