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When Paul told the Corinthians, “There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served,” he could just as easily have been talking to us. Just like the members of the church in Corinth, each of us brings a unique gift to St. James’s but together we create a single church with a single mission – being God’s hands in the world.
As we begin a new program year together, our focus is on all the marvelous ways each of us contributes to the whole at St. James’s. And we hope that Welcome Sunday – which is this Sunday – is the first of many times you hear how God is calling you in the coming year.
You see, in addition to Welcome Sunday being the first Sunday of the new program year, it’s your chance to attend our Ministry Fair in Valentine Hall, where you can see how you can be a DOER in the coming year. It’s also the return to our regular schedule of Sunday services at 7:45, 9 and 11:15 am.
On a lighter note, we’ve also got some new Church Merch for sale, including new coffee mugs, new car magnets, new blue t-shirts, onesies(!), plus our black t’s and car coasters.
So please make every effort to be there as WE launch into what we hope is a meaningful and active year at St. James’s for YOU.
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Tuesday, September 11
Tuesday Men's Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall
This popular Men's group returns this Tuesday.
The group meets weekly for an hour of fellowship,
discussion of the bible and good food.
Contact: Patrick Strickler, jpstrickler@verizon.net
Stephen Spraker, stspraker@gmail.com
Wednesday, September 13
Wednesday Night Dinner - 6 pm, Valentine Hall
Our popular Wednesday Night Dinners returns this Wednesday at a new time.
We’re also not asking for RSVPs – just show up and enjoy the evening.
The suggested donations are: Children, $5; Adults $10, Families, $25.
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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 | |
- A change to our Sunday services
- Young Family Social this Saturday
- Open Houses - Next Sunday
- Wednesday night dinner this week at a new time
- Concert to benefit Ukraine
- Summer Book Club Book #3 - Doug's book discussion
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- Confirmation registration is open - but don't wait
- Opportunities to be a DOER
- Save the date for THE CELEBRATION
- Come be an acolyte
- Fall dates to remember
- Prayers of The People
- Diocese of Virginia
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A change in our Sunday services
starting this Sunday.
In an effort to make our services a bit shorter (but no less meaningful), starting Sunday, September 10 we will be offering Special Celebrations and Prayers (for any reason) in the chapel at the same time that communion will be taking place at the main altar.
So instead of waiting until after communion to receive prayers, you can simply make your way to the chapel after you’ve received your bread and wine. A priest will be in the chapel from the beginning of the distribution of communion through the end of the service to pray with you.
We’re hoping that by shortening the services, we’ll have more time for formation and fellowship on Sundays.
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It’s the second Saturday of the month. That means…
…it’s time for our next Young Family Social. Join the fun tomorrow (Saturday), September 9 from 4-6 pm at the home of Margaret Ann and Nick Mazzenga (3423 Noble Avenue).
St. James’s will provide some snacks, water, and juice. Parents, please feel free to bring a favorite beverage or snack to share.
During the program year, there’s a Young Family Social on the second Saturday of every month from 4 to 6 pm: October 14, November 11, December 9, January 13, February 10, March 9, April 13 and May 11.
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OPEN HOUSES for
Adult Formation and Youth and Children’s ministries
Next Sunday, September 17
We have so many exciting plans for this year’s Adult Learning, and Children & Youth ministries – and you can discover everything we have in store on Sunday, September 17 from 10:15 -11 am in Michaux House.
Everyone interested in our Adult Learning program can meet in Valentine Hall where we'll share what we have planned for our Sunday get-togethers.
Come to the third floor of Michaux House to learn all ways you can engage this year through our Youth Ministry – hikes, retreats, social events, acolytes, Confirmation, Sunday morning youth group, and so much more!
You can learn about our Godly Play and Growing in Faith – our Children’s Ministry plans – by going to the second floor of Michaux House.
The Children and Youth Ministries registration form is open for the program year!
Click here to register your child or youth for our Sunday formational activities.
Can’t wait to see you!
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Wednesday Night Dinners
are back – at a new time!
Our popular Wednesday Night Dinners return this Wednesday, September 13, in Valentine Hall. We’ve moved the time back to 6 pm, to make it easier to get here after work.
We’re also not asking for RSVPs – just show up and enjoy the evening.
All the meals will be prepared by St. James’s cooking teams, and will include wine.
The suggested donations are: Children, $5; Adults $10, Families, $25. The Wednesday Night dinners will be run through November 8 (except for October 25, the night of The Celebration.)
