Good morning, friends! Blessings on this All Souls' Day!

Many thanks to those who came out last night for our All-Saints' service. As one of the high holy days on our calendar, that celebration and remembrance is always such a special time.

Next week our nation is at another crossroads. If ever we needed to come together and pray for our nation and against the spirits of division and dissension it is now. In years past we have had a formal service but hearing from some of our sister churches in Ashland they are feeling stretched thin returning from the pandemic. Rev. Isaac Varner of Independence Christian Church and I will be leading a prayer gathering. We will meet in our library Monday, November 7th at 7 p.m. If we need more space, we will move into the church. 

Whether you are able to be with us on Sunday or not, I do hope you will join in prayer. As we pray regularly for those in leadership in our nation, may we continue in faithfulness. As we commit to in our yearly them, May we walk in your truth with Undivided Hearts.

Here is a Prayer for an election from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 822:

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and this community in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessings,

Rock+

Don’t forget to set your clocks back on Saturday night!

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

• 7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
• Breakfast following
• 10:30am-Yoga Class Brydon
• 12pm-Chair Yoga Brydon

Thursday, November 3, 2022

• 10am- Book Club on Zoom
• 6pm-Handbell Choir
• 7pm-Parish Choir

Saturday, November 5, 2022

• 9am- Group Exercise Class

Sunday, November 6, 2022

• 8am-Eucharist:Rite I
• 9am-Adult and Children's Sunday School
• 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music)
• 11:15am-Confirmation Class
• 5:45pm- J2A Youth Group

Monday, November 7, 2022

• 10:30am-Grief Group
• 10:30am-Yoga Class Brydon Hall
• 12pm-Chair Yoga Brydon Hall
• 7pm-Dream Group

Everyone is still reeling from the incredible Organ Concert that Reggie held for us on Sunday. It was absolutely gorgeous and we hope you will enjoy it again and again. We are so blessed to have Reggie here at Saint James the Less! Thank you Reggie for all the ways you brighten this community!

We are the luckiest parish in the world to have the volunteers that we do. Our Memorial Garden is stunning thanks to our beloved Ann Lawrence. Our Pavilion is coming along so quickly and beautifully! There are some amazing things happening on our property. We hope you will come by and check it out!

SJTL Christmas Ornament

We are so excited to announce we are selling Saint James the Less Christmas Ornaments. It is crystal with beveled edges. It's gorgeous! We are selling this Parish Fundraiser for $20. To place an order, please complete this form or call the office, 804-798-6336. Orders need to be in by November 12th. You can pay when you pick them up. Your tree will look so beautiful with this addition!

Bishop Goff Legacy

As Bishop Susan Goff approaches retirement at the end of this year, many individuals and congregations in the Diocese are looking at ways to recognize over 40 years of service she has given us. The Board of the Trustees of the Funds (ToTF) invites the Church of St James the Less congregation to contribute to the Bishop Susan Goff Fund for Racial Justice Initiatives that the ToTF created at our September 14^th Board meeting to honor the Bishop’s many years of caring and impactful service to the Diocese. At Bishop Goff’s request, this fund will provide grants for organizations in the diocese to develop education and advocacy programs for racial justice. The Executive Board of the Diocese will administer the fund and select recipients of grants from the fund. At the ToTF Board meeting, the ToTF Board raised just under $5,000 from our members to start the fund. The Diocese also announced Bishop Goff will be directing proceeds from the sale of 33 of her original works to this fund.

The ToTF invites all individuals and congregations who want to honor Bishop Goff as she heads toward retirement by joining us in contributing to this fund. Please send your donations to the Diocese of Virginia, Bishop Susan Goff Fund for Racial Justice Initiatives, c/o Ted Smith, Diocesan Treasurer, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, 110 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220. Please direct any questions you may have to Lynn Ivey, Executive Director, Trustees of the Fund, livey@trusteesofthefunds.org or (804) 405-8397.

For clarity, this is a distinct fund from the Fund for Reparations, created at Diocesan Convention in Resolution R-10a in November 2021. That fund will be funded and managed by the Reparations Task Force and the Executive Board of the Diocese.

Blue Grass Mass

Please come and enjoy our Blue Grass Mass on Sunday evening at 5pm.  This is an informal service but full of heart and soul. We hope you will join us!

Election Eve

We will be holding an Election Eve on Monday, November 7th at 7pm.  We are gathering to pray as we prepare to elect our next leaders.  We all have worries for the current state of things. One of the great things about our faith is that we also have hope. Let's get together and celebrate that common thread.

Stewardship Luncheon

Our annual Stewardship Sunday is coming up on Sunday, November 13^th at the 10am service. Please bring your pledge cards as we celebrate and live out our theme, “Do Not Be Afraid.” We will have our luncheon catered following the service. We hope you will join us. No need to bring anything to the lunch, but yourselves.

