Our Weekly News & Updates |
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Friends,
It is so good to feel Spring emerging, and the alignment with increasingly good numbers makes many people feel encouraged to rush back to normal activities. It is normal and natural to feel that way, and which is why we are so strongly urged to keep to the course and slowly emerge from our year apart.
We are set to regather for outdoor services for Palm Sunday, March 28th. We will have an abbreviated online offering (for those uncomfortable gathering or in case of bad weather), as well as an in-person outdoor service at 10 a.m. We also plan on having an in-person service at 10 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Both of these in-person services will require masks and social distancing. We will also plan on having Eucharist in one kind offered these Sundays.
For safety and practical reasons, we will have the four Triduum Services (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Vigil) online as meeting in the dark outside is not the best idea. We have already started preparing and filming for these, and they will be special. As you have heard me say in the past, these are my favorite services of the year and they truly build on one another. I hope you will join us for all of them. Thursday and Friday will premiere at 7 p.m. Holy Saturday will be at noon. Easter Vigil will premiere at 7:35. (Sunset is at 7:35 p.m.)
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Some things to consider on why we maintain our safety policies:
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We are emotionally exhausted collectively from this last year's events. But recognizing that we are "over it" means that we need to be even more resolved. In the above chart (from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) it shows that we are "normal" compared to how other communities responded to joint tragedies/societal trauma. We need to be driven by our minds and the science rather than our emotional responses. ( http://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/recovering-disasters/phases-disaster)
- Even if you have your vaccine(s), it is unsure if you could still be a carrier with no symptoms post-vaccination. Pfizer is 95% effective 10-14 days after the second dose. Moderna is 94.1% effective after 10-14 days of second dose. And Johnson & Johnson's is up to 72% effective 28 days after its dose. Therefore, masks and distancing are still required even if you are vaccinated for many weeks. And until a large majority of us are fully vaccinated and they have reached the point of efficacy we need to stay the course.
We are cautious because we are called to care for the "least of these." We are cautious because we love each other. Know that we are doing what we can as we can, but only those things that we can do relatively safely.
Blessings and thanks!
Rock+
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MARK LENTEN CONVERSATIONS |
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We are thrilled to announce a thoughtful and creative way to read through the gospel of Mark in the Lenten season together. Each week we will be posting a different conversation between Rock+, Harrison and a member of our Parish. They read three chapters and discuss it as Spirit leads them. We are reading through the CEB (Common English Bible) Study Bible. Please come pick up your own copy on the table in the Memorial Garden. They are free for the taking.
We hope you will join us as we move into Mark chapters 10-12 with Bob Hughes, Father Rock and Harrison. The link to watch is HERE on YouTube. (In case you missed the weeks with Neale Smith, the Leggotts or Gay Gibson- they there too!)
If you would prefer to listen as a podcast, click HERE.
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The Organ is FINISHED this week!!! It has been an amazing and intricate process. We are grateful to those at the Allen Organ Company and our incredibly generous donors who made this dream come true! |
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In Annual Meeting Father Rock passed along a reminder about estate planning. We have an excellent g uide to help with End of Life Planning Kit through the Episcopal Church Foundation. Please click HERE to learn more. It is a very thorough guide to help walk you through.
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Good News Gardens is an active gardening community made up of Episcopalians from across the country. You are invited to connect with them by webinar TONIGHT, March 16, at 7pm. Monthly meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday of each month. (April 20, May 17, etc.) Each webinar will be recored and archived in case you are unable to attend.
Whether you are a returning member or found your way thanks to the beautiful article from the Episcopal News Service, they are excited to have you. These calls are an opportunity to meet fellow Good News Gardeners and share ideas and advice over the next few months. This month's gathering will be a meet-n-greet and an information session for all those interested in what it means to join. They hope to see you there!
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/GNGMarch
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Join our "Lent Madness at Saint James the Less" Facebook page HERE. We will have some fun as determine who the Saint of the Year is. This year's line up of saintly souls feature 32 inspiring men and women, both known and unknown, along with a plethora of themed battles, some of which are obvious and some of which will soon be revealed. These particular saints have been hand-selected by the Supreme Executive Committee, following muchy discernment and based on nominations from the global Lent Madness public. |
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Family Zoom
We are planning on having a family (adult only) meet up over Zoom next week or two. I will post a poll on Facebook for the best timing. Keep an eye out!
Into the Wilderness
On March 26th at 5pm, we will be hosting a hike in the woods to explore the wilderness and find God in nature. Please RSVP to Miriam at msmithmt@gmail.com.
Lent FB Live
Please join us on Friday at 5pm as we dive deeper into our family conversation cards. This week we will be discussing the Body of Christ.
