Our Weekly News & Updates |
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It was so wonderful having more people back in church on Sunday. Adult Sunday School resumed. We had the Molly Belyea's baptism, and what a joy that was. We have another coming up in two weeks. One of the most powerful moments for me was when someone who was here Sunday approached me after the fact, and asked about getting baptized, too! We will be working to make that happen. It is a simple and powerful reminder of what a special thing it is, one we may have taken for granted, when the people of God gather for worship and communion with God and one another.
Sunday night we had 44 people gathered for our new joint initiative in the region, our youth programming Journey2Adulthood. Parents and youth met to kick off this year's evening programming. Seven of the region's parishes had representatives here at . Pray for God to continue to bless this work. I am so thankful for folks in our Meal Train that they would make dinner for this, and people loved it, too! A few came back for seconds.
I heard a phrase today that expressed so much in so little. We are "post-pandemic, but not post-COVID." The extraordinary measures we had to take to gain a handle on the immediate crisis is past, and now we are learning to live with what will be with us the rest of our lives. As the studies continue and safe versions of the vaccines are made available to people of all ages we will go about our lives, different but functioning, changed but maintaining. None of us wish for the changes. But we learn to handle the world that is, not what we wish for.
The other night I was trying to get a bottle of salad dressing open. It took three hands and a knife to finally get it opened. The Tylenol poisoning crisis of the early eighties caused the "safety sealing" of everything. I remember those days well. But the safety sealing became our new normal. Now when packaging is loose or seems tampered with, I worry. The new way became the normal way. Seatbelts. Zoom meetings. Wearing a mask. They were necessary shifts in our lives that are for our, and most especially the most vulnerable people's, benefit.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness. Blessings this week!
Rock+
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Tuesday, September 28, 2021
- 10am- Book Club
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Link to join Zoom call
- 11:30- Romeos & Red Hats
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
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7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
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Link to watch service
- 8pm-Youth Parent's Small Group
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Link to join Zoom Call
Thursday, September 30, 2021
- 6pm- Handbell Choir
- 7pm-Parish Choir
Sunday, October 3, 2021
- 8am- Eucharist: Rite I Worship
- 9am- Children's Virtual Sunday
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Link to join
- 10am- Eucharist:Rite II Worship
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
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5pm- Blessing of the Animals
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6pm- Youth J2A
Monday, October 4, 2021
- 10:30am- Grief Group
- 5:30pm-Centering Prayer Group
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What a beautiful time we had celebrating the baptism of sweet Molly Belyea. It was such a special time to come alongside of her and her wonderful family. We look forward to more Baptisms and love the sweet spirit held in our community. Blessings to you Belyea family! |
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We received a voicemail this weekend from Roger Bowen, Member of the Board of Directors at Shrine Mont Conference Center. He was flabbergasted at the generosity Saint James the Less has shown Shrine Mont in the past year. He said it has helped keep them afloat. They've had around 1/10 of the Parishes come back to Shrine Mont in the past year, but they've had over 400 campers and staff back on the mountain with zero cases of COVID. Cottages will be open through November and they wanted their appreciation to be passed along to the Parish. Your gifts and thoughtfulness are blessings to so many! |
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Please join us with your furry and feathered friends this Sunday, October 3rd, at 5pm for the Blessing of the Animals. Father Rock will offer blessings, readings and prayers over our faithful friends. We will meet outside on the front side on Beverly Road. We hope to see you all there! |
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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. |
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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. |
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CHOIR REHEARSALS THURSDAY |
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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!
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Book Club is on Tuesdays at 10am. We are 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.
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CENTERING PRAYER WITH BECKY+ |
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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.
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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. |
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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!
8am- 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!)Final payments are due October 1st.
- Adults (age 18+) $160
- Teens (ages 13-18) $80
- Children (ages 4-12) $60
- Young Children (0-3) Free
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Children's Facebook Group
Please join our new private Facebook group for families. This will be a place to share your day to day experiences and hear a bit more about Sunday school and special events we have coming up!
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Journey 2 Adulthood (J2A)
Don't forget to sign up for our new regional youth group offering. Our first official session is October 3rd at 6pm. Please complete the registration form at
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Children's Virtual Sunday School
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.
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Parent Small Group
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 togethe r. 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. |
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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: Instant potatoes, canned potatoes, tomatoes and carrots.
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Adult Clothing: Women's bras (all sizes), women's underwear (sizes 6-8), Men's undershirts (size L & XL), Men's jeans (all sizes), and Feminine hygiene - pads.
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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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, 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, Loisanne Rockwell, Katherine Anderson, Paige, Emllyn, and Clara Meyer (and family), Wiley Hughes, 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, especially Thad Green, Harrison May, Anna Stiles, and Debbie Northrop-Occhipinti.
We ask your prayers for those who grieve.
We pray for schools and educational institutions of Metropolitan Richmond: For healthy relationships between parents, teachers, and students; for cooperation between Superintendents and Administrators of public and private schools throughout this metropolitan city.
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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September 29
The Rev. Rock Higgins
Henry Miller
October 1
Kaitlyn Crump
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October 3
Lilly Crigger
October 4
Clint Rose
Ed Cichocki
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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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