Our Weekly News & Updates |
|
Good morning, friends!
It was such a good weekend. We are having more and more return to worship on Sundays, and we must prepare more bulletins and communion weekly. These are good problems to have! It was wonderful hearing the report from Susan and Tom Hubbard on the work of the Free Clinic. This phenomenal ministry has been going strong for 15 years and has been a blessing to the community. We prayed with thanksgiving for all their work and blessed their continued ministry.
|
|
I did not want to detract from that, so I waited to report on the 227th Diocesan Convention which took place online Friday and Saturday. It was a swift meeting, finishing earlier than most expected, but some big things were handled. Bishop Goff gave her last address as our Ecclesial Authority as we should have our election of our new bishop next summer. There were many resolutions of substance. I will mention a few:
-
R1 establishes a Virginia Plan for Covenantal Giving through which all congregations will, by the year 2025, pledge 10% of their plate offerings, pledge payments and regular support to the shared ministries of the Diocese. We give approximately 10.5% of our plate and pledge offerings, so are within the guidelines already, but only about 1/3 of the diocese does this and causes financial concerns as we move forward with our new bishop.
-
R6 calls on the Diocese, in acknowledgement of a Climate Emergency, to commit to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. This will play a big part in how we do things in the days to come, and our responsible care of God's Creation will take work and dedication on our part to reach this goal.
-
R10 directs the Bishop to create a Reparations Task Force “to identify and propose means by which repair may begin for those areas of our structures, patterns, and common life by which Black, Indigenous, People of Color ….still carry the burden of injustices, exclusions, and biases born out of white supremacy and the legacy of slavery.” A fund of $10 million is to be established over the next 5 years, coming mostly from the sale of some of our unused properties owned by the diocese. The objective of these reparation grants and loans is to provide direct benefits to BIPOC communities, people, and institutions, with preference for any which may have been specifically harmed by past unjust actions by the Diocese of Virginia, its institutions, or churches. The Task Force will be formed over the next year, and the Executive Committee will have oversight and veto power on all their work.
-
Here is a link to the summary that the diocese prepared. SUMMARY
The spirit was one of respect and held important the matters being discussed. Please speak with me or Ian Sutton (your representative) if you have any questions. Kendra Shifflett also attended as our non-voting alternative.
I feel good with how things went overall, and it sets us up well for the election of our new bishop. I am very thankful.
In Christ,
Rock+
|
|
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
- 10am- Book Club
-
Link to join Zoom call
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
-
7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
-
Link to watch service
- 8pm-Youth Parent's Small Group
-
Link to join Zoom Call
Thursday, November 18, 2021
- 6pm- Handbell Choir
- 7pm-Parish Choir
Saturday, November 20, 2021
- 1pm- Fran McConnell Funeral
Sunday, November 21, 2021
- 8am- Eucharist: Rite I (no music)
- 8:45am- Adult Sunday school (Brydon Hall)
- 9am- Children's Sunday school (virtual)
-
Link to join
- 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music)
-
Link for bulletin
-
Link to watch
-
6pm- Journey to Adulthood
Monday, November 22, 2021
- 10:30am-Grief Group
- 5:30pm-Centering Prayer Group
- 7pm- Dream Group
|
|
BLESSING FOR THE SJTL CLINIC |
|
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to heal this hurting world: We praise and bless you for Hanover Interfaith Free Clinics and their 15 years of service to those who need medical and dental care.
We ask your continued blessing for all the medical staff and volunteers that make this work possible. We remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help the continued ministry of the clinics, and all of us, to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. We thank you that in every place your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours for ever. Amen.
|
|
|
|
Our Sunday night Journey to Adulthood for youth is such a special time of connection! The youth packed bags to give to all the folks who receive the free Ashland Thanksgiving meal. We hope you or your youth will join us! |
|
Have you ever wanted to develop daily practices that would enrich your life? Come learn how to make that happen. Father Rock will be leading a small group on Tuesdays at 10am in Brydon Hall for 3 weeks, November 30th- December 14th. We would love to have you!
Below is a meditation that Bishop Susan Goff had last week that illustrates the power of daily habits beautifully.
The Power of Habit
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Romans 8:26
Lord God, I don’t know how to pray as I ought,
even though I’ve been praying my entire life.
