Our Weekly News & Updates |
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Friends,
In the course of any institution, leaders come and go. It is the nature of any community. I shared on Sunday that our beloved deacon, Harrison, has been reassigned by the Bishop. His last Sunday will be this week, Pentecost. He and I set up his timeline so that he could have a few weeks between calls. Though not ideal to only have a week's notice, we did not want to upstage the Graduate Sunday on the 30th. I hope you will be able to come Sunday and give Harrison your regards.
That being said, Harrison and Susan will remain local. They will not be strangers, and he leaves with our love and blessings.
It is appropriate that he leave on Pentecost, when the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, comes on Christ's Church. The prompting of the Holy Spirit prompted this move, and the Holy Spirit will comfort and guide us we pray in the days to come. I believe God is preparing us for something great and beautiful even when we mourn our friend's departure. We will just have to wait and see what the future will hold.
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On the day of the Celebration of New Ministry, Harrison gifted me with a Blues Brothers hat and a pair of sunglasses, reminding me as they said in the movie, "We are on a mission from God." That was true then, and it remains. Godspeed and blessings, Harrison. You will be missed.
Below is a letter from Harrison.
Rock+
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Dear Friends,
I have accepted an offer to join the staff at St. Mary’s Church in Goochland. This was not an easy decision and one that I have wrestled with for a long time. It was not easy because I have fallen in love with this parish, have the greatest respect for Rock+ and could not ask for a better Priest and friend to serve with. So why would I accept an offer to serve at another church? That is a fair question and one I have asked myself.
The answer is simply I think it is God’s will. I know the Priest and something of the community of St. Mary’s. It is very close to the community I grew up in and I feel something of a call to reconnect with it.
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Many of you have become friends. Those friendships are real and I intend to keep them active. I can’t really live without them. The grief group is something I will continue to do. When my time of service at St. Mary’s is done- I am an old man afterall- I will be sitting among you again listening to Rock’s wonderful sermons and being mischievous as ever. This is not a goodbye. I am not getting off the train, just stepping on to a different car for a while. This train is bound for glory and the travels with you has been one of the great joys and privileges of my life. You will always be in my heart and prayers.
Sincerely,
Harrison
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How exciting- the Diocese of Virginia featured Saint James the Less and their new organ in the their newsletter this week. If you'd like to read the article, click HERE.
What a wonderful and faithful community this is!
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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 will be:
- Adults (age 18+) $160
- Teens (ages 13-18) $80
- Children (ages 4-12) $60
- Young Children (0-3) Free
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Area you or your youth thinking of the sacrament of Confirmation? Father Rock is hoping to host a Zoom class for those interested in learning more or getting confirmed. Email us and let us know if you would like to be part. We will make sure you get all the information. We hope you will join us! |
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Do you have a graduating senior this year? We want to make sure that we, as a community, celebrate all the good news in our midst. If you have a graduate, will you pass along their name, school, degree (if applicable), and a picture. We would love to acknowledge them and mark this special time with you! You can email us the good news here. |
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Would you like to join our outstanding team of volunteers? We are looking for folks for the following teams: (We will provide all your training)
- Greeting
- Usher
- Lector
- Outreach
- Altar Guild
- Technology Team
Email us if you'd like to be part of one of these awesome ministries!
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Sunday School- IN PERSON!!!
We are looking forward to the final Sunday school of this year! IT WILL BE IN PERSON! We will gather in the back at the picnic tables. The kids will do a craft and learn all about Pentecost. We cannot wait to see everyone!! Please do remember we will continue to wear masks for this. We also need to identify 2 volunteers to help. Please email Miriam if interested.
Youth Group
We had a wonderful time with our CHOPPED: Youth Group edition. We look forward to Youth Sunday next week and coming up with fun innovative ways to come together over the summer.
Yoga
We will be offering a monthly young adult/young family yoga once a month during the summer. Stay tuned for dates and times!
Pop Tops
We will be counting pop tops on May 30th after the service. Please bring what you have to the church! We are hoping to exceed our goal of 66lbs. These will be donated to the Ronald McDonald house in loving memory of Charlotte Reynolds.
Outreach
We will also be putting together our care packages for ACES and school supplies for the Peter Paul Development Center on May 30th. Please bring all donations to the church office. We would also love some small cosmetic bags to place the items in. Thank you so much for your generosity to our community!
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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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Thursday
Please join us this week for Book Club at 10:30am on Thursday as we delve into Searching For Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans. The conversations will be rich as the book is insightful, honest and enriching to your faith. The link to purchase the book is HERE. The link to join the meeting is HERE.
Please read chapters 13-16 (they are short chapters). Even if you aren't able to read this, please still join us. It will be accessible to everyone!
If you would like to call in, please dial 1 301 715 8592 and enter:
Meeting ID: 840 2332 3497
Passcode: 570346
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Sunday
Please join us for an in-person outdoor worship service at 10am, weather dependent. It will be a beautiful time of connection and community. We hope you will join us if you are comfortable. Please bring a chair, bring a friend, maintain social distancing and wear a mask. The link to watch is HERE.
We also have an abbreviated Spiritual Eucharist service at 9am. 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 Saint James the Less Free Clinic our very own, Flory Brockwell, did her Gold Award Girl Scouts project by donating 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:
- Pantry: Canned beef stew (smaller cans), Canned Brunswick stew (smaller cans), Adult and Children’s toothbrushes (individually wrapped, or two packs)
- Children’s Clothing: Girl’s new underwear (size 8)
- Adult Clothing:Men’s socks (sports style – black or white), Men’s briefs (sizes M – XL)
Please be advised that ACES will be closed on Memorial Day (Monday, May 31st) 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
Students at present time need school supplies. They would be grateful to receive any of the following:
- note book paper
- spiral note books
- high lighters
- pencils
- pens
- erasers
- pencil boxes
- crayons
- markers
In front of the Coleman Center there is a small closet for non- perishable food. Students and families can take what they need. Canned food and small boxes are requested. Cereal boxes are too big. These donations would be much appreciated as well. You are welcome to bring the donations here and we can get them down there. Thank you!
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Tuesday, May 18, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Wednesday, May 19, 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, May 20, 2021
- 10:30am- Book Club (online)
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Link to join
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Friday, May 21, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Sunday, May 23, 2021
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9am- Children's Sunday School (online)
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Link to join
- 9am- Online Spiritual Eucharist Worship (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
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10am- Outdoor in person Eucharist Worship (in-person)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
Monday, May 24, 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, 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, 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), Shirley Dols, Jay Hart, Cliff Pierce (cousin of the Wehman-Hopkins family), Jack, Rison and Sutherland families, Judy Mallory, Teva Rittenhouse, Connie Geisenderfer, Paul Robb, Roxanne, Sara Reece, William Timberlake, Jonathan Smith, Anne Ericksen (Julie Ericksen’s mother-in-law) 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 criminal justice system in Metropolitan Richmond: For all chaplains, staff and volunteers who minister in jails and prisons, half-way houses, work-release and after-care programs.
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 HOMILY |
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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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May 18
Jessica Sanders
May 21
Joseph Meade
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May 22
Haden Hopkins
May 24
Mary Leachman
Rachel Grosse
Everett Bowles
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