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. 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 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.  

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, 19 years of age and younger, residing in Genesee County, of Protestant parentage and faith 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:

  1. Female, age 19 years or younger
  2. A resident of Genesee County, New York
  3. Able to show proof of financial need
  4. Deprived of one or both parents or in the custody of the Genesee County Department of Social Services
  5. An active member of a Protestant church, verified by a letter from the Pastor. 

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 and active church membership on a yearly basis.

 

Examples of assistance that may be provided to qualified applicants:

  1. Clothing, coats, shoes, and boots
  2. School-related items
  3. Fees and tuition for extracurricular activities
  4. Twin bed and bedding
  5. Fees or tuition for summer camp
  6. Christmas gifts

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:

Pat, Director of Client Services

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9:30 am to noon

St. James Episcopal Church

405 E. Main St

Batavia,  NY  14020

Phone: 585-343-6802

Email: Rupprecht.fund@outlook.com


Click Here to download a file that includes:
Instructions for Applying for Assistance and Application

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

Memory Care in New York

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 28,000 patients annually.   By supporting this grass-roots. local organization, we are able to help provide much needed medical care and education to people living in a remote, rural area. 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.