Our Weekly News & Updates |
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I am a Virginia boy, born and bred. Always have been and always will be. Growing up near the water, seafood has always been a huge treat for me, and I so appreciate the gift of oysters. I heard a comedian once say it was a very brave or very crazy person who looked at an oyster the first time and said, "Hmm, I wonder what that tastes like?" Whoever it was I am glad they did.
I have mostly appreciated the gift of someone else's labor, though, until recently. A coworker of Stephanie's gave us the gift of half a bushel of his family's oysters from their traps. And from that gift a lesson was learned.
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There is a skill to opening oysters. It was something I had watched people do for years but had never tried. And now was the time. To get to the gift, something had to break open. One had to find the right place, and apply the right pressure, to create a chink where the knife could slip in and twist. And once the crack widened, the shell opened up to the gift of the oyster inside.
This year's Stewardship theme is Broken Open. Now the diocesan metaphor is much more appropriate, with Jesus breaking open with blessing following the sacramental imagery. But as a Virginia boy I have to admit to thinking of oysters somewhere along the way. Precious. Delicious. Inaccessible. And worth the effort.
Stewardship is much the same way. Precious. Delightful. Inaccessible. We can only do this together. During COVID we have worked hard to maintain spiritual enrichment and nourishment balanced with the safety and well-being of all of us. Many new faces have joined or returned to us as their regular spiritual home. At the same time, many of our support systems for our work have been slow to return to normal. Being together as a Church Family, virtually or in-person, and doing the work give to us to do, is so vitally important. It is hard work, but worth it. Finding the thing that connects with folks to encourage and enable them to be thankful givers is a long-term project.
As you have heard me say before, the last thing to get converted is someone's wallet. Coming out of this crisis through which we have been flourishing compared to national statistics, we need to invest in the long-term well-being of the parish and its ministries. Will we? This all depends on us and responding to the gifts already given to us for the work at hand. Stewardship is about joyfully giving of our time, talent, and treasure to the glory of God. Precious. Delightful. Inaccessible. What breaks into the shell of each of us is unique. May we be Broken Open so that the gifts inside can be seen in their fullness.
Thanks to all who have already given! Pray for those who are still exploring their level of commitment for the coming year. May God's blessings continue!
Rock+
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021
- 10am- Book Club
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Link to join Zoom call
- 11:30am- Romeos at Kreggers Tap & Table
Wednesday, November 10, 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, November 11, 2021
- OFFICE CLOSED-FEDERAL HOLIDAY
- 6pm- Handbell Choir
- 7pm-Parish Choir
Sunday, November 14, 2021
- 8am- Eucharist: Rite I (no music)
- 8:45am- Adult Sunday school (Brydon Hall)
- 9am- Children's Sunday school (virtual)
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Link to join
- 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music)
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Link for bulletin
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Link to watch
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11am- End of Life Planning Seminar
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6pm- Journey to Adulthood
Monday, November 15, 2021
- 10:30am-Grief Group
- 5:30pm-Centering Prayer Group
- 7pm- Dream Group
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Heavenly Father, you long for the world’s salvation: stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope that all creation may one day be healed, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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This past Sunday we had in-person outdoor Children's Sunday school. It was a beautiful time of connection. They were so excited to be together! They all brought their own "widow's mite" and decided together to donate their money to the church and a local animal sanctuary. What sweet souls!
Sunday school will be online this week. We will let you know when we will meet again in person.