We’re also going to be offering Season Passes to the dinners, which will be available to both individuals and families. More details to follow.
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Concert to benefit Ukraine
While the war in Ukraine doesn’t dominate the headlines the way it once did, the needs of the Ukrainian people are as urgent as ever.
With that in mind, St. James’s is hosting The Concert for Ukraine – an organ recital from renowned organist Gail Archer. Admission is free but all donations will go directly to the Ukraine Crisis Fund at Episcopal Relief and Development.
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In addition to being an accomplished and inspiring organist, Archer is a music director, choral conductor and a Professor of Professional Practice at Barnard College, Columbia University, and the founder of an international forum for women organists called Musforum. She directs the ‘Barnard-Columbia Chorus & Chamber Choir’ and the ‘Music Program’ of Barnard College, Columbia Universityand is College Organist of Vassar College.
The evening also includes brief but powerful presentations by Oksana Takhnevych and Aleksandr Misiats from the Ukrainian Community of Virginia. Please save the date – Friday, September 29 – and share the news of this important cultural event with all your friends.
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Summer Book Club
Book #3
Doug's book is What Christ Thinks of the Church, An Exposition of Revelation 1-3 by John Stott, Rector Emeritus, All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.
Here's what Doug says about his book choice "I attended a lecture by John Stott years ago and he was asked, what would he preach as a new rector and his response was - the church. This small book(only 125 pages) gives us an opportunity to read what Christ thinks of the church based on the first chapters from Revelation. I look forward to hearing your responses during our lively discussion in September."
Doug's Zoom book discussion will be Monday, September 18 at 7:30 pm.
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Registration for Confirmation
is open!
If you are a ninth-grader or older, we’d love to have you as part of our Confirmation class this year. Here at St. James, we like to think of Confirmation as “base camp” on your spiritual journey. It’s neither your point of origin, nor your destination, but a place to rest, grow, and be equipped for your journey. If you want to learn more, go here.
Registration closes on Monday, Sept. 18. Don’t delay, click here to register.
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There are so many opportunities
to work with St. James’s outreach partners right now.
Keep reading to see all the ways you can help.
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CARITAS Community Day
needs volunteers
On September 23rd, CARITAS will welcome previous program participants back to CARITAS for their Alumni Association Block Party. St. James’s will help provide volunteers to serve food and provide family activities. All ages are welcome! The event will take place from 10:30am-3:30pm (though the busy time for food will be 11am-2pm) at their Stockton Street location (2220 Stockton Street). Signup here.
Contact Carrie Acey at linovet1@gmail.com or the Rev. Blake Singer at bsinger@doers.org for more information.
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ReWork is seeking vehicle donations
One of our community partners, ReWork, is seeking three used cars for their program participants. These cars enable ReWork members to access and sustain employment. If you have a care to donate, ReWork will get it checked out, fix what is necessary, and then “sell” it to the ReWork member at a greatly reduced price. All donations to ReWork Richmond are fully tax deductible.
Please call or email Mark Murphy at markmurphydmm@gmail.com, (203-249-2164), or Ferd Baruch at ferd.baruch@reworkrichmond.org, (804-314-5401) to donate a car.
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Now’s a great time to volunteer with Greater Richmond SCAN.
Richmond CASA (another one of our community partners) is looking for volunteers to advocate for children in the court system who have been abused or neglected. They’re now accepting applications for their Fall 2023 Training Class that begins on September 26th.
For questions about applying or to get more information about Richmond CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah-Keel Crews, at volunteer@grscan.com or 804-646-5184.
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Save the date for
THE CELEBRATION of the year.
Wednesday, October 25 is a night you’ll want to remember because it promises to be a night you won’t soon forget. Amazing food, wonderful company, and, of course, musical surprises await you at The Celebration, a feast of goodwill and connection.
Once again we’ll gather at the Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia to celebrate our lives together at St. James’s. There’s more information to come but we wanted to make sure this lovely event gets on your calendar.
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There's something special about being an acolyte.
Our acolytes are valuable members of worship each Sunday. They help our liturgies flow smoothly by quietly carrying torches, crosses, offering plates, bearing the Gospel Book in procession and at the proclamation, and more. 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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Fall Dates to Remember
As we look ahead to our new program year, there’s a lot happening, but we want to alert you to a few events so you can get them on your calendar now.
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St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779
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