To Welcome, To Rejoice, To Be Jesus in the World
On Kinley Road in Irmo, just northwest of Columbia in the South Carolina Midlands, the Episcopal Church of St. Simon & St. Jude takes seriously its threefold mission to welcome, to rejoice, and to be Jesus in the world. The congregation is intergenerational, musically rich, and grounded in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. As one of 66 parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, the church gathers as a family in which members of every age and ability worship together, learn together, and serve together.
Worship, in the words of the parish, is welcoming, vibrant, and joyful. During its Sunday gatherings the congregation praises God, hears God's word, and is fed by the bread of life. Members describe themselves as entering those doors looking for the joy of the Holy Spirit, believing that when they are gathered, God is present. Through unconditional hospitality, creative worship, and inspired preaching, they grow in their spiritual gifts and offer themselves to God and the wider community. Visitors are invited to sign the parish guestbook so they can be welcomed by name when they arrive.
Sunday Worship on Kinley Road
Two Sunday liturgies anchor parish life, and a third is being prepared for the same day.
- 8:30 a.m. - Spoken Eucharist. A small, contemplative service with room for silence and a casual atmosphere. Children are welcome, and the smaller setting suits those seeking stillness and reflection in their time with God.
- 10:00 a.m. - Choral Eucharist. The principal Sunday liturgy, celebrated from the Book of Common Prayer (Rite II) and led by the Chancel Choir with organ and piano. The service is also livestreamed on YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
At the 10:00 liturgy, church school is offered by request for children ages 3 to 10 during the Liturgy of the Word. After the readings, the children return to the nave to take part in Communion with their families. Children are also welcome to remain with their families throughout the service, and wiggles and quiet play are understood as part of parish life.
A third Sunday service is being prepared. Designed for the whole family, the planned 4:30 p.m. service will be short, casual, interactive, and sensory friendly, meeting the needs of every member of God's family. Look for an announcement of its launch.
Beliefs Rooted in Scripture and the Prayer Book
Members summarize their faith in two sentences: a belief in the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - in the message of Scripture, and in the regular practice of the Sacraments; and a belief that human beings are free to make choices to love, to create, to reason, and to live in harmony with God and creation. That conviction is anchored in Jesus' words in Matthew 22:37: "Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself."
Six pillars shape Episcopal worship and life at the parish:
- The Book of Common Prayer is the treasure chest of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, and the primary symbol of unity across the Episcopal Church. As the Prayer Book itself notes, "in his worship different forms and usages may without offense be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire."
- The Bible is the foundation, understood through tradition and reason. About 70 percent of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from Scripture, and the parish worships from beginning to end with the Bible.
- The Baptismal Covenant is a mini-catechism used at baptisms and on Easter and other holy days. It opens with a question-and-answer version of the Apostles' Creed and adds five questions about how Christians are called to live out their faith.
- The Catechism, found in the back of the Prayer Book, teaches the foundational truths of the Christian faith in a question-and-answer format.
- The Creeds - the Apostles' Creed at baptism and the Nicene Creed at Communion - join Christians across the ages in affirming faith in the one God who created, redeemed, and sanctifies.
- The Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace. Beyond baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion), the Episcopal Church recognizes Confirmation, Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession), Matrimony, Orders (ordination to deacon, priest, or bishop), and Unction (anointing of the sick).
The Episcopal Church has formally embraced the full inclusion of all baptized Christians in the life of the church. People of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests, and deacons, and laypeople and clergy work together in leadership and governance. Members of the parish describe their life together as a welcoming haven to all, with the conviction that unconditional hospitality is at the heart of who they are.
Music at the Center of Parish Life
Music is one of the defining features of St. Simon & St. Jude. The Director of Music Ministries, Sarah Elizabeth High, oversees the Chancel Choir, the handbell ensembles, and the youth music program. A Columbia-based soprano, conductor, and educator, she also directs choirs at White Knoll High School and holds leadership roles in the South Carolina Choral Directors Association and the South Carolina Music Educators Association. A frequent guest conductor and clinician for middle and high school honor choirs, she has served as Choral Area Design Team Chair for the Fellowship of Worship Artists' Music and Worship Arts Week at Lake Junaluska and as Vice President of Content for the Fellowship of Worship Artists, guiding content development for the organization's publications and digital channels. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University and a Master's degree from the University of South Carolina, and she performs professionally with the Inspirar Choir in Rock Hill.
The Chancel Choir meets every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m., sings in four parts, and has about 20 members. All levels are welcome. The choir anchors the 10:00 liturgy with hymns and anthems planned to fit the scriptural and homiletic shape of each Sunday.
The parish organist is Will Byrd, a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance. An active collaborative pianist, Byrd serves as an accompanist for choirs across the Midlands, including Sandhills Middle School, Blythewood Middle School, Swansea High School, and White Knoll High School. While at USC he was the pianist for the USC Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, and in 2024 he served as the accompanist for the Adult and Young Adult Choirs at the United Methodist Church's Music and Worship Arts Week at Lake Junaluska. He is pursuing a master's degree in music composition at USC.
The handbell ensemble rehearses Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and is open to ringers of every experience level. Each year the parish hosts a "Will and Friends" concert, an afternoon of music shared by Byrd with other Midlands musicians.
