Beginning in 2025, as part of our church growth campaign, we are inviting church members to share their “St. James story.” These “stories” will highlight how St. James is a welcoming congregation and what makes people decide to remain at St. James. Writers will also share what it means to be part of our congregation.
Each story will be featured in our monthly newsletter, The Messenger, and will also be posted here in the St. James Storytelling Blog. Videos of the storyteller will also be posted in the blog/on YouTube.
We hope you enjoy these personal stories over the coming year!
St. James Storytelling – September
Seventeen Years of Serviceby Tom Bender My journey has an employee here at St. James began rather auspiciously. After losing my job at the car dealership and being unemployed for several months, the news of full-time work came as a blessing and I started three …
St. James Storytelling – June 2025
by Kathy Felix *This article was written in December 2024. Kathy joined St. James in February 2025. My journey to St. James started even before I realized I would be attending. My husband, John, became sick near the end of Feb. 2024, and ended up …
St. James Storytelling – May 2025
by Mark Withrow I first came to St. James through the side door on Stratton Street on a Thursday afternoon in 2019. My wife, Sonja, and I had recently moved to Gettysburg full-time. I came to St. James a few times each week through the …
St. James Storytelling – April 2025
by Christina Geib A year after leaving an abusive relationship, I found myself navigating life as a single mother, burdened with mistrust and apprehension. Seeking solace and community, I walked through the doors of St. James, uncertain of what to expect. I grew up in …
St. James Storytelling – March 2025
"Because It Was Short" by Donna Mountfort “Because it was short” was always my flippant reply when asked why I came to the Saturday evening service. And, it is and I am, but I would be remiss if I did not point out the real …
St. James Storytelling – February 2025
A Story of Gratitude: Thank you Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. and St. James, by Paige Betch Hello friends! You may have seen me these past few months here at church, but the truth is St. James has been a big part of my life for several years. …
St. James Storytelling – January 2025
A Deep Welcome, by Will Lane I was first drawn to St. James by its members, people I worked with over the years or simply knew as friends or mentors. I loved their laughter and their non-dogmatic way of living their Christianity. They helped me …