See what we’re doing to care for God’s creation. |
|
This Sunday, May 22, (which is Rogation Sunday), Stacey Remick-Simkin, chair of the Creation Care Task Force of the Virginia Diocese, and our very own Sharon Wayne will be in Valentine Hall between the services providing a review of our diocese’s important 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.
There’s so much more to learn and see–including many of the efforts being undertaken by members of our parish–so please make every effort to attend this event.
|
|
Tuesday, May 24
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
Women's Bible Wisdom: 6:30 pm on Zoom
Meets to read and discuss together a biblical book or theme
Wednesday, May 25
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
|
|
This week's eChimes features |
|
- Summer Worship Schedule
- Memorial Day Concert
- Juneteenth - a message beyond music
- Food Volunteers Needed for Juneteenth
- Last Youth Running Club
- Coffee on the Playground
- The Search for The XIV Bishop of Virginia
- VBS Food Truck Party is in June, don't miss out
|
|
- Last Chance to sign-up for Youth Summer Missions
- Music calendar is full this summer
- Summer Youth Calendar is full too
- Wednesday Nights - Easter People: Faith Practice and Climate Justice
- Young Adults social gatherings this summer
- Those who have died
- Prayers of the People
|
|
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
|
|
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.
Go here to see the video of Mark describing the event.
|
|
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 "Taps".
"Taps" is a bugle call played during flag ceremonies and at military funerals by the United States Armed Forces. Captain John C. Tidball, West Point Class of 1848, started the custom of playing "Taps" at military funerals. In early July 1862 at Harrison's Landing, a corporal of Tidball's Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery, died. Tidball wished to bury him with full military honors, but, for protection of his men, couldn’t fire seven rifles three times (three volley salute) over the grave.
Tidball later wrote, "The thought suggested itself to me to sound taps instead, which I did. The idea was taken up by others, until in a short time it was adopted by the entire army and is now looked upon as the most appropriate and touching part of a military funeral." As Tidball proudly proclaimed, "Battery A has the honor of having introduced this custom into the service, and it is worthy of historical note." By 1891, it had become a standard component of U.S. military funerals.
|
|
A celebration of freedom.
A message beyond music.
This year, the holiday will be celebrated right 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 on hand, 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, and it should be a rousing and inspiring evening–made all the more powerful by a church filled to the rafters with revelers. Invite everyone you know. And let’s celebrate the power of freedom.
|
|
FOOD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
for Juneteenth
Our Juneteenth Celebration is followed by a reception and we’re seeking volunteers to assist with everything from preparing the food to serving and cleaning up. St. James’s has a legendary reputation for putting out impressive spreads–and we need as many of you as possible as we expect a large turnout to our Juneteenth event, including people from outside our parish. Go here to learn more or go directly to Sign Up Genius.
|
|
 |
Come out for the last Youth Running club this Sunday! We meet on the porch of Michaux house at 10:30 and return by 11:00. You can walk or run, and parents of youth are also invited to join.
|
|
|
|
Coffee on the Playground takes place between the services on the playground. There will be coffee and warm conversation. It’s the perfect family activity before or after worshiping.
|
|
|
|
Meet the next Bishop of Virginia at a series of “Meet and Greet” events with the nominees between May 20 and May 24. The first one is tonight at All Saints from 6 to 8 pm. Every member of the Diocese is invited to attend. All events are offered both in-person and via livestream with the exception of the Tappahannock event, which is in-person only. Masks are required for all in-person attendees. No registration is required. Click here for the full schedule
|
|
On a related note, here are St. James’s’ delegates to the June 4th Convention, who will be voting on the new Bishop. If you have any thoughts or opinions about the Bishop nominees, here's how you can contact our delegates.
|
|
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.
|
|
This is the last week
to sign up for our mission opportunities!
To register for any of the summer mission trips, or volunteer opportunities, please complete this application. A $50 deposit is due for all mission trips.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Our Summer Youth calendar
is full too.
We’re not slowing down for summer at St. James. Join the family ministry team at our fellowship and service events this summer. All ages are welcome!
June 16 - Picnic and Playground,
5:30-7:00pm (location TBD)
June 18 - Shalom Farms Family Service Opportunity, 9am-12pm. Sign up here!
July 21- Picnic and Playground, 5:30-7:00pm (location TBD)
July 23 - Family Service Opportunity at St. James’s, 9-11am
August 18 - Night out at the Flying Squirrels, 6:35pm
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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. |
|
Parishioner who passed away recently:
Leslie Anne Gruver Rucker (died 5/11/2022)
We commend Leslie 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 office at (804)355-1779.
|
|
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. |
|
St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
