EPIPHANY INTERGENERATIONAL EVENT ON SUNDAY

Something we can all celebrate.

Join St. James’sers of All Ages at our Epiphany Intergenerational Event this Sunday from 10:15 to 11 am in Valentine Hall. Come hear the story of the Epiphany season, when we celebrate the light of Christ being made known to the world. We will have crafts and activities, time for fellowship and conversation, food and drinks (including cake!), as well as materials to take home.

We hope you join us for this fun event for all ages!

Saturday, January 6

Funeral for Tony Smith at 11 am in the Sanctuary

Tuesday, January 9

Tuesday Men's Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall

A weekly hour of fellowship, discussion of the bible, and good food.

Contact: Patrick Strickler,  jpstrickler@verizon.net

     Stephen Spraker, stspraker@gmail.com

Women's Wisdom Bible Study (WWBS) - 5pm

Michaux House Room 302 or via Zoom.

The group will continue studying the Book of Isaiah using the

Interpretation Bible Studies Series on Isaiah to guide us.

We explore when and under what conditions the passages were written. Please

bring a bible with you to each meeting, along with the guidebook.

This Bible study meets twice a month to read together through a biblical book

or theme one at a time. If you're interesting in joining us, please contact Becky DeCamp.

Contact: Becky DeCamp, rahylton2@gmail.com



Wednesday, January 10

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

Wednesday Noon Eucharist & Healing Service

held in the chapel inside the sanctuary

Thursday, January 11

Thursday Men's Breakfast Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall

Our Bible Study Group welcomes St. James’s members and non-members

It meets every other Thursday morning in Valentine Hall for about an hour.

The group enjoys fellowship and relationship-building with each other

and growth in knowledge of scripture and their faith applied to the here and now.

You're welcomed regardless of your current knowledge about the scriptures.

Contact: Matt Harper, mharper2240@gmail.com.

Coffee on The Street - 9 am to 10:30 am

Corner of West Franklin and Birch Streets

On most 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 9-10:30 am throughout the program year (weather permitting), a small group of staff and/or parishioners gives out free coffee to our surrounding neighbors and passersby. Some parishioners have also contributed baked goods to be given out with the coffee.

This has been a great way to get to know our neighbors surrounding St. James’s.

If you’re interested in learning more about this ministry, contact Rev. Blake.

Contact: The Rev. Blake Singer, bsinger@doers.org

Women in Fellowship - 7pm, Valentine Hall

This Bible study follows the lectionary and readings, using them as a basis to discuss

the upcoming week’s Gospel. The group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays, ususally at the home of members.

Contact: Kendal Sibley, KSibley@hunton.com

Laura Strickler, laurastrickler@gmail.com

Saturday, January 13

Young Family Social, 4-6pm

Our Young Family socials happen on the second Saturday of the month. The parents have as much fun as the kids are these socials. The January Young Family Social will be at the home of Danielle and Ben Crowley (3200 Seminary Avenue). 

• Celebrating MLK Jan. 14-15
• Hospitality help needed for MLK Evensong reception
• A Note from the Clergy about funerals
• January Young Family social
• What's happening next Sunday, Jan. 14, between services
• Annual Giving Pledge update

• DOERS Doing for CARITAS Bridge Week and Backpacks
• Join us for a viewing of The Philadelphia Eleven
• Still time to register for Youth Snowfest
• Winter at St. James's
• Sanctuary Elevator closed for repair
• Prayers of The People
• Diocese of Virginia

And on Monday, MLK Day...

an event in the spirit of

Dr. King’s message of creating

a more loving community.

Something remarkable happened at November’s Annual Diocesan Convention: A presentation by Dr. Catherine Meeks. As Tracy Schneider tells us below, Dr. Meeks’ presentation was the highlight of the convention, not just for her but for nearly everyone who attended. 

On MLK Day here at St. James’s -- starting with breakfast prepared by our youth -- you have a chance to see a video of Dr. Meeks’ moving, powerful (and entertaining) presentation, then participate in table discussions plus a large group wrap up and a short prayer service. 

This is the perfect way to celebrate Dr. King’s preaching around God’s vision of creating a loving community.

To know more about Dr. Meeks and her work, go here. 

Here are a few words about Dr. Meeks’ presentation, Racial Justice and Healing, from Tracy Schneider, senior warden.

I think we can all agree that there is a great deal of division in the world, our country, and our local community.



To me -- and I would imagine to many of you as well -- it can feel overwhelming and seemingly impossible to make headway to heal these divisions.

In early November, I along with several other lay delegates from St. James's, attended the Annual Diocesan Convention. While other speakers were good, I think most attendees would agree that the highlight of the two days was the session with Dr. Catherine Meeks, Founding Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta who was asked to speak about racial healing and spiritual formation. While these topics are often uncomfortable ones for groups to discuss, Dr. Meeks speaks about the work that needs to be done to heal our divisions with humor and hope. I am sure each person has their own takeaways after hearing her. Mine is that for healing to happen, we need to look inside ourselves rather than to try to fix others. It is not our job to blame or judge others. Instead, we should focus on seeing God's face in every person. Racial healing and spiritual formation are connected to one another. They are not separate topics. 

I hope that you will make time to join with fellow St. James'sers to watch this presentation and to reflect on how we can all work to heal the divisions that exist in our communities by looking to God and reflecting on the things that preclude us as individuals from seeing His face in others.

