Wishing You A Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving began as a celebration of the harvest and other blessings. Our world has changed since then, but the beauty and simplicity of Thanksgiving have remained the same– a day focused only on gathering with loved ones to count our blessings and name our good fortunes. As you celebrate all the gifts in your life, please remember these passages – and so many others – that we find in The Bible: 

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

COLOSSIANS 3:15–17

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Wednesday, November 22

Living Faith Bible Study - 10 to 11:30 am

Currently on Zoom (in person gatherings TBD)

This opportunity for spiritual refreshment and enlightenment begins with fellowship, a prayer followed by study and discussions that help to make our Christian faith a “living faith” and apply the witness of the Scripture to our everyday lives. 

Contact: Betsy Trow (804) 282- 4152 or betsytrow@gmail.com

NO Wednesday Noon Eucharist & Healing Service

Thursday, November 23

Thanksgiving Day Holy Eucharist Rite II - 10 am

Sunday, November 26

Holy Eucharist Rite I in the Chapel - 7:45 am

Holy Eucharist Rite II - 9 am

Holy Eucharist Rite II - 11:15 am

The Parish House will be closed

Thursday and Friday, November 23 and 24

For pastoral emergencies, please call:

(804) 914-2808.

You’ll be put in direct contact with the

clergy member on call.

The regular parish office hours are:

Monday - Friday: 9 am-5 pm

Peek at the Week is now on the website (doers.org) too. So if you need to check in on what’s going on this coming week, click on the Peek at the Week banner (The Week's Events) on the home page: doers.org

• Thanksgiving Food Drive
• Vestry Nomination deadline is tomorrow
• Annual Pledge update
• A service for Community Healing from gun violence
• Advent kicks off with a busy weekend
• Be a part of the Christmas pageant

• Children's Center Christmas Cross
• Christmas Poinsettias
• Advent and Christmas Schedule
• December Music Calendar
• Next Young Family Social
• Let's join our friends at Beth Ahabah
• Diocese of Virginia

Because of the short work week, there will no eChimes on Friday.

Today's email is basically this week's eChimes.

There will still be a Sunday email.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Our Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive supporting FEED MORE is winding down. Your last chances to drop off your bag(s) full of food in the Narthex is at the Thanksgiving Day 10 am service and this coming Sunday.

Be a DOER and participate in helping FEED MORE. Your food donations do more a difference. FEED MORE is dedicated to feeding our neighbors who are food insecure across 29 counties and five cities.

Click here to print a list of FEED MORE's most needed items.

Tomorrow is the last day to submit

your nominations for

the 2024 Vestry Class.

All confirmed members of St. James’s are eligible to be nominated. And our goal is to have the Vestry continue to represent as wide a range of parishioners as possible, including both new and long-time members. It’s also important to find Vestry members with a range of talents and interests. 

Being on the vestry is a three year term. 

And, yes, a previous Vestry member can serve again. Nominations are due by tomorrow, November 22 to Veni Davidkova, Parish Administrator at vdavidkova@doers.org.

Please do your best to provide the following information about each of your nominees:

• Name
• Nominated By
• Age Range
• Relevant Work
• Why you think your nominee would be a good choice

Thanks to everyone who has already pledged. We’re at 75% of our goal – and we’re tracking ahead of where we were last year in both participation and dollars raised.

But we still have a ways to go to meet our goal.

Every pledge is important.

Please make your pledge today by clicking the link below. 

A Service of Community Healing

from Gun Violence

Sunday December 3 at 5:30pm

On December 3 at 5:30pm at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, join people of faith from around Richmond for a Service of Community Healing from Gun Violence. In this second offering of the Beyond Thoughts and Prayers series, we’ll celebrate God’s rejection of gun violence through music, scripture, and proclamation, and experience God’s gift of wholeness through healing prayer, the anointing of oil, and Holy Communion. Empowered by God’s presence, we’ll look toward taking action for change in our city. All are invited, regardless of previous participation in the series.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church is located at 3602 Hawthorne Ave.

Spring events currently being planned: A how-to meeting with local activists about curbing gun violence, and public, outdoor worship to bring transformation and good news to Richmond’s streets. For more information, contact The Rev. R. Dale Smith, Deacon, at

robbiedale58@hotmail.com.

.

The world is broken, and often breaks us. But the God who heals can make us whole.

Spectacular Cello and Piano Recital Friday, December 1

There’s nothing like beautiful music to get us into the mood for Advent. And on Friday, December 1, we’ll have beautiful music in abundance. 

Please join us at 7 pm in the sanctuary for a very special performance of works by Debussy, Dvorak, Schumann and Martinu by the acclaimed cellist Christoph Wagner and renowned pianist and harpsichordist Joanne Kong. Both musicians have received praise for their performances around the world, and we are thrilled they have decided to delight us with this free recital. 

Click here to read more about Dr. Wagner and Dr. Kong, and to listen to an interview on VPM.

Come to

The Christmas Parade

with fellow St. James'sers

Join us for a fun holiday tradition and morning of fellowship on Saturday, December 2. We’ll gather in the Memorial Garden near the playground from 9:30-10:30 am. before walking over to enjoy Richmond’s Christmas Parade together as a group.

All ages are welcome!

We’ll have hot chocolate, coffee, and other treats. The parade goes down Broad Street, and there should be plenty of parking in the deck.

