Join us for an evening of Mardi Gras fun (two days early!) starting at 6 p.m. with a savory traditional pancake supper with your neighbors at St. John’s.

Following the supper in the Undercroft, head to the church for live entertainment at 7 p.m. by the Occasional Jazz Ensemble. They will treat us to a delightful mix of Chicago-styled Dixieland, Great American Songbook standard, and classic gospel tunes.

This event is free to the public, and a freewill offering will be collected for the Essex Community Oil Fund, which helps resource-challenged households to stay warm during the winter months.

60th Annual Fish & Chips at St James Church Preston CT drive-through take-out only. $18 per dinner (cash or credit cards accepted) and each dinner includes baked fish, fried fish or combo (some baked and fried), French fries, coleslaw and dessert. To please your order, please start calling at 1 pm at 860-889-0150 or drive up in person. If you get the answering machine, please do not leave a message, but call again until you reach a real person to take your order! Dinner pick-up time is 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm or until sold out. Call early to guarantee your delicious Lenten fish dinner – a southeast region specialty for 60 years! Thank you for your support!

Celtic Vespers will be offered on Sunday, March 23, at 7 pm. Based on Iona Community worship, the candlelit service will offer prayers for the evening. Special prayers on the theme of darkness to light as we have entered Spring. The Women’s Choir of St. James’ will sing several selections, including a Gaelic Blessing. Wild Notes will provide instrumental music, played by Celtic harp, violin and flute, and concertina. The event is free and open to all. A reception offering fellowship and delicious finger food and drink follows the service.

The full choirs of  St. Paul’s on the Green will present French composer Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem at a special concert on Friday, March 21st. Featured soloists include Will Doreza, Baritone & Bel Zufferey, Soprano.

Lenten Compline will be presented on Thursday, March 13, 7 pm. The St. James’ Women’s Choir will sing this evening service with special prayers for St. Patrick. We welcome you to join us for this meditative service.

Join us on Shrove Tuesday (March 4) at 7pm for a simple, all-ages service to mark the beginning of the Lenten Season. This Ash Wednesday Eve service is appropriate for children and their caregivers as well as adults at all ages and stages. The service is brief (approximately 20-30 minutes) and includes stories from Scripture, an adapted litany, prayers, and the blessing and imposition of ashes. You can also come as early as 6pm and have pancakes first!