This Sunday at the 9:00 and 11:15 am services, the Blessing of the Pledges ceremony is our chance to give thanksgiving for all the ways you offer your gifts to God…and to the St. James’s community.
During each service every one who has pledged – or plans to pledge – for 2023 is invited to come forward and add an ornament to our Tree of Thanksgiving. The ornament represents the gifts God has given you that you have chosen to share with St. James’s.
If you haven’t pledged yet, there will be pledge cards available. This promises to be a special day for us to celebrate each of you and the essential gifts you bring!
The needs of the church are great because the work of the church is great.
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The Complete Organ Works of César Franck
Tonight at 7 pm and Tomorrow at 2 pm
Here are five reasons why you don’t want to miss these recitals:
1. The two programs will include all the major organ works by the French composer César Franck, considered to be among the greatest composers of music for organ.
2. Scott Dettra, former organist at Washington National Cathedral, is a brilliant organist and an expert interpreter of the music of Franck.
3. You will hear CB Fisk Opus 112 in all its glory! St. James’s is blessed to have one of the finest pipe organs in the country.
4. Franck played an organ built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. Our CB Fisk organ was modeled on organs by Cavaillé-Coll, so we will hear a very authentic rendition of this remarkable music.
5. This a perfect opportunity to invite your friends to St. James’s. Our beautiful church, filled with profoundly beautiful music and friendly music-lovers, will bring them back.
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Tuesday, December 13
Tuesday Men's Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall
A weekly hour of fellowship, discussion of the bible and good food.
Women's Bible Wisdom - 5:00pm via Zoom
This Bible study meets twice a month, on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays,
to read together through a biblical book or theme at a time. We explore
when and under what conditions the passages were written, and prayerfully ask
how God is speaking through them now.
Young Adults - 5:45 pm, location varies
We'll gather for a combination of fellowship, prayer, and Bible or book study.
For more information and/or to get on the GroupMe, contact the Rev. Blake Singer.
Wednesday, December 14
Living Faith Bible Study - 10 am via Zoom
This opportunity for fellowship, study and discussions that help to make
our Christian faith a “living faith” and apply the witness of the Scripture
to our everyday lives. Please contact Betsy for the Zoom link.
Wednesday Noon Eucharist
in the Chapel
Thursday, December 15
We are a group that meets every other Thursday for breakfast and
to read and discuss the Lectionary Readings for the upcoming Sunday.
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This week's eChimes features |
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- Last Sunday for Peter Paul Giving Tree
- This Sunday's Adult Forum
- St. James's Children's Center Cross will be for sell Sunday.
- Young Family Social this Saturday
- Sign-up for the Christmas Pageant - we still need participants
- Advent & Christmas changes our Worship & Formation schedule
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- The Service of Hope
- Advent & Christmas Schedule
- Do your have Magnolia branches?
- Didn't Blake and Kilpy already get ordained?
- Two Amazing Youth Winter Events
- Some Thoughts about Parking
- Those who have recently died
- Prayers of the People
- Virginia Diocese information
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This Sunday at St. James's |
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This is the last Sunday to give to
the Peter Paul Giving Tree
Tree will be in the narthex this week
Peter Paul is again asking for gift cards to give to families to help them purchase Christmas presents. St. James’s will be collecting money that will then be used to purchase gift cards (in $100 denominations).
A table will be set up in the narthex between on Sunday where you can donate either in cash, by check, or online.
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.
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If you can’t make it to church, you can give directly to Peter Paul for the gift cards by mailing a check to:
Peter Paul Development Center
Attn: Anne Hurt
1708 North 22nd Street
Richmond, VA 23223
Or by using the above QR Code.
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This Sunday's Adult Forum
St. James Racial History Project:
The Power of Our History
Anne Hayes of St. Paul’s, who will be interviewed by Jane Dowrick, a member of the History Team, will summarize findings she researched and wrote about of St. James’s history from 1900 to 1960.
Anne has been a member of St. Paul's for 11 years and currently serves on the vestry. In 2016, the church embarked on its History and Reconciliation Initiative (HRI) which included researching and writing about the 175-year-old church's racial history -- a project which took about 4 years to complete.
Anne, a former lawyer, helped with the research that Dr. Christopher Graham used in the book he wrote titled Faith, Race, and the Lost Cause: Confessions of a Southern Church, which will be published soon by the University of Virginia Press.
