Our Weekly News & Updates |
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The Arrival (Advent) is coming to a close. We have reached the "fullness of time."
Friends, I am so thankful for the repeated acts of love which make this community the special place it is. So often I look at the church parking lot, and have to think, "Why are people parked there now? What good thing is happening today?"
As we close out the year, know of our appreciation, our thanks, and our blessings from all of us who work for St. James the Less to all of you who call it your spiritual home. Some of you are gathering once on Sundays or even a few times during the week. Some of you are needing to stay away for your health and safety. Some of you may have never once stepped foot through the door but think of us as "your church." Whoever you are and however you found us, we are thankful that you are a part of the St. James the Less family.
Merry Christmas, from our family to yours, and Blessings both now and always!
Rock+
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021
- 7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
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Link to watch service
Thursday, December 23, 2021
- 6pm- Handbell Choir
- 7pm-Parish Choir
Friday, December 24, 2021
- 4:30pm- Family Oriented Christmas Eve Service
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Link for bulletin
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Link to watch service
- 10:30pm- Candle Light Christ-Mass
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Link for bulletin
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Link to watch service
Saturday, December 25, 2021
- 10am- Nativity of Our Lord (Casual)
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Link for bulletin
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Link to watch service
Sunday, December 26, 2021
- 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music) Lessons & Carols
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Link for bulletin
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Link to watch
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We hope you will join us this year for one (or all) of our Christmas services. All are welcome and wanted! Come celebrate the birth of our Savior!
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Christmas Eve 4:30pm- Family service
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Christmas Eve 10:30pm- Christ-Mass
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Christmas Day 10am- Nativity of our Lord
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Sunday, 12/26 10am- Lessons & Carols (we will not have an 8am service that day)
There will be no Adult Sunday school, Dream Group, Children's Sunday School or Church, Grief Group or Centering Prayer for the weeks of 12/26 & 1/2.
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Many of you generous and thoughtful people have asked about helping the victims of the Kentucky Tornadoes. Father Rock has directed folks to the Kentucky Diocese. The most effective way to help right now is to send a financial contribution that can be used for local needs. During disasters, churches are often able to fill in the gaps of specific needs that are missed by the larger response systems or needs that are too urgent to wait.
- Donate to a local church in Kentucky HERE.
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Donate to Episcopal Relief and Development HERE.
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Another suggestion that the Kentucky Diocese has is to the Bishop's Discretionary fund. If you would like to donate there, HERE is the link.
- Donate to the Red Cross HERE .
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ADDICTION RESOURCES ALWAYS AVAILABLE |
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As excitement and anticipation of the coming holidays build for many, others may be struggling with their addiction or the addiction of another. Our town of Ashland, the Center of the Universe, is home to a warm community of people recovering from addiction, including Alcoholics Anonymous, aarichmond.org or 355-1212; Narcotics Anonymous, rvana.org; and Al Anon and Al-a-teen, vaalanon.org. More information is available online, or feel free to reach out to the Church office at (804) 798-6336. There is no reason to struggle alone. |
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The Bishop's Appeal makes grants for things like providing equipment to congregations so they could stream services through the pandemic. It also feeds those who are hungry, provides meals to children through backpack programs, and fresh food through community gardens and farmer's markets- making a difference in lives of those most in need throughout our communities in the Diocese of Virginia.
Thanks to a challenge grant, donating online is more important than ever. The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has generously offered to match online gifts up to $25,000 in November and December. Please help us, if you are able, by donating online HERE. It will double the difference in the life of a person struggling right now. (Rules: Donations must be made online by individuals, not organizations. The match is capped at $500 per transaction, but you can make as many transactions as you like.) Thank you for your incredible generosity! |
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ADVENT CHILDREN'S UPDATES |
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We had such a lovely time at the Santa Shop in Children's church. Thank you to all those who donated items, time or support to make this happen. It is so appreciated! |
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There will be no Sunday School or Children's church December 26th or January 2nd.
