Br. Jim Woodrum, SSJE

A native of Bristol, VA, Br. Jim Woodrum studied music at the University of South Carolina and East Tennessee State University. A musician and performer specializing in the euphonium (a tenor tuba primarily found in symphonic bands), Jim taught brass methods in many high schools and youth organizations across the Southeast before coming to Community. He arrived at SSJE to test his vocation in 2012 and was life-professed in 2017. He has served the Community as Choir Brother, Facilities Brother, Vocations Brother, and currently is the Brother who guides Mission and Communications. Jim enjoys all kinds of music, reading history, and is fascinated by Neurotheology (the relationship between the human brain and religion). When he is away from his desk (and that “Office” in the Chapel), he enjoys cooking Southern cuisine, exploring neighborhoods in Boston, and indulging his keen interest in craft beer.

 

Learn more about Br. Jim's Catch the Life journey to monastic life >

Selection of Br. Jim's teachings from "Brother, Give Us a Word"

Balm

Whatever our state of un-health, Jesus is there, working to make us well if we will only have faith. Whatever the problem, give it to Jesus in prayer and then get some rest. We may not feel “on the mend” right away, but healing will happen in GodÕs time. Jesus is our balm and our…

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Emmanuel

If you are not sure how Jesus is working in your life, perhaps that is the substance of your prayer. Ask Jesus to shed light on what is out of your control, broken, and in deep need of healing – and then wait patiently as God tends to your needs. Jesus is God Emmanuel, which…

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Prepare

Many new parents are grateful for a time of preparation for the coming of a newborn child: time to buy clothes, time to prepare a nursery, time to learn about the changes this new being will bring to their lives. And this is why we need Advent. We need time to recollect, remember, and prepare…

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Angels in the Architecture

Advent 2021: A podcast series that occurs throughout the year. It explores not only the structures of buildings, but also those of liturgy, sacraments, colors, vestments, and the traditions that form us.

Selection of Br. Jim's writing

Lead Us Not into Temptation

 

“In the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer each day, I am reminded that if I turn to God in my moments of temptation, then I, like Jesus, will be able to dismiss temptation’s toxicity, and be fortified and empowered to live into the divine life which God has enabled in me.”

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Identity & Belonging in the Great Sacraments

“As a follower of Jesus with my own diverse and at times complicated identity, where and how do I belong in this equally diverse and complicated realm of Christianity and the Church? And what does such “belonging” entail?”

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Letter from the Editor – Advent 2022

“Life in community teaches us about the love and grace of God as it helps us to grow into the fullness of our place in the Body of Christ: accepting our limitations, giving freely of ourselves when we see a need, and recognizing that we belong to one another through our  Baptism.”

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