Our Weekly News & Updates |
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Friends,
Good morning. I have some pretty strong feelings this morning. Appreciation. Awe. Prayerful Hope.
I feel Appreciation for our new Vestry. Saturday, they put in a long day at our Vestry Retreat. It was the first meeting in person since COVID shutdowns began. The first "online meeting" at the beginning of the closures was our Vestry Retreat, and the building of camaraderie and common vision and purpose was so exciting and refreshing after two VERY long years. Thank you to all our Vestry for making this a priority and engaging so much!
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I feel Awe over something I saw in the Religious News. The oldest known use of the Hebraic name of God has been found in Israel, moving back the date of the first archeological evidence back a couple of hundred years if not more. Here is the article. One of the great things about significant improvements in technology and techniques is that we are affirming more and more of the biblical narrative as we have it. Pretty cool!
I feel Prayerful Hope as we receive the slate of candidates for our next bishop. There are four. Link I know two of them from personal interaction, and I know of one through friends. I encourage you to read their bios and pray for them all as they step forward. In the initial reactions Monday, overwhelmingly the responses mentioned a lack of diversity in the slate, and there is a window to add more names through the Petition Process. (Information here.) We will soon know if this process is used. Pray over all of this. We want to be led by the promptings of the Holy Spirit, in this and in all things.
I do hope you will add the Triduum: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday into your calendars. (April 14-17) These 5 services are the crux point of our entire year. Becky+ and I are both preparing for these profound services.
Lastly, I would like to extend a personal invitation. This Saturday, April 2, we will be having a small service to celebrate two candidates taking life vows in the Anglican Third Order Society of St. Francis. I am one of them, along with John "JD" Dickinson, a candidate for the diaconate in the diocese. While most Third Order Franciscans are laity, we are both clergy. If you are curious, or want to celebrate with us, please come to the church at 11 am Saturday. There is a covered dish lunch afterward, and if you want to come, please bring a side or dessert to share. We would love to have you there. Here is the website about the Third Order. Reach out if you have any questions.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2022
- 10am- Book Club
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Link to join
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7pm-Lenten Program
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Thursday, March 31, 2022
- 6pm- Hand bell choir
- 7pm-Parish choir
Saturday, April 2, 2022
- 11am- TSSSF Service and lunch following
Sunday, April 3, 2022
- 8am- Eucharist: Rite I Service
- 8:45am-Adult Sunday school (Brydon Hall)
- 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music & Children's Church)
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Link for bulletin
- 5pm- Contemplative Service
Monday, April 4, 2022
- 10:30am- Grief Group
- 7pm- Dream Group
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We hope you will join us for our Contemplative service on Sunday evening at 5pm. This will be a self-led experiential service with a revamped format from what we have been doing previous months. This week we will be focusing on theIncarnationand exploring worshiping withall five senses. We will dim the lights and enter in silence. Please join us! |
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LENTEN SERIES-
The Framework of God's Covenants
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Lent is a time of commitment, when we make promises for a season out of devotion to God. But when God makes promises, they are not a short periods. In light of this time of vows and devotion, we will look at the covenants God has made and recorded in Scripture. Join us as we go in-depth, starting with Genesis and working our way through.
We will gather in the parish hall at 7 pm on Tuesday nights, and we will also record and post on YouTube the next day. I hope you will come out and join us for the presentations and the discussion to follow. Tuesdays, March 8-April 5.
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Session One: Adamic & Noahic |
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One form of spiritual practice is to participate in a quiet time of prayer, meditation, and study. Participants come with their open minds and hearts to offer their time of thoughtfulness and reception to the Triune God. Clergy or lay member usually facilitates a quite time with reflections during many Church seasons. Quiet times, build a community in silence.
The Reverend Deacon Dr. Susan Parlier will facilitate a quiet morning at St. James the Less in the Church Library on Friday, April 1, 2022, from 9 AM to 12 noon. Everyone is invited to participate in this Quiet Morning of prayer, reflection, study, and meditation. Please feel free to bring friends and family to the Lenten Quiet Morning.
The following items often help the participants remain open in prayer: journal, prayer book, Bible, pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, drawing paper, and so on. The Stations of the Cross and the Labyrinth will be available for prayers. Also, if you want to bring snacks and remain afterward for a brief time, please feel free to bring a lunch of quiet foods and beverages.
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Our van service giving rides to church, starts this Sunday, April 3rd. If you would like a ride to or from church, please let us know. We'd love to give you one! |
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TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME |
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Saint James the Less is going to the Richmond Squirrels game for Faith Night on Saturday, April 30th at 6pm. We have reserved seats on the field level to sit together as a group. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. We hope you can join us for this fun event! Maybe even....buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks! |
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Can you believe it is almost time to celebrate our graduates this year? Graduate Sunday will be June 12th at the 10am service. If you have a loved one graduating from high school or college, please let us know. We want to honor them with you! |
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Make sure you bring a stem of a flower to put on the flowering cross for Easter. It is such a beautiful way for all ages to participate in this glorious day! |
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After prayer and discernment, the Standing Committee presents the following slate of nominees for the 14th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia (in alphabetical order by last name):
- The Rev. Joseph Hensley, Rector, St. George’s, Fredericksburg, VA
- The Rev. Canon Alan James, Interim Canon Missioner, Diocese of Western Michigan
- The Very Rev. Gideon Pollach, Rector, St. John’s Church, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
- The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry within The Episcopal Church
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People across our Diocese have been asking how they might support the more than one million persons who have been displaced because of the aggression and warfare in Ukraine. Episcopal Relief and Development has established a Ukraine Crisis Response Fund, working with organizations on the ground in Europe. Please pray for the people of Ukraine and about how you can support them.
