Our Weekly News & Updates | |
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Good morning, friends.
Sunday night was the Blessing of the Animals, one of my favorite services of the year. I love it because of the joy and exuberance, not only of the critters, but of the people. Animals bring such gifts of love and comfort to us. It is wonderful to celebrate with them on this special day every year. It is not flippant, though. St. Francis, around whom we celebrate our pets and all God's creatures, saw God in all things and through all things. Near his death, on October 4, 1226 (just shy of 800 years ago!), he finished his prayer in praise of God through all of God's creation. We read this for our prayers of the people Sunday night, and I share it with you today. It may seem "simple." But complicated does not make things better. If we approached every aspect of our lives as being God-breathed and God-filled, think how different a world we might have. I invite you to pray this today. It remains one of my favorite prayers.
CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honour, and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,
through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your
love, and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
Blessings and peace to you, this day!
Rock+
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Wednesday, October 5, 2022
- 7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
- Breakfast following
Thursday, October 6, 2022
- 10am- Book Club on Zoom
- 6pm-Handbell Choir
- 7pm-Parish Choir
Saturday, October 8, 2022
- 9am- Group Exercise Class
Sunday, October 9, 2022
- 8am- Eucharist: Rite I Service
- 9am-Sunday School for adults & children
- 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music)
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5:45pm-J2A Youth Group
Monday, October 10, 2022
OFFICE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY
- 10:30am-Grief Group
- 7pm-Dream Group
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Volunteer Opportunity
An Ashland sister church hosts a weekly ESL (English as a Second Language) class on Thursday evenings. They are looking for people who might be willing to drive a couple of families from the Henrico area. If you are able and willing to help this Thursday or on a regular basis moving forward, please let Kasey know and we will get you connected with their coordinator.
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Confirmation Classes
Would you or someone you know be interested in learning more about getting confirmed? This will be a great time to learn more about the Episcopal Church, Saint James the Less, and deepen your own faith journey. You can complete the class with the intention of confirmation or if you would just like to learn more, that’s okay too.
We have decided on meeting 4 times in the library. The dates are:
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October 9, 11:30am-12:45
- October 23, 11:30am-12:45
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October 30, 11:30am-12:45
We expect that this will be plenty of time to go through the material, but just in case, Rock+ is still available to meet on 11/27 as well. If there is a meeting that you can’t make it to, that is okay. We will record each session and we can send you the link to watch it later. You will be given the materials you need at the first class. If you need anything additional please let us know. We are so looking forward to taking this adventure together with you.
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Young Adult Virtual Bible Study
We are thrilled that Abby Thompson will be holding a Young Adult Virtual Bible Study 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.
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Movie on Halloween Night
We hope you will join us on Halloween night, Monday 10/31, at 7pm for a showing of Ghostbusters (the 1984 original version) outdoors. We will have popcorn and goodies for you to enjoy. Bring a chair, blanket, snacks and a friend to celebrate this night in community. Feel free to wear a costume too! It will be fun!
After the members of a team of scientists (Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray) lose their cushy positions at a university in New York City, they decide to become "ghostbusters" to wage a high-tech battle with the supernatural for money. They stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, a doorway that will release evil upon the city. The Ghostbusters must now save New York from complete destruction.
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Book Club at Shrine Mont
Father Rock will be holding another book club at Shrine Mont this year. We will be reading the #1 New York Times Bestseller The Stranger in the Lifeboat, by Mitch Albom. Please read the book ahead of coming and join us for a discussion Sunday morning.
If you would like to purchase the book on Amazon, click HERE. If you would like us to help with purchasing the book, please let us know. We have a few copies in the office for $15 if you would like to purchase one of those. We are happy to help!
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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: Their pantry is very low. They are in need of any/all non-perishable food except corn (canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups, beans, and meats, peanut butter and jelly, pasta sauce, hot and cold cereals, boxed pasta, rice and potatoes, etc.) They are in need of toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.)
Adult Clothing: Men’s boxers or boxer briefs (all sizes), Men’s undershirts (all sizes), Men’s athletic socks (all sizes), Men’s athletic shoes (all sizes), Women’s underwear (all sizes), Women’s bras (cup size D and larger/band size 36 and larger), Men’s and Women’s fall and winter clothes (any size)
Children's Clothing: Infant winter clothing (all infant sizes), Girl's underwear (sizes 12 and larger),Boy's undershirts (sizes 10 and larger), Big boys/girls socks (shoe size 5 and larger), Boy's and Girl's shoes (all sizes),Boy's and Girl's winter clothing,Baby wipes
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, Paul, and Jennifer, our Bishops, 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, Abbe Goettl, 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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Proper 22
October 2, 2022
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October 6
Mary Lou Brown
Karen Fritter
Dawn Stockbridge
October 8
Robyn Davies
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October 9
Peter Trible
October 10
Joanne Flanagan
Tahira Abaire
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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. | | | | | |
