Please join us tonight 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. 

Christoph Wagner has performed in major concert halls in Europe such as the Berlin Philharmonie and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and appeared at festivals throughout Europe and the U.S. His international career has spanned four continents, including appearances in Switzerland, Croatia, France, Italy, South Africa, South America, China, South Korea and the U.S.

Joanne Kong captures the attention of audiences in compelling performances that celebrate the vibrancy and eloquence of musical expression. Her performances have been praised for “great finesse and flexibility” (The Washington Post), “superb” playing (The Boston Globe) and “superb artistry” (San Antonio Express-News) for works “sensitively played” (The New York Times).

Click here to read more about Dr. Wagner and Dr. Kong, and to listen to a 2022 interview on VPM.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should You can keep up with our active and varied Children and Youth programs by reading the monthly C&Y newsletter, Doings. Here’s the link for the December issue.

To have the newsletter sent directly to your email, reach out to Katie Ricard at youth@doers.org. 

Saturday, December 2

Go to the Christmas Parade with St. James'sers

Meet in the Memorial Garden - 9:30 -10:30 am

We’ll gather in the Memorial Garden near the playground for hot chocolate, coffee, and other treats. Then walk over to enjoy Richmond’s Christmas Parade together as a group. All ages are welcome!

In the event of rain, the event will not be held because Valentine Hall will be occupied.

Sunday, December 3

Advent Lessons & Carols - 5 pm

in the Sanctuary

Tuesday, December 5

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

Wednesday, December 6

NO Living Faith Bible Study until January 10, 2024 

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

Wednesday Noon Eucharist & Healing Service

held in the chapel located within the sanctuary

Thursday, December 7

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.

Brown Bag Book Group - 12:00 pm on Zoom

The Brown Bag Book Club Group reads and discusses both fiction and non-fiction selections, recommended and selected by the book group. All interested readers are invited to join our lively and thoughtful lunch-time discussions.

The book list is available here. 

December book: Mingo by F. Jeff Barnes

Contact: Linda Owen, lindaowen23@gmail.com

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

• The Christmas Parade
• Peter Paul Giving Tree
• Advent Lessons & Carols this Sunday
• Annual Giving pledge update
• Be a part of the Christmas pageant
• Purchase your Children's Center Christmas Cross
• Submit your names for the Christmas Poinsettias
• Submit your names for a Service of Hope

• Advent & Christmas Schedule
• December Music Calendar
• December Young Family Social
• A service for Community Healing from gun violence
• Let's join our friends at Beth Ahabah on December 15
• Missions are a go for 2024!
• Prayers of The People
• Diocese of Virginia

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.

In the event of rain, the event will not be held because Valentine Hall will be occupied.

Help us Decorate

the Peter Paul Giving Tree!

One of our lovelier traditions during Advent 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 this 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



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.

Thanks to everyone who has already pledged. We’re at 79% 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. 

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. 

This Sunday you can purchase your Children's Center Cross at the Advent Fair or 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

Young family social – over 60 people attended our last one. Come see what all the excitement is about.

Our 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.

A Service of Community Healing

from Gun Violence

This 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.

Let's join our friends

at Beth Ahabah

on Friday, Dec. 15

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. 

Missions at St. James’s are a go for 2024! 

Come see what we have planned. 

Based on feedback from our parish-wide survey and a thoughtful discernment process, the Mission Committee has made some changes to our ministry’s approach. 

We will focus on deeper and more long-term relationships with our partners that attempt to empower and support the community year-round. For that reason, our missions will not resemble week-long voluntourism experiences impacting a handful of parishioners. Instead, we hope to engage with our partners throughout the year and include members of the congregation who are unable to attend the actual trips. For more information on our ministry’s mission statement and guiding principles, please click here.

Our mission partners for 2024 are the Hurley Community Center in Appalachia, Our Little Roses in Honduras, and Harvest of Hope on the Eastern Shore. Trips will occur in June and July of 2024.

If you are interested in going on a mission trip, working “behind-the scenes” with our mission partners, or just learning about our mission ministry, please join us for wine and cheese at Wyn Brown’s (211 Banbury Road) on Tuesday, January 9 from 5pm to 6:30 pm.

Please RSVP by 12/31/23 to Julie Wade at juliecwade12@gmail.com.

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

You reached the end of the eChimes. Your stamina is impressive.