While the news of Stephan and Karen Knobloch's move (see their letter below) brings near heartbreak to some of us, it is overshadowed by our love, appreciation, and gratitude, knowing that you have discerned your decision thoughtfully and prayerfully, and that God is in it.

While I have known you only a short blip in your near twenty-five years of ministry at St. James’, I have grown to value, respect, and celebrate your gifts of intelligence, commitment, music, and stewardship that you have generously showered upon this wonderful parish family … a family which you have faithfully nurtured and upon whom you have emptied deep parts of your life and heart, on Christ’s Behalf.

Stephen, your music leadership among us has been a Blessing, and will be a lasting Gift, long after you have gone. And, Karen, your gifts and commitment in facilitating, organizing, enlivening and inspiring a new vision of Stewardship at St. James’, has been a God-Send.

What can we say other than … “Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!” -- Fr. Earl

Dear St. James’ Family,

We have celebrated so many "life events" over the almost twenty-five years that we have been part of the St. James' family.  That makes the sharing of our news even more difficult.

After much consideration, we have decided to move to Avon Lake, a suburb of Cleveland. We are moving to be closer to our families and to locate a bit more centrally for Steve's work.

This year, Steve's company reorganized and his region has greatly expanded and his responsibilities now include school systems from Minnesota to the East Coast. With the pandemic making business travel by air impossible, a relocation gives him the opportunity to visit clients by driving.

Our move takes us closer to family and we long to be near them, particularly during this difficult time. Our son, Michael and Karen’s parents and her two siblings live in the Cleveland area. Steve's mom is in Wisconsin and all three of our parents are in their mid-eighties and are facing health challenges and we look forward to living closer so that we may provide support.

We anticipate a move in late October or early November. We intend to continue with our St. James' commitments until the end of the year.

The St. James' family has always been our family away from our family. Thank you so much for your friendship and for so many memories we have shared over the years.

Yours in Christ,

Karen and Stephan Knobloch

Grace to Go has been a labor of love for the past 11 years.  But now is the time to pass the torch. Amanda Geary and Anna Mitchum are putting Grace to Go into the very capable hands of Carin Lamberty and Rob Guerra. 

Grace to Go is a group effort. Many thanks to Chris Scharrer for his generosity in sharing Deli South, without which we are not sure how Grace to Go would function; for St. James' for its steadfast support both financially and spiritually; for cooking partners St. David’s Episcopal Church; Leesburg Presbyterian Church, Daybreak Rotary and Leesburg Rotary; and the other community and civic groups who donate their time to feed others; for the volunteers who cook and the volunteers who distribute. We send our thanks and love to each of you. 

This Sunday's guest preacher will be the Reverend Sean Cavanaugh, Chaplain, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, Alexandria, Virginia.

During August, we are praying for, learning about, and financially supporting Backpack Buddies Foundation of Loudoun (BBFL).

The BBFL funds and facilitates a variety of programs throughout Loudoun County, providing food to underserved children and their families. In 2019, BBFL provided $132,000 in funding to 55 LCPS Backpack Buddy programs, providing over 20,600 weekend meals.

The BBFL Board is a volunteer organization with no paid employees. Over 94 percent of donations received directly fund food provisioning for Backpack Buddies programs throughout the county.

While the Coronavirus has taken children out of school, it has also exacerbated the problem of food insecurity for the community we serve. We continue to work closely with the school BPB programs to assure meal delivery to children and families in need, as we did during the Spring closure.

This year, we are fortunate that a fellow member of St. James’ has agreed to match “Dollar for Dollar” all donations to BBFL in the month of August. So, $10 becomes $20, $100 becomes $200 (enough to provide a full year of weekend meals to a child in need), and so on.

If you are able, please give generously using the button below so we can track donations for the matching gift.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity: “Because hunger doesn’t take the weekend off.”

That's where we hope this Guide comes in. It's designed to be a reminder to slow down. In its pages you will find opportunities to slow down and appreciate the people with whom you live, to slow down and make time for neighbors, to slow down and discover new things about yourself, and to slow down and let God reveal God's love.

For each of the ten weeks of summer, the Guide offers a theme loosely based on the lectionary readings for that Sunday. Themes include growing, storms, help, journeys, following your heart, serving, miracles, gifts, needs, and wisdom. There are several suggestions for things you can do to more fully experience and share God's love with the world. We've also included one or two open-ended questions to facilitate intergenerational discussion. And for each week, we offer full-page activities ranging from matching games to craft projects.

NEW OPPORTUNITY: Please consider providing food for St. Gabriel's ministry that serves folks who are food-insecure, do not have transportation, are nontraditional renters, and due to the pandemic have not had work or had their hours severely reduced. All food donations can be dropped off at St. David's in Ashburn on Mondays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

To assist our parishioners, family, or friends, as well as support community organizations that provide key services (food, shelter, or direct aid), ​St. James' has established a COVID-19 Response Fund.

In addition, Fr. Daniel Vélez Rivera, vicar of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church (St. James' daughter church), works closely with Catholic Charities to help distribute emergency COVID-19-related rental assistance to people who are non lease-holders.

Grace to Go continues to serve to-go meals every Monday evening from the St. James' parking lot.

If you, a family member, or friend, find themselves in a place of need, please contact Fr. Earl. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are in need.

In addition, please share this list of non-profits who can assist those in need.

"In case of illness, the minister of the congregation is to be notified."

Email: fr.earl@stjamesleesburg.org

Those requesting our prayers this week: Margaret Haight, Brianne Bailey and Family, the Lamberty Family, Alice Lynn, Mary Paul, Inez Peebles, Caroline Ennis, the Lynch Family, the Page family, John Marsh, and the Riley family, Mary Bracken, Jennifer Griffith, Tim MacNamara, Fiona Ahrweiler and family; for other persons: Orma Call, Chris DeWaard, Jay Watkins, Mark and Meghan Roomsfa, Lori Turner, Chase Smith, the Schott family, Charlotte, Christian Cutillo, Ruth Guerra, Miline Hughes, Erin Stanton, Barbara Rose, Nancy Hylton, Bridget Steel, Matthew Britto, Betty Overson, Dewey, those who are unemployed or underemployed; and those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.

Terry Prevost, Junior Warden

Mark Snow, Senior Warden

 St. James’ Clergy and Staff