Our Weekly News & Updates |
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Greetings, friends,
We had a beautiful Sunday for our Ingathering. I know I will be wearing my SJtL face mask with pride around town. It struck me last week that one year ago was the official installation as Rector. That seems like years ago, not just 12 months. We are all tired and stressed, and the lightening of healthy parameters are showing in climbing infection rates.
Over the weekend we had the Diocesan Convention, and your delegate Bill Harrison and I attended the first (and please God, the last) Zoom Convention. The Diocesan staff did a great job on something unbelievably hard and very detail oriented. Our hats go off to them. There are some big outcomes I want to highlight. The Convention affirmed the beginning of the process to elect the 14th Bishop of Virginia. We also began a process to move from the Virginia Plan of proportional giving to a new Covenant Plan which calls on churches to tithe their plate and pledge. We are amongst the parishes who do give a tithe (10%), but you would be surprised how few actually do. This is not a new thing, but no organization can maintain financial health with sporadic or inconsistent support. Lastly, because of cutbacks, the Convention did not pass a budget which means that it will go to Executive Committee to prepare a working budget for 2021. After a very close vote, there was a call for a vote by orders, and it failed in both the Clergy and the Lay Orders. People mostly expressed displeasure in some of the cutbacks after decreased giving this year. (A synopsis can be found HERE.)
I am thankful to Bill and his day long engagement. I am thankful for our bishops and their support and leadership. I am thankful for the diverse and committed parishes that make up Virginia, whether amongst the highrises in Arlington and downtown Richmond, or along the Bay or deep in the hollows of the Blue Ridge. Together we make up the Diocese of Virginia, and we are blessed.
In Christ,
Rock+
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What a gift to be together and celebrate the Eucharist this past Sunday! Thankfully the weather held out for us. Look at these gorgeous flowers that our Altar Guild made for our gathering. They were too beautiful not to share. (Thank you Lyde, Pat and Betty!) We are still planning on meeting in person for other Eucharist services on November 29th and December 13th, but will be paying close attention to what our governor calls for our State. Here is a list of current action starting this week.
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Part of our Stewardship Campaign this year was getting SJTL Face Masks to all our regular attenders, since we couldn't meet for lunch. We can show love for the other by protecting one another from germs. If you were unable to come on Sunday, please stop by and get a mask off the Parish Life bulletin board. We have S/M or L/XL as sizes. We have plenty and will keep restocking the board. We can always put some in an envelope with your name on it and set it outside if you just want to swing by and not come in. Let us know- tell us what size you want. Happy to do it!
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Being good stewards of our church facility, we have changed the codes on the doors.
If you or your group needs to come in our building, please reach out by email or call the office (804-798-6336) to get the new code.
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On Sunday, December 6 we will be celebrating Advent 2. Mark your calendars for celebrating this beautiful season in community. Carolina has created us some awesome Advent Faire bags that will include prompts, ways to dig deeper into the season.
We will be creating a hashtag, #SJtLAdventAtHome, to unite us. This will allow us to post pictures on Instagram and Facebook and still "see" one another as we follow prompts at home. You could post pics of your families doing the activities, whether it's a kids coloring page or a scavenger hunt or lighting a candle on the Advent wreath etc. Even if you don't have social media, we would love for you to still join us!
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Wednesday
Join us for Morning Prayer this Wednesday at 7:30am and then a cup of coffee afterward at 8am on Zoom. Please make sure that your screen name is your name so we know who is there.
Link to join the conversation at 8am:
If you need to dial in call 1 646 558 8656 US
Meeting ID: 826 2172 6493
Password: 997124
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Wednesday (date change!)
Father Rock's (Virtual) Book Club will be on Wednesday at 10:30am this week. It's never too late, join us! We would love to have you. We will be taking a break the week of Thanksgiving but will return to group the following Thursday, December 3rd.
We are reading The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri J. M. Nouwen. As Father Rock says, "This is comfort food for the soul."
The link to purchase the book on Amazon is here. If you need us to order the book for you, let us know. We are happy to help with that. We hope you will join us! Everyone is wanted and welcome.
Link to join the Zoom Meeting:
If you would like to phone in, dial 1 646 558 8656.
Meeting ID: 840 2332 3497
Passcode: 570346
Week four's recording, please click here. Passcode: Z292&BQG
Week five's recording, please click here. Passcode: p8#eI4mQ
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Sunday Morning
We hope that you will join us at 10am for the Morning Prayer service on-line. It will be a beautiful time of worship. The link to watch and the bulletin is below in the schedule.
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Monday
The Grief Group meets on Mondays, at 10:30a.m, with our beloved Deacon Harrison Higgins leading. People will gather every Monday, in the Memorial Garden, in our Courtyard, or in Brydon Hall indoors if the weather is poor. Chairs will be provided. Social distancing and MASKS REQUIRED! For those who would be new to the group, please join in. You are welcomed and wanted. If you have any questions, please reach out to our office or Harrison directly. As Harrison says, "God always shows up."
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COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING MEAL |
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Pre-Order a FREE Cooked Thanksgiving Dinner. This is a freshly cooked meal, boxed in individual containers, sponsored by God's people from local churches and businesses (Trackside Grill, Ashland Sport's Page Grill, Homemade by Suzanne, Kroger, Wal-Mart of Ashland, Rise & Shine Diner and We Think In Ink.
Meals will be available for pick up on Thursday, November 26th (at your designated time between 12pm- 2:30pm) Pick up will be at First Baptist Ashland (800 Thompson Street, Ashland). This meal is available for anyone who pre-orders to share God's bounty with His people.
If you would like to make a donation to this community Thanksgiving you can send a check made out to "First Baptist Church" and put "Community Thanksgiving" in the memo line. The address, to send the check to, is 800 Thompson St, Ashland, VA 23005.
