It's not a religious holiday like Christmas or Easter, but for many Americans July 4th is a time to reflect on God’s goodness to us as a nation.

Molded into the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia are these words from the Leviticus 25:10, KJV:
“Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." 

Let us remember those words today. And always.

Sunday at St. James's

Join us for Worship on
(If you can’t view your desired video on doers.org/live, please go to Facebook or YouTube. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

Join us Online

Our In-Person Summer Services
  • 9:00 a.m. - Church in the Garden
  • 10:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II

SixthSunday after Pentecost
Bible Readings
  • Psalm 145:1-9 
  • Hebrews 11:8-16
  • Matthew 5:43-48
  • Deuteronomy 10:17-21 (in-person service)
We would like to thank our guest organist, Charles Lindsey, for filling the church with beautiful music this Sunday.
Children's Nursery is Open
All Summer Long!
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

The children's nursery is located in Gibson Hall across from the Children's Chapel.

When entering from outside, go through the Memorial Garden and go up the outside stairs. Once inside, go up a few stairs and you will see double doors to the right. The nursery is just inside these doors on the left.

A Season of Gratitude 

As we come together as a congregation once again, it has reminded us of the many things for which we’re grateful--especially the generous gifts you shared with our church and our neighbors during the past 16 months. 

For that reason, we’ve created a Season of Gratitude, where we celebrate all the Doers who did so much when we needed it so badly. You’ll see our expressions of gratitude here, outside the church, in the sanctuary, online, and in our Sunday services. 

Because of what you gave, what you did and what you shared, we were able to reopen in a healthy place financially, spiritually, and in all other ways.
Church Office Hours
The church office will be closed on Monday, July 5th - in honor of Independence Day
What’s on Summer Vacation?...And what’s not?

These groups will continue to meet during the Summer:
Brown Bag Book Club
Men’s Bible Study Breakfast
Community Yoga 

These groups will NOT continue to meet during the Summer:
Women’s Bible Wisdom Bible Study
Living Faith Bible Study 
Tuesday’s Readers
Lectionary Ladies

For more information, go to the Calendar at doers.org.
Monday, July 5th
Community Yoga - Yoga Stability/New to Yoga: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Community Yoga - Vinyasa Flow: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
contact Sarah Eck

Wednesday, July 7th
Communion in The Garden: 5:30 pm
A short communion service in the Memorial Garden.

For more information about these events, go to the Calendar at doers.org.

This week's eChimes features
  • Celebrating Those We've Lost
  • The Cup of Salvation
  • Jesus Wore Sandals
  • Take Jesus with You on Vacation
  • St. James's Newcomers Brunch
  • Communion in the Garden
  • Creation Care
  • Education for Ministry - EfM
  • Stephen Ministry
  • Help research our history
  • Subscribe to YouTube
  • St. James's App.
  • Amazon Smile
  • The recently deceased
  • In Our Prayers this week
Celebrating Those We’ve Lost
 
In our attempts to make the eChimes as helpful as possible, we will begin posting upcoming memorial services so you can get the dates on your calendar.

There are two memorial services in the near future:
ⴕ Thurs., 7/8, 11 am in the sanctuary in memory of Bobby Forsyth
 ⴕ Thurs., 7/22, 11 am in the sanctuary in honor of True Coxe
The blood of Christ.
The cup of salvation. 

Communion at the 10 am service once again includes wine.

After doing extensive research on the subject, we’ve learned that sipping is healthier than dipping, so for health reasons, we kindly request that you drink the wine from the cup, not dip (or to speak Episcopalian, intinct) the body. Thank you. 
Jesus wore sandals.
You can too.

Just a reminder that the new 9 am Sunday morning service in the Memorial Garden is a casual service. Many folks wear comfortable summer clothes, including (just like Jesus) sandals. This 20-minute service includes communion (bread only), a homily
and a shorter liturgy than the 10 am service in
the sanctuary.  

Last Sunday there were over 50 people at the service including many who sat in the chairs we’re now putting out. Come as you are, we can’t wait to see you.
Take Jesus with you on vacation. Or anywhere else.

No Vacation Bible School, no problem. With our “Take Out Church” you and your family can find fun and engaging ways to laugh and play together, to praise God, pray, learn God’s word, give thanks, and serve…no matter where you are, including vacation. You can pick up your “Take Out Church” at the Church every Sunday or you can contact Becky Page at bpage@doers.org and she’ll arrange a pick up for you.
Now that we can get together,
let’s get together. 

The St. James’s Newcomers Brunch
Sunday, July 18 at 11:15 am in Valentine Hall
(across Birch Street from the Church in Michaux House) 

We’ve been waiting for the right time to get to know you and introduce you to St. James. And now is the right time.
 
