Our Weekly News & Updates |
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Sisters and Brothers,
Greetings! Thank you for your faithfulness in these strange days. Hanover County's numbers continue in the Red Zone, and we will need to remain online for now. We have received news that the diocesan numbers have shifted for indoor worship to resume, and we will begin looking at offering indoor services after we get out of the red zone. There will be many limitations on this, and it will not be the same. Once we submit our re-opening plan and it is approved by the bishop, we will let you know. I know so many are desperate to re-open, but we make the hard choices to care for all of us.
In a Zoom meeting over the weekend, a friend of mine shared this, and attributed it to Richard Rohr. May the Good Shepherd continue to guide us still!
Blessings,
Rock+
Prayer to the Good Shepherd
Lord of the 23rd Psalm,
I have known death,
and you have refreshed my soul.
I have known fear,
and you have comforted me.
I have known hunger,
and you have set a feast before me.
In the darkest valley
no calamity of humankind or nature has separated us.
Teach me to walk as you walk
Beside those in mourning
so that they will know joy,
Beside those in fear
that they will know comfort,
Beside those in hunger
that they will feast until their cup overflows.
As your goodness and love follow me,
May mine follow my neighbor
That the threat of the worst terrors
May turn to the knowledge of the comforts of
the house of the Lord,
Where you have invited us to dwell forever.
And so let me strive to help build on earth
What you have promised us in heaven.
In the face of all calamity, present and yet to come,
Let me lead my neighbor beside quiet waters,
The quiet waters of the Good Shepherd.
AMEN
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Mark your calendars! We are officially "on" for our Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont, October 15-17. That's reason to celebrate. They have many different precautions in place to make sure it is a safe experience for everyone. We hope you will make plans to join us! Won't be the same without you! |
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Such good news- Our beloved Steve Pace is being ordained into the Sacred Order of Deacons. Please join us as we celebrate with him. You can watch online Wednesday April 21st. Due to the pandemic the service will be available via live stream at 1PM on the All Saints Richmond YouTube channel or their Facebook Page. It would fill his heart with such JOY if you are able to join in and share this special moment with him.
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We are looking for a few volunteers willing to be part of the Parish Audit Committee. We are hoping to schedule the audit for early May. There is no experience needed, but an eye for details and comfort with numbers and financial reports is a plus. The audit is usually completed in one evening, so it’s not a big time commitment. Training will be provided. If you are interested reach out to Kendra Shifflett. We are grateful!
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CHENERY SUMMER CAMP APPLICATIONS |
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Summer Camp Chenery Fund Applicants
The Chenery Fund has financial assistance available for summer camp. The fund has made it possible for hundreds of children to grow in Christian spirituality through the generosity of the fund.
Eligibility for Funding
To receive financial support for your child's summer camp, the camp must be church-related or be an Episcopal-affiliated camp. Assistance will be considered for 50% of the total amount of the expense for first-time requests and 25% of the total expense for subsequent requests. The payment for the approved funds is made directly to the camp by Saint James the Less Church’s treasurer. The applicant will provide the payment for the balance due.
Timing
The Chenery Committee reviews applications and submits recommendations to the Vestry for final approval. Ideally, the committee would like to receive applications at least 45 days before the funds are needed. This allows for ample time to review requests, submit them to the vestry, and process the payment.
Background
The Christopher T. Chenery Fund was established in 1973 to honor Mr. Chenery, a former parishioner, and owner of horse racing's Triple Crown winner, Secretariat. The Chenery Fund Committee consists of parishioners appointed by the vestry and rector for a three-year term. The Chenery Committee administers requests for funding from the fund.
The interest income generated from the fund is available for funding charities, outreach programs, and parishioners' participation in retreats, conferences, camps, and classes designed to promote Christian spiritual growth. The Chenery Fund also tithes to the building fund, the church budget, and the principal reinvestment.
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THE MINISTRY OF PLANNED GIVING |
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Wednesday, April 28 | 1 p.m. via Zoom
Join Stephanie Gurnsey Higgins, Minister for Diocesan Development and Congregational Giving, to explore the ministry of planned giving. This webinar – for clergy, congregational leaders, and parishioners – will delve into how your generosity can enrich the ministry potential of your church for generations to come through assets you never thought of using. Click to join the webinar.
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We've put up the Stations of the Resurrection. Please feel free to come by and enjoy these beautiful reflections as you walk these incredible grounds. We are grateful to those who tend the property and help to keep it so thoughtfully maintained. |
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We are already looking forward to our next Book Club! The next book club starts on Thursday, April 22nd at 10:30am. In the meantime, you can go ahead and purchase the next boo k, Searching For Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans. It promises to bring thoughtful and profound conversations. It is a remarkable book! The link to purchase it on Amazon is HERE. We are happy to purchase the book for you as well if you 'd like. Just let us know.
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We've gotten in the newest edition of the Forward Day By Day for May, June and July. Please feel free to pick up a copy at our outdoor in-person service on Sunday or in the Memorial Garden on the table (at any time). We can also mail you a copy if you'd like. Just send us an email with your name and address. We'd be happy to do it! |
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Middle and High School Youth
We had a wonderful time at Yoga on Saturday. Thank you so much to everyone that attended and a special thank you to Rev. Becky for sharing her incredible gifts!! We will continue to offer one in person and one virtual event per month.
Parent's Night
Join us on Zoom Wednesday the 14th at 8pm. Bring your favorite drink and come share with us. We will spend time learning about new opportunities and brainstorming the best ways to support our children. The link to join is HERE. We hope you will join us!
Youth Group Meeting
We will have our first virtual meeting of our Youth Group (both Middle and High School members) this Sunday the 18th at 5pm. It should last 30-45 minutes and will help us to shape further programming. The link to join is HERE. We hope you will join us!
