Our Weekly News & Updates |
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Greetings, friends!
This coming Sunday we missed an opportunity with it being the 25th of July, and we did not think of it before planning. But thought I would take the time to mention what a long, strange trip it has been. Last Christmas we held an online service but then had drive-up communion for those who ventured out in a horrible storm. The pop-up tent I was under was destroyed by the storm that night. It was a Christmas Eve I don't want to remember but will never forget. Later that night we had our first Christmas Special, with Harrison and me wandering the stations of the cross on our campus. (Here is the link if you want to rewatch it.)
While it was a Christmas like no other, we are still here, we are still ministering, we are still caring for one another, we are still the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement in Ashland. We have so much to celebrate.
As we consider every Sunday a "little Easter," this Sunday we can have a "little Christmas," too!
Looking ahead, we hope you will join us behind the Rectory for movie night Friday at 8:30 pm (weather permitting). Bring a blanket or chairs.
Sign up your kids or grandkids for Vacation Bible School, and sign yourself up if you can help.
And lastly, sign up for our Shrine Mont retreat in October!
Christmas blessings,
Rock+
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Please let us know if you would like to attend our VBS this year August 9-12 4pm-5:30pm through this link by July 28th. We are looking forward to having a wonderful session based o n the parable of the sower. We are also in need of volunteers and youth leaders. Please email Miriam if you can help us!
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As things are getting back to something that resembles "normal" we are trying to bring back some of our pre-Covid practices. We have the sign up for Altar Flowers up on the bulletin board in the hallway. If you would like us to sign up for you, just email us. We would love to celebrate or remember your loved ones. |
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Join us for IN PERSON Eucharist:Rite II service on Wednesday morning at 7:30am in the church. Please still wear your masks. We are thrilled this service is opening back up in person. We will have coffee and bagels with spreads in Brydon Hall afterward. If you would like to watch live, please click HERE. We hope you will join us in whatever way you feel comfortable.
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Please join us on August 21st at 5pm for a cookout. This is open to all current and prospective Parish (singing) Choir and Handbell Choir members and their families. We will meet at the Smith's house in town on Chapman St. We will provide hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream. Plan to bring a side dish to share and BYO beverages. To RSVP, please complete the link here. |
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YOGA WITH BECKY+ THURSDAY |
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We will have our second Yoga night on Thursday, July 22nd at 5:30pm in the field behind the church taught by the fabulous Becky+. This will be outdoors. Please feel free to bring your children to play on the playground with us, while the parents get a chance to stretch and breathe. This is open to anyone! We'd love for you to join us! All skill levels welcome. |
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Join us this Friday, July 23rd, at 8:30pm to watch a kid friendly 80s throwback movie. It will be a blast! We will have hot dogs, popcorn and s'mores to share. Bring your chair, a blanket, snacks- whatever would make your viewing experience under the stars the best it can be. Please call if you have any questions. |
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We hope you will join us for one of our in person indoor Sunday services.
8:30am- Eucharist: Rite I (no music)
10am- Eucharist: Rite II (with music)
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We have loosened our restrictions for our worship services as cases continue to decrease. Here are a few reminders for our Sunday indoor services:
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We will no longer be requiring sign-ups, or checking-in. Just come to either the 8:30 or the 10 am.
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We will be cleaning between services.
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We will still be requiring masks when in the service while we are all not yet fully vaccinated or for folks who are immuno-compromised.
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We will reserve the balcony for families with unvaccinated children. (They are not required to sit there but may.) We ask all others to sit downstairs.
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We will reserve a section of the seating for social distancing in the seating.
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Our Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont is being held October 15-17. If you would like to go ahead and sign up, email us. You can mail us your deposit (50%) or bring it by. We so hope you will join us for this glorious time in the mountains for a deepening of your faith and time of connection together!
The cost is: (if cost is a hindrance, please let us know. We can help!)
- Adults (age 18+) $160
- Teens (ages 13-18) $80
- Children (ages 4-12) $60
- Young Children (0-3) Free
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Vacation Bible School
Please let us know if you would like to attend our VBS this year August 9-12 4pm-5:30pm through this link by July 28th. We are looking forward to having a wonderful session based on the parable of the sower. We are also in need of volunteers and youth leaders. Please email Miriam if you can help us!
