Sunday, May 24 - Pentecost Celebration, 9:30am

The official start to summer is Memorial Day weekend for most of the country, but at St. James, summer begins with Pentecost. This year they happen to coincide on the same weekend. This feast commemorates the birthday of the church, and we wear red to church to symbolize the fire of the Spirit. This will be our final liturgy in the large church before our more casual summer services begin each week in the Jonathan Daniels Room.

Thursday, June 11 - St. James Goes Out To Lunch, 11:30am

Join friends from church for a pleasant luncheon at the Elm City Brewery in the Colony Mill at 11:30. If it’s a large group, we’ll want to make a reservation, so contact Diane Metell if you’d like to join the party. Meet at the restaurant. Separate checks will be requested for everyone.

Questions or to reserve your place: Contact Diane Metell

Saturday, June 13 - International Knit in Public Day, 10-12

Grab your knitting and a lawn chair and join knitters from St. James in Ashuelot Park to knit together for International Knit in Public Day! It’s always a relaxing and fund morning and a great way to meet other knitters. If it is raining, we move to the Keene Public Library.

Questions? Contact Kathy Frick

Saturday, June 13 - Annual MIP Faith Festival, 2-4pm

This year, the Monadnock Interfaith Projects festival is called the “Sharing Music, Light, and Love Festival,” and it will take place at the bandstand in Central Square. The festival will feature music, dance, snacks and booths. St. James is welcome to have a table, if we’d like one. Any ideas? And anyone is welcome to join the MIP Pop-up choir for the event. This fun choir requires no rehearsal except gathering a little early. Come learn more about the faith of our neighbors here in the Keene area at this year’s faith festival.

Questions? Contact Ann Carlson

Interested in taking part in the pop up choir? Contact Lainee Ginsberg

Sunday, June 14 - The St. James Open, 3pm

Actually, it’s not really an open, just some people who want to come together to play 9 holes of golf. Our resident serious golfer, Michael Gianetto, will be our host at the Keene Country Club, and he welcomes anyone who’d like to play, whether experienced or beginner. Tee time is 3pm, and if you want some tips and/or practice at the range, come earlier to give yourself some time. The cost for 9 holes is $40 per person, and there will be an additional cost if you need to rent a cart, and pull carts are available at no charge. (let Michael know if you need one of these.) Please make sure to make reservations with Michael a week in advance (by Sunday, June 7.) He’ll need to reserve a spot at the course for everyone who wants to come and so he needs a head count.

Questions or to let us know you’re coming: contact Michael Gianetto

Tuesday, June 23rd - All-Faith Night at the Swamp Bats, 6pm

Speaking of MIP, once again this year, MIP has worked with the Swamp Bats to have an “All Faiths” night at the ballpark. The pop-up choir will sing and congregations are welcome to put up a table if they’d like. Any ideas? Last year Daniel Scalia threw out the first ball, and the rest of us had a lot of fun. Meet us inside the park. There are bleachers, but you can also bring your own more comfortable lawn chair, or maybe even a picnic supper.

Want to find us at Alumni Field? Contact Sarah Pennywitt to find out where we’ll be sitting

Interested in taking part in the pop up choir? Contact Lainee Ginsberg

Wednesday, June 24 - Keene Climate Cafe, 6:30-8pm

Concerned about the climate? At the June Climate Cafe the topic will be the oil industry. Come join the conversation at the Keene Public Library. Members of our Creation Care ministry plan to be there.

Questions? Contact Bridget Hansel

Sunday, June 28 - Enjoy Walt Sayre’s band playing on the Walpole Green, 6:00-7:30pm (note time has changed)

Grab your lawn chair and bring snacks or a picnic supper to relax with friends and listen to Walt’s band. Walt plays at the Walpole bandstand each summer, and it’s a good excuse for us to get together and enjoy the music and one another. See you on the Walpole green!

Questions? Contact Walt Sayre

Monday, June 29 - MOVIE NIGHT ! 6pm

We’ve had a recommendation for the 2003 movie, “Luther,” a biopic about Martin Luther. Wear comfy clothes to settle into the Jonathan Daniels Room. Popcorn provided, bring your own drink.

Saturday, July 4 - March under St. James’ banner at the Keene Independence Day Parade

All the congregations of the Monadnock Interfaith Project (MIP) will be represented in this special parade, marching together as a symbol of faithful unity. You can join in. Gathering time and meeting place will be posted soon.