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Are you in the midst of some spring cleaning in your home? The town of Ashland is providing dumpsters to bring old things to "trash." Such a thoughtful thing for them to do. Please make sure you take advantage of this useful service! |
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Wednesday
Join us for the Morning Prayer service this Wednesday at 7:30am and then a cup of coffee afterward at 8am on Zoom. Please make sure that your screen name is your name so we know who is there. We look forward to seeing you!
Link to join the conversation at 8am: click here.
If you would like to call in (audio only) dial (646) 558 8656 and enter the Meeting ID: 826 2172 6493 and Password: 997124
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Sunday
Please join us for a Spiritual Eucharist virtual worship service at 10am. It will be a beautiful time of connection and community. The link to watch is HERE.
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Monday
This is a thoughtful group of souls. We hope you'll join if you are looking for support. To join simply click, on Mondays at 10:30am, HERE.
If you would like to call in (audio only), dial (301) 715-8592 and enter the following: Meeting ID: 879 5406 9630, Passcode: 062583
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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First Baptist Church Food Pantry is offering food to any resident of Hanover County that might need it.
WHERE: 800 Thompson Street, Ashland 23005
WHEN: First Tuesday, Third Tuesday or Third Saturday from 9 until 11 am (come 1 time within a 30 day period)
They offer food, hygiene items, and baby needs. Tuesdays are drive through to receive a bag of food, freezer items, bread,hygiene items. Saturdays are self shop in fellowship hall. COVID procedures in place: Temperature checks, masks required, social distancing. Call 804 -798 -9014 for more information.
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Saint James the Less Free Clinic
Right outside our very own Saint James the Less Free Clinic the Girl Scouts have donated a food pantry. It is available 24/7 if people might have an immediate need. Please feel free to come by and donate non-perishables to this. It would be an incredible blessing to our community.
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ACES is in need of the following items:
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Pantry: Canned potatoes, Shampoo, Laundry Detergent (small containers)
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Children’s Clothing: They are currently well stocked (if you do want to donate children’s clothing, they are only accepting spring/summer clothes due to our limited storage space)
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Adult Clothing: Women’s underwear (sizes 5 – 8), Women’s feminine products (all types, all sizes), Spring and summer clothing for men and women. Please, no winter clothing due to limited storage space.
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Household Item’s: Queen size sheet sets (very good condition/new), Crock pots, Toasters
In addition to the above, ACES is currently seeking a volunteer coordinator for our Senior Rides program. If interested (or curious) please call 804-543-6115.
ACES will open on April 5th for our clients to obtain clothing (still just one client/family unit at a time for a 30 minute appointment). We will continue to only be open on Mondays for now, but if all goes well, we will consider opening also on Wednesdays in a month or so based on demand.
Thank you for your continued support!
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POP TOPS
We are still collecting Pop Tops for Ronald McDonald house. Hang on to them or bring them by when you can. This is a valuable resource that goes to help families with children in the hospital here in Richmond.
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Tuesday, April 13, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
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7:30am-Morning Prayer Service (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
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8am- Coffee & Conversation (online)
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Link to join
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12 pm-Noonday prayer (online)
Thursday, April 15, 2021
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Friday, April 16, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Sunday, April 18, 2021
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9am- Children's Sunday School (online)
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Link to join
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10am- Spiritual Eucharist Worship (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
Monday, April 19, 2021
- 10:30am Grief Group (online)
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Link to join
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 our 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.
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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, Jennifer, and Porter our Bishops, Rock and Becky, our priests, and Harrison, 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, Ralph, 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, Pat, Dick, Erin, Joanie, Anna, Meredith, Madge, Mary Ann, Katie, Molly, Amy, Meghann, Mark, Carol, David, Alice, Dennis, Barbara, Colin and Caleb, Jimmy, Michael Fox, Alex Gillette, Bill & Beth Arrott, Bill Blakemore, Rose, Mason, Jan Meacham, Karl Meyer, Chambers Cromwell (friend of Betty & Jim Moore), Horace Crowe (friend of the Meyer’s family), Delaney Thompson family, Aubrey Fletcher, Dee Alvarez, Shelby, Lyla Buchanan, Kathy Marshall, Kimette Cannady, Elaine Belyea, Pam Gillette, Melanie Fischer, Dennis Folsom, Tom & Fran Burke (Beth Renswick’s aunt & uncle), Ginny Miller (Carol Barnes’ sister), Doris Hassell, Carter and Lila (family of Betsy Snipes and Kristina Raney), The Paxton family (Pat Jordan’s son-in-law’s family), Jackie Banker (Alice Cobb’s friend), Jenny Bruce, Katherine Tinker, Erin Cobb (Alice Cobb’s daughter-in-law), Shirley Dols, Jay Hart, Cliff Pierce (cousin of the Wehman-Hopkins family), Jack, Holly Rison, Mallory Sutherland, and Rev. Dr. Susannah Metz.
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 the Spirit of the Resurrection in Metropolitan Richmond: To remove any spirit of contentiousness, prejudice, greed, jealousy, or enjoyment of others’ troubles; for a spirit of humility, respecting and appreciating the gifts and contributions of all
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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THIS PAST SUNDAY'S DIOCESAN SERVICE |
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NeverTheLess and Weekly E-News Deadline: If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information to Kasey no later than noon on Monday. Thanks!
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April 14
Zach Sergi
April 16
Mary Friedman
April 17
Kendra Shifflett
Bekal Glidden
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April 18
Betty Tharrington
Val Sutton
Yancey Jones
Kristina Raney
April 19
Madge Carter
Bill Blakemore
Bob Brown
Marcia Hill
Ragan Dyer
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