Here is a list of all our upcoming events. Click on the image or text summary to find out more about any of our events and to book your place.
2019 Subscriptions
Annual Subscriptions available
An annual subscription provides a season ticket which covers all events in the annual programme, with the exception of the Parish Retreat. Tickets for individual events can be purchased below. Please scroll down this page to find the event(s) you wish to book for. Annual subscriptions are $175 or $155 for concession. These can be purchased from the Parish Office or by phone to 8227 1305.
Book Discussion Group
The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God
Thursdays evenings, 23rd May, 27th June, 18th July, 22nd August, 26th September, 7:30pm, Cremorne
Our book discussion group are meeting monthly from May to September. Our 2019 book is The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God by Robert Wilken. “Wilken’s work is a wonderful achievement and a marvellous synthesis, eloquently making his massive learning and historical expertise readily available and accessible to those who seek to carry on the pattern of early Christian thinking by seeking the face of God.'(J. Taylor, The Gospel Coalition). Copies of the book are available for sale from the St James’ Parish Office. The group meets in Cremorne (address supplied after registration). Register here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/book-discussion-group-the-spirit-of-early-christian-thought
Mid-Year Studies: The Role of Women in the Church
A Biblical Perspective
- Mondays 10am-12noon, Cremorne (led by Sue Mackenzie)
- Tuesdays 1pm-2pm, St James’ Hall (led by Sue Mackenzie)
- Wednesdays 7:15pm-8:30pm, St James’ Hall (led by Christopher Waterhouse)
Our mid-year studies explores the role of women in the Bible and in the early church. Sue Mackenzie has prepared this four-week series to encourage consideration of the various roles that women have fulfilled within God’s gathered community. The study booklet is $10 and available from the Parish Office or from the group leader. To register please call 8227 1305 or email registrations@sjks.org.au
Letters from a Most Unlikely Friendship
Monsignor Tony Doherty and Ailsa Piper
Thursday 13th June, 6:30pm, St James’ Hall
Ailsa Piper and Tony Doherty, co-authors of The Attachment: Letters from a Most Unlikely Friendship, discuss pilgrim spirituality, connecting across divides, the challenges of real friendship – and friendships that really challenge. They’ll reflect on nature, grief, the gospels, and the challenge of walking their talk in these troubled times. Tickets $30 adults, $25 concession. SJI subscribers free. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/letters-from-a-most-unlikely-friendship
The Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill
Dr Robin Wrigley-Carr
Sunday 30th June, 2pm-3:30pm, St James’ Hall
Evelyn Underhill (1877-1941) was an English, mystical theologian and Anglican spiritual director and retreat leader who authored nearly 40 books and 100s of articles. She was the first woman to lecture in theology at Oxford University. In this session, Dr Robyn Wrigley-Carr takes us on a journey through some of the writings and life of Underhill. She outlines the discovery of Underhill’s prayers in Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book (SPCK, 2018) as well as Underhill’s spiritual journey, explored in The Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill (SPCK, 2019). Tickets $30 adults, $25 concession. SJI subscribers free. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/the-spiritual-formation-of-evelyn-underhill
Filling the Wind With Stories
Rev’d Elaine Farmer
Saturday 10th August, 3pm-5pm
Preaching evokes strong feelings. It offers comfort, enlightenment and grace. It has also been called arrogant madness, and a manipulative tool. Preaching in a modern, educated and sceptical world, should look to real life and the creative worlds of literature and theatre. This address discusses homiletical arts and crimes. The Rev’d Elaine Farmer is a priest in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of her association with St James’ King Street. Tickets $30 adults, $25 concession. SJI subscribers free. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/filling-the-wind-with-stories
Ecclesiastical Embroidery: Finer than Gold
Presented and curated by Marianne Close
Saturday 17th August, open from 10am-4pm, Christ Church St Laurence Parish Hall
An exhibition and series of short talks showcasing the skill and craftsmanship of ecclesiastical embroiderers and vestment makers. With highlights from the vestment collections of St James’, Christ Church St Laurence and a number of private collections. Talks include the history and development of vestment making, embroidery styles and techniques, conservation and restoration techniques, and information on how to go about designing and commissioning new works for churches. Exhibition open from 10am-4pm, talks on the hour. All tickets $20. SJI subscribers free. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/ecclesiastical-embroidery-finer-than-gold
God Give Me Joy: St James’ Retreat
St Mary’s Towers, Douglas Park
from 5pm Friday 6th to 2pm Sunday 8th September
Our theme for the annual retreat is ‘God Give Me Joy’. We’ll focus on psalms, readings, prayers and poetry that speak of joy and about giving thanks to God, the hope of the Resurrection, and the joy contained within the praises of the liturgy. A quartet of choristers from The Choir of St James’ will lead us in the singing of Evensong, Compline, Matins and the Eucharist. $230 per person, includes accommodation and all meals. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/st-james-retreat-god-give-me-joy
Campanology Unmasked: A Bell Ringing Walking Tour
St Stephen’s Uniting, St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, St James’ King Street
Saturday 21st September, 2pm-5pm, starting at St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Macquarie Street.
