Our Weekly News & Updates |
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Greetings, church family,
This last Sunday we had a powerful talk from Susan Shearouse from Circles Ashland. It is a life-changing ministry helping people redirect themselves out of poverty. The center of it is the empowered individual, the Leader, and the organization surrounds them with Allies who can provide support, nurture, and love as they make the moves to break cycles that keep them impoverished. If you would like more information, please check out this LINK.
Another joy this last week was beginning our Lenten Study. It is not too late to jump in. This week we look at Father Abraham, and the covenant God made with him establishing a lineage that is seen as the foundation of the three great monotheisms of the world, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. I hope to see you Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Brydon Hall. We are still wearing masks, so please continue to wear these.
We meet as a Vestry for our kickoff retreat in the coming weeks and all our COVID policies will be evaluated and considered. I know many people are coming from different vantage points. We will work hard to look to diocesan recommendations and those coming out of the CDC. Thank you for your maintaining our standards as you come into our spaces.
Blessings, and may your Lent draw you closer to Christ!
Rock+
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022
- 10am- Book Club
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Link to join
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7pm-Lenten Program
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Thursday, March 17, 2022
- 6pm- Hand bell choir
- 7pm-Parish choir
Sunday, March 20, 2022
- 8am- Eucharist: Rite I Service
- 8:45am-Adult Sunday school (Brydon Hall)
- 9am- Children's Virtual Sunday School
- 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music & Children's Church)
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Link for bulletin
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6pm - Journey to Adulthood
Monday, March 21, 2022
- 10:30am- Grief Group
- 7pm- Dream Group
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LENTEN SERIES-
The Framework of God's Covenants
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Lent is a time of commitment, when we make promises for a season out of devotion to God. But when God makes promises, they are not a short periods. In light of this time of vows and devotion, we will look at the covenants God has made and recorded in Scripture. Join us as we go in-depth, starting with Genesis and working our way through.
We will gather in the parish hall at 7 pm on Tuesday nights, and we will also record and post on YouTube the next day. I hope you will come out and join us for the presentations and the discussion to follow. Tuesdays, March 8-April 5.
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The Framework of the Covenants
Session One: Adamic & Noahic
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We hope you will join us for an outdoor family movie on Friday, March 25th at 7pm at the church near the picnic tables. We will be showing Prince of Egypt. Bring your friends, family, a chair and all the snacks that make you happy. We will have popcorn available. The rain date will be on the 26th. Please join us! |
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TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME |
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Saint James the Less is going to the Richmond Squirrels game for Faith Night on Saturday, April 30th at 6pm. We have reserved seats on the field level to sit together as a group. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. We hope you can join us for this fun event! Maybe even....buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks! |
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We are so excited our Hand Bell Choir played this past Sunday! It was gorgeous music. They are currently looking for another ringer. If anyone is interested, let Reggie know. No experience necessary. Rehearsal is for 45 minutes on Thursdays at 6pm. They laugh a lot and have a great time learning and practicing! We hope you will join them. |
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We are hoping to start a van service for some of our members at Westminster Canterbury. If you would be interested in driving the van to pick up some of our members for church on Sunday morning or to drive them home after, please let us know. We would greatly appreciate your time! |
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Would you like to honor a loved one in memorial or in thanksgiving of for our Easter services? We will fill our gorgeous sanctuary with these flowers. The cost is so $35. You can email us or call us and let us know who you would like to honor. |
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Book Club meets virtually on Tuesdays at 10am. We are meeting for 6 weeks via Zoom. The link to join the group is HERE.
If you would like to call in, dial 1 301 715 8592 and enter Meeting ID: 821 8112 3575, Passcode: 298264
We start our next book is Seven Last Words by James Martin, SJ this week. We will begin with Chapter 1 on March 8th. You can purchase the book HERE on Amazon. If you would like us to purchase it for you, email us. We hope you will join us! |
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It's that time again! It's Lent Madness season. If you would like to get into the fun, join us on our Saint James the Less Lent Madness page HERE. They've announced the saints in the bracket. Will your favorite saint win?
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We are