Remembering Haiti in our prayers.
Please join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the Bishops of Virginia and the faithful around the world in praying for the needs of the people of Haiti following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. It is reported that martial law has been imposed and that Haiti’s borders and airport have been closed by the acting Prime Minister who has declared a “state of siege”
in the country.
The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is the largest in The Episcopal Church, and we have many siblings in the faith there. Please lift them to God’s grace in this time of significant disruption, anxiety and uncertainty.
As it says in the Epistle of James,
“The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.”
Here is a prayer written by Hilary:
We pray to you almighty God, in this time of unrest and violence in Haiti. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in the midst of trouble. Uphold our Haitian brothers and sisters with your love, and give them the strength they need. Help them in their confusion, and guide their actions. Heal the hurt, console the bereaved and afflicted, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver any who are still in peril; for the sake of your great mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
|
|
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 12th
Community Yoga - Yoga Stability/New to Yoga: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Community Yoga - Vinyasa Flow: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday, July 14th
Communion in The Garden: 5:30 pm
A short communion service in the Memorial Garden.
Thursday, July 15th
Men’s Bible Study Breakfast 7:30 am - 8:30 am
For more information about these events, go to the Calendar at doers.org.
|
|
This week's eChimes features |
|
- Show us what you're grateful for
- The Cup of Salvation
- St. James's Newcomers Brunch
- New Pastoral Contact Number
- Jesus wore sandals
- Take Jesus with you
- Help us say "Hello"
|
|
- Creation Care
- Stephen Ministry
- Education for Ministry - EfM
- Help research our history
- Subscribe to YouTube
- St. James's App.
- Amazon Smile
- In Our Prayers this week
|
|
Show us what you’re grateful for.
In celebration of our Season of Gratitude, we’ve spent the last few weeks expressing our thanks to everyone in our parish--including you--who remained engaged, generous and creative throughout the pandemic. Now it’s time to hear from you. This Sunday, we’ll be making blackboards available so you can express your gratitude like you see in the photo here.
Maybe you’re grateful for House Churches or online services or The Taste or the comforting words of a friend or rector. Whatever it is, we’d love to see it. We’ll then take your picture and create a video from all the pictures. Our hope is that everyone has fun with this. And, of course, thank you in advance.
|
|
The blood of Christ.
The cup of salvation.
Update on our Wine at Communion policy.
We wish we didn’t have to do this, but because of the new COVID variant, we’ve decided to suspend the common cup for the time being. We’ll resume wine at communion as soon as we’re confident it’s safe. Sorry for the back and forth on this.
We also know there’s been some confusion regarding the safety of sipping vs dipping. Some of you have wondered how we reached the decision to only allow sipping. We suggest reading this article. Hopefully, it will help you understand our position more clearly.
|
|
Today is the deadline to RSVP
for the St. James's Newcomers Brunch
The St. James’s Newcomers Brunch
Sunday, July 18 at 11:15 am in Valentine Hall
(across Birch St 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 am service.
Casual, fun, delicious.
If you’re not sure if you’re new, then you are.
|
|
There’s a new Emergency Pastoral Line
you can call any time.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a pastoral emergency after office hours, please call 804-762-0501. A member of the clergy with on call at all times.
Summer Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 4 pm.
|
|
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.
|
|
Do you like to bake cookies and/or
welcome visitors?
Help us say "HELLO" every Sunday.
Every Sunday throughout the summer we’ll be setting up a welcome/hello table outside the church where people can touch base and have questions answered about upcoming events, like the Fall Parish Retreat.
If you’d like to volunteer for this welcoming ministry (including baking cookies!) sign up here. No limit. Volunteer as much as you’d like.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
