PRAYING SHAPES BELIEVING
A Meditation for You
Praying shapes believing. In Latin, lex orandi lex credendi, the way we pray determines the way we believe. And, as pledged in the covenant of Baptism, the way we believe has the potential to determine the way we act, with God’s help. 
For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 
--2 Corinthians 2:4-6

We have come so far over the last year of CoronaTide. We have formed new routines, we have helped others, we have become better at waiting (you get to define “better"). We have put up with a lot, and it’s been hard (we’ll address this part next week at the start of Lent). It’s not over yet, but hope has started to prevail as vaccinations are being administered and daylight is lingering longer. Let us continue, as best we can — using the tools we have been bestowed, our unique gifts—to bring light to and to be the light in a dark world. 

Let us pray: O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

*Narrative by Stephanie Shareck Werner, © 2021. 
*Photo borrowed from the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau; the Roman Catholic Church of Southern Missouri
A Fourth Vestry Candidate
After Tuesday's email went out, we were able to close some loops. Jenny Bruce was approached and asked about serving on Vestry, and she agreed. So to finish our slate of people standing for Vestry, we present Dr. Jenny Bruce as our 4th candidate of 4 standing for Vestry this year. (We will include our full slate again on Tuesday's email.)
Jenny Bruce
Don and I met in the SJTL choir and were married here in 2001. We have four grown sons and four grandchildren. I’m retired from Randolph-Macon College, where I taught and assisted students with special learning needs. I have served on the vestry in the past as well as being an active choir member, eucharistic minister, lector and member of various committees. I am honored to have been asked to stand for the vestry. I feel called to step back into a more active role at this time of hope. As we emerge from the pandemic, reopen our doors to worshiping together, listen to the music of our new organ, and resume our lives dedicated to service, I look forward to working with the wonderful members of our vestry, led by Father Rock, as we begin a new and exciting chapter in the life of our church.
Vaccine Information
COVID Vaccine Information for Ashland Residents
(Chickahominy Health District)

As the Chickahominy Health District (CHD) rolls out the COVID vaccines to community members who fall within the phases established by the state, remember:
  • Please DO call the COVID call center at 804-365-3240 or visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/chickahominy/ and complete the CHD Vaccine Sign-up Survey, if you’d like to add your name to the vaccine list. The call center is handling a large volume of calls so if you leave a message, the team will contact you as soon as possible. You only need to do one of these steps to be on the list.
  • Please DO NOT expect an immediate call to schedule a vaccination appointment. Please be patient. You will be contacted when an appointment slot is available based on your eligibility and vaccine supply. When a Chickahominy Health District (CHD) team member contacts you, please do not give out their contact information without asking them first. 
  • DO (safely) help your eligible family and friends sign up to be on the vaccine list, if they are not able to do so on their own.
  • DO NOT call or email daily to check on your status. CHD will contact you when an appointment is available. There is a process that must be followed for this to work.
  • DO be kind and help if you are able. The links below are a few ways you can support local vaccine and COVID response efforts. As you wait for your turn, please continue to practice mask wearing, physical distancing, and hand washing. We are in this together and we will end this together.
 
Join us Sunday
Sunday Morning

Please join us online Sunday for a Morning Prayer at 10am. Let's us be together in Spirit! The link to watch and get the bulletin are in the schedule below.
Staying Connected
Friday, February 12, 2021
  • 12pm- Noonday Prayer (online) 

Sunday, February 14, 2021
  • 9am- Children's Sunday School (online) 
  • Link to join
  • 10am- Morning Prayer Worship (online)
  • Link to watch service
  • Link for bulletin

Monday, February 15, 2021
  • 10:30am- Grief Group (online)
  • Link to join
  • 12pm- Noonday prayers (online)

Join us daily for Noonday Prayer online here. You can follow along with the service on page 103 of the Book of Common Prayer or visit BCPonline.org (Click on "Daily Office" and then "An Order of Service at Noonday")

If you can't join us live-time, no worries. All of these services can be viewed at your convenience afterward on Facebook. All our Sunday morning and Contemplative services will be posted on our YouTube Channel, "St. James the Less Ashland VA." You can access that here.
Helpful Links
St. James the Less
125 Beverly Rd. | Ashland VA 23005 | (804) 798.6336