How would you describe your strengths, gifts and resources that you are using
here at St. James?
     I care about people, especially, the ones who are often times overlooked. Over 25 years of ministry has equipped me with a wisdom born of experience that schools can't provide. And I have been very satisfied when I have been able to mine the gifts of my congregation and develop them into effective tools in God's service. Most of all, I am seeking to get to know the families of St. James so that I can effectively minister to their needs.

What projects are you currently interested in, excited about, and believe to be vital to this church?
    I am excited about the resource we have on display in the main hallway. It is the Care Notes rack in the middle of our Care Ministry wall. This is a very useful tool to aid our Care Ministry in reaching out to hurting and needy folks looking for the touch of God. This resource is free and available to anyone wanting one of the booklets for personal use or for sharing with someone else. They include helps for kids, teens, parents, seniors, grief, prayer and literally the list goes on and on. I have a smaller display next to my office door and in connection with Mark and Cristi displays in the education building as well. I hope many of our congregation will find these booklets a blessing and an aid to their personal ministry.

Buddy Break
       Buddy Break is a special needs respite ministry that provides parents and caregivers of special needs children with a 3 hour break once a month on a Saturday morning. Through games, crafts, music, and even therapy dogs, children with disabilities ages 2-16 are shown the value they have in Christ, have fun, and their parents or caregivers are afforded a much needed break. Siblings from 4 years old and up have a place at Buddy Break as well!
      Our St. James Buddy Break is a ministry of the Orlando based Nathaniel's Hope. It is on designated Saturdays from 10 AM-1 PM. A Parent Orientation is required prior to a child's enrollment. We would love to have your child/ren be part of this fun and exciting ministry!
      2008 Buddy Break Dates are: January 12 , February 9, March 8, April 19, May 10,
June 21, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8, & December 6.
     St. James is blessed and pleased to offer an entirely new ministry that will bless special needs families called Special Connections. The Special Connections ministry mission is to integrate special needs families into the fabric of St. James by utilizing existing ministries such as children's and youth ministries and outreach ministries such as DivorceCare and Celebrate Recovery.
     We are excited at where the Lord will lead this fledgling ministry in 2008, so regularly check this website for details on exciting new offerings! Click for Sermonettes
For more information, please email us at buddybreaksj@yahoo.com
or call 971-4790, ext. 234.

Stephen Ministry
       Stephen Ministry is a program that equips lay persons within our congregation to provide Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing all kinds of life needs and circumstances, both within our congregation and our community.
      Stephen Ministry is committed to preserving confidentiality in the caring relationship; those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.
Contact Dwight Loomis, the Stephen Leader responsible for referrals, at 971-4790 x 240 or dwight.loomis@stjamestampa.org

Celebrate Recovery
       The purpose of St. James United Methodist Church's Celebrate Recovery ministry is for people to relate to one another and celebrate the power of God's restoring love through the "8 Principles of Recovery." Our commitment to God's truth through the ministry of Celebrate Recovery allows us to "be transformed." As we commit and act upon the Biblical principles, we begin to grow spiritually and become free from our addictive, compulsive and dysfunctional behaviors. The freedom we receive creates peace, serenity, and joy through a stronger personal relationship with God and others. As we progress (through the program) within the ministry of Celebrate Recovery, we discover our personal, loving and forgiving Higher Power - Jesus Christ, the one and only true Higher Power.
Celebrate Recovery meets in the Quarry every Sunday evening at 5 PM.
Contact Stacy Monzon  at 766-7062 or Dave Stowell 943-4772

NA - Meets weekly on Saturday nights at 8:00 PM in the Education Building, Room 121.
Al-Anon - Meets weekly on Thursday nights in the Education Building, Room 121. Contact Bob Douglass 971-4790 ext. 222 or bob.douglass@stjamestampa.org .

DivorceCare
DivorceCare is a 13-week session for those who are experiencing a transition from either separation or divorce. The DivorceCare program takes a biblical approach to divorce, separation and related issues such as reconciliation, remarriage, forgiveness and the effect of divorce on children and families. DivorceCare emphasizes that real healing from the intense pain of divorce must begin with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Contact: Kris Theorell at 813-907-8077 or e-mail: kwpeak@msn.com

Christian Counseling at St. James
Jennifer M. Larose. M.A., CRC, is offering caring support and counsel for anyone in need at St. James. Jennifer is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor enabling her to work with families and individuals affected and effected by disability. Jennifer can be reached by calling the church at 813-971-4790 or 813-495-5170.

St. James Disaster Planning
Developed a plan to inform, prepare, protect and respond to disaster. We also have several critical roles for those who would like to help those affected by disaster. Volunteers to help coordinate disaster volunteers, donations and transportation are needed.
Contact Dwight Loomis at 971-4790 x240 dwight.loomis@stjamestampa.org