A Day of Community, Connection & Fun: St. James Annual Block Party

September 18, 2026

There’s something special about seeing the St. James community come together, and our annual St. James Block Party is one of our favorite ways to celebrate it!


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Each year, we invite our parishioners, school families, neighbors, friends, and members of the surrounding community to join us for a fun-filled day that’s completely free and open to everyone. It’s a day filled with music, activities, food, and plenty of opportunities to connect.


This year’s Block Party was made even more special by the wonderful mix of vendors, community organizations, and St. James groups who joined us throughout the day. Families enjoyed pony rides from Sarah’s Ponies, creative fun with Artistic Facepainters, and plenty of energy-burning fun with the bouncy house/obstacle course from Lakeshore Fitness. “St. Jams” kept the atmosphere lively with music, while the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dogs brought two special four-legged guests who were a big hit with kids and families. We were also excited to welcome Nourishing Hope, the Sheffield Neighborhood Association, and RANCH Triangle, who shared information and connected with members of our community. And lastly, our St. James Parent Squad was also on hand with a table, giving school families another opportunity to connect, learn, and build community.


More Than Just a Party


While the Block Party is certainly a fun day, it represents something much bigger for St. James. It’s an opportunity to bring together the two communities that make up the heart of St. James: our church and our school.

Throughout the year, our parish and school communities come together in countless ways, but the Block Party offers a unique opportunity to gather outside of the usual school day or Sunday service. Families can meet new neighbors, reconnect with friends, enjoy activities together, and simply spend time celebrating the community we share.

It’s also a wonderful way for people who may be new to St. James to experience the welcoming spirit of our community firsthand.


“Jesus calls us to love our neighbors and share the good news, and the annual St. James Block Party is an amazing opportunity to put that into practice in a tangible and fun way. With over 600 attendees, it’s a great way to kick off the school year, open our church to the community, and build real connections not only with our neighbors, but also the 15 vendors and partners we worked with this year. It's also an amazing way to serve, with 30+ volunteers helping make this year's event a success. Through food and fellowship, prayer, and the children’s choir sharing their gifts, we hope the people who came to the St. James Block Party experienced the love of Christ and know that they’re welcome here.”

-Emily Kroeger, Director of Ministry Services at St. James Lutheran Church


Opening Our Doors to Prospective Families


The Block Party also marks an important moment in the St. James admissions calendar. Each year, we open the doors of our school during the event for our first Open House of the admissions season.


It’s the perfect setting for prospective families to get to know St. James in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Families can tour the school, explore our classrooms and spaces, learn more about our academic and extracurricular offerings, and meet members of our school community.


“Opening our school during the Block Party gives prospective families the chance to experience St. James in the most authentic way possible. They’re able to see our students, families, staff, and neighbors coming together and experiencing the joy and sense of community that make St. James so special!

-Joy Campbell, Director of Admissions at St. James Lutheran School


For families considering St. James, the Block Party offers a glimpse of something that can’t be fully captured in a brochure or website: the welcoming spirit and sense of community that make St. James so special. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year!



See all photos from the event here!

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