This Sunday is Confirmation Sunday.
We are honored to welcome The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, Assistant Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, to St. James’s this Sunday, May 15. She'll be here to preside over our Youth confirmations at the 9 am service and the Adult confirmations at the 11:15 am service.
Being confirmed is one of the most powerful moments in the life of a Christian, especially when you’re surrounded by the people who have walked with you through your journey. We encourage everyone to be here. It will add so much more meaning to an already meaningful day.
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Tuesday, May 17
Tuesday Men’s Bible Study: 7:30 am
Valentine Hall
A weekly hour of fellowship, discussion and good food.
Education for Ministry (EfM) on Zoom: 6 pm
Wednesday, May 18
Living Faith Bible Study: 10 am on Zoom
Study and discussions that help to make
our Christian faith a “living faith” and apply the witness of the Scripture to
our everyday lives.
Special Wednesday Night Study & Fellowship Series on Zoom: 6pm
Easter People: Faith Practice and Climate Justice
Join fellow St. James’sers for Bible study, discussion and reflection.
Meeting ID number: 838 0728 2761 / Passcode: 572867
Thursday, May 19
Men's Bible Study Breakfast: 7:30 am
Valentine Hall
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This week's eChimes features |
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- Memorial Day Concert
- Calling all 5th-12th graders
- Vacation Bible School is in June, don't miss out
- Youth Running Club
- Coffee on the Playground
- Wednesday Nights - Easter People: Faith Practice and Climate Justice
- May 22- Creation Care Task Force Forum
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- Come be a DOER Doing in the community
- Juneteenth - a message beyond music
- Music calendar is full this summer
- Young Adults social gatherings this summer
- Summer Worship Schedule
- How you can help the people of Ukraine
- Prayers of the People
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At St. James’s, we’re celebrating Memorial Day in a most profound way–with music and words that honor those who have died and those who have served. We’ve even scheduled it to start at 7pm on Memorial Day, so you can make it back from your long weekend in time to attend. Go to doers.org to learn more about this very special day at St. James’s.
As is our custom, names of veterans past and present will be printed in the program–and each veteran in attendance receives a rose. You can add a name by emailing Mark Whitmire at mwhitmire@doers.org.
And here to see the video of Mark describing the event.
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Each week leading up to the Memorial Day Concert, we’ll give a little background about one of the songs in the program. This week is God Bless America.
God Bless America was first written in 1918 by Irving Berlin, then revised slightly in 1938 to take out some language that might appear political.
The song includes an introductory prayer that’s rarely performed. It goes:: "While the storm clouds gather far across the sea / Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free / Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, / As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer."
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FILL YOUR SUMMER WITH LOVE. |
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Our mission trips and volunteer opportunities will help you make memories you won’t forget (and earn service hours too).
Calling all 5th-12th graders! Looking for a way to earn some service hours over the summer, while also having an experience you’ll remember forever? Our mission trips are amazing. Or closer to home, you can volunteer at Vacation Bible School! For more information on VBS (June 27-30), our middle school mini mission (July 22-24), or our high school mission (July 24-30), go to here.
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Learning in the most fun way that everything comes from God.
This Summer’s Vacation Bible School (June 27--30) is the perfect way for children to “get on a roll with God” as a parade of Food Trucks rolls into their neighborhood for the summer's biggest party! Built around the line from the Lord’s Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread," the activities will be a reminder that everything we have comes from God — and that it's by turning to God in prayer that all of our daily needs are met.
At the center of the Food Truck Party is a special food truck called "On a Roll." Here, Kids (or "Chefs") will learn from the food truck's Top Chef, along with DJ Cupcake (an adorable cupcake puppet), about the Daily Specials (Daily Learnings), which are lines from the well-loved prayer that teaches us to turn to God to meet our needs.
You'll want to register now, cause VBS will fill up quickly.
Also a great opportunity for teens to volunteer.
We also want to invite all teens (rising 6th thru 12th graders) to volunteer to assist us with VBS. It’s incredibly rewarding and earns you service hours. Go here for more details.
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New Children’s & Youth activities
continue this Sunday.
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Runner’s Club will meet on the porch of Michaux House at 10:30 am, dressed and ready to run–or walk! We’ll return by 11 am for those attending the 11:15 am service. Anyone needing to change after the 9 am service can use the third floor of Michaux House.
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Coffee on the Playground takes place between the services on Sundays on the playground next to the Memorial Garden. There will be coffee and warm conversation. It’s the perfect family activity before or after worshiping. |
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Easter People: Faith Practice and Climate Justice
Wednesdays, April 27 – May 25
6-7pm, via Zoom
Join us as we follow the Episcopal Church curriculum on climate justice, for Bible study, discussion and reflection to learn more about climate change, about how God is calling us to be stewards of God's creation, and to discuss what resurrection and healing for the planet and people might look like. Then come to our Sunday Adult Forum on Rogation Sunday, May 22, to learn more about our diocesan Creation Care Task Force. (see more below)
To see the full schedule, go here.
You can register here i n advance for this series, and you will receive a confirmation email containing Zoom information about joining the meeting.
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Creation Care Task Force
On Sunday, May 22, (which is Rogation Sunday), join Stacey Remick-Simkins and Sharon Wayne between the services in Valentine Hall for a review of our diocese’s Creation Care Task Force current projects.
This will include the working group’s Resolution R-6 amendment calling on our diocese to acknowledge a Climate Emergency and commit to achieve net zero greenhouse emissions by 2045, which will be submitted as a working addendum document at the 228th Convention.
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We still have room for a few more sets of hands who can be a part of this month’s Doers Doing projects with REAL LIFE and Peter Paul.
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Saturday, May 14 at Peter Paul, we’ll be cleaning up the children’s garden and playground.
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Saturday, May 21 at REAL LIFE, we’re creating two raised beds and planting them.
Go here for more information and/or to sign up.
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A celebration of freedom.
A message beyond music.
Juneteenth (or Sunday, June 19th) will be truly celebrated here at St. James’s with a spectacular Freedom Day Organ Recital featuring renowned organist Dr. Carl Haywood playing organ masterpieces as well as spirituals for the organ. The Norfolk State and St. James’s Choirs will also be singing spirituals, including Great Day, Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel, and Rise, Shine for the Light is A’coming. And it’s all followed by a reception in Valentine Hall.
This FREE event begins at 5 pm. There’s more information to come. But for now, save the date–and invite a friend.
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Our music calendar is
full this summer
Make sure the events are on
your calendar too.
While we’re promoting our Memorial Day and Juneteenth events, the St. James’s music calendar is full of other beautiful and inspiring events over the next few months.
Each of them will be promoted as they come, but to see them all in one place, click here, then save the dates.
And think about inviting friends to join you at each one.
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Staying connected this summer.
Our College and Young Adult Small Group will be meeting up informally throughout the summer for social gatherings. If you are or know of a college student or young adult that would be interested, contact Blake Singer at bsinger@doers.org to be added to the list. |
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Summer Worship Schedule
begins May 29
Beginning May 29th we’ll return to our popular Summer Schedule:
9 am – Eucharist in the Garden
10 am – Service in the Sanctuary
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Episcopal Relief is helping Ukraine.
You can help them do more.
Ukraine desperately needs our help and you can make a difference by donating to Episcopal Relief & Development. The Episcopal organization is hard at work bringing assistance and support to the people of Ukraine.
Click here to make a direct gift to help Ukrainian families and citizens. Thank you.
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Click here to see 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 contact 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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