Join us Monday, January 15 (MLK Day) in Valentine Hall from 8:30 to noon for:

• Breakfast prepared by our youth
• Viewing of the video – Racial Justice & Healing with Dr. Catherine Meeks
• Table conversations
• Large group wrap up
• Short prayer service 

There will be childcare available. Please sign up here, if you need it. 

Hospitality help needed for MLK Evensong Reception

We will welcome hundreds of folks from across the city for next Sunday’s MLK service. If you can provide a food item for the reception, please tell Laura Shuford, our Music Hospitality Coordinator. This is a perfect way to be a DOER.

You can reach Laura at lshuford1962@gmail.com or 804-539-4378.

A Note from the Clergy

about Funerals

Dear St. James’s,

Over the last year we’ve heard from some of you that it would be helpful for us to notify the community about funerals being held at St. James’s, and you might have noticed that we began doing so this week when we announced the upcoming funeral for Tony Smith. We’ve already heard appreciation for the notification from many of you, and we thank you for your feedback.

When a member of a faith community passes away it’s important to make sure that we’ve communicated funeral plans to the entire community, so we see this new practice as a pastoral response not only to the families of those who have died but for our entire community, as the loss of any member is a loss for all of us. We hope this practice will be helpful to you as we go forward. Please be in touch if you have any additional questions.

In Peace,

Penny, Amelia, Blake, and Doug

Just a quick note to say that Tony Smith’s funeral, which will be held this Saturday at 11 am in our Sanctuary, will also be live-streamed at doers.org/live.

January Young Family Social

is next Saturday, January 13

The January Young Family Social will be on Saturday, January 13 from 4 to 6 pm at the home of Danielle and Ben Crowley (3200 Seminary Avenue). 

All are invited. St. James’s will provide light snacks, water, and juice. Adults are welcome to bring a favorite beverage. Young Family Socials are for any family with children at home. 

Remember, the Young Family Socials are always the second Saturday of the month. 

Sacred Ground

This winter/spring, St. James’s will be offering a Sacred Ground class led by parishioners Patty Duffy and Suzanne Hall that will meet on Zoom. Specific meeting dates will be finalized once registration is closed. To register, or for more information, email Rev. Amelia Arthur.

This is a great program and over 100 St. James'sers have participated in Sacred Ground over the past few years. There will be a preview of the class, including Q&A, during the formation hour on Sunday, January 14 in Michaux house library.

What is Sacred Ground? Learn more here.

MLK Service Project

An Intergenerational Event

During Sunday during formation hour, we will have the MLK Service Project for ALL AGES in Valentine Hall. Come join us and do service in preparation for our Bridge week at CARITAS. There are four different activities you can participate in:

• Decorate placemats to bring cheer at meal times
• Fill backpacks with a notebook, pens, and good luck card
• Make bracelets to encourage and inspire
• Cook chili

Help us reach our goal by making your pledge. 

Our 2024 Annual Pledge Campaign is winding down, and we have just a little way to go to reach our $1.8 million goal. Right now, we're at 97%. We're incredibly grateful for your support this year, and are humbly asking for your continued generosity to help us

cross the finish line.

Every pledge, big or small, is important and contributes to our mission of being God's hands in the world. Your generosity will keep our mission active, fuel our programs, and empower our ministries to reach those who need our support the most. 

Please join the over 400 Doers who have supported our 2024 Annual Pledge Campaign and make your pledge today. Together, we are St. James's and your pledge makes a difference!

Caritas Bridge Week ....

so many ways to be a DOER.

January 26 - February 1

The beautiful CARITAS Center -- at 2220 Stockton St. in Richmond -- is housing the Women's Shelter guests, so during CARITAS Week St. James'ers are invited to help provide food, fellowship, and fun right at the shelter during the week of January 26 to February 1.

You can help by preparing hot meals, making and dropping off lunches, providing evening entertainment, and going on a CARITAS Center tour. Sign up will be available beginning next Tuesday, January 9. Be sure to check your emails.

CARITAS has requested no elementary school aged children at the center, but middle and high schoolers may participate at your own discretion. 

A second way to help:

Backpack Drive for the

Men and Women at CARITAS

WE'RE ALSO collecting new and gently used ADULT backpacks for men and women graduating from the CARITAS Works program. The backpacks are essential to our graduates. If you'd like to fill your backpack(s) with notebooks and pens, that would be welcomed. 

You can drop off your backpacks in the indicated bins in the narthex beginning this Sunday, January 7. During the week you can drop your backpacks off at the Parish House. The backpack drive ends January 28. 

The Philadelphia Eleven

St. James’s Adult Formation and WomanKind are excited to present a screening of The Philadelphia 11: Breaking Down Barriers, Transforming the church. 

This documentary tells the story of the first 11 women ordained in the Episcopal Church and how their ordination changed the church.

Join us on Saturday, January 27 from 1:30-5pm at the Byrd Theater for a reception, screening and discussion. Tickets are $5 and are available in advance or at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets in advance.

If you have any questions, Rev. Amelia Arthur.

Sanctuary Elevator

closed starting Tuesday, January 16

The elevator outside the sanctuary that gives access to people with accessibility challenges will be closed beginning January 16.

The repairs should only take a few weeks – and we apologize in advance to anyone inconvenienced by the repair work. 

Prayers of the People

Here are the names of those we're remembering in our prayers this week.

We do our best to keep this list current, but if you want your name added or removed, please email Mary Brown at mbrown@doers.org or call her at 804-355-1779 ext. 313