A few years ago, I discovered the “magic eraser” cleaning tool. I had seen them before at the store and even tried one once, only I hadn’t read the instructions and didn’t know to wet it first, so it fell apart immediately. I wasn’t impressed.
But somehow I discovered how the thing worked and, faced with scuff marks on walls and molding in an apartment that I was about to vacate, decided to give it a try in hopes of avoiding having to repaint. As advertised, it really did erase the marks made by shoes and chairs and numerous other unnamed agents. I was definitely impressed.
I have on occasion wanted to apply a magic eraser to myself. There are some parts of me, large and small, that I would like to take a sponge to and just wipe them away. I’d like to restore myself to an unblemished state, to be free from all the black marks I’ve assigned myself over the years for my (many) missteps and mistakes.
But, truly, on my better days I recognize that I would not be who I am without the mistakes I have made. None of us are. We learn from our mistakes, we grow from learning, and a life lived without mistakes is a life not really lived. And the fear of making a mistake can paralyze us from acting at all - which is surely not how we were meant to be. As Helen Keller wrote, life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. I’m pretty sure that Jesus also said that, but nobody thought to write it down.
So. If our faith is in a God who forgives, who wipes away our sins as well as our tears, then we don’t need a magic eraser to make ourselves acceptable for inspection. We are beloved anyway. We are called into a life in Christ that will sometimes mean doing new things or doing old things in a new way. A transition time like the one we are in right now has the potential to be a daring adventure, and I invite you to jump in with us as we prepare for the new program year filled with both familiar events and new opportunities.
Blessings,
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Thursday, August 24
Thursday Men's Breakfast Bible Study - 7:30 am
Our Bible Study Group continues to welcome St. James’s members and non-members
It meets every other Thursday morning in Valentine Hall for about an hour.
The group enjoys fellowship and relationship-building with each other
and growth in knowledge of scripture and their faith applied to the here and now.
You're welcomed regardless of your current knowledge about the scriptures.
Saturday, August 26
Shalom Farms - 9 am to 12 pm
Come be a DOER. We're volunteering to harvest vegetables at Shalom Farms.
This activity is for all ages.
Shalom Farms is a nonprofit that seeks to bring healthy food options
to communities in need.
Tuesday Men's Bible Study, Young Adults, and Women in Wisdom
are taking a summer break, but will return in the fall.
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Peek at the Week is now on the website (doers.org) too. So if you need to check in on what’s going on this coming week, click on the Peek at the Week banner (The Week's Events)
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This week's eChimes features |
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- 2023-2024 Confirmation
- Come be an acolyte
- St. James's choir Gloucester residency photos and remarks
- Be a DOER at Shalom Farms
- Food Truck Parish Dinner
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- Backpack Blessing
- Brown Bag Book Club reading list
- See what's happening this summer in one place
- Prayers of The People
- Diocese of Virginia
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2023-2024 Confirmation
There will be a virtual Confirmation information session for all interested parties this Sunday from 7:00-7:30 pm. Here's the Zoom link.
To learn more about the Confirmation process as well as access our electronic registration form , click this link.
Also, save the date for our Confirmation kick off event on Sunday, September 24 from 12:30-2:00 pm.
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Come be an acolyte
Our acolytes are valuable members of worship each Sunday. Fifth graders and up are welcome to join. New and returning acolytes should fill out this form and we’ll contact you with more information.
Our acolyte lunch/training will be on Sunday, September 24 from 12:30-2 pm.
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Welcome home St. James's Choristers
Our choristers are back from their residency at Gloucester Cathedral. And we're delighted they've sent us lots of photos. Here are some highlighting their rehearsals and services (above) and what they were up to when not at the Cathedral (below).
Choristers and clergy have also emailed us about their trip. Here's what they have to say:
Glorious things of God are spoken, but our choir gloriously sang them for eight days! Thank God for their stamina, bountiful talent and well-trained ear to accomplish all that they did! Well done and welcome home!
-- Doug Wigner
Two very meaningful experiences at Gloucester Cathedral:
Post Sunday Service Coffee Hour-Meeting Alvin (center in photo above), who was a Gloucester Cathedral boy chorister in the 1940s and 50s under the direction of Herbert Sumsion, CBE, musician and Gloucester Cathedral organist from 1928 - 1967, and composer of Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in A major, which we sang twice during our week of Evensong services.
Also, seeing Dr. W reveling in doing what he does best: making beautiful music in a magnificent setting!
-- Sarah McComas
My most meaningful experiences at the cathedral where singing at the Sunday morning service on August 13, especially two very meditative pieces by Anton Brückner during communion. Also listening to the magnificent performances by our assistant organist, Charles Lindsey.
The most fun (apart from singing) I had what celebrating with other choir members at a local pub after our Evensong performances, and getting to know them better. A unique opportunity for a relatively new choir member.
--Gary Smith
“My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” That is the first line of the Magnificat which is sung during the Evensong service as a message of Hope. During the choir’s trip to Gloucester Cathedral we sang those words at seven services. I believe God calls us to live in community and spread the good word of Jesus. Last week our mighty band of 40 choristers soaked in the spirit filled beauty of Gloucester and hope we did the same with those who heard us.
--Ann Rawls
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Come be a DOER!
Saturday, August 26
We're volunteering at Shalom Farms on Saturday, August 26 from 9:00 am -12:00 pm.
This activity is for all ages. Come be a DOER. Sign up now - we only have 30 spots!
Shalom Farms is a nonprofit that seeks to bring healthy food options to communities in need.
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Food Truck Parish Dinner
Wednesday, August 30
Come say “so long” to summer on Wednesday, August 30 at our Parish Dinner. The local food trucks will park in the surface lot for families to purchase their dinner and dessert.
Here's what will be for dinner:
Boka Tako - fusion tacos
Slideways - gourmet sliders and fresh hand-cut fries
Westray’s Ice Cream - naturally handmade here in Richmond
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School’s starting back up,
come get your backpack blessed.
Our blessing of the backpacks will be on Sunday, August 27, at the 10am service.
During worship, we’ll be offering a blessing to all returning students and teachers. Bring your backpacks, teacher bags, or just yourself!
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Brown Bag Book Club announces its reading list for 2023/24
The Brown Bag Book Club, which reads and discusses a new book every month throughout the year, has announced its new reading list.
Here are a few of the books the group will be reading:
September 7 — Horse by Geraldine Brooks (Fiction)
October 5 — The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland (Fiction)
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There's so much happening this summer.
See it all in one place.
We’re making it as easy as possible to know what’s happening this Summer at St. James’s. In addition to clicking on the Summer at St. James’s artwork, you can always go to doers.org/summer, where you’ll find the full schedule of summer social and musical events, book clubs and classes, and, of course, worship – all in one place.
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We do our best to keep this list current, but if you want your name added or removed, please email Mary Brown at mbrown@doers.org or call her at 804-355-1779 ext. 313
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St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779
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