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The SJCC cross is
a wonderful St. James's Christmas tradition and created with love.
Children's Center Christmas Crosses will be on sale at the corner of Birch Street between the 9 and 11:15 services on Sunday. Stop by and support this outreach for young children."
This year's crosses are available for a donation of $30 each. Many of the Children Center children struggle with food stability, so the meals they receive at the Children's Center are important. This donation will cover the cost of one week's breakfast, lunch and daily snacks for one of our children.
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You can also order by scanning the QR code
If you order 10 or more, delivery is free.
Thank you and may your holidays be full of joy, laughter and love.
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Young Family Social
This Saturday, December 10
4-6 pm
The next Young Family Social will be at St. James’s -- in Valentine Hall. Children and youth can make gingerbread nativities and enjoy a Christmas movie. St. James’s will provide snacks, water, and lemonade. Please feel free to bring a favorite beverage to enjoy!
If you have ANY children living at home, these socials are for you!
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The St. James's Christmas Pageant
is December 18.
We still have a few parts that need to be filled.
The Christmas Pageant is fast approaching -- just over a week away! Yep, we still need a few more participants to make our pageant happen -- particularly youth parts and we always have parts for the children.
So if you know a child or youth who would like to participate, here's how to do it:
Children should sign up using this form by December 16. Interested youth should contact Katie Ricard at youth@doers.org.
This is one of the most cherished traditions here at St. James’s. Being a part of it will make a lifetime of memories.
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ADVENT and CHRISTMAS
are changing our WORSHIP and FORMATION Schedules
This Sunday we will have both the 9 and 11:15 am services, as usual (in addition to the 7:45).
But the following three Sundays – December 18 and 25, and January 1....we will replace the 9 and 11:15 am services with a single service at 10 am. There will still be a 7:45 service on December 18.
In addition, there will be no Adult Forum, Youth Group, Sunday School, or Children's Chapel on those three Sundays – December 18 and 25, and January 1. They’ll all resume on January 8.
Click here to see the full Advent and Christmas schedule.
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The Service of Hope.
Monday, December 19
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 December 14th.
Our Service of Hope will be in the Sanctuary and will not be live-streamed.
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We need your magnolia branches.
The altar guild needs magnolia branches to decorate the church windows for Christmas services. Please bring your magnolia branches to the church on Thursday, Dec. 22 or Friday. Dec. 23.
Please call Lucy Meade (804-200-1372) with questions or to let her know you have some to give. She would prefer you call but you can also email her at lmeade535@gmail.com.
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Didn’t Blake and Kilpy already
get ordained?
If you remember Blake and Kilpy getting ordained back in June, you may be asking yourself, "why are they getting ordained again?" Great question! Every Episcopal priest is first ordained a deacon. The role of a deacon is to be a bridge between the Church and the world, specifically focusing on the role of servanthood.
After spending 6-12 months as a deacon, those who are called to the priesthood are then ordained as a priest, but every priest was first and will always be a deacon. So, Blake and Kilpy were ordained as deacons in June and will be ordained as priests in January at Christ Church Episcopal, Glenn Allen.
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Don’t miss out on two amazing Winter events!
It's time to register for two beloved youth events: the MLK Service Lock-In and Snowfest!
Youth in grades 9-12 may attend the MLK Service Lock-In on January 15-16 at St. James’s. The lock-in is a great opportunity to earn community service hours, while also engaging in reflection on Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy and helping one’s community. To register, click here.
Youth in grades 6-12 may attend Snowfest on February 3-5 at Shrine Mont. At Snowfest we ski, snowboard, or tube, while also engaging in fellowship, fun, and some formation! For more information and to register, click here.
Don’t miss out on either of these two amazing events!
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Some Reminders about Parking.
As we enter a particularly busy time of the year, we want to be clear about parking at St. James's. The surface lot (the one next to Michaux House that we share with Beth Ahabah) is designed for people with mobility issues.
If you don't have mobility issues, we prefer that you park in the garage across the street. Thank you for your cooperation in this area.
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Parishioner who passed away recently:
Marjorie (“Mert”) Northen Fowlkes
(d. 12/7/2022)
We commend Mert to God’s love.
If you would like information on how to reach out to the loved ones of the deceased, please do not hesitate to contact the church offices.
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We do our best to keep this list current, but if you want your name added or removed, please email Mary Brown or call her at 804-355-1779, ext. 313. |
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St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779
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