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MEAL TRAIN FOR CAROL MARTIN |
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If you would like to sign up to take our beloved Carol Martin a meal, click HERE. Not having to think about dinner is such a gift when you aren't feeling well. Carol appreciates it very much! |
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We have seen an increased usage of the Emergency Food Pantry that we have outside of the Clinic doors. Many families use it when they come for clinic on Wednesday. If you happen to have some extra cans in your pantry that you could bring in, we'd be grateful. |
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We are so excited our Hand Bell Choir played this past Sunday! It was gorgeous music. They are currently looking for another ringer. If anyone is interested, let Reggie know. No experience necessary. Rehearsal is for 45 minutes on Thursdays at 6pm. They laugh a lot and have a great time learning and practicing! We hope you will join them. |
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Would you like to honor a loved one in memorial or in thanksgiving of for our Easter services? We will fill our gorgeous sanctuary with these flowers. The cost is so $35. You can email us or call us and let us know who you would like to honor. |
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Mark your calendars! Our annual Parish Retreat is October 14-16, 2022 at Shrine Mont. It is always such an beautiful time of community, rest and deepening of our faith. We hope you will make plans to join us! |
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SJTL CHILDREN & YOUTH UPDATES |
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We hope you all enjoy your spring break- please be aware that there is no Virtual Sunday school, In-person children's church or Journey to Adulthood on April 3rd. Children's virtual Sunday school and In-person children's church will return April 10th. Journey to Adulthood will resume after Easter. |
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Youth Group Sunday 6- 7:30pm
Journey to Adulthood has been such a special time for youth to come and build fellowship, relationships and deepen their faith. If you would like to come, please do! A meal is served followed by fun and inspirational activities and discussions.
We hope you can join us for the rest of the schedule:
- April 24 (no meeting on the 3, 10 or 17)
- May 1
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Easter Egg Hunt
Please join us for our annual Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 17th after the 10am service. We will have sections for all different ages. If you would like to help hide or stuff the eggs, let us know. We would appreciate it!
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Become an Acolyte
Is your youth interested in becoming an acolyte? We are hoping to hold a training this spring. Please email us and let us know if your youth would like to be included on this. We would love to have them!
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Pop Tops
We are hoping to surpass our record-breaking year of 2021 with Pop Tops. Please bring any and all of your pop tops. We will be counting them on June 1st. You can drop them by the office or in the blue bucket downstairs by the Sunday School room. Thank you!
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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Meals for the Clinic Volunteers
As many of you know, Saint James the Less Free Clinic meets every Wednesday evening. It is staffed by some INCREDIBLE volunteers who care in remarkable ways for our community. We have the opportunity to provide meals for them. If you would like to bring food over for 8-10 people before clinic starts on a Wednesday evening, click HERE to choose your date. More information is listed on the website. We are grateful for your willingness! |
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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:
Pantry: Spaghetti sauce, Beef stew, Canned carrots, Cold cereal (healthy brands), Oatmeal, Laundry detergent (smaller containers), Queen size sheets
Adult Clothing: Women’s bras (C and larger cup; 38 and larger band), Men’s athletic shoes (sizes 10 and larger), Men’s undershirts (sizes L, XL, and 2X), Men’s boxers and briefs (sizes L, XL, and 2X), Men’s jeans (all sizes)
Children's Clothing: Boy’s clothing (sizes 16 and 18), Girl’s clothing (sizes 16 and 18), Boy’s underwear (sizes 8 and larger), Girl’s underwear (sizes 8 and larger)
*They are now looking for spring and summer items.
ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-1130am. Thank you for your continued support!
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Peter Paul is currently in need of the following items. If you are able to give you are welcome to put them in the box in the hallway.
Hygiene items- bar soap, body wash, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, chapstick, Vaseline, sanitary products.
Laundry items- Detergent pods, rolls of quarters, dryer sheets.
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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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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, Glenn, 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, Chambers Cromwell, Dennis Folsom, Carter, Paul Robb, Debra Bernard, Smith family, Alex Gillette, Pam Gillette, Sally Budd, Sarah Chamblee & family, Jeff Lawrence, May and family, Harry Hassell, Melanie Fischer, Court Warfield, Meredith Roemer, Jane Howard, Amanda and family, The Rev. Susannah Metz, Carol Martin, Pam Bowers, Gene England Simons, Mayers family, 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.
We ask your prayers for those who grieve.
We pray for health care in Metropolitan Richmond: For clinics, medical personnel, and all institutions that serve persons who are uninsured or underinsured. For a national health care system that promotes and encourages health, wellness, and well being for all people.
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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March 29
Scott Wagner
Sara Waugh
Hayden Massey
March 30
Bill Sanders
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March 31
Randy Marshall
Janie Jones
April 1
Pat Jordan
Parke Pleasants
Claire Reagan
April 2
Ted Gillette
Katherine Ellithorpe
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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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