St. James’ serves as an extension of Christ’s love and care to our parishioners and members of the community. If you are ill, anticipating surgery, bereaved or experiencing difficulties in your life, our clergy and lay volunteers are ready to listen, visit, pray with you, and keep your confidences.
If you would like to speak with a member of the clergy about a pastoral issue, or to place someone on our prayer list, please email the clergy at pastoralcare@stjames.org.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.””
– James 5:16
Healing Prayer is offered each Sunday during the 9:10 and 11:15 a.m. services and takes place during Communion in the Chapel. This ministry is available to anyone who desires prayer.
All prayer requests and conversations with healing prayer ministers are held in strict confidence. Ministers are glad to pray for any concern—large or small—including prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving.
Why do we offer Healing Prayer?
This ministry reflects our trust that God desires healing, wholeness, and reconciliation for every person. Healing prayer continues one of the central ministries of Jesus within our life together today. For more than two thousand years, Christians have turned to prayer as a vital expression of faith and hope for healing.
What should I expect?
When you come forward, a healing prayer minister will welcome you and gently ask what or whom you would like to hold in prayer. You may stand or kneel, whichever feels most comfortable.
The minister may ask permission to place a hand on your shoulder or head during the prayer. You are always free to decline. While the laying on of hands is a longstanding Christian practice, it is not required in order to receive God’s healing presence.
Each minister prays in their own way, but all seek to reflect your words and intentions as they pray with you.
What can I ask for prayer about?
You are invited to bring anything that is on your heart—concerns for yourself or others, ongoing struggles, moments of joy, or prayers of thanksgiving. Nothing is too small, ordinary, or unimportant.
Will I feel anything or have a particular experience?
There is no single or expected way to feel during or after healing prayer. Experiences vary widely. What you can trust is that the healing prayer minister:
Everything you share will remain confidential. Healing prayer ministers will not initiate conversation about your prayer outside of this setting, even if you know one another personally—though you are always welcome to do so if you wish.
Interested in becoming a Healing Prayer Minister?
You do not need special qualifications or extraordinary holiness to serve in this ministry. Healing prayer is one of many ways Christians are called to care for one another, and it may be a meaningful ministry for you.
Parishioners are invited into this ministry based on their commitment to prayer, compassion for others, and ability to hold confidences. Training, along with periodic gatherings for reflection and mutual support, provides ongoing formation and growth.
If you are interested in becoming a healing prayer minister, or have questions about this ministry, please contact the Rev. Marisa Sifontes.
Our Lay Eucharistic Visitors take the Church beyond the walls of our sanctuary as living reminders that those who are not physically present with us on Sundays remain an integral part of our community and the body of Christ. In teams of two, our Lay Eucharistic Visitors carry Holy Communion to those who are unable to receive the sacrament at church, due to illness, incapacity, or other reason.
If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, or if you or someone you know would like to receive a visit from our Lay Eucharistic Visitors, please contact the Rev. Marisa Sifontes.
© 2026 St. James’ Church.
