About Us
Formed in 1970, St James Lutheran Church, Southbury, CT is a thriving congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in the heart of Connecticut.
Mission
We affirm and spread the Word of God in all areas of life. We focus on nurturing, serving and uplifting our members and local community by practicing love in action as exemplified by Jesus Christ through our preschool and other outreach services
Vision
We believe we are saved by God’s grace through faith alone, proclaiming our faith in the Holy Trinity. As church, we manifest the unity given to the people of God by living together in the love of Christ, by joining in prayer and action. We worship together as a community through reading of the Word, celebration of the sacraments and through lives of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, witness and service. We see our shared Christian faith as an integral part of our daily lives and use the gifts of the Spirit for our lives together and for our callings in the world.
As a Community in Faith, we at St James:
Believe we are saved by God’s grace through faith alone.
Proclaim our faith in the Holy Trinity using the words of the Nicene and Apostles creeds.
Worship together as a community through reading of the Word, celebration of the sacraments and through lives of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, witness and service.
Serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, care for the sick and aged, advocate for dignity and justice for all people, work for peace among the nations, stand with the poor and powerless, and commit ourselves to their needs.
Nurture all members in the Word of God so they can grow in faith and hope and love.
See our shared Christian faith as an integral part of our daily lives and use the gifts of the Spirit for our lives together and for our callings in the world.
Manifest the unity given to the people of God by living together in the love of Christ and by joining with other Christians in prayer and action
Rev. Abigail Johnson
pastor@stjamesct.org (observes Sabbath Fridays and Saturdays)
The Pastor’s role is spiritual leadership, care and counsel for the congregation. Rev. Abby is a rostered ordained minister of Word & Sacrament in the ELCA and holds a Masters of Divinity from United Lutheran Seminary, with concentrations in Environmental Theology and Congregational Faith Formation. She has worked in many areas of ministry, including children and youth, camping and outdoor, sacred art and curriculum writing, hospital chaplaincy, global mission abroad, and ecumenical community organizing.
A native New Englander and passionate traveler, Abby cherishes restorative time spent skiing or hiking mountains, listening to audiobooks while plein air painting, and reorganizing any junk drawer she comes across. Her trusty companion, Thule (“too-lee”) , a sweet and gentle golden retriever can be found sitting at the church entrance on Sunday mornings, patiently waiting to welcome you back.
Abby has been the solo pastor of St. James since 2021. Her warm demeanor and deep faith propels genuine accompaniment with each person, soul-to-soul. She embodies her call to ministry with great compassion, curiosity and respect; seeking to bridge grounded tradition and history with creative ways to be church in the world today, especially for those who have been marginalized or mistreated. Whether in celebration, grief, doubt, or exploration of faith, Pastor Abby is happy to schedule a time to connect with you for spiritual care and guidance over a cup of tea.
Church Council
This leadership body is responsible for the governance, finances, and general oversight of St. James Lutheran Church. While each member of Council has a distinct role, all members work together to prayerfully discuss and discern matters of church life. They strive to make decisions and utilize resources in alignment with St. James’ shared mission, vision and values.
The Council is made up of 10 voting members and 3 non-voting members; each elected by the congregation. Voting members serve 3-year terms in officer or liaison roles. The President, Vice President, and Secretary organize and facilitate monthly Council meetings. Liaisons serve as specific contacts for each of our ministry teams. Pastor is a voting member, ex-officio.
Financial officers are non-voting members who serve 1-year terms. The Treasurer monitors the overall church budget, while Assistant Treasurer oversees expenses and Financial Secretary oversees revenue. They all serve as key members of the Finance Team with volunteers from the congregation for campaigns and fiscal stewardship.
Ministry Teams
As the body of Christ in the world, we understand that this is God’s work with our hands. Ministry Teams arrange and facilitate offerings in all areas of church life. Teams are made up entirely of volunteers who steward St. James through time, talents and energy.
Worship prepares our services, music, and praise. Faith-Formation splits its focus between Youth & Family and Adult Education, to provide specialized educational programs at every age. Fellowship invites relationship building through small group and church-wide events. Outreach coordinates year-round drives, fundraising, and hands-on action with local, national, and global partnerships. Our own St. James Preschool is an outreach ministry to our immediate community, providing quality early childhood education for over 25 years. Evangelism is intentional about welcome and invitation, with its sub-group “James Ministry” prioritizing caregiving and hospitality. Property takes care of our building and facilities, both inside and out.