Advent Faire

Santa Shop is BACK! We will be bringing back the Santa shop for our children this year. During the Advent Faire, the kids will be able to shop for family members privately in our little Santa shop and wrap their gift to take home and put under the tree. 

BUT we need your help with donations. Do you have any sweet trinkets, household items, or ornaments that you can donate? Please bring them to the office or drop them in the Sunday School room. We also need bags and tissue paper to help with wrapping these gifts. Any and all donations are helpful! If you have any questions, please email Miriam. 

Brunswick Stew Sale

Our annual tradition is back! We are thrilled! 

We will be selling our famous "Bishop's Blessed Brunswick Stew," available for pick up Saturday, November 12th between 2-6pm. We only have 130 quarts left. They will be $12 a quart. If you would like to reserve a quart for yourself or your family, please do that HERE, or you are welcome to call Kasey and she can set you up. (804-798-6336). You can pay when you pick it up via check, cash or card.

We will be preparing the food on Friday, November 11th and cooking and selling it on Saturday, November 12th. If you would like to be part of the cooking and distribution team, please click HERE to sign up or just let Kasey know. 

Women's Retreat

Ashland Presbyterian invites the women at SJtL to their Women's retreat at Richmond Hill November 11-12. 

What does it mean to set down the things we carry, make them lighter, and lift up to carry on? Through a time of rest and reflection, we will explore where we find freedom and rejuvenation in our lives as they are, and what healing things we might pick up anew. Sam is a recent graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary and a theologian specializing in trauma, atonement, and resiliency. She is a Candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a frequent Richmond-based supply preacher. For her, art and photography are places of rest and restoration. Sam was the student intern at Ashland Presbyterian Church in 2020-2021, the year we spent worshipping online! In addition we will rest our bodies with yoga led by Jennifer Smith, and be introduced to one of Sandi Goehring's "old friends" from the Christian Mystical tradition.

For more information click here. 

Young Adult Virtual Bible Study

We are thrilled that Abby Thompson & Miriam Smith will be holding a Young Adult Virtual Bible Study on the Psalms on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, starting on October 19th. HERE is the link to join the Zoom. If you need to dial in, please call (301) 715-8592 and enter Meeting ID: 813 9756 3505 and Passcode: 829494.

Bishop Consecration

You are invited to the Ordination and Consecration of the Rev’d Canon E. Mark Stevenson as XIV Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, Saturday, December 3, 11:00 a.m. at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Road, Henrico, Va.

Attendance at the Ordination and Consecration is open to all members of the Diocese, but registration is required for all participants, including laity. Here is the link for laity registration if you would like to attend. There is no limit how many we can bring, but EVERYONE must register.

We are looking for Choir Members to join in the united choir. Reggie has this information if you would like to do that. Also, we have been invited to have a Banner Bearer carry our SJtL banner in the service. Please reach out to the office if you are interested. It will be an unforgettable day!

Each week we will feature a different ministry here at St. James the Less.

Let me introduce you to our AMAZING Altar Guild. Each week they arrange our gorgeous flowers, prepare our Eucharist, change the linens, put up the hymn boards, and much more. We are so grateful for their service. If you would like to be part of this ministry, let us know. We can get you the training you would need to be part of this essential team. 

• 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)

Pantry: Pasta sauce, Canned meat (tuna, ham, salmon, chicken, etc.), Beans (with pork, baked, white beans, black beans, etc.), Hot and cold cereal (healthier brands preferred), 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 underwear (sizes 8 and 16), Large kid's socks, Baby wipes (we are completely out)

ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!

Empowering Neighbors

A new local community service non-profit organization by the name of Empowering Neighbors, Inc. is looking for volunteers to staff a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance office in Ashland for the upcoming tax season. See the FAQ document for more information.

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, Paul Robb, 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, May & family, Joe Beane, Pam Bowers, Bettilee, Iana Mason, Sally Temple, Diane Wood, Bill Mercier, Shirley Miller, 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.

Proper 26

October 30, 2022

• Prayer List- Prayers of the People
• Giving Online- Click here to give online or text "GIVE2THELESS" at 73256 from your phone.
• Ask for prayer-Send in your prayer request (please acknowledge if the prayer is private or for our Parish list)
• List of Local Food Pantries- Click here for a complete list of local food pantries.
• Fall Line Farms- A wonderful organization that supports local farmers. Click here to order food so you can pick it up here at SJTL on Thursdays.
• Self- Guided Ways Of Worship Brochure- It has wonderful ways of engaging with your own space (and the spaces around the church) to find the Holy, already present, within them.
• Father Rock's Blog- Access reading of all of Father Rock's Homilies.
• Blessings & Dressings- A copy of the SJTL Cookbook 
• End of Life Planning Kit- Help with estate planning from the Episcopal Church Foundation.
• Diocesan Creation Care Website- Creation Care Task Force

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336

Staff:

The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector

The Rev. Deacon Dawn McNamara Deacon

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- Parish Administrator