On Sunday night, our Youth and their parents, and many of the youth with parents from our sister churches in our region, will be gathering for an introductory dinner for the joint youth program Journey to Adulthood ^TM. In cooperation, the North Richmond Region of the Diocese is beginning this new venture to help revitalize and enrich our youth and our youth programs. So many of our teens have slipped out of the habit of church during the pandemic, and understandably so. All the region's churches admitted we were in a rebuilding mode, and we decided to work collectively to remedy this. Some of you are making casseroles that we will enjoy. (THANK YOU!) Folks will gather at our picnic tables at 6:30 to learn how our kids can, like Jesus, "grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people." (Luke 2:52)

A HUGE thank you to ALL our incredible volunteers that make this the REMARKABLE place that it is! We are so blessed by all the energies, efforts and love that are poured out in this community!

Adult Sunday School will begin again this Sunday, September 26th in person at 8:45am- 9:40am in Brydon Hall, taught by Beth Harrison. We are excited to have this opportunity together! Please wear your mask and come ready to learn. It is a wonderful time of connection and growth.

Join us for fellowship in the virtual Parent Small Group. Every Wednesday at 8pm over Zoom with your favorite beverage in hand to support each other throughout this journey of parenthood and grow in faith together. HERE is the link to join. If you would like to dial in please call 301-715-8592 and enter Meeting ID: 820 5734 4002 and Passcode: 756956.

The Handbell Choir and Parish Choir have resumed. All are welcomed and encouraged to join these groups. The Handbell Choir rehearses Thursday at 6:00 and the Parish Choir rehearses at 7:00. We are always looking for new singers and ringers and we have a place waiting for you. In keeping with church and diocesan guidelines, wearing a mask will be needed at both of these rehearsals. If you have any questions or need additional information about these groups, please email Reggie with any questions. We look forward to seeing everybody back on Thursday and hope to see many new faces!

We are so excited Book Club starts TODAY, Tuesday, September 21st at 10am. We will be reading My Life with the Saints by James Martin. (10th anniversary edition) The link to purchase the book on Amazon is HERE. If you need any help or would like us to get you a copy, let us know. We will be meeting virtually (on Zoom) through November 16th. We hope you will join us! The link to join the group is HERE. If you would like to dial in over the phone please call 1-301-715-8592 and enter Meeting ID: 864 4097 7560 and enter Passcode: 529762.

Becky+ offers a weekly Centering Prayer group at St. James the Less on Mondays at 5:30pm in the library. We will gather once a week for an hour.  Come in at the handicapped ramp at the front of the church. Park on the loop.

Centering Prayer is a method of meditation that deepens our relationship with God, relying on the principle of surrender or “letting go.”  In this form of prayer we experience God’s presence within us, closer than our breath, deeper than the thinking mind.  It is an ancient Christian practice that finds its home in the monastic sacred reading of Lectio Divina.  Our Centering Prayer group will meet weekly to learn the practice, listen to spiritual readings and insights, and reflect upon God’s presence.  No prior experience is necessary.  You do not need to commit to weekly attendance; come when you are able and as you are.

We are looking for a few folks willing to help cook and serve at the Journey to Adulthood Parents and Youth dinner on Sunday, September 26th. The dinner starts at 6:30pm, but we would need volunteers here by 5pm. Email Kasey is you are interested. We appreciate you!

Our very own Saint James the Less Food Outreach is asking that we gather individually wrapped snacks to send home in backpacks for our food insecure students this fall. Anything that you can donate would be so appreciated. We are looking for things like individually wrapped goldfish, pudding cups, oatmeal pouches, raisins. There will be a box in the hallway that you can place the donation in. Thank you so much in advance!

There is a pipe replacement project underway for Beverly Road near 110 Beverly. The existing pipe under the road is an old metal pipe and beginning to rust. They will replace it with a "box culvert," which is a rectangular pipe. The work has begun and will last 3-4 weeks. During most of the project, the section of Beverly between Thompson St. and Lee Ave. will be closed.

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.

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!

8am- Eucharist: Rite I (no music)

10am- Eucharist: Rite II (with music)

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!)Final payments are due October 1st.

We have some wonderful family bags ready for you all. They contain Fall activities to do together as a family. Please email Miriam if you would like them delivered to you. They will be available for pick up on Sunday at the 10am service.

This year we will be supporting our middle and high school youth groups through a new program called Journey 2 Adulthood. This will take place on Sundays at 6pm and will include our sister Episcopal churches from our region. Please join us for the Parent-Youth dinner gathering on September 26th. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering, please email Miriam. Looking forward to seeing you all soon! 

Sunday school is BACK! We had a wonderful first session on Zoom. We look forward to seeing you all next Sunday at 9am! To join the class click HERE. If you would like to dial in, call 1 301 715 8592 and enter Meeting ID: 837 0592 6364 and enter Passcode: 987035. The coloring page will be included in the weekly family update.

We are looking for 2 congregation members a month to join us for Sunday school to share your experiences and celebrations of faith! Feel free to reach out to Miriam as we continue to create ways to share together in the virtual environment.

Join us for fellowship in the virtual Parent Small Group. Every Wednesday at 8pm we will meet over Zoom with your favorite beverage in hand to support each other throughout this journey of parenthood and grow in faith together. HERE is the link to join. If you would like to dial in please call 301-715-8592 and enter Meeting ID: 820 5734 4002 and Passcode: 756956.

We are accepting school supplies on behalf of the Peter Paul Center downtown for their students. The collection boxes are in our hallway.

We ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Remembering especially Gus Miller, Erin Yagla, Meredith Moon, Madge Carter, Meghann Batten, Mark Longaker, Michael Fox, Bill Blakemore, Karl Meyer, Chambers Cromwell, Dennis Folsom, Carter and Lila, Shirley Dols, Jack, Pam Bowers, Lin Varner, Connie Geisenderfer, Paul Robb, Jonathan Smith, Debra Bernard, Beth Arrott, Rev. Dr. Susannah Metz, the Rev. Victor King, Smith family, Alex Gillette, Pam Gillette, Sally Budd, Sarah Chamblee & family, Harrison May, Loisanne Rockwell, Katherine Anderson, and the Diocesan Search Committee for our new Bishop.

We ask your prayers for those who have died, especially Thad Green, Harrison May, Anna Stiles, and Debbie Northrop-Occhipinti.

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

The Rev. Rock Higgins- Rector

The Rev. Becky McDaniel- Associate Rector

Kasey Buckland- Parish Administrator

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director