We’re three weeks from the beginning of the new program year, the first year in a while where everything will be up and running the way we remember it.
We’ll have three Sunday morning services (yes, the 7:45 is back!), a full schedule of Adult Formation programs on Sundays and Wednesdays, and all the other activities you’ve come to expect from St. James’s – plus some new programs we’ll share more about soon.
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This week's eChimes features
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- We're looking for ushers
- This Sunday - Learn what we have planned for 2022-2023 Confirmation Program
- Parish Retreat registration opens next week, August 24
- We want to hear your music voice
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- Donated school supplies keep giving to the community
- Blessing of the Backpacks
- Calling on Youth to take part in our worship services
- Prayers of the People
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The role of a church usher is to help first time guests, repeat visitors, and long-time members experience the sacredness and joy of a worship service.
As we prepare for the new program year, we find we have a need for more ushers.
There are few ministries in the church that are more essential and rewarding. After all, you’re a spiritual ambassador for St. James’s, serving as the “first representative” of Jesus for a worship service. You also ensure that the service runs smoothly and you minister to parishioners in a variety of practical ways, including greeting people as they arrive, assisting people with special needs, and receiving the offering.
In addition to the satisfaction of helping so many people each Sunday, there’s a special camaraderie among our usher teams that often turns into life-long friendships.
If you’re beginning to think that being an usher is a ministry that suits you, please contact our head ushers: Brink Brinkley (11:15 a.m. ushers), at asb3rd@aol.com or (804) 840-9618, and
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Learn about our amazing Confirmation Program,
this Sunday, August 21
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Confirmation is one of the most meaningful and fascinating parts of a young person's life --especially here at St. James's, where our confirmation program has become a mode for other churches around the country.
To learn what we have planned for 2022-2023 please attend our Virtual Information Session on Sunday, August 21, from 7 to 7:45 pm.
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2022 Parish Retreat
August 24th sign-up is coming fast.
August 24th is the day that registration for the Fall Parish Retreat opens up. Scheduled for October 21 - 23, this year’s retreat promises to be the perfect opportunity to Connect & Reconnect. There will be lots of activities to choose from (including Pickleball!), plus time to slow down, and plenty of chances to reconnect with family, friends, and our Lord.
The cost for two nights of lodging and six meals is $285 for families (or two adults) and $185 for singles. Plus there’s free childcare!
After all we’ve been through, this promises to be a retreat with way more treats than usual. This year Julie and Howard Eckstein are chairing our Parish Retreat, so if you have any questions, reach out to Julie at jecksteinlaw@gmail.com
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We want to hear your musical voice.
If you or your child has been thinking about joining a choir, Fall is the perfect time!
The choirs are filled with singers of varying degrees of training and experience. Some read music, others learn by ear, some have amazing voices and others are just learning how to produce beautiful sounds. Everyone’s contribution is essential. We encourage you to join. You will be so very welcomed.
Here is a list of the choirs, the day and time they rehearse, and the date of their first rehearsal. Give Mark or Virginia a call (355-1779, ext. 323 or 324) for more information.
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Cherub Choir (K – 2nd grades) – Wednesday, September 14, 4:00 p.m.
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Children’s Choir (3rd – 5th grades) – Wednesday, September 14, 5:00 p.m.
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Youth Choir (6th – 12th grades) – Sunday, September 11, 12:30 p.m.
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West Gallery Choir (9:00 a.m. service) – Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 p.m.
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Guitar Ensemble (9:00 a.m. service) – Wednesday, September 7, 8:30 p.m.
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Parish Choir (11:15 a.m. service) – Thursday, September 8, 7:30 p.m.
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Singing Class meets on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. for 6 weeks, starting Sept. 21
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The school supplies donated
to Fox Elementary keep on giving.
The community support for the Fox Elementary fire has been so great that we’re still storing school supplies! However, we recently gave some excess supplies to our community partner -- Peter Paul Development Center -- plus our very own St. James's Children’s Center.
We’re so happy these donations continue to bless our Richmond community.
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Blessing of the Backpacks
Save the date: August 28.
Our blessing of the backpacks will be next Sunday, August 28th, at the 10am service.
During worship, we will extend a blessing to all returning students and teachers. Bring your backpacks, teacher bags, or just yourself!
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We’re inviting even more Youth to take part in our worship services.
We’re excited to invite more of our youth than ever to participate in our worship services.
For the first time, we’re inviting fifth graders to join our 6th thru 12th graders as acolytes, lectors, and ushers.
You don’t have to be just one, you can participate in as many ways as you like.
To learn more or sign up, please complete this form.
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We do our best to keep this list current, but if you want your name added or removed, please contact Mary Brown 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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