If you would like to volunteer for the Ashland Community Thanksgiving Dinner, they could use some families with older children to pack bags and also some couples for working on the serving line. All volunteers will have to go thru a health screening and wear a mask the whole time. They are also maintaining social distancing. If you have questions or would like to volunteer reach out to Tammy Van Gils at Tammyvangils@gmail.com or 804-798-6040.
Call Helen or Price today to reserve your meals- (804) 798-8988. No drinks or utensils are included.
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SHRINE MONT WINTER RENTALS |
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Shrine Mont closed their kitchen on October 25, but that doesn't mean you and your family can't get away for a weekend. There are six cottages ready to welcome you for a winter rental. Each cottage has a kitchen and gives an excellent opportunity to be together and safe.
These cottages also have Wi-Fi for you to use if you need to work remotely.
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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On December 11, 2020 Saint James the Less and St. Peter's United Methodist Church will be providing one hundred meals for CARITAS. This will be for 70 men at the Healing Place and 30 men who are homeless.
If you are able to donate, please send a check to SJTL (please note "Caritas" in the memo line) Thank you for helping to feed those in crisis in our community!
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First Baptist Church Food Pantry is offering food to any resident of Hanover County that might need it.
WHERE: 800 Thompson Street, Ashland 23005
WHEN: First Tuesday, Third Tuesday or Third Saturday from 9 until 11 am (come 1 time within a 30 day period)
They offer food, hygiene items, and baby needs. Tuesdays are drive through to receive a bag of food, freezer items, bread,hygiene items. Saturdays are self shop in fellowship hall. COVID procedures in place: Temperature checks, masks required, social distancing. Call 804 -798 -9014 for more information.
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Saint James the Less Free Clinic
Right outside our very own Saint James the Less Free Clinic the Girl Scouts have donated a food pantry. It is available 24/7 if people might have an immediate need. Please feel free to come by and 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: canned meat, protein soups (soups and stews with meat and/or beans), canned potatoes, canned mixed vegetables
- Children's Clothing: girls new or gently used winter coats (sizes 12 - 18), boys new underwear (size 8 - 10), boys and girls new or gently used fall and winter clothing (any size)
- Adult Clothing: Women's new underwear (bras and panties of any size), Men's new plus sized underwear (2x - 4x)
- Household: Queen sized sheets (gently used or new)
Note: ACES welcomes donations of any in-season clothing (men's, women's, girl's and boy's clothes for FALL and WINTER). They do not have space to store off-season (SPRING and SUMMER) clothing and would prefer that these items not be donated at this time. Because of COVID-19 they do not immediately handle any donated items. They store them for at least 3 days before handling, which does present some space difficulties. Thank you for your understanding. They sincerely thank you for all your help and 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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Tuesday, November 17, 2020
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
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7:30am- Morning Prayer (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
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8am- Coffee & Conversation (online)
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10:30am- Book Club (online)
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Link to join
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12pm- Noonday prayer (online)
Thursday, November 19, 2020
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Friday, November 20, 2020
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Sunday, November 22, 2020
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9am- Children's Sunday School (online)
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Link to join
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10am- Morning Prayer Worship (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
Monday, November 2, 2020
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10:30am- Grief Group (Memorial Garden)
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Join us daily for Noonday Prayer online here. You can follow along with the service on page 103 of the Book of Common Prayer or visit BCPonline.org (Click on "Daily Office" and then"An Order of Service at Noonday")
If you can't join us live-time, no worries. All of our services can be viewed at your convenience afterward on Facebook. All our Sunday morning and Contemplative services will be posted on our YouTube Channel, "St. James the Less Ashland VA." You can access that here.
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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, and Harrison, our deacon. May they be strengthened and encouraged as the work with us to proclaim your Good News in this world. We pray for Donald, our President, Joe, our President Elect, 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, Pat, Dick, Erin, Joanie, Anna, Meredith, Jan, Madge, Mary Ann, Katie, Kirsten, Carolyn Moore Lindau, Molly, Amy, Meghann, Mark, Jewel, Carol, David, Alice, Dennis, Barbara, Colin and Caleb, Jimmy, Ricki Carson, Michael Fox, Ann Lawrence, Bob Gravatt, Alex Gillette, Bill & Beth Arrott, Bobbie Street, Michelle Murphy, Bill Blakemore, Rose, Mason, Elizabeth Attkisson (Erin Cobb's mother), Jan Meacham, Karl Meyer, Kathy Marshall and her mom Connie.
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 Sarah Sanders, Jack (Neale Smith’s brother-in-law) and Stuart Dishman.
We ask your prayers for those who grieve.
We pray for Metropolitan Richmond: We pray for the families of Metropolitan Richmond: For the care and protection of infants, children, and youth; and for the intimate knowledge that each one is a beloved child of God.
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 HOMILY |
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Fifteen Minute Stroganoff
(contributed by Sharon Street on p.77)
Ingredients:
- 2 6 oz beef cubed steaks
- 2 T. shortening
- salt & pepper
- 1 can Heinz basic brown sauce
- 1 3-4 oz. can mushrooms
- 1/2 c. dairy sour cream
Cut beef steaks into thin strips. Sauce quickly in hot shortening. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in brown sauce, drained mushrooms. Heat. Slowly stir in sour cream, just before serving over buttered noodles. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serves 3-4.
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NeverTheLess and Weekly E-News Deadline: If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information to Kasey no later than noon on Monday. Thanks!
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November 17
Bebe Luck
Russ Boyle
Ian Hughes
November 20
Rosemary Jones
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November 22
Ginny Tweel
November 23
Susan Chambers
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