Membership Records Manager
Ericka James-Holmes was born in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma. At the age of 6 moved to Wichita KS, Her grandparents Leonard and Bernice Smith devoted themselves to taking her to Saint Mark United Methodist church every Sunday. Due to a poor living environment, her grandparents made it their mission to get her and her sister, Chajuan James-Jackson, out of the system and give them a home. Participating in almost every part of the church from Sunday school, choir and vacation bible studies. At the age of 12 years old she completed confirmation class under Pastor Daniel Raines. With her lifelong church friends having life changing experiences, visiting the sick and shut in and learning about God. Moving on to Youth Group with youth leaders that Ericka calls family, set an example of what a Christian looks like. Ericka worked for the church every summer volunteering to help the sick and shut in, Red Cross, Wichita library, and buffing floors with Grandpa Holt. This is where hard work and pride of work was driven in. Ericka’s punishment as a child was not only by the rod, but also not being able to participate in church activities. (Still a running joke to this day).
Later Ericka went away on a basketball scholarship, and graduated from Butler Community College. Ericka then attended WSU and became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Married in her church Saint Mark UMC to Damon Holmes Sr. they had two children, Khaliah and Damon Holmes Jr. Ericka was able to be a stay at home mom after a work injury. Caring for her son DJ. that was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy with a short life expectancy. The family stayed active in the children’s ministry volunteering and taking their kids to choir practices, vacation bible school, camp & confirmation class. DJ passed on at the age of seven.
In 2019, Ericka James-Holmes became our new Membership Records Manager. She is excited to be part of Saint Mark United Methodist Church Staff.