April 21| Fourth Sunday of Easter

Livestream Worship

On our webpage -- stjamesleesburg.org/st-james-livestreaming -- you can see the livestream when it begins, as well as download service bulletins for that Sunday.

You can see all of our archived Sunday services on our YouTube Channel at youtube.com/@saintjames151

And, if you prefer to join us on Facebook Live, please visit www.facebook.com/stjamesleesburg/live.

Annual Parish Meeting

Sunday, April 28 | 9 a.m. | The Parish Hall

Please join us on Sunday, April 28, as we elect our next vestry class, celebrate all that we have accomplished in 2023, and hear more about the exciting things in the year ahead. 

Children’s Annual Meeting: Weather permitting, all children are invited to gather at the playground at 9 a.m. during the annual meeting for a lesson on the church and play time. Drop off and pick up will be on the playground and adjacent lawn. 

New St. James' Vestry Election Process

Today (Friday 4/19) is the deadline to vote

This year we received 25 nominations from the parish. From these nominees, the Vestry Nomination Committee has prayerfully invited 8 nominees to participate in this year’s election.

All St. James’ communicants in good standing will have an opportunity to vote for their top 4 nominees. A slate of 4 candidates will then be presented to the parish for an official election at the Annual Meeting. 

All communicants in good standing with emails in our database should have received a voting form. If you are a communicant in good standing and did not receive the email, please click the LINK. Hard copies are available in the narthex and church office. The deadline to receive all votes is Friday, April 19.

If you have questions about your status listed in our parish rolls, would like to learn more about becoming a member, or need to update your information, please contact our church office at rsnodgrass@stjamesleesburg.org or call 703-777-1124. 

Adult Spring Forum

Wonder and Wholeness: The Spirituality of Children

April 21 | 9:00 a.m. | Parish Hall

Join Rev. Marybeth for the second in a 2 part series on the spiritual lives of children and Christian formation, in conversation with Scripture, theology, and social sciences. 

Baptism Sundays

Sunday, May 19 | 10 a.m. | The Church

We will offer the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, May 19, at the 10 a.m. service. If you or a loved one would like to be baptized, please contact the church office at rsnodgrass@stjamesleesburg.org or call 703-777-1124.

Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont

Save the date on your calendars for this year's annual Parish Retreat in beautiful Orkney Springs, Virginia from Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22, 2024. You’ll have time to relax, spend time with your St. James’ family, and opportunities for games, hiking, prayer labyrinths, and even salamander catching! More details coming soon! If you would like to be on the planning committee, please contact Dottie Brannock at dglvt@yahoo.com or (703)-431-1820.

Vacation Bible School

August 12-16 from 9am to noon

St. James’ will host Vacation Bible School for all children ages 3yrs

through rising 5th grade. (Opportunities to serve for grades 6-12.)

Registration and more information available at www.stjamesleesburg.org/vacation-bible-school 

Easter Offering Update

We are pleased to share with you that we received $7,200 in combined loose plate offerings on Easter Sunday. As you may recall, this offering will be equally divided ($2,400 each) among the following local charities: The Arc of Loudoun, LAWS (Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter), and Loudoun Hunger Relief. Thank you for your generosity!

The Fred Williams Meditation Garden:

in progress

As Father Chad recently announced, the Church ground at the far side of the Parish House is being dedicated as The Fred Williams Meditation Garden in honor of Fred’s service as Senior Warden.  A conceptual plan for this garden has now been prepared and the St. James’ gardening ministry, the Sacred Soil Society, is hopeful of beginning its development this summer. The “bones” of this space will feature a meandering pathway and a small deck (Eagle Scout project by Sterett Prevost), a focal point, several small trees, and a hedge on the Cornwall St side. Various native shrubs and plants, along with select annuals will be added in time. The vision of this garden is one of quiet beauty where one can bask in the silence and enjoy the hand of God in creation.  

The development of the Meditation Garden is a journey, which can progress with your assistance. Your gifts will help the Sacred Soil Society transform this area to a welcoming Meditation Garden. Any amount, big or small, will make a difference and will be greatly appreciated. Your generosity will help us create a space that will benefit our church and community for years to come.

Details of the plan are posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Please take a moment as you pass to review it. Any questions may be directed to Pamela McGraw, Ministry Leader, Sacred Soil Society at pamelam1950@verizon.net.

