Our Weekly News & Updates | |
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Good morning!
What a glorious last two weeks it has been at St. James the Less. The amount of work so many people put in to make everything successful has been amazing. Thank you to each and every one of you who did so much to make both bishops' visits such wonderful times. All of our guests remarked how welcoming and warm you all are, and that makes me so happy to hear. When our cup overflows with hospitality, we are sharing in the name of Christ and with Christ. We had over 150 with us for the bishop's visit, and it felt like things were well on their way to pre-COVID days. I hope it helped your heart soar like it did mine.
This Saturday we celebrate the life of Paul Robb, and I do hope that you will join the family in a time of prayerful remembrance. Paul's struggles in the last months were hard, and we are still tender. In speaking with him, his faith was sure, and he embraced what was to come. It was a testament to who he was. I hope you will be here Saturday at 10 a.m.
Looking ahead, please make plans to enter into a more sedate time as we honor Advent 4 Sunday morning, and our final Contemplative service on Sunday evening, 5 p.m. This will be a quiet, reflective service of readings and prayer.
On Christmas eve, we will have two services. At 4:30 p.m. is our Family Service, with a simple message available for all ages. With excited children, this is always a joyful time. In the evening, we will have one of our most formal services of the year. It is always one of my favorites. At 10 p.m., Reggie will begin playing for a half hour of music, with our high Midnight Mass beginning at 10:30. Candles, incense (hypo-allergenic), and all the finery of that holy night will be a part. I do hope that you will join us.
Christmas Day happens to be a Sunday this year, so we will be doing less of our normal Sunday activities, with no 8 a.m. service or Sunday School. But we will keep our tradition of having a Christmas Day service at 10 a.m. This is always a highlight of the year, and if you have not heard my Christmas Day sermon, it is a tradition to preach an updated version of my sermon "Traditions" as part of the celebration. This is an informal service, and a few times folks even came in their PJs. Know we want you here, whatever you come in.
Thank you for your faithfulness in 2022 as we continue in the long road of recovery from the last few years. God has been with us, is with us now, and will guide our way into whatever comes next.
Advent blessings,
Rock+
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Wednesday, December 14, 2022
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7:30am- Eucharist Rite II
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10:30am- Yoga Class (all levels) Brydon Hall
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12pm- Chair Yoga Brydon Hall
Saturday, December 17, 2022
- 10am- Funeral for Paul Robb
Sunday, December 18, 2022
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8am- Eucharist Rite I
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9:30am-Sunday School- adults and children
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10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music)
- 5pm- Contemplative Service
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5:45pm- Journey to Adulthood (youth group)
Monday, December 19, 2022
- 10:30am-Good Grief Group
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10:30am-Yoga Class Brydon Hall
- 7pm-Dream Group
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12pm- Chair Yoga
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An Advent Congregation
What an INCREDIBLE weekend we had, having a visit from our new Bishop. Bishop E. Mark Stevenson was incredibly gracious in his time, energy and thoughtfulness in his time with us. He led a Q&A for our congregation, blessed many places and spaces on our property and gave time and attention to the youngest and oldest, taking time to teach the reason behind the rituals. We are full of hope, welcoming the leadership of his care for our Diocese.
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December Happenings
December 17th - 10am- Memorial Service for Paul Robb
December 18th- 5pm Contemplative Service
December 24th- 4:30pm- Family Christmas Eve Service, 10:30pm- ChristMass (Organ music begins at 10pm) No nursery at either service
December 25th- 10am- Christmas Day Service (no 8am service, nursery, or Children's Church)
January 1st- 10am Lessons & Carols (no 8am service, nursery or Children's Church)
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Memorial Service for Paul Robb
Please join us Saturday, 12/17 at 10am for a Memorial Service for Paul Robb with a reception to follow. He is a beloved member of our congregation.
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Contemplative Service
Please join us for our monthly Contemplative Service this Sunday at 5pm. It will be a reflective, quiet time of worship. Come rest your soul this 4th Advent as we wait for the coming Messiah. We hope you will join us.
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Christmas Flowers
As a way of honoring and remembering loved ones during this season, we offer Christmas flowers that will be in the church on Christmas Day. We will have an insert in the bulletin with the names of the loved ones represented. The cost is $15. I f you would like to remember or honor someone, please complete this form or email Kasey and let her know who you would like to remember.
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Rule of Life Class
We have moved our Rule of Life class to January (10th, 17th, 24th). The class will be on Tuesdays in person at 10am. We hope this schedule works for you and you can join us.
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Empowering Neighbors
Our friends at First Baptist Ashland and Shiloh Baptist have formed a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation by the name of Empowering Neighbors, Inc. to develop programs and services to assist our neighbors in the Ashland-Hanover community. Their first venture is to partner with United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg to operate an IRS-sponsored free income tax preparation service for low to moderate income households. This site will operate at Shiloh Baptist Church starting in late January and run through mid-April of 2023. If you have an interest in leaning more about this volunteer opportunity, please contact Britt Glisson at brittonglisson@gmail.com or 804-852-0507. Not all volunteer positions require tax knowledge, but there are some training requirements for all positions.
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A Note from Deacon Dawn
A BIG THANK YOU to our Youth Group for making bags of LOVE for our sisters and brothers who are unhoused. Each backpack included gloves, socks and a hat. Their were also special notes- “I pray that you find shelter from the cold and that you feel God’s love.”
These pictures were taken on Saturday, December 10. The bags were distributed by “A Servants Heart Ministry,” which is a nonprofit dedicated to providing basic necessities, food, fellowship and prayer to those living on the streets.
Next year will be our third year of ministry. We have no table or permanent place as we feel we need to minister to people were they are- a tent in a cluster of trees, behind the library or along an overpass.
If you would like to know more about ministry to the homeless call, email or reach out on Sundays.
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Sign up to bring meals for the Clinic Volunteers HERE
- Help stock our Emergency Food Pantry (outside the clinic)
- Send in your Pop Tops for McDonald House
- Bring in Hygiene or laundry items for Peter Paul
- Donate to ACES (see below)
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Pantry: Personal care items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.), Cleaning products (laundry soap, dish soap, etc.)
Adult Clothing: Men's boxers and boxer briefs (all sizes), Men's shoes (all sizes), Men's underwear, Men's jeans, Men's extra large winter clothing (sizes 2x, 3x, 4x), Women's underwear (all sizes)
Children's Clothing: Girl's & Boys underwear (sizes 8 and 16), Large kid's socks, Pajamas, & Diapers
ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!
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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, our Bishop, the Bishop Elect, The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson and family, Rock+, our priest, and Dawn+, our Deacon. 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, Dennis Folsom, Debra Bernard, Smith family, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Tom Ficklin, Janet Taylor, Jessica and family, Joy Stevenson, David Turner, Kim Keene, Brad Rose, Wendy Vaughan, Sara Reece, Richard Rennolds, Andy Newchok, Jim Smith,Pam Bowers, Bettilee, Iana Mason, Bill Mercier, Shirley Miller, Jonathan Smith, Aubrey Fletcher, Rebecca Hottman, Lyde Longaker, Ken Sehlhorst, Haden Hopkins, Betty Kelley, Charles Bridges, and Allison Provencher.
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 governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Mayor and City Council of Richmond, the City Administrator, and all city employees.
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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December 14
Hilda Kelly
Harrison Woodbridge
December 15
Deklan Cauthorne
Aiden Freeman
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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. | | | | |
