M&O organizes two annual volunteer days (spring and fall) to support the clothing center at Interfaith Works, and also makes a financial contribution from the generosity of parishioners. The organization provides many services for Montgomery County residents in need, and St. James’ volunteers support the IW Clothing Center, which offers residents and families clothing and home goods at no cost. Please join us!
M&O organizes two annual volunteer days at Comfort Cases (spring and fall), and also makes a financial contribution from the generosity of parishioners. This local organization has its national headquarters in Gaithersburg and supports transitioning foster children nationwide. They provide backpacks filled with new comfort and personal care items such as toiletries, socks, a blanket, and a book for these youth when moving to a new foster home.
An important goal of Comfort Cases is to show care and dignity by ending the common practice of providing trash bags to foster children to transport their belongings when they transition homes.
Volunteers typically fill cases with age-appropriate items to prepare them for distribution. Please join us!
Return to Mission & Outreach page.
Morning assembly at Institution Bon Samaritain
Since 2010, St. James’ has provided financial support to our partner parish and school in Haiti, Bon Samaritain L’Acul. These funds have provided exploratory drilling and development of a community well; free lunches for school children; teachers’ salaries; support and supplies for the local medical clinic; and completion of the new rectory, providing housing for the parish rector/school director.
In 2018, two parishioners from St. James’ visited Bon Samaritain and witnessed the thriving community and the high level of support and engagement that this parish and school have engendered.
We continue to support Bon Samaritain and its people through financial contributions, prayers, and online contact.
Preparing lunch for the school children
Pumping water at the well on the school grounds
L’Eglise Bon Samaritain, L’Acul
Take a book! Share a book! St. James’ dedicated its Little Free Library on St. James’ Day, July 2025. This little library reflects St. James’ membership in the broader Seven Locks and Potomac community. Books are available to all who pass by, and we welcome books from all, too. St. James’ parishioners can also make book donations at the church.
We ask that households donate no more than four books at a time, and books should be in good condition. (No textbooks, reference books, or magazines, please! Thank you.)
In advance of every Christmas season, M&O organizes a gift-giving drive for young students at the Bishop Walker School in Washington, D.C. Parishioners personalize a Christmas card message to each student, and we host a gift drive to support them and their families.
In the past, this has included new winter coats and toys, and more recently has focused on buying gift cards, including at least one gift card for a local grocery store.