May 18, 2022

Our Weekly News & Updates
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A NOTE FROM FATHER ROCK

Good morning, friends!


We look forward to hosting our parish picnic this Sunday, gathering for fellowship and to mark the end of the program year. Many thanks to our folks who have led our Sunday School classes for kids and adults as we move into the summer. Bring a dish to share, and we will provide the chicken and drinks. I hope you will join us after our 10 am service.


It has been a wonderful year as we have slowly been getting back to as normal as we can make it. This last week Hanover County did tip back into to "Yellow Zone" which means we are at a greater risk of spreading COVID. When the CDC moved to the Green-Yellow-Orange indicators, the Vestry decided to require masking for services in the Yellow and Orange zones, and we resumed required masking last Sunday. We will follow this daily and relax this when we are back in the "Green Zone."


I hope you will congratulate the Robbs who were received and confirmed into the Episcopal Church on Tuesday. We are so happy to officially welcome them into full membership in the Episcopal Church. If you are thinking about it, or have questions, please reach out and talk with me. We would love to have you "officially" in the family, too!


While we end the program year, we do not slow down much even in the summer. I pray you will join us for our kick-off event on the 5th, our summer movies, and our other events. Every Sunday we will be praising God, offerings our worship, our prayers, and our thanks. Blessings on you, on all of this, and hope to see you at the picnic Sunday!


Rock+ 

JOIN US THIS WEEK

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

  • 7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
  • Breakfast following


Thursday, May 19, 2022

  • 10am- Book Club
  • 7pm- Choir Rehearsal


Sunday, May 22, 2022

  • 8am- Eucharist: Rite I Service
  • 8:45am-Adult Sunday school
  • 9am-Children's Virtual Sunday school
  • 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music & Children's Church)
  • 11am-Church Picnic


Monday, May 23, 2022

  • 10:30am- Grief Group
  • 7pm- Dream Group
Click Here to Watch Services Live or Later

Special Announcement:


This Sunday is the last Sunday of our program year.  That means this will be the last Sunday of Adult or Children Sunday school and Children's church until this fall.  Adult Sunday school will meet this week in the 4th Quarter room due to Picnic preparations  

ROBB FAMILY CONFIRMATION

What a blessing to bear witness to each other's journey.  We celebrate with the Robbs as they are confirmed into the Episcopalian family. 

CHURCH PICNIC

Mark your calendars for THIS Sunday, May 22 after our 10am service for our annual Church Picnic. We will have fried chicken, tea, lemonade and water for everyone. Please bring a side dish to share. We will eat out on the picnic tables. 

MEAL TRAIN FOR THE SMITHS

Our beloved Smith family is in the midst of some tough times. If you would like to make the load a bit lighter and take them a meal, please sign up for their Meal Train HERE. They are endlessly grateful for all your support and love. 

BOOK CLUB

Please join us for Book Club on Thursdays at 10am.


The link to join the meeting is here

       

 If you need to call in, please dial 1 301 715 8592 and enter Meeting ID: 894 6180 0018 and Passcode: 781507



The book is Inspired, by Rachel Held Evans. You can purchase the book on Amazon HERE.  You can also get it on Hoopla through the library (ebook & audiobook).  Please let us know if we can purchase it for you or you need any assistance.  

CHURCH DIRECTORY

We are so excited! We are putting together a new Church Directory. It will even come with an app for your phone so that you can locate people's contact information while you are on the go. Our dates to have your pictures taken are June 15-18. Just for participating you will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a copy of the church directory. You will view your images right away and have the chance to purchase family portraits for your own memories and to give as gifts.


Please click HERE to sign up for a date and time. Click on "Photography Appointment Scheduling Login." Enter church code va139, and the church password is photos. We look forward to seeing you beautiful faces on the pages of our directory!

CHILDREN'S CARNIVAL

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, June 5th for the Children’s Carnival from 11:30am- 1:30pm. Bring your children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends. It will be so much fun. We will have food, games and lots of laughter.


If you would like to volunteer to work a station, please let us know

SUMMER MOVIES

Join us for some our summer movie line up! We have family films and movies for just the grownups. We will hold all movies indoors in Brydon Hall at 6pm, so come rain or shine. We will have popcorn, but you are more than welcome to bring food and drink from home to enjoy while you watch. 

 

Family films:  

  • June 3- Sing 2
  • June 17th- The Wizard of Oz
  • July 1- Raya the Last Dragon
  • August 5- The Jungle Book (live action)


For the grownups:

  • July 15th- Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile
  • August 19- That Thing You Do

BISHOP CANDIDATES

The Standing Committee is pleased to provide additional information about our nominees. We invite you to view their resumes and a short video message from each nominee.

 

Please keep our Nominees, the Transition Committee, the Standing Committee, and our Diocese in your prayers during this time of discernment.


Meet and Greets with the nominees take place May 20-24 at locations around the Diocese. Click here for details.


We will be taking a van on Tuesday to the Fredericksburg meet and greet.  If you would like to go please meet at the church at 5:45pm.  The event is from 7-9pm.  You can also watch any of them livestream as well. 


The Special Convention to Elect the 14th Bishop Diocesan of Virginia will be held on June 4. Click here for details.


A Prayer for the Search for a New Bishop

Almighty God, Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, who calls, guides and empowers us as your Church: Create in us discerning minds as we seek to elect a bishop in this diocese. So many issues are open before us; so many wounds that need healing; so many gifts that need celebrating. Bless and continue the good work begun in your name and open our ears to the hurts and hopes around us; broaden our vision to see what we do not want to see; and enliven our hearts with honesty and compassion to do the hard work that lies before us. Guide us as we seek an inspirational leader and willing advocate to help us meet the challenges and lead us to become the people you have equipped us to be in your service. All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

POP TOPS

LAST CALL for Pop Tops! Our children will be gathering and counting them on May 29th. Please make sure you bring in your Pop Tops before then so that The Ronald McDonald house benefits from your generosity!

OUTREACH

"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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!
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.

ACES is in need of the following items:




Pantry: Spaghetti sauce, Beef stew, Canned fruit, Boxed potatoes, Crackers/Cookies/other snack foods,  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 14, 16 and 18), Girl’s clothing (sizes 14, 16 and 18)


*They are now looking for spring and summer items.


ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!

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.
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.
PRAYERS

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, Meghann Batten, 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, Melanie Fischer, Court Warfield, Meredith Roemer, Jane Howard, Carol Martin, Pam Bowers, Mayers family, Rose & Mike Brown, Wendy Vaughan, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Matt & Megan Goff, Tom Ficklin, Betty Lee, Janet Taylor, Jake Epperson, Bower family, the called Diocesan Convention for our new Bishop and the Slate of Candidates for the process.


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.

HOMILIES

Fifth Week of Easter

May 15, 2022

WEDNESDAY FUNNY

May 18

Jessica Sanders


May 21

Joseph Meade

May 22

Haden Hopkins


May 24

Mary Leachman

Rachel Grosse

Everett Bowles

HELPFUL LINKS

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336


Staff:

The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector

The Rev. Becky McDaniel- Assistant Priest

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- Parish Administrator

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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.