Most ministry teams meet on a monthly or seasonal basis to reflect, imagine, and plan. Whatever gifts God has equipped you with, whatever cause Christ has put on your heart, whatever passion the Holy Spirit fires up within you – there is a ministry team for you!
111 Peter Road, Southbury, CT 06488
Downtown Southbury, set back from main road, across from the middle school, near police station
Remodeled in 2018, wheelchair friendly, outdoor chapel and playground, equipped with security system & Ring doorbells,
Our Fellowship Hall with an industrial kitchen is available for rental use. Please contact our main office to inquire
Epistle /iˈpis(ə)l/
A letter
A book of the New Testament in the form of a letter from an Apostle
St James’s Monthly Newsletter available in Print or Digital
St James Blog
2023 YAFM Events
Come Join Us! ST JAMES YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY HAPPENINGS THIS WINTER All Ages are Welcome!! Questions? Email yafm@stjames.org Join us for fellowship activities: Nov 19, 12-430pm – Field trip to Institute for American Indian Studies Museum, sign up with PastorDec 2, 10am – Making advent wreaths, St James Dec – Carolling at local nursing homes –…
Guatemala Outreach Updates
Dear beloved community, Sunburnt and paint splattered greetings! I am home from Guatemala, reunited with Thule, and eager to share with you all the joy of this beautiful global community we are part of and the lives you all have touched. This Continuing Education trip focused on relationship building with our St. James outreach partners, Hope…
Kid Chat: Backpack Blessing
Hi, friends! It’s Pastor Abby and I am joined by my puppy Thule who you might have met at church before. Thule would you like to say hello to the kids? No, you’re busy with your tennis ball? We’ll let Thule keep chasing his tennis ball, but both Thule and I are wishing you all…
2022 Holy Week
Holy Week is full of traditions for many including St James Youth and Families. Last year we were amidst the covid outbreak, and we all learned how we could continue our traditions, even if those traditions were different. This year we once again learned how to fold palm crosses on Palm Sunday at the beginning…
Growing Our Faith: Children’s Books About God
April 2nd: International Children’s Book Day Happy international children’s book day! We’ve celebrated by rounding up some of our favorite children’s books about faith. Mother God By Teresa Kim Pecinovsky “You know God the Father, but God is your Mother too.” With lyrical, rhyming text and exquisite illustrations, Mother God introduces readers to a dozen images of…
Faith Formation
We hope everyone is doing well and staying safe and warm. Our faith formation program continues with the winter session. Interested in reading sermons on your own? See Pastor Abby’s Blog here Meditation MomentWednesdays 12PM Receive a recorded call by Pastor Abby containing a meditation moment and prayer every week. These calls are between a…
Religious organization
An active faith community in Southbury, CT focused on serving and uplifting our members and neighbors.
Mission
We affirm and spread the Word of God in all areas of life. We focus on nurturing, serving and uplifting our members and local community by practicing love in action as exemplified by Jesus Christ through our preschool and other outreach services
Vision
We believe we are saved by God’s grace through faith alone, proclaiming our faith in the Holy Trinity. As church, we manifest the unity given to the people of God by living together in the love of Christ, by joining in prayer and action. We worship together as a community through reading of the Word, celebration of the sacraments and through lives of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, witness and service. We see our shared Christian faith as an integral part of our daily lives and use the gifts of the Spirit for our lives together and for our callings in the world.
As a Community in Faith, we at St James:
Believe we are saved by God’s grace through faith alone.
Proclaim our faith in the Holy Trinity using the words of the Nicene and Apostles creeds.
Worship together as a community through reading of the Word, celebration of the sacraments and through lives of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, witness and service.
Serve in response to God’s love to meet human needs, care for the sick and aged, advocate for dignity and justice for all people, work for peace among the nations, stand with the poor and powerless, and commit ourselves to their needs.
Nurture all members in the Word of God so they can grow in faith and hope and love.
See our shared Christian faith as an integral part of our daily lives and use the gifts of the Spirit for our lives together and for our callings in the world.