Supply Drive
Be on the look out for a sign up genius for a supply drive for our Children's Sunday school. We are looking for arts and craft supplies.
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We concluded the Rule of Life Small Group. If you would like to watch the class we've included them below. If you would like any of the printed materials given out in class, let us know. |
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Would you like to be on Vestry or know someone you think would do great at it? We would love to hear from you if so! Email Father Rock with any suggestions or questions you might have about the positions. |
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If you or your family would like to sponsor the flowers in the Sunday service, you can email Kasey to reserve your date. There are no flowers in the Advent season, but as we look forward to the 2022 calendar you can make sure you remember holidays and birthdays with the gorgeous flowers the Altar Guild does. The cost is $35 and the money goes to support purchasing the flowers and all the things that the Altar Guild provides for this awesome community. |
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Are you hoping to add some Saint James the Less "swag" to your collection? Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? We have a online website, through The Supply Room, that allows us to order items with the SJTL logo on it. There are all kinds of shirts, jackets, and bags that you can get with Saint James the Less on it. Click HERE to see the many different options. |
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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Serving and Giving Opportunities this holiday season |
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Emergency Food Pantry
Right outside our Saint James the Less Free Clinic we have a food pantry. It is available 24/7 and used a great deal as immediate needs come up. Please 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:
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Pantry: Pork & beans, beef stew (smaller cans), shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste
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Adult Clothing: Women's bras (C and larger cup, 38 and larger band), men & women's sweatpants and sweatshirts, men's athletic shoes & work boots (size 10 and larger), men's jeans, boxers, and undershirts (size M or L)
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Children's Clothing: Girl's winter coats (sizes 8 & 10), boy/girl fall and winter clothes (seizes 10 and larger)
ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-1130am. 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
Peter Paul is in need of these supplies on behalf of their students. The collection boxes are in our hallway.
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School Supplies: glue, scissors, folders, erasers and pencil pouches
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Laundry supplies: Travel size detergent or 4 pods, rolls of quarters
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Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, chapstick, Vaseline, pads, tampons, face wipes and wash clothes
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Meals-to-go: pop-top food- soup, beans, canned meat, tuna packets, water (reusable bottle), crackers, chips, fruit cups
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Winter weather items: hand warmers, fleece blanket, hat, gloves, thick socks
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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. 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 Miller, Erin Yagla, Meredith Moon, Madge Carter, Meghann Batten, Mark Longaker, Michael Fox, Bill Blakemore, Chambers Cromwell, Dennis Folsom, Carter and Lila, Shirley Dols, Jack, Pam Bowers, Lin Varner, Connie Geisenderfer, Paul Robb, Jonathan Smith, Debra Bernard, Rev. Dr. Susannah Metz, Smith family, Alex Gillette, Pam Gillette, Sally Budd, Sarah Chamblee & family, Loisanne Rockwell, Wiley Hughes, Jimmy Smith, Jeff Lawrence, May and family, Debbie Hill, Brian, Llelwyn Schofield, Schuyler, Harry Hassell, Melanie Fischer, Court Warfield, Deborah Leggott, Mike Guilford, Alice Cobb, The Rev. Richard Simpson, and the Diocesan Search Committee for our new Bishop.
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 persons in financial need in Metropolitan Richmond: For healthy relationships; for constructive, safe, and caring households for the bringing up and nurturing of children and caring for the elderly.
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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Advent 4- December 19, 2021 |
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December 22
Tom Fritter
Arleen Williams
Seth Mills
December 23
Freda Sergi
December 24
Teva Rittenhouse
PK Kinser
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December 25
Abby Friedman
December 26
Sojo Higgins
Eamon Rose
December 27
Lele Wehman
Dave Werner
Miriam Smith
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Saint James the Less Episcopal Church
125 Beverly Road
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 798-6336
Staff:
Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director
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Weekly E-News Deadline: If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information in no later than noon on Monday. |
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