In a family health crisis,
or when facing my own mortality,
or when the push and shove of others mount,
I can scarcely sit still in my prayer chair.
The squirrels that run in circles in my mind
win out despite my desire just to let them go.
That’s when your Spirit intercedes in me
with sighs too deep for words.
That’s when the fruits of the habit of prayer kick in.
Suddenly, the words of prayers I’ve been praying for decades
pray themselves in me, unbidden.
Suddenly, I wake up in the morning with verses of hymns
singing themselves in my heart.
Suddenly, chants and psalms and memorized lines come alive,
holding me tight.
It doesn’t always occur this way,
But it does occur often enough to remind me
that a habit of prayer is not about
what happens when I’m praying,
but about what happens when I can’t.
After all these decades, I still don’t know how to pray as I ought.
I don’t even know what “ought” means.
And still your Spirit prays in me when I need you most.
So keep me constant in prayer, Lord God,
even when I can’t focus,
even when prayer is hard,
even when the squirrels run rampant.
Keep me constant in the habit of prayer,
that creates a space
for your Spirit to come and intercede.
|
|
This time of year is especially spectacular in the life of Beverly Road and the trees of Saint James the Less. The life of these tree have changed so much in only one week! It is easy to see the thumbprint of God here! |
|
Please join us this Saturday, November 20th at 1pm for a celebration of life for Fran McConnell. The service will be indoor. Please wear a mask. We hope you will join us to celebrate her beautiful life! |
|
The memorial service for Karl Meyer will be December 11th at 2 pm at Saint James the Less. A reception will be immediately following the service from 3:30 to 5:30 pm in the Glen Dining Room, Main Floor, Madison Building, Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center, 1000 Virginia Center Parkway, Glen Allen, VA. We hope you will be able to join us as we celebrate his beautiful life. |
|
If you or your family would like to sponsor the flowers in the Sunday service, you can email Kasey to reserve your date. As we look forward to the 2022 calendar you can make sure you remember holidays and birthdays with the gorgeous flowers the Altar Guild does. The cost is $35 and the money goes to support purchasing the flowers and all the things that the Altar Guild provides for this awesome community. |
|
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. |
|
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! |
|
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! |
|
|
Adventures in Advent
We will have wonderful Advent bags for all of our families. They will contain weekly adventures to do as a family that will bring the Advent season into focus. Please post on our family Facebook page to share all of your adventures!! Be sure to pick up your bags every week!
|
|
Sunday School VIRTUAL
Sunday school will be held virtual on November 21st at 9am. We are excited to see you all again!!
We need one volunteer to help. We have it every Sunday morning at 9am from the comfort of your own home. Come learn and listen as our wonderful children share how God works in their lives. Please email Miriam if you are interested. |
|
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!
|
|
Journey 2 Adulthood (J2A)
Join us this Sunday for our next Regional Youth Event here at SJTL. We meet for a meal and discussion a 6pm. Please complete the registration form at
|
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
|
|
Serving and Giving Opportunities this holiday season |
|
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: Instant potatoes, rice, (small bags, pork & beans, canned peaches, shampoo
-
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
PETER PAUL
Peter Paul is in need of these supplies on behalf of their students. The collection boxes are in our hallway.
-
School Supplies: glue, scissors, folders, erasers and pencil pouches
-
Laundry supplies: Travel size detergent or 4 pods, rolls of quarters
-
Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, chapstick, Vaseline, pads, tampons, face wipes and wash clothes
-
Meals-to-go: pop-top food- soup, beans, canned meat, tuna packets, water (reusable bottle), crackers, chips, fruit cups
-
Winter weather items: hand warmers, fleece blanket, hat, gloves, thick socks
|
|
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, Melanie Fischer 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 persons who are lonely or have no family; for persons who are estranged from their families; for persons who are grieving the loss of a loved one; and for all who need to feel the love 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.
|
|
Proper 28- November 14, 2021 |
|
November 16
Todd Chambers
Mason Mills
November 17
Bebe Luck
Russ Boyle
Ian Hughes
|
|
November 20
Rosemary Jones
November 22
Ginny Tweel
|
|
|
Saint James the Less Episcopal Church
125 Beverly Road
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 798-6336
Staff:
Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
