Our Weekly News & Updates |
|
Happy New Year, friends! We move into Year B in our lectionary, beginning with a season of penitential expectation for the coming of Christ, both once "long ago" and again "at any day or hour." It was good seeing so many of you at our service in front of the church on Sunday. Many thanks to Harrison for his moving words, and to Becky+ who preached for us on Christ the King Sunday.
This week I am so excited for the 100th birthday of Jane Howard, the (At-Home) Advent Faire for our young ones, and where we are in our Stewardship Campaign. Below you will see details about how to get a card to Jane for her Centennial Celebration! What a wonderful day that will be.
Carolina, who is making so many good things happen for our families and youth in these strange times, is gathering materials for our young families to help prepare and celebrate the season. (Details below on this, as well.) Our Advent Faire was always a highlight, and this year it falls on St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) I look forward to seeing where this will go.
There are many who have been able to get their pledges in for next year. We thank you. We are behind where we have been in the past at this point (both in pledge units and total pledged), but nothing is normal this year. We are pleased with the direction things are going. For those of you who want to pledge, now is the time to get those in. The more realistic picture of our financial footing for next year the better we can shape the budget. (If you need pledge materials let Kasey know.) One person said they do not have an accurate picture for next year, and I said be honest. Aim low as your current situation dictates. A lower number we can plan with is better than a hopeful fabrication or no pledge at all. We will gladly take more if that is a possibility. In some areas, our expenses are down, in other areas things are in excess of our planning. But now with 9 months of the unusual, and with no clear end of these exceptional times, we do realize where our shifted expenses and priorities abide. We will plan with whatever we receive.
Lastly, in my time away with my family last week I was able to take some time to decompress and reflect. I am so thankful for you, and how well you all have handled this hard and crazy time. I am thankful for you. Advent blessings!
Rock+
|
|
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS |
|
One of our SJTL family members, Jane Howard, turns 100 on Sunday, 12/6th! SJTL would love the help to make Jane's birthday feel extra special.
We think Jane would love to receive birthday cards, especially from our little ones. We know our kids can be so creative. This will also be a great service opportunity, as Jesus would want all of us to love and take care of each other. What better way to show we care than with a special birthday card.
Life can be busy, so we are offering a few ways to get the cards to us:
1. Mail to SJTL:
Attn: Jane Howard's Birthday, 125 Beverly Rd. Ashland, VA 23005
2. Drop off the card at Church:
There will be a special birthday box for cards outside the door in the Memorial Garden that is across from Fr. Rock's office.
3. Email:
Ana Bajsci (or give her a call) and she will swing by your place and pick them up on Friday, December 4th.
We would like to receive all cards by Friday, December 4th so that they can be hand delivered to Jane on her birthday, December 6th. We encourage anyone who wants to make a card to do so. Thank you all for your help making this special!
|
|
Part of our Stewardship Campaign this year was getting SJTL Face Masks to all our regular attenders, since we couldn't meet for lunch. We can show love for the other by protecting one another from germs. If you were unable to come on Sunday, please stop by and get a mask off the Parish Life bulletin board. We have S/M or L/XL as sizes. We have plenty and will keep restocking the board. We can always put some in an envelope with your name on it and set it outside if you just want to swing by and not come in. Let us know- tell us what size you want. Happy to do it!
|
|
ADVENT FAIRE FOR OUR CHILDREN |
|
On Sunday, December 6 we will be celebrating Advent 2. We want to help you mark this beautiful season, in community, as a family. Carolina has created us some awesome Advent Faire bags that will include prompts for our children, ways to dig deeper into the season. These will be available to pick up in the Memorial Garden by 10am on Sunday morning. Please swing by and grab one for your family. If you aren't able to come Sunday, let Carolina know and she will work out a time for you all to get it.
We will be creating a hashtag, #SJtLAdventAtHome, to unite us. This will allow us to post pictures on Instagram and Facebook and still "see" one another as we follow prompts at home. You could post pics of your families doing the activities, whether it's a kids coloring page or a scavenger hunt or lighting a candle on the Advent wreath etc. Even if you don't have social media, we would love for you to still join us!
|
|
It is a wonderful time of year, but also one where cyber crime can rise. Please be on the lookout and make sure that you aren't taken advantage of. We've had a few members of our community whose emails have been hacked. If you receive an email from one of our Parishioners and it seems "off," check in with them and see if they sent it. If anyone is requesting money or gift cards over email, please check in with them. Most likely it is not from them. |
|
Wednesday
Join us for Morning Prayer 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. It is a wonderful time to reconnect!
Link to join the conversation at 8am:
If you need to dial in call 1 646 558 8656 US
Meeting ID: 826 2172 6493
Password: 997124
|
|
Thursday
Father Rock's (Virtual) Book Club is on Thursday at 10:30am. It's never too late, join us! We would love to have you.
We are reading The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri J. M. Nouwen. As Father Rock says, "This is comfort food for the soul."
The link to purchase the book on Amazon is here. If you need us to order the book for you, let us know. We are happy to help with that. We hope you will join us! Everyone is wanted and welcome.
Link to join the Zoom Meeting:
If you would like to phone in, dial 1 646 558 8656.