To donate to the construction of the Garden, click HERE

Sunday Children’s Formation

All children Pre-K through 5th grade are welcome to join us on the 3rd Floor of Janney House at 9:00AM. Parents should bring their children to the classroom doors for check-in and return to the classroom for check-out. Please use the Preschool staircase across from the Kitty Boyd room. Volunteers are always welcome, including middle and high school students in need of service hours. Please contact Rev. Marybeth, msanderswilson@stjamesleesburg.org. 

Spring 2024 YOUP Schedule is Live

There are lots of activities on the calendar for the Spring. Make friends and connections and have fun doing it. Open to young people in 6th through 12th grades. Please check the full schedule HERE

April 7 - Movie Night - Parish Hall

Update on Restoration Project

The stone restoration work on our historic church buildings of the Parish Hall and Rittenhouse continues with good progress, even in the rain! The parking lot elevation is complete with work now occurring on North & Wirt Streets. Witmer is on schedule for a mid to late May completion. No interruptions in access or use of the church properties are anticipated.  

Our gratitude to Tom Horne and members of the Property Committee (Tom Horne, Howard Moody, Steve Mayo, and Tony McGraw) for their continuous oversight and coordination with Witmer during this renovation. Most especially, we are grateful for the financial assistance and generosity of an anonymous donor who enabled this critical renovation to occur, assuring its presence for many generations. Please contact Tom Horne with any questions or concerns @ thorne1066@verizon.net. 

Pray for the People of the Holy Land

God of peace, we pray for the people of the Holy Land in these perilous and dangerous times. For all who are fearful for the safety of their loved ones and themselves, we pray that the assurance of unfailing love, even in the midst of danger, settles upon them. Shelter them from despair and protect them from harm. For all who are wounded, we pray they find healing. For all who have died, we pray they find rest. For all who grieve, we pray they find comfort. For leaders on all sides, we pray for a renewed will to lay down arms and for the conviction to embrace a path of reconciliation and peace that preserves the rights and dignity of all your children. God of mercy, help us to remember there is no border that can separate us from your great love. God of justice, we pray with hopeful hearts that your beloved children of the Holy Land will be spared a future of unrest and that a recognition of the humanity of all people will prevail. We ask all this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Adapted from the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem

Welcome to St. James’ Preschool! 

We are accepting registrations for 2024-2025 in all of our classes (2s, 2.5s, 3s, 3.5s, 4s and Pre-K). We offer a warm, happy place for your little ones to thrive – building their self-confidence through explorative play with their peers guided by our STEAM curriculum.

What we have to offer:

• Small class sizes

• Focus on social/emotional learning by our caring, experienced teachers

• Christian atmosphere with weekly Chapel & Music

• After-school enrichment opportunities

• Fenced, outdoor playground

• 52 years’ experience at our beautiful campus in historic downtown Leesburg

Register Here

Mark your calendar

April 28 - Annual Parish Meeting

May 5 - Blessing of the Community Garden

May 12 - Ministry Commission New Vestry Members/Mother’s Day

May 19 - Day of Pentecost & Baptisms, Graduation Sunday & Ministry Commission Youth Ministry

May 24-26 - St. James’ Women’s Retreat

May 27 - Memorial Day - Campus/Office Closed

Those Requesting Prayers This Week: Michael Dowling, Tom Coate, Gale Hudson, Rachelle Graves, Ethan Stoller, Bob Menas, The Murphy Family, Joan Eaton, Kaleb Cortes, and McLean Pumphrey.

Those on Our Long-Term Prayer List: Emily, Nesbit Hatch, Kenneth Wurster, Bonnie, Jolyon White, Keith Castilon, Kyle P., Ava Blakeslee-Carter, Geri Deane, The Stillman family, Laura Butler, John Powers, Barbara Roark, Fran Smith, Nicholas Rodney, Ed, Carol Conolly, Mary Ellen Hurley, Barb Lash, Walter Krikstan, Scott Clark, Lois Simpson, Pam Mossburg, Debbie, Virginia Laughlin, Bruce Bucklin, and Alice Lynn .



Those Who Need Our Prayers:

All those impacted by acts of violence, those affected by COVID-19, the Holy Land, the people of Ukraine and those involved in the Ukraine war, those who are unemployed or underemployed, those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.

Do You Need Prayer or Care?

"In case of illness, the minister of the congregation is to be notified." (BCP p. 453)

Make a prayer request here.

Call the Church Office | Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(703)777-1124 ext 1 | info@stjamesleesburg.org

After Hours Pastoral Care Line | (202)750-4247

St. James' Episcopal Church | stjamesleesburg.org