Help us Decorate

the Peter Paul Giving Tree!

One of our lovelier traditions during Advents is the Giving Tree. Peter Paul is again asking us to give gift cards so families can purchase Christmas presents of their choosing.

There will be a table setup at the Advent Fair in Valentine Hall on Sunday, December 3 (Advent 1) where you can donate. The tree will then be moved into the Narthex. 

Once you make the donation, you will have the opportunity to write your name (or someone else’s name whom you’re giving in honor of) on an ornament and put it on the Giving Tree.

If you have any questions, contact Amelia at aarthur@doers.org



The Advent Fair

Sunday, December 3

The Advent Fair will take place on Sunday, December 3, between Sunday services.

All Ages are welcome!

Advent wreath supplies will be available for $15.00, and will include a wreath form, candle holders, and candles. Fresh greenery will also be provided. You pay for supplies when you come on December 3.

Children and youth can decorate ornaments and design artwork for the Christmas Pageant program. Hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies will be available.

Advent Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 3 at 5 pm

In the season of Advent we sing, “O come, o come Emmanuel” and we wait joyfully, if not impatiently, to hear the story of the birth of the Messiah. And yet, even more eagerly, we, as God’s children, await the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In candlelight and quietness, let us reflect upon God’s loving pursuit of us

Be a part of The Greatest Story Ever Told

The Christmas Pageant is fast approaching. After all, Sunday, December 17, at 5:00 pm is just around the corner. Do you have a child who would like to participate? All children should sign up using this form.

Parents, please use the same form to sign up to volunteer. We can’t do it without all of you!

And our youth, have you always wanted to play Joseph, Herod, the innkeeper, or narrate the Christmas Pageant? If so, your time has come! Please contact Katie Ricard at youth@doers.org if you’re interested in participating. Rehearsal for everyone will be on Saturday morning, December 16.

CHRISTMAS CROSSES

from the Children’s Center

are on sale.

The Children’s Center Christmas Cross is a wonderful St. James's tradition and annual work of love by Children's Center board members and friends.

This year's unique cross features the scallop shell. For centuries, the scallop shell has been associated with St. James and symbolizes courage, strength, and hope - the gifts we wish to share with you for the coming year. 

The white bisque Christmas Cross and accompanying gift card come tucked in a coordinating gift bag. This year's crosses are available for a donation of $30 each. This donation will cover the cost of one week’s breakfast, lunch and daily snacks for one of our children. 

To place your order, click here.

Free delivery on orders of ten or more. 

For more information, contact Winnie Canup at the Children’s Center or 804-358-9788. 

Christmas Poinsettias

and Greenery

to beautify our church

and lift someone’s spirit. 

The Flower Guild welcomes memorial gifts to help beautify the church with poinsettias and greenery, which adorn our sanctuary on Christmas Eve. After Christmas the poinsettias will be delivered to our home-bound parishioners as well as parishioners who may need a little “pick me up” during the holiday season. 

The deadline to submit names is Friday, December 8. Your loved one’s name(s) will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin insert. The suggested donation is $25.

Please email your name and your honoree(s) name to Veni Davidkova, Parish Administrator, at vdavidkova@doers.org.

Pay by check made payable to: St. James’s Episcopal Church (be sure to write “Poinsettia” in the memo line)

And mail to: St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1205 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23220.



The Service of Hope.

Because grief knows no season.

While Advent and Christmas are times of joy, they can be a challenging time too, especially if you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one or loneliness or grief of any sort. Solemn, candle-lit, prayerful, and moving, our Service of Hope is a time to slow down, feel supported and loved, and reconnect with our God and others feeling grief. 

Part of this service includes the reading of the names of those being remembered, whether they have passed away or need to be remembered for another reason.

If you have a name or names you wish to submit, please send them to Mary Brown at mbrown@doers.org by Tuesday, December 12th. 

Our Service of Hope, with healing music performed on flute and guitar, will be Monday, December 18, at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. It will not be live-streamed.

Click on the Advent artwork above for the full Advent and Christmas worship schedule, including live-streaming and nursery services.

Note, there are few Sunday mornings with only a 10 am service.

The December Young Families Social will be in Valentine Hall

Our next Young Families Social will be Saturday, December 9 from 4 to 6 pm in Valentine Hall. This Young Family Social while certainly get us all in the Christmas spirit.

Stay tuned for more details on our planned Christmas activities!

St. James’s will provide some snacks, water, and juice. Parents, please feel free to bring a favorite beverage or snack to share.

Let's join our friends at Beth Ahabah

for a night of Israeli pop music.

Beth Ahabah has invited St. James’s to join the Richmond Jewish community in a cultural/non-political setting: a community Chanukah concert featuring an Israeli pop star held in the Beth Ahabah sanctuary.

This concert program includes some learning about Mizrahi Jewish heritage (Mizrahi means Jews that never left the middle east and their culture), lighting the Chanukah candles, and of course the actual concert. Chanukah is the traditional spelling of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is celebrated Friday, December 7 to Friday, December 15.

Go here to see the full flier, and the direct link to the registration page: https://jewishrichmond.regfox.com/micha-biton-chanukah-concert-

Proceeds from the ticket sales will be split between the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond (a non-profit Jewish community organization here in Richmond) and Beth Ahabah to cover the costs of the event. 

Wow! You read the entire eChimes. That makes you a DOER of the highest order.