Manifest the unity given to the people of God by living together in the love of Christ and by joining with other Christians in prayer and action
Rev. Abigail Johnson
pastor@stjamesct.org (observes Sabbath Fridays and Saturdays)
The Pastor’s role is spiritual leadership, care and counsel for the congregation. Rev. Abby is a rostered ordained minister of Word & Sacrament in the ELCA and holds a Masters of Divinity from United Lutheran Seminary, with concentrations in Environmental Theology and Congregational Faith Formation. She has worked in many areas of ministry, including children and youth, camping and outdoor, sacred art and curriculum writing, hospital chaplaincy, global mission abroad, and ecumenical community organizing.
A native New Englander and passionate traveler, Abby cherishes restorative time spent skiing or hiking mountains, listening to audiobooks while plein air painting, and reorganizing any junk drawer she comes across. Her trusty companion, Thule (“too-lee”) , a sweet and gentle golden retriever can be found sitting at the church entrance on Sunday mornings, patiently waiting to welcome you back.
Abby has been the solo pastor of St. James since 2021. Her warm demeanor and deep faith propels genuine accompaniment with each person, soul-to-soul. She embodies her call to ministry with great compassion, curiosity and respect; seeking to bridge grounded tradition and history with creative ways to be church in the world today, especially for those who have been marginalized or mistreated. Whether in celebration, grief, doubt, or exploration of faith, Pastor Abby is happy to schedule a time to connect with you for spiritual care and guidance over a cup of tea.
Church Council
This leadership body is responsible for the governance, finances, and general oversight of St. James Lutheran Church. While each member of Council has a distinct role, all members work together to prayerfully discuss and discern matters of church life. They strive to make decisions and utilize resources in alignment with St. James’ shared mission, vision and values.
The Council is made up of 10 voting members and 3 non-voting members; each elected by the congregation. Voting members serve 3-year terms in officer or liaison roles. The President, Vice President, and Secretary organize and facilitate monthly Council meetings. Liaisons serve as specific contacts for each of our ministry teams. Pastor is a voting member, ex-officio.
Financial officers are non-voting members who serve 1-year terms. The Treasurer monitors the overall church budget, while Assistant Treasurer oversees expenses and Financial Secretary oversees revenue. They all serve as key members of the Finance Team with volunteers from the congregation for campaigns and fiscal stewardship.
Ministry Teams
As the body of Christ in the world, we understand that this is God’s work with our hands. Ministry Teams arrange and facilitate offerings in all areas of church life. Teams are made up entirely of volunteers who steward St. James through time, talents and energy.
Worship prepares our services, music, and praise. Faith-Formation splits its focus between Youth & Family and Adult Education, to provide specialized educational programs at every age. Fellowship invites relationship building through small group and church-wide events. Outreach coordinates year-round drives, fundraising, and hands-on action with local, national, and global partnerships. Our own St. James Preschool is an outreach ministry to our immediate community, providing quality early childhood education for over 25 years. Evangelism is intentional about welcome and invitation, with its sub-group “James Ministry” prioritizing caregiving and hospitality. Property takes care of our building and facilities, both inside and out.
Most ministry teams meet on a monthly or seasonal basis to reflect, imagine, and plan. Whatever gifts God has equipped you with, whatever cause Christ has put on your heart, whatever passion the Holy Spirit fires up within you – there is a ministry team for you!
111 Peter Road, Southbury, CT 06488
Downtown Southbury, set back from main road, across from the middle school, near police station
Remodeled in 2018, wheelchair friendly, outdoor chapel and playground, equipped with security system & Ring doorbells,
Our Fellowship Hall with an industrial kitchen is available for rental use. Please contact our main office to inquire
Epistle /iˈpis(ə)l/
A letter
A book of the New Testament in the form of a letter from an Apostle
St James’s Monthly Newsletter available in Print or Digital
St James Blog
2023 YAFM Events
Come Join Us! ST JAMES YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY HAPPENINGS THIS WINTER All Ages are Welcome!! Questions? Email yafm@stjames.org Join…
Guatemala Outreach Updates
Dear beloved community, Sunburnt and paint splattered greetings! I am home from Guatemala, reunited with Thule, and eager to share with…
Religious organization
An active faith community in Southbury, CT focused on serving and uplifting our members and neighbors.