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Are you hoping to add some Saint James the Less "swag" to your collection? Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? We have a online website, through The Supply Room, that allows us to order items with the SJTL logo on it. There are all kinds of shirts, jackets, and bags that you can get with Saint James the Less on it. Click HERE to see the many different options. |
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Please join us for worship this week. At the 10am service we will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Saint James the Less Free Clinic. What a beloved ministry this is! It is part of the Hanover Interfaith Free Clinics. If you would like to learn more, click here. |
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As we reflect on our lives, there are practices that can help us plan for our future. We are offering an End of Life Planning Seminar on Sunday, November 14th at 11:30am that will help you look at Estate planning, funeral planning, wills and answer any questions you might have. This is NOT a luncheon. We hope you will join us! |
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Please join us for Bluegrass Mass on Sunday, November 14th at 5pm. We will attempt to have it outside, but if the weather is poor we will move indoors. Bring a chair for outside or a mask for indoors. We are thrilled to have this service. Please bring a friend and join us! |
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The Saint James the Less Dream Group is meeting again on Monday evenings at 7pm in the library. If you are interested in exploring the meaning of your dreams and meeting with others to do so , please join us! All are welcome! |
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We are so happy that we get to host Fall Line Farms every week. They are looking for someone who might be interested in volunteering every Thursday afternoon to help pass out customer's orders. Volunteers will get a free membership and classes. Email Kasey if you are interested and she will get you connected.
In case you are new to Fall Line Farms, please check them out. They are a wonderful organization that helps sell local farmers and artisans goods. You order online and pick them up weekly on Thursdays here at Saint James the Less. *The week of Thanksgiving the pick up day will be on Wednesday afternoon.
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Our beloved Formation Director, Miriam Smith, and her family have been in a difficult season. If you would like to provide them a meal to make their load a little lighter, please click on their Meal Sign Up HERE. Please be aware they do have a gluten allergy. They bless so many and it would be wonderful if we could bless them right back. |
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The 14th annual Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner is happening this year. It will take place on November 26th at First Baptist Church Ashland. Please pre-order fully cooked meals before November 19th by calling Helen or Price at 798-8988. Freshly cooked meals will be available for drive by pick up at a designated time between noon and 2:30pm. Please note this meal is boxed in individual containers. No beverages or utensils will be provided. Limited meals available. We appreciate your prayers for this community event! |
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Sunday School VIRTUAL
Sunday school will be held virtual on November 14th at 9am. We are excited to see you all again!! Also, there is a poll in our Facebook group to help us with future planning.
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Children's Sunday School Volunteers
Did you love hanging out with our youth at Shrine Mont? Do you miss hearing their sweet wonderful ideas? Join us for Sunday school! We are looking for 2 volunteers to help weekly. No preparation or training needed. Please email Miriam if you are interested. |
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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 next meeting will be Sunday, October 24th. We meet for a meal and discussion a 6pm. Please complete the registration form at
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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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Serving and Giving Opportunities this holiday season |
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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, rice, (small bags, pork & beans, canned peaches, shampoo
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Adult Clothing: Women's bras (all sizes) and feminine hygiene items, Men's athletic socks, work boots and jeans.
- Children's Clothing: Socks (larger sizes), Boy's underwear (Sizes L & XL), boy/girl fall and winter clothes (seizes 10 and larger)
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
Peter Paul is in need of these supplies on behalf of their students. The collection boxes are in our hallway.
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School Supplies: glue, scissors, folders, erasers and pencil pouches
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Laundry supplies: Travel size detergent or 4 pods, rolls of quarters
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Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, chapstick, Vaseline, pads, tampons, face wipes and wash clothes
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Meals-to-go: pop-top food- soup, beans, canned meat, tuna packets, water (reusable bottle), crackers, chips, fruit cups
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Winter weather items: hand warmers, fleece blanket, hat, gloves, thick socks
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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, 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, Wiley Hughes, Jimmy Smith, Jeff Lawrence, May and family, Debbie Hill, Brian, Llelwyn Schofield, Schuyler, Harry Hassell, 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 the families of Metropolitan Richmond: For single-parent families, adoptive families, foster families, and for households that are communities of friends; for elderly persons living in their own homes, in retirement communities, and in nursing institutions.
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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Proper 27- November 7, 2021 |
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November 10
Katie Lewis
November 11
Linda Feeley
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November 12
Rick Roberts
Tracy Hughes
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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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