St. James' Episcopal Church in Lewistown

06/09/2026

Bishop William Alexander Guerry (July 7, 1861-June 9, 1928) explained that to be truly catholic, the church must be fully inclusive.

06/04/2026

05/30/2026

God in three persons, Blessed Trinity! Trinity Sunday is tomorrow, May 31. Worship is at 10:00 am. All are welcome!

05/25/2026

Setting up for Rogationtide at Toni's. A gorgeous day!

05/25/2026

A few pictures from the Day of Pentecost. Getting ready for worship and a delightful Coffee Hour.

05/23/2026

Tomorrow, May 24, is the Day of Pentecost - a major feast day of the church. Big celebration at St. James at 10:00 am. Come join the celebration! Wear something RED. We'll also be blessing quilts for Grace Camp, the Warming Shelter, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Central Montana Medical Center and local police and sheriff departments, highway patrol, fire department, and for pastoral use.

05/21/2026

The Day of Pentecost, May 24, Sunday, is the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Worship at 10:00 am will include the Blessing of the Quilts and the Renewal of our Baptismal Vows. See you in church!

05/20/2026

Rogationtide 2014: Where it began for St. James at the McMillan Ranch. This year we gather at Toni's place on Sunday, May 24, at 4:00 pm.

On Sunday afternoon members and friends of St. James’ Episcopal Church will gather at the home of Toni Gies to observe the ancient tradition of Rogationtide. The Rogation Days are traditionally observed on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day. Ascension Day was May 14th this year. Over time the Sunday before the Rogation Days came to be considered a part of Rogationtide and is known as Rogation Sunday. Rogationtide originated in Vienne, France in 470 AD after a series of natural disasters including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes caused much suffering among the people. Archbishop Mamertus proclaimed a fast and ordered that special litanies and prayers be said as the population processed around their fields, asking God's protection and blessing on the crops that were just beginning to sprout. The Latin word rogare means "to ask", thus these were "rogation" processions.

In an agricultural society, closely connected with the soil and highly vulnerable to the uncertainties of nature, this was an idea that took root quickly, and the custom spread around Europe and over to Britain. The medieval church continued to observe these rites, but in the first wave of the English Reformation, they were tossed out as too pagan. Elizabeth I, who always liked a good parade, reinstituted them when she became queen. You can still find them carried out in some English villages.

The route of the procession was around the boundaries of the parish. The processions were useful in teaching people, particularly the young, their parish boundaries and was known as “beating the bounds.”

The boundaries of the Parish of St. James’ being much too large to process around, the congregation will gather at one location and bring elements from around the parish for prayers asking God’s protection and blessing. For example, water from various sources including creeks, wells, and city faucets will be combined. Bring seeds and plants and tools and… Throughout the prayers, the congregation will acknowledge our dependence on God and our joyful obligation to care for all of creation.

The afternoon will conclude with a delightful potluck meal. The Church will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, and black bean burgers. Folks are invited to bring a salad or dessert and your preferred beverage. Please bring a lawn chair too.