Sunday, July 5 - America’s Potluck, 11:30-1:30

The Monadnock Interfaith Project and the Monadnock Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Coalition invite us to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation by participating in America’s Potluck. What a great way to come together in an atmosphere where everyone contributes and everyone belongs. This nationwide initiative is nonpartisan and secular. It’s about neighbors joining with one another to share fun and a communal meal.  Our Keene gathering will be at the Pavillion behind the First Baptist Church at 105 Maple Avenue. is a nonpartisan, secular initiative. It’s about neighbors joining with one another to share fun and a communal meal.  Tableware, napkins, drinks, and field games will be provided. You bring a dish and a serving utensil, or just come. It is a no-alcohol event, simply family-friendly fun and good food. All are welcome.

You can just come, but if you RSVP, it will help our organizers have enough supplies: Register here

Saturday, July 11 - Flower Arranging Workshop, 1pm

Come learn how to arrange flowers to look their best. Diane Holtman was a member of the flower guild at St. Peter’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Florida and has a lot of expertise to share. Bring your own small container or vase for arranging and enjoy learning together at Diane’s House. You’ll get to make two arrangements, including one with flowers picked from Diane’s garden.

For all the details and to sign up: Contact Diane Holtman

Wednesday, July 15 - Pizza and Game Night, 6pm

Scrabble anyone? Or another board or card game you have? Bring your favorites and join others for a pizza supper and a night of fun and games in the Jonathan Daniels Room. Let us know if you’ll be coming so we have enough pizza, which probably will work out to about $6 per person.

Questions or to have pizza, contact: Tammy Fletcher

Thursday, July 16 - Swamp Bats Game, 6pm (note that there’s been a date change on this one)

Let’s go to another game together. Meet us inside the park. There are bleachers, but you can also bring your own more comfortable lawn chair, or maybe even a picnic supper.

Want to find us at Alumni Field? Contact Sarah Pennywitt to find out where we’ll be sitting

Monday, July 20 - MOVIE NIGHT! 6pm

Let’s watch the classic movie “Amadeus.’ How long as it been since you’ve seen it? Wear comfy clothes to settle into the Jonathan Daniels Room. Popcorn provided, bring your own drink.

Thursday, July 30 - St James Goes Out To Lunch, 11:30am

Once again we’re lunching out, this time at the Yellow Bell Cafe. If it’s a large group, we’ll want to give them a heads up that we’re coming, so please contact Diane Metell if you’d like to join the party. Meet at the cafe. Separate checks will be requested for everyone.

Questions or to reserve your place: Contact Diane Metell

Tuesday, August 4 - Orchard Hill Pizza night - 7pm

If you’ve never been to the outdoor Orchard Hill Pizza Night, you’re in for a treat. Live music, happy people and delicious pizza. You order a pizza crust (wheat or Gluten Free) and they provide sauce and cheese (but you can bring whatever additional toppings you might like to add or share - or pick some herbs from their garden!) Put it all together and they’ll cook it for you in the outdoor wood fired oven. They also now offer a salad and dessert of the night that you can also order. This is a rain or shine event, but there is a big roof in case it rains. Bring lawn chairs and whatever drinks you want with your pizza. Some people bring whole picnic set-ups.

This is a VERY popular event, and raises money each week for a worthy cause. As a result, it can longer be first come first serve, and you have to make reservations here. If you’d like to join us, we suggst you reserve your spot for 7pm right now.

Questions or to to let us know you’re coming: contact Koo Schadler

Thursday, August 6 - Field Trip to the Icon Museum in Clinton, MA

Come see what the Boston Globe calls a “drenchingly beautiful” exhibit of one of the largest private collection of Russian iconography outside of Russia. The Icon Museum is open from 10-4 on August 6 and the timing of our trip will be determined by who would like to go. So if you’d like to come on this field trip, contact Koo to help plan the day.

Interested? Contact Koo Schadler

Sunday, August 9 - Super Secret Sundae Sunday (SSSS) - after church

Steve and Derek love Super Secret Ice Cream in Bethlehem, NH. They are more than willing to drive over two hours to get a cone. And that is what they are going to do on Saturday, August 8. They’ll probably also stop at Crumb Bum bakery in Littleton, drive up to the Rocks to get a nice view of the presidential range, have lunch at Reklis Brewery, and then top the trip off with a visit to Super Secret Ice Cream (SSIC). Because they know not everyone is willing to go that far for ice cream, they plan to bring plenty of ice cream back with them to serve at church the next day complete with some of Steve’s famous homemade chocolate sauce. So come enjoy a little taste of heaven after church on August 9 for our SSSS, and if you’d like to join Steve and Derek on Saturday, they’d be happy to have you along on their SSIC run for SSSS.

