Our Mission
The St. James Fellowship serves elderly and disabled persons in Pittsburgh’s east suburbs. Most of the individuals we serve reside in long-term care facilities, but a few remain in their homes. Some experience Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, others physical or mental illnesses or injuries, still others, loneliness or depression. Regardless of their infirmities, they are all in need of the love and friendship of Christ.
We minister to these individuals and their caregivers by bringing the worship, fellowship, supportive services and material support of the church to them in their care settings. We are, in essence, a church without walls. Traditional services, Bible studies, fellowship, counseling and friendship are all part of the ministry.
Learn More About the Fellowship
Our Services
Worship services, hymn singing and Holy Communion are provided regularly by Reverend Patterson and ministry associates at all facilities where the SJF has a presence. Additionally, Bible studies, fellowship, counseling and friendship are all part of the ministry.
Our Story
The St. James Fellowship elderly and disabled person and their caregivers by bringing the worship, fellowship, supportive services and material support of the church to them in their care settings. We are, in essence, a church without walls.
Our Leadership
It is both a responsibility and a privilege to proclaim the Good News, serve Holy Communion, counsel the weary, and offer help for the troubles of life that our aged and disabled friends bear. We are guided by the teachings found in the Book of James.
Remembering Margie Woodard
A Christian gentlewoman has gone to rest with our Savior and await the Day of Resurrection. I was her pastor and her friend. She became a part of St James Fellowship in 2013, along with her sister Mildred (who has since passed away) and Jean (still alive). Margie reached her 90th birthday this past year. More than half of her life involved trial and tribulation that most of us will never go through.
She suffered the neglect, unfaithfulness, and abandonment of her husband at an early age. Under tremendous financial strain, with no financial support from her ex-hub, she had to take a job in the basement of a downtown office building, I think in the mail room. She eventually found a better position with Aetna Insurance and improved her skills, becoming a valuable employee serving as an associate underwriter. With the help of her sister Mildred, she raised 4 children. In one way or another, all the children were devastated by the catastrophe of an errant and wicked father. About eight years ago, Margie’s sister Mildred passed away. Then her beloved son Dale passed away almost four years ago of a sudden heart attack. She lived with both in the family home that her parents owned.
Margie remained faithful to our Lord, who chose her for his kingdom. In fact she is one of the few people I know who has been able to take blow after blow after blow of trials and be more devoted to God. Her health was never really good. She survived cancer and in the final years of her life had pulmonary fibrosis. In her last year she had to use oxygen.
During her final few years Margie was content to read the scriptures, devotional works, and pray. She prayed for me and this Fellowship which I am eternally grateful for. She was a faithful financial supporter of our work. I marvel that she lived as long as she did and her life was a testament to the grace of God who chooses the weak and the unknown to be his chief vessels of glory in this troubled world. Margie humbly acknowledged her need of saving grace and she came to follow our Lord at an early age in life. God brought us together as she was such a wonderful fit for our ministry because of her age, disabilities, trials, and faithfulness. I am grateful for her legacy.
Margie, rest in the peace of our Lord, whom you loved. You will have a merrier Christmas now than you ever had on earth.
Rev. John