Yoga- July 22nd
We will have our second Yoga night on July 22nd in the field behind the church taught by the fabulous Becky+. This will be outdoors. Please feel free to bring your children to play on the playground with us, while the parents get a chance to stretch and breathe.
Family Movie Night
Our next movie night will be July 23rd and we will be watching an 80s throwback movie! Join us for popcorn, hot dogs and s'mores!
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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Saint James the Less Free Clinic
Right outside our Saint James the Less Free Clinic we have a food pantry. It is available 24/7 and used a great deal as immediate needs come up. Please donate non-perishables to this. It would be an incredible blessing to our community.
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ACES is in need of the following items:
- Pantry: Canned mixed vegetables and canned potatoes
- Adult Clothing: Men's jeans (sizes 36 and larger)
- Warehouse: Oscillating or box fans
ACES will be open on both Mondays and Wednesday from July 7th thru the remainder of the summer (or until further notice) Thank you for your continued support!
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POP TOPS
We are still collecting Pop Tops for Ronald McDonald house. Hang on to them or bring them by when you can. This is a valuable resource that goes to help families with children in the hospital here in Richmond.
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PETER PAUL
We are accepting school supplies on behalf of the Peter Paul Center downtown for their students. The collection boxes are in our hallway.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2021
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7:30am-Eucharist Rite II (in person)
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Link to watch service
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Friday, July 23, 2021
- 8:30pm-Outdoor Movie Night
Sunday, July 25, 2021
- 8:30am- Eucharist: Rite I Worship
- 10am- Eucharist:Rite II Worship
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
Monday, July 26, 2021
- 10:30am- Grief Group (in person)
All of our services can be viewed at your convenience afterward on Facebook. All our Sunday morning and Contemplative services will be posted on our YouTube Channel, "St. James the Less Ashland VA." You can access that here.
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Lord, we lift up this nation struggling with itself these days, reeling from this pandemic and its repercussions. Encourage us to faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion for all God’s Children. We lift up Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Susan, Jennifer, and Porter our Bishops, Rock and Becky, our priests. May they be strengthened and encouraged as the work with us to proclaim your Good News in this world. We pray for Joe, our President, Ralph, our Governor, and Steve, our Mayor, and all our elected officials. Guide them to lead us to the common good.
We ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Remembering especially Gus, Pat, Dick, Erin, Joanie, Anna, Meredith, Madge, Mary Ann, Katie, Molly, Amy, Meghann, Mark, Carol, David, Alice, Dennis, Barbara, Colin and Caleb, Jimmy, Michael Fox, Alex Gillette, Bill & Beth Arrott, Bill Blakemore, Mason, Jan Meacham, Karl Meyer, Chambers Cromwell (friend of Betty & Jim Moore), Horace Crowe (friend of the Meyer’s family), Delaney Thompson family, Aubrey Fletcher, Dee Alvarez, Shelby, Lyla Buchanan, Kimette Cannady, Pam Gillette, Melanie Fischer, Dennis Folsom, Tom & Fran Burke (Beth Renswick’s aunt & uncle), Ginny Miller (Carol Barnes’ sister), Carter and Lila (family of Betsy Snipes and Kristina Raney), Shirley Dols, Jay Hart, Cliff Pierce (cousin of the Wehman-Hopkins family), Jack, Judy Malory, Connie Geisenderfer, Paul Robb, Roxanne, Sarah Reece, William Timberlake, Doc and Karen, Jonathan Smith, Anne Ericksen (Julie Ericksen’s mother-in-law), Debra Bernard, and Dick Shirey, Fran McConnell, Rev. Dr. Susannah Metz and the Diocesan Search Committee for our new Bishop.
We ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. We also ask your prayers for those serving in the diplomatic corps, the military, and as missionaries: Kemper Jones, Greg Ericksen, Matthew Thomas, Philip Morison, James Ashley, Andrew Brunson, Jordan Fox, and Katherine Murphy.
We ask your prayers for those who have died.
We ask your prayers for those who grieve.
We pray for governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Supervisors of Chesterfield & Hanover Counties, the County Administrators, and all county employees.
For all those who seek peace in the world and for ourselves, that we may bring about God's Kingdom here on earth. For our enemies, and for those who wish us harm.
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored.
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THIS PAST SUNDAY'S SERMON |
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NeverTheLess and Weekly E-News Deadline: If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information to Kasey no later than noon on Monday. Thanks!
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