Our Weekly News & Updates
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Friends,
I trust you are well. This last Sunday I shared that we would soon be in the Red Zone for risk level of COVID-19. I woke up this morning to see that that had come to pass as of Sunday.
In reviewing policy from the Diocese, I learned that I was wrong on needing to close once we hit the Red Zone (which was the previous policy), but it does mean that we will need to enforce strict protocols for all indoor meetings on our campus. If you come in the church, please have a mask on, whatever the group. (The current Bishop's instructions are here: https://www.thediocese.net/news-and-events/covid-19-resources/
As the Bishop says, it is "the responsibility of all Christians to care for one another and encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated, unless for medical purposes, to get the vaccine. Encourage those who are vulnerable or who have children under the age of 12 or other vulnerable persons at home to wear a mask in every indoor public setting, whether they are vaccinated or not." At this point in the continuing pandemic, we cannot emphasize this enough.
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If you would like to look at where we are regarding infection levels, the Center for Disease Control is where we obtain our numbers. The interactive map is here: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/ Put in Virginia and Hanover County to see our situation. The time lapse option shows how it is spreading.
Pray for the situation to get better, and encourage your friends, if medically possible, to be vaccinated. We want all God's Children to be safe, whatever their age. The variants are making it more hazardous no matter the age. We will resume meeting in-person as long as we can, and we will take this one day at a time as we have new knowledge and instructions from our Bishop.
As I said on Sunday, no matter your situation, lean on Jesus. He is able to meet and guide you through all the storms of life.
Prayerfully,
Rock+
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Romeos
St. James the Less ROMEO's, (Retired Outstanding Men Eating Optimally) meet twice monthly at 11:30 am (the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month); THE ROMEO's CODE: "No Tell" Policy is in effect for meals eaten & spouses' info; and a good time is had by all. No complaining, obituaries, or medical conditions discussed; no political talk, and no inside secrets or local gossip allowed. Uplifting and enlightening topics only. You can lie to others, but never to a fellow ROMEO, unless it is required to be polite or evasive. Newcomers who agree to the "Code" are welcome! The next luncheon will be on Tuesday, August 10th at 11:30am at Marcos (805 England Street, Ashland). Email us if you have any questions.
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Red Hats
Based on the national group of the same name, the SJTL Red Hats gather once a month for lunch on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 11:30am at a variety of nearby locations. All women of a certain age are welcome, and invited to participate. Email us if you have any other questions. The next luncheon will be on Tuesday, August 24th at 11:30am at Marcos (805 England Street, Ashland). September's lunch will be at the new Casa Herradura (428 England Street, Ashland).
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ASHLAND STATIONS OF THE CROSS
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We hope you will come walk these gorgeous grounds and enjoy the new Stations of the Cross, Ashland edition. You will have a different local ministry or organization to pray over and learn about at each station. It will be an incredibly unifying experience for all involved. Come join us!
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Please join us for our Contemplative service. It is a beautiful time of reflection as we continue to meditate on our 4th Covenant of Baptism. The theme is Seek, Serve and Love. We hope you will join us.
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Start in Style is an event for students at Henry Clay and John M. Gandy on September 1st from 3:00pm-6:00pm. The combined school communities will come together to pamper their students with a variety of services and items to bring a smile to their faces, as they get ready for the first day of the 2021-2022 school year. They will have staff from both buildings as well as former students, who are now at Liberty and Patrick Henry, volunteering to make it a true event for the whole community.
We would love to include you in this event! One of the stations is the selection of a NEW school outfit with sizes for K-5 grade students. If you would be willing to donate a NEW outfit for a student, please bring items to the Family Engagement and Welcome Center located adjacent to the school board office (200 Berkley Street, Ashland, VA 23005) before the end of the day on August 19th. We will be hanging the clothing up on racks for students to see their options! If you have any questions, please call Carrie @ 338-6125.
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Please join us on August 21st at 5pm for a cookout. This is open to all current and prospective Parish (singing) Choir and Handbell Choir members and their families. We will meet at the Smith's house in town on Chapman St. We will provide hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream. Plan to bring a side dish to share and BYO beverages. To RSVP, please complete the link here.
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Join us for IN PERSON Eucharist:Rite II service on Wednesday morning at 7:30am in the church. Please still wear your masks. We will have coffee and bagels with spreads in Brydon Hall afterward. If you would like to watch live, please click HERE. We hope you will join us in whatever way you feel comfortable.
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We hope you will join us for one of our in person indoor Sunday services. We still require masks when in the service since we are not yet all fully vaccinated. This is how we can continue to show love for our neighbors. The balcony is reserved for our families that have children who are still unvaccinated. They are not required to sit up there, but have the option. We still have a section of seating for social distancing as well. We hope you join us!
8:30am- Eucharist: Rite I (no music)
10am- Eucharist: Rite II (with music)
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Our Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont is being held October 15-17. If you would like to go ahead and sign up, email us. You can mail us your deposit (50%) or bring it by. We so hope you will join us for this glorious time in the mountains for a deepening of your faith and time of connection together!
The cost is: (if cost is a hindrance, please let us know. We can help!)
- Adults (age 18+) $160
- Teens (ages 13-18) $80
- Children (ages 4-12) $60
- Young Children (0-3) Free
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Yoga with Becky+
Mark your calendars for more outdoor yoga with Becky+ on Thursday, August 19th at 5:30pm. It will be a wonderful time for all! Children, adults, and all the ages in between are welcome. All skill levels are welcome as well. Bring a towel or mat to lay on, a water bottle and come ready to learn skills that help you on and off the mat.
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Sunday School Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer to be a Sunday School teacher or assistant in the fall for children or youth please, email Miriam. She would love to use your skills and talents with our awesome children and youth.
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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Emergency Food Pantry
Right outside our Saint James the Less Free Clinic we have a food pantry. It is available 24/7 and used a great deal as immediate needs come up. Please 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 Beef Stew (smaller cans), Canned Pears, Jars of Apple Sauce (smaller jars)
- Adult Clothing: Women's bras (all sizes)
- Warehouse: Oscillating or box fans
ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-1130am. 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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PETER PAUL
We are accepting school supplies on behalf of the Peter Paul Center downtown for their students. The collection boxes are in our hallway.
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Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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7:30am-Eucharist Rite II (in person)
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Link to watch service
Sunday, August 8, 2021
- 8:30am- Eucharist: Rite I Worship
- 10am- Eucharist:Rite II Worship
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
Monday, August 9, 2021
- 10:30am- Grief Group (in person)
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. 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 Miller, Erin Yagla, Anna Stiles, Meredith Moon, Madge Carter, Meghann Batten, Mark Longaker, Michael Fox, Alex Gillette, Bill Blakemore, Karl Meyer, Chambers Cromwell, Pam Gillette, Melanie Fischer, Dennis Folsom, Carter and Lila, Shirley Dols, Jay Hart, Jack, Pam Bowers, Tom & Lin Varner, Connie Geisenderfer, Paul Robb, Jonathan Smith, Debra Bernard, Dick Shirey, Fran McConnell, Beth Arrott, Rev. Dr. Susannah Metz, Linda Armstrong, Maitland Innes and the Diocesan Search Committee for our new Bishop.
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 workplaces and businesses of Metropolitan Richmond: For safe, respectful work environments, healthy work ethics and attitudes, and sufficient salary and benefits for all workers.
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 SERMON
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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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