Want to join Steve and Derek when they go up to the White Mountains on Saturday? Contact them

Monday, August 10 - Miniature Golf, 6:30pm

Join friends for a friendly game of miniature golf at Twinkle Town in Keene. Get an ice cream and hope for a hole in one. We’ll meet at Twinkle Town, but we’d love to know you’re coming.

Want to come? Let Tammy Fletcher know

Sunday, August 16 - The Feast of Jonathan Daniels, 9:30am

Join us for our annual celebration of Jonathan Daniels at a special outdoor Sunday service followed by a potluck church picnic. This year our celebration will take place at Stonewall Farm at 242 Chesterfield Road in Keene. There is nearby parking and the ground, though grassy, is fairly level. Restrooms are also available. There is a spot undercover by the barn in case it rains, so this is a rain or shine event! Bring whatever you’d like to eat and/or whatever you’d like to share for a festive picnic. If it’s hot out, make sure to bring perishible foods in a cooler. Outlets for crock pots are available.

Mark your calendars now for this special annual celebration.

Tuesday, August 18 - Go to the Theatre, 7:30pm

Join Janet and Jacques at a performance of “Emma” at Peterborough players. They have season tickets, but would love to have you join them. Visit the Peterborough Player’s website to get your tickets.

Let the Heberts know you’re joining them: Contact Janet Hebert

Saturday, August 22 - Sermon on the Mount Hike, 10am

Join in on a 3.4 mi round trip hike up Pack Monadnock Mountain on the Raymond Trail. Hikers will carpool to the trailhead and will take regular breaks along the trail to read a small section of the sermon on the mount out loud - we’ll hear the sermon on the mount on an actual mount! Bring a lunch to eat at the summit. Those who would like to drive up the mountain can meet us up there for lunch and prayers at about noon - and also an ice cream from the concession stand. If you drive up, parking reservations are suggested. Either way you get up the mountain, let Elsa know you plan to come. RAIN DATE: Sept. 5

Questions? Contact Elsa

Saturday, August 29 - Prayer Bead Workshop

Want to learn about the prayer beads of different traditions, including Anglican prayer beads? Want to create your own prayer beads? Join Beth King in the Jonathan Daniels Room for this fun, hands-on workshop. More details are coming.

Questions? Contact Beth King

Sunday, August 30 - Garden Party and Garden Dedication, after church

The Creation Care team has given St. James a gift in planting our new cutting garden on the east side of the church. The garden is planted with native flowering plants, and in addition to beautifying a previously rather ignored area, they hope to be able to use these flowers for our Sunday services. After the service on August 30, we’ll have a garden party outside with lemonade and cookies, and will dedicate the new plaque for our beautiful garden.

To offer to help or to ask questions: Contact Diane Holtman

Monday, August 31 - MOVIE NIGHT! 6pm

We watched the movie Wicked last summer. It’s time to see Wicked 2. Wear comfy clothes to settle into the Jonathan Daniels Room. Popcorn provided, bring your own drink.

Saturday, September 12 - Field Trip to Old Fort #4 In Charlestown

History lovers, take note, join in on this field trip to celebrate the 2026 Semiquincentennial (250th birthday) of our country. The Old Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown was the muster point for the New Hampshire militias who marched to the Battle of Bennington. The Old Fort #4 reenacts this important event on their “Revolutionary War Weekend.” Details of this trip are yet to come, but if you’re intersted in going along, arrangements will be made to suit those interested in going.

Interested? Contact Mike Metell

Sunday, September 27 - Shape Note Singing, 2-4pm

Shape Note singing, otherwise known as Sacred Harp singing, is a 19th century church choral tradition that is still carried on in many places around the country, just not usually in churches anymore. The Monadnock Folklore Society sponsors a shape note sing in the Nelson library twice a month. If you’d like to experience this historic and exuberant form of singing, you can join Elsa, who likes to go whenever she can.

Interested? Contact Elsa Worth

Sunday, October 11 - Walk the Labyrinth in Surry

A Labyrinth is an ancient archetypal symbol that has evolved for thousands of years. Labyrinths have been traced by finger or foot by millions of people from many cultures. The labyrinth creates a sacred time and space for you to look within, pray, meditate, and reflect. The meanders and rhythmic turning empty the mind, relax the body, and refresh the spirit. This large grass Labyrinth in Surry is a Chartres style, with the path marked by mown grass paths in an uncut field, total of approximately 1/2 mile, in and out, though anyone who gets tired can easily skip to the center. There is parking on the field, no facilities. Details of time and directions to come.

Interested? Contact Ann Carlson