If you spend time around Macquarie Street, Hyde Park, the Domain and the Sydney Botanic Gardens, you’ll often hear the bells of three well-known city churches. Come and join us on this unique walking tour to learn about different bell-ringing methods and uncover the mysteries of campanology.
Please note: there are many steps and stairs involved in this excursion.
We’ll meet at St Stephen’s Church on Macquarie Street and end our tour with refreshments in the Crypt of St James’ Church, King Street. $30 adults, $25 concession. SJI subscribers free. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/campanology-unmasked-a-bellringing-walking-tour
Adoption by Grace/Disgrace
The Rev’d Canon Dr Scott Cowdell
Saturday 12th October, 3pm-4:30pm, St James’ Hall
Leading Australian theologian Scott Cowdell has accepted our invitation to reflect on his experience of being given up for adoption by his single natural mother, of growing up in an adopted family, of meeting his natural parents and half-sisters, and of what he has learned from all this. His experience of living long-term in a childless marriage has added a further dimension. In a world of natural belonging in which family has a talismanic quality, but also a world of widespread estrangement and endemic urban loneliness, what might someone who does not experience life in terms of natural belonging have to say about this condition? And what about the gift of baptism, which sacramentalises our adoption as God’s own beloved children by the grace of Jesus Christ? Come and hear a theologian thinking out of his heart, on behalf of that other ‘stolen generation”: the more than sixty-thousand Australians given up for adoption in the 1960s and 1970s. The Choir of St James’ concert performance of Haydn’s The Creation follows at 5pm (tickets for the concert must be purchased separately). $30 adults, $25 concession. SJI subscribers free. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/adoption-by-grace-disgrace
Faces of Christ: Depicting Christ in Art
Christopher Waterhouse
Sunday 10th November, 2pm-4pm, St James’ Hall
Artworks depicting Christ are housed in many of the world’s leading galleries and private collections. The most expensive painting ever sold was Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of Christ, Saviour of the World (Salvator Mundi, sold in 2017 for US $450.3 million). Does it matter that very few of these paintings give us a true sense of what Jesus might have actually looked like? How does art help us to consider Jesus Christ as shepherd, as the light of the world, as teacher, as friend, as Son of God, as Saviour of the World? $30 adults, $25 concession. SJI subscribers free. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/faces-of-christ-depicting-christ-in-art
Meeting God in Matthew: Advent Quiet Day
led by Christopher Waterhouse
Saturday 7th December, 10am-4pm, St John’s Balmain
Our annual quiet day of prayer and reflection before the busy season of Advent and Christmas preparations. Join us for this ‘spiritual health day’ as we seek to encounter God and refresh ourselves spiritually at the beginning of the new church year. Our theme is ‘Meeting God in Matthew’ as we prepare to hear readings from the Gospel of Matthew in the coming year in ‘Year A’ of the three-year lectionary cycle, which begins on Advent Sunday. $40, includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea. SJI subscribers free. Book here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/advent-quiet-day-meeting-god-in-matthew