Meeting ID: 840 2332 3497
Passcode: 570346
Week four's recording, please click here. Passcode: Z292&BQG
Week five's recording, please click here. Passcode: p8#eI4mQ
|
|
Sunday Morning
We hope that you will join us at 10am for the Morning Prayer service on-line. It will be a beautiful time of worship. The link to watch and the bulletin is below in the schedule.
|
|
Sunday Evening
Please join us for a beautiful time of reflection at the Contemplative Service at 5pm, on-line. Your soul will leave refreshed as it sits in contemplation in the Presence of God.
|
|
Monday
The Grief Group meets on Mondays, at 10:30a.m, with our beloved Deacon Harrison Higgins leading. People will gather every Monday, in the Memorial Garden, in our Courtyard, or in Brydon Hall indoors if the weather is poor. Chairs will be provided. Social distancing and MASKS REQUIRED! For those who would be new to the group, please join in. You are welcomed and wanted. If you have any questions, please reach out to our office or Harrison directly. As Harrison says, "God always shows up."
|
|
OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
|
|
Every year we adopt families from the Hanover ARC to provide Christmas gifts to local families in need. We are hoping to hear soon of what is on the "wish lists" for these folks. We will let you know as soon as we hear so that you can help provide a warm holiday for these good people. |
|
Many of you have been looking for ways to be generous this holiday season. Hanover Department of Community Resources put together a lovely flyer that show the needs of our community and how you can help. Please click here to see the many ways you can "love your neighbor."
|
|
On December 11, 2020 Saint James the Less and St. Peter's United Methodist Church will be providing one hundred meals for CARITAS. This will be for 70 men at the Healing Place and 30 men who are homeless.
If you are able to donate, please send a check to SJTL (please note "Caritas" in the memo line) Thank you for helping to feed those in crisis in our community!
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
ACES is in need of the following items:
- Pantry: Canned Meat (chicken, beef, spam, ham, salmon, tuna), Canned and Boxed Potatoes, Pork-n-beans, Protein Soups/Stews (with meat and/or beans), Pasta Sauce
- Children's Clothing: Diapers - size 6, Boy's New Underwear (sizes 8 - 10)
- Adult Clothing: Women's New Undergarments (bras & panties - all sizes), Men's Jeans - size 34 waist
- Household Item's: Queen Sheets and Blankets (new or gently used)
They respectfully request that clothing donations be limited to "in-season" only, as we do not have space to store "out-of-season" items. They are open to drop off donations Monday 8:30am-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!
|
|
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.
|
|
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
-
12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Wednesday,December 2, 2020
-
7:30am- Morning Prayer (online)
-
Link to watch service
-
Link for bulletin
-
8am- Coffee & Conversation (online)
-
12pm- Noonday prayer (online)
Thursday, December 3, 2020
-
10:30am- Book Club (online)
-
Link to join
-
12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Friday, December 4, 2020
-
12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Sunday, December 6, 2020
-
9am- Children's Sunday School (online)
-
Link to join
-
10am- Morning Prayer Worship (online)
-
Link to watch service
-
Link for bulletin
-
5pm- Contemplative Service (online)
-
Link to watch service
-
Link for bulletin
Monday, December 7, 2020
-
10:30am- Grief Group (Memorial Garden)
-
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 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.
|
|
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 Donald, our President, Joe, our President Elect, 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, Jan, Madge, Mary Ann, Katie, Kirsten, Carolyn Moore Lindau, Molly, Amy, Meghann, Mark, Jewel, Carol, David, Alice, Dennis, Barbara, Colin and Caleb, Jimmy, Ricki Carson, Michael Fox, Bob Gravatt, Alex Gillette, Bill & Beth Arrott, Bobbie Street, Michelle Murphy, Bill Blakemore, Rose, Mason, Elizabeth Attkisson (Erin Cobb's mother), Jan Meacham, Karl & Ginny Meyer, Chambers Cromwell (friend of Betty & Jim Moore), Horace Crowe (friend of the Meyer’s family), Kathy Marshall and her mom Connie.
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 Metropolitan Richmond: We pray for the families of Metropolitan Richmond: For peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness among family members, whatever the distance, and however old the hurt or grievance.
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.
|
|
THIS PAST SUNDAY'S HOMILY |
|
Chicken Casserole
(contributed by Jane Newchok on p.80)
Ingredients:
- 1 can cream of celery soup
- 1 can mushroom soup
- 1 pkg. chicken breasts (4)
- 1 Pkg. Stove Top stuffing mix
- 1 stick margarine
- 2 cans chicken broth
Boil chicken in unsalted water until done. When chicken is cool, debone. Place chicken pieces on bottom of 9x13 baking pan. Melt one stick of margarine and mix the dry stuffing mix. Put mixture over chicken. Mix together celery and mushroom soup. Stir in 2 cans of chicken broth and seasoning packet from stuffing mix. Pour over chicken and dressing. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly.
|
|
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!
|
|
December 1
Alex Meade
December 2
Carol Martin
|
|
December 3
Chris Parks
December 6
Jane Howard (100!)
Norman Kubala
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