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COVID Vaccine Information for Hanover Residents
(Chickahominy Health District)
As the Chickahominy Health District (CHD) rolls out the COVID vaccines to community members, call the COVID call center at 804-365-3240 or visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/chickahominy/ and complete the CHD Vaccine Sign-up Survey, if you’d like to add your name to the vaccine list. The call center is handling a large volume of calls so if you leave a message, the team will contact you as soon as possible. You only need to do one of these steps to be on the list.
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A Prayer for Receiving the COVID Vaccine
By Rabbi Naomi Levy
I have been praying for this day and now it is here!
With great excitement, a touch of trepidation
and with deep gratitude
I give thanks for all the scientists who toiled day and night
so that I might receive this tiny vaccination.
That will protect me and all souls around this world.
With the pandemic still raging
I am blessed to do my part of defeat it.
Let this be the beginning of a new day,
a new time of hope, of joy, of freedom
And most of all, of health.
I thank you, God for blessing me with life
For sustaining my life
And for enabling me to reach this awe-filled moment.
Amen
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Wednesday
Join us for the Morning Prayer service 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. We look forward to seeing you!
Link to join the conversation at 8am: click here.
If you would like to call in (audio only) dial (646) 558 8656 and enter the Meeting ID: 826 2172 6493 and Password: 997124
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Thursday
Book Club is such an awesome experience! The conversation is rich and thoughtful. We meet on Thursday at 10:30am.
We will be reviewing Chapter 11. Please read the chapter before, if you can.
We are reading The Ragamuffin Gospel:Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out, by Brennan Manning. We hope you can join us!
To join the Zoom meeting click here
If you would like to call in (audio only), dial (301) 715-8592 and enter the Meeting ID: 840 2332 3497 and Passcode: 570346
To watch the recording from last week, click here. Password: 3SM2bH&J
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Sunday
We hope that you will join us at 10am for virtual Spiritual Eucharist Worship service. It will be a beautiful time of connection and community. The link to watch and the bulletin is below in the schedule.
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Monday Morning
Grief Group is continuing via Zoom on Monday mornings at 10:30am until we are allowed to meet again in person.
To join the meeting on Monday, simply click here
If you would like to call in (audio only), dial (301)715-8592 and enter
Meeting ID: 879 5406 9630 and Passcode: 062583
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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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: Applesauce (small cans, jars), Canned Fruit, Toothpaste, Shampoo
- Children's Clothing: Boy's small and medium underwear (sizes 6 - 10), Boy's and Girl's large socks (shoe sizes 4 - 6)
- Adult Clothing:In anticipation of opening back up for clothing in late March or April, they are now accepting good condition spring and summer clothing for men and women. Please, no winter clothing as they are still short staffed.
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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Tuesday, March 16, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
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7:30am-Morning Prayer Service (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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Link to join
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12 pm-Noonday prayer (online)
Thursday, March 18, 2021
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10:30am- Book Club
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Link to join
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Friday, March 19, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
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5pm- Facebook Live for kids
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Link to join in
Sunday, March 21, 2021
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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, March 22, 2021
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10:30am- Grief Group (online)
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Link to join
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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 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, Pat, Dick, Erin, Joanie, Anna, Meredith, Madge, Mary Ann, Katie, Molly, Amy, Meghann, Mark, Carol, David, Alice, Dennis, Barbara, Colin and Caleb, Jimmy, Ricki Carson, Michael Fox, Alex Gillette, Bill & Beth Arrott, Michele, John & Johnny Murphy, Bill Blakemore, Rose, Mason, Elizabeth Attkisson (Erin Cobb's mother), Jan Meacham, Karl Meyer, Chambers Cromwell (friend of Betty & Jim Moore), Horace Crowe (friend of the Meyer’s family), Delaney Thompson family, Aubrey Fletcher, Dee Alvarez, Shelby Davies, Lyla Buchanan, Kathy Marshall, Kimette Cannady, Melanie Bruce, Bob Ellithorpe, Elaine Belyea, Pam Gillette, Melanie Fischer, Dennis Folsom, Tom & Fran Burke (Beth Renswick’s aunt & uncle), Ginny Miller (Carol Barnes’ sister), Maria & Jarrett, Doris Hassell, Carter and Lila (family of Betsy Snipes and Kristina Raney), The Paxton family (Pat Jordan’s son-in-law’s family), Jackie Banker (Alice Cobb’s friend) and Rev. Dr. Susannah Metz.
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 the coming of God’s realm in Metropolitan Richmond:We pray for health care in Metropolitan Richmond: For all the sick and their caregivers, doctors, nurses, hospice workers, home healthcare workers, and all who minister to the health of others. For clinics, medical personnel, and all institutions that serve persons who are uninsured or underinsured.
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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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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March 17
Karl Meyer
Hardy Meade
March 18
Beth Harrison
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March 20
Julie Ericksen
Dawn Davis Baker
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