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We offer daily services and a cultural programme of talks, events and concerts. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate
St James’s hosts inclusive services and a cultural programme. We seek to be a welcoming space for people to reflect, create and debate.
St James’s is a place to explore, reflect, pray, and support all who are in need. We are a Church of England parish in the Anglican Communion.
We host a year-round creative programme encompassing music, visual art and spoken word.
We offer hospitality to people going through homelessness and speak out on issues of injustice, especially concerning refugees, asylum, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ issues.
St James’s strives to advocate for earth justice and to develop deeper connections with nature.
We aim to be a place where you can belong. We have a unique history, and the beauty of our building is widely known. Our community commits to faith in action: social and environmental justice; creativity. and the arts
We strive to be a Eucharist-centred, diverse and inclusive Christian community promoting life in abundance, wellbeing and dignity for all.
St James’s Piccadilly has been at the heart of its community since 1684. We invite you to play your part in securing this historic place for generations to come.
The work of St James’s, it costs us £5,000 per day to enable us to keep our doors open to all who need us.
A reimagined St James’s realised. A redesigned garden, courtyard and new building capacity—all fully accessible— will provide beautiful spaces for all as well as improving our environmental performance.
Whether shooting a blockbuster TV series or creating a unique corporate event, every hire at St James’s helps our works within the community.
St James's Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL
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Joan Ishibashi reflects on how aggressive immigration raids in Ventura County have created fear and trauma in a community deeply reliant on immigrant workers, urging compassion, support, and long-term solutions for a fairer immigration system.
I have arrived at my house in Ventura County, California, which is located north of Los Angeles, and am wondering how life is for the locals. In the news we have seen the massive ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids that the current government has been conducting. It is a frightening sight, masked agents driving in unmarked vehicles, rounding up undocumented as well as legal residents. The indigenous population has been particularly hard hit.The United States for many years has, regardless of political party, been very aggressive in pursuing undocumented immigrants, but this year it has become extreme.
My home is located in a predominantly agricultural area of California. We are famous for strawberries. Undocumented immigrants make up 10% of the workforce here in Ventura County and contribute up to $1.5 billion in taxes each year. They tend to be characterised as stealing jobs and living off benefits without contributing, but that could not be farther from the truth. Most have lived here for many years, and are integral to the local community.
Today I went to our farmer’s market, which has always been a gathering place for the locals. People hanging out at our town square, listening to music, dancing, eating Mexican street food and buying fresh produce. It has always been fun and lively. I noticed a significant decrease in the number of people. It felt subdued. When I spoke with some of the vendors, they said that this year the numbers have dropped quite a bit, with people still shopping, but they come, buy what they need, and leave. Two undocumented immigrants I know, who have lived in this country for many years, no longer go out to restaurants or businesses for fear of being detained. They are not the only ones who have curtailed their public outings. Adults are living in fear; children are traumatised. All the residents are feeling the impact as these people are a part of our community.
Churches, local government and social services have been working together to provide help and support for these traumatised communities. In the short term, providing food for families who are unable or unwilling to go out in public is an important service. Supporting our cities who are partnering with the American Civil Liberties Union in filing a lawsuit against the federal government regarding due process, racial profiling, unlawful enforcement tactics and other issues. Providing a safe space at churches for people to come and pray and be together. A big challenge is to develop a strategy for the long term, as this is an issue that is not going to be resolved any time soon.
The immigration system needs an overhaul, and the U.S. continues to struggle to develop a pathway for people to come to this country to live and work. We have similar challenges in the U.K. My grandparents and great-grandparents came to the U.S. as farm workers with big dreams. Rather than clamping down further on admitting people, can we find a pathway for those who want to come here, make a better life for themselves and contribute to the vibrancy of our economy and society? “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding”. Romans 14:19