Join the clergy, staff, vestry and other newcomers over a lovely brunch after the 10:00 am service. 
Casual, fun, delicious. 

Please RSVP by July 11 to Donna Horizon at dhorizon@doers.org .

If you’re not sure if you’re new, then you are. 
Communion in the Garden
is a special way to spend a Wednesday evening.  

Standing in the shade of four towering Crepe Myrtle trees, more and more people are showing up each Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm for a short but meaningful Eucharistic service in the Memorial Garden. In addition to communion, there’s a reading, a homily, and warm fellowship.

Come join long-time parishioners, young families, teenagers and everyone in between for a few minutes of peace, learning and communion with our Lord. 
Other News
God’s creation needs your help. 

The Diocese of Virginia's Creation Care Task Force is committed to being a sustainable and inclusive network of Episcopalians committed to faithfully uplifting, stewarding and protecting God's Creation. And every member of our Diocese--from teens to our most senior members--are invited to apply to serve. Including you. It is the conviction of the Diocese that this group should represent a depth of diversity in Creation Care experience as well as experiential diversity.
 
The Task Force will be made up of 15-20 people. Terms will be staggered. Everyone who serves will be appointed by the Bishop.

The deadline for applications has been extended, so there's still time to submit your application to DioceseofVACreationCare. Here's the Creation Care Task Force application.
Learn about EfM from the people who’ve been learning from EfM.

EfM is a powerful and life-changing program that also introduces you to classmates who will become friends, ideas that will become beliefs and, if all goes right, a whole new way to look at what it means to have a ministry. The attached video features thoughts from members of this year’s EfM class at St. James’s. Their reflections are honest, heartfelt and loving. 

If you’ve ever considered committing to EfM (or even if you haven’t), this video is worth watching.

If you want to know more, reach out to Jane Dowrick, coordinator, Education for Ministry (EfM) for the Diocese of Virginia at efmvirginia@gmail.com.
For those times when you need support, Stephen Ministry is eager to help.
 
Over the last year, nine members of St. James’s trained to become Stephen Ministers. They’re eager to provide caring, encouraging, Christian support for anyone experiencing difficult times, including you.

Difficult times means more than the stress of the pandemic, It can also include things like grieving a loss, being ill or unemployed, or maybe it’s a sadness you just can’t shake. Whatever it is, our Stephen Ministry is here to help.

Find out how to receive free confidential, Christian care by contacting our clergy or our Stephen Ministry Care Receiver Coordinator, Jane Dowrick.
You can help us uncover
St. James's rich history. 

Do you have research or writing skills? Are you interested in the racial history of St. James’s and wondering how you can help? Our Racial Justice and Reconciliation Formation Team (RJR) is beginning Part II: Reconstruction & Post-Reconstruction (1865-1900) of our parish history project and would love you to join our ministry.

The work will include combing through records and documents in print and online from your home and/or at libraries and museums. We’ve already uncovered fascinating and revealing information about our history—and we look forward to learning even more with your help.
High schoolers and adult parishioners are welcome. 

Contact Alice Tousignant if you’re interested and/or have questions.
Why Subscribe?

What you'll get:
Easy access to video recordings of recent sermons, services, musical performances, bible studies and more.

What St. James's gets:
Free access to enhanced video capabilities that includes live streaming and more.

Subscribing is easy.
Go to the St. James’s Episcopal Church Richmond page on YouTube.com - find the red "subscribe button" and instantly be one of the 99 who gets us to the finish line.
The St. James’s App
is back! 

Want an easy way to watch the Sunday service on your phone? There’s an App for that. Want to read the eChimes, view the calendar or watch past sermons on your tablet? There’s an App for those things too. The St. James’s App has been updated and it’s ready to make your life easier. You can see the bulletins for the services, refer to the book of common prayer, even make a pledge. Click on your preferred button to download our app.
Support St. James’s without it costing you a penny. 

There’s an easy way to support St. James’s while you’re doing something else. When you're shopping on Amazon, go to smile.amazon.com, instead. Once you’re there, designate St. James’s as the program you’re supporting, then a percentage of every purchase you make on Amazon will go the church. Easy-peezy. 
Parishioners who passed away recently

Robert Wright Forsyth IV (passed away 6/30/2021)
  
We commend Bobby to God’s love.

If you would like information on how to reach out to the loved ones of the deceased, please do not hesitate to contact the church office. 

Click here to see the names of those we're remembering in our prayers this week.

We do our best to keep this list current, but if you want your name added or removed, please contact Mary Brown or call her at 804-355-1779, ext. 313.

Do you have our App?
You can always find the eChimes at doers.org/eChimes.
St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779