Children, Youth, and the Whole Family
The parish holds a strong conviction that children and youth belong in the church, not on the sidelines of it. In Episcopal practice, formation happens in worship as well as in continued classes, and the parish designs its ministries to weave the two together.
Children worship with their families and learn the stories of God in a children's chapel using the Godly Play curriculum, a Montessori-inspired program that uses story, wondering, and play to introduce young disciples to the Christian tradition. The 10:00 liturgy includes a church school option for children ages 3 to 10 during the Liturgy of the Word, after which the children return to the nave for Communion. A playground extends the parish grounds for play and growth with one another. Each summer, Vacation Bible School supports children's formation and friendships.
Youth at SSSJ worship and serve alongside the rest of the congregation. The parish offers youth retreats, confirmation preparation, and special events built around the Lexington/Richland 5 school calendar, including a winter retreat, a spaghetti supper, and a summer mission trip. Members also take part in intergenerational outreach projects such as the Jam Band and the monthly outreach collections.
Formation for Adults
Adult formation is woven through the week. Several recurring offerings are open to newcomers at any time:
- Coffee & Conversation gathers on Sundays after the 10:00 service, exploring a new theological or sociological topic each week in a relaxed setting over coffee.
- Bible Study meets Tuesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. for theological reading and discussion, available in person and online.
- Education for Ministry (EfM) meets Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The EfM program, developed by the University of the South's School of Theology, offers one-year and four-year tracks of foundational theological study.
- Read with Rev. Jill is a self-paced study of theology and the New Testament available on YouTube, accessible to those unable to attend in person.
- Monthly Book Club gathers on the last Wednesday of each month from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Recent reads include Kathryn Stockett's The Calamity Club.
Outreach Across the Midlands
Service to neighbors in Irmo and beyond runs through several standing ministries.
- SSSJ Jam Band rehearses Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., playing seasonal oldies, then takes the music on the road to memory care residents at Still Hopes, Carroll Campbell, and NHC. All instruments and vocalists are welcome.
- Crafting for a Cause meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 10:00 a.m. to craft items for the NICU and the veterans center, and to knit prayer shawls for those in need. No experience is necessary.
- The Blazers Program works with young men in the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice over an 11-week spring and summer course, teaching real-world skills for life after the system.
- Community partnerships extend the parish's reach through Sharing God's Love food pantry, Resurrection's Lunch on the Lawn, the Snackpack program, and the Columbia Resilience clinic, offering support and care for those in need in Irmo.
- Outreach Collections rotate monthly. October supports Kairos Prison Ministry cookies, November is the Angel Tree gift program, and December gathers snacks for Oak Point Elementary.
The Daughters of the King, an Episcopal order devoted to prayer and service, gathers monthly after a period of discernment. The Men's Ministry meets periodically for food and fellowship. Greater Episcopal Movers and Shakers (GEMS) is a fellowship for parishioners 55 and over that meets on the third Friday of each month for food, drinks, and conversation. Zorbas Fellowship gathers at the Zorbas restaurant in Irmo on the first Thursday of every month.
Serving in the Liturgy
Worship ministries offer hands-on ways to take part in the Sunday liturgies. Lectors read the assigned Scripture texts. Greeters and ushers welcome the assembly and guide them to the Eucharistic table. Acolytes and Eucharistic ministers assist at the altar. The Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary for worship, and the Flower Guild arranges flowers and seasonal decorations. The streaming team runs audio and visuals for those who join online. Eucharistic Visitors go in teams to bring Communion to parishioners who are sick or homebound.
Leadership and the Diocese
The parish is led by the Rev. Jill Williams, a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary. A native of Western Massachusetts, Williams began her ministry as the Associate at a large suburban parish and worked for the Diocese of Western Massachusetts as the Christian Formation Missioner before moving to South Carolina in 2012. Her professional background includes teaching at Porter-Gaud Episcopal School and Heathwood Hall School. She is passionate about teaching Scripture and how it applies to daily life. She and her husband Andrew have two children, Jude and Josh, and share a love of roller coasters, hiking, and theater.
The Rev. Jim Neuburger serves as Assisting Priest, Retired. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Neuburger came to ordained ministry later in life after careers with State Farm Insurance and Policy Management Systems Corporation in Columbia, where he held various positions in marketing, customer service, and sales. He and his wife Carol have three children and two grandchildren living nearby. He often reflects on his path to ordination with the words, "You can run, but you can't hide from God."
Parish governance is carried out by the vestry, the board of elected leaders from the congregation. The vestry manages parish finances and property and defines the overall mission and vision of the parish. Elections take place each November at the annual parish meeting. The vestry works alongside the priest and reports to the wider Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, led by the Rt. Rev. Daniel Richards and made up of 66 parishes across the region. The diocese gathers annually for convention, most recently meeting at Trinity Cathedral in Columbia.
The Heart of the Parish
From its sanctuary on Kinley Road, the Episcopal Church of St. Simon & St. Jude offers the rhythms of Episcopal prayer, the breadth of Christian formation, and the reach of a parish that takes seriously its call to be Jesus in the world. With two Sunday liturgies and a family service soon to launch, weekly choir and handbell rehearsals, Tuesday Bible study and EfM seminars, a Sunday-afternoon Jam Band that travels to memory care units, and outreach partnerships from the food pantry to Oak Point Elementary, the parish gathers week after week to welcome, rejoice, and serve.