Our Weekly News & Updates |
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This last Sunday I talked about the problems of metaphors, and how we imbue them with power and meaning. As we were wrapping up someone asked me about something I said. What they heard me say that the Eucharist was just bread, until we give it meaning. I could have, should have, been clearer. As a priest in Christ's Church, the Eucharist is a sacrament, and nothing is more important. It is a key part and function of what I do, as recent times showed how much we need it and miss it when it is not a part of our weekly lives.
From the perspective of those who do not imbue the wafer with the meaning and reality that Christ gave it, it is just bread. Like the old phrase, "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder," the same is true for those apart from Christ, "The Bread is just bread" if that is how one chooses to see it.
I look on it with eyes of faith. It is the Body of Christ. It is Christ's flesh taken, blessed, broken, and given. It is the central focus of our worship; therefore, it is the central focus of our lives. The Real Presence of Christ is in the Eucharist. I see it and I know it because of the gift of faith that I have been given. We are called to Christ's table, and he is the host for all of us, me included. How we share what we receive in the Eucharist is what enables a hurting world to see this as we see it. Jesus gives the bread, Jesus is the bread, we take the bread, the bread become us, we are what we partake, and we become Christ to a hurting and needy world. We are taken, blessed, broken, and given. Thanks be to God.
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I am so thankful to serve with you, sharing Christlike love to our town.
Blessings,
Rock+
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021
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7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
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Link to watch service
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Sunday, August 22, 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, August 23, 2021
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REGINALD "JOE" LONG SERVICES |
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Reginald (Joe) Long, our beloved organist Reggie Long's father, passed away on Friday evening. Many of you have asked about his services and how you can show support. To view his obituary, please click HERE. Visitation will be at Nelsen (Reid Chapel) Funeral Home in Ashland on Wednesday, August 18th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral will be on Thursday, August 19th, at 11:00 am at Ashland Christian Church with interment afterward at Woodland Cemetery. |
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Thank you to all those who have shared their delicious fruits and vegetables with us here at the church! It is so thoughtful. You have filled our souls and hearts with your generosity. |
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Yoga with Becky+
Mark your calendars for more outdoor yoga with Becky+ on Thursday, August 19th at 5:30pm. It will be a wonderful time for all! Children, adults, and all the ages in between are welcome. All skill levels are welcome as well. Bring a towel or mat to lay on, a water bottle and come ready to learn skills that help you on and off the mat. If it rains, we will postpone. We hope to see you there!
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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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Join us for IN PERSON Eucharist:Rite II service on Wednesday morning at 7:30am in the church. Please still wear your masks. 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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We hope you will join us for one of our in person indoor Sunday services. We still require masks when in the service since we are not yet all fully vaccinated. This is how we can continue to show love for our neighbors. The balcony is reserved for our families that have children who are still unvaccinated. They are not required to sit up there, but have the option. We still have a section of seating for social distancing as well. We hope you join us!
8:30am- Eucharist: Rite I (no music)
10am- Eucharist: Rite II (with music)
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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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Sunday School Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer to be a Sunday School teacher or assistant in the fall for children or youth please, email Miriam. She would love to use your skills and talents with our awesome children and youth. |
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Reserved Family Section
We are offering the balcony as an option for families to use during worship. Many families have unvaccinated children and we want to make sure we protect you the best we can. You do not have to sit there, but know this is an option for you.
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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Emergency Food Pantry
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:
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Pantry: Canned Beef Stew (smaller cans), Canned Pears, Jars of Apple Sauce (smaller jars)
- Adult Clothing: Women's bras (all sizes)
- Warehouse: Oscillating or box fans
ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-1130am. 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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Start in Style is an event for students at Henry Clay and John M. Gandy on September 1st from 3:00pm-6:00pm. The combined school communities will come together to pamper their students with a variety of services and items to bring a smile to their faces, as they get ready for the first day of the 2021-2022 school year. They will have staff from both buildings as well as former students, who are now at Liberty and Patrick Henry, volunteering to make it a true event for the whole community.
We would love to include you in this event! One of the stations is the selection of a NEW school outfit with sizes for K-5 grade students. If you would be willing to donate a NEW outfit for a student, please bring items to the Family Engagement and Welcome Center located adjacent to the school board office (200 Berkley Street, Ashland, VA 23005) before the end of the day on August 19th. We will be hanging the clothing up on racks for students to see their options! If you have any questions, please call Carrie @ 338-6125.
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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 Miller, Erin Yagla, Anna Stiles, Meredith Moon, Madge Carter, Meghann Batten, Mark Longaker, Michael Fox, Bill Blakemore, Karl Meyer, Chambers Cromwell, Melanie Fischer, Dennis Folsom, Carter and Lila, Shirley Dols, Jay Hart, Jack, Pam Bowers, Lin Varner, Connie Geisenderfer, Paul Robb, Jonathan Smith, Debra Bernard, Dick Shirey, Fran McConnell, Beth Arrott, Rev. Dr. Susannah Metz, the Rev. Victor King, Smith family, Alex Gillette, Pam Gillette, Sally Budd, Thad Green 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, Joe Long.
We ask your prayers for those who grieve.
We pray for the workplaces and businesses of Metropolitan Richmond: For economic development in depressed portions of the city, for the establishment of businesses that will create new employment opportunities.
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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August 18
Carrie Boyle
August 20
Steve Lewis
Kathy Marshall
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August 21
Melissa Hoar
Sophie May
Brown Cobb
August 22
Stacey Woodbridge
Matt Smith
Carol Hopkins
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Saint James the Less Episcopal Church
125 Beverly Road
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 798-6336
Staff:
Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director
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Weekly E-News Deadline: If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information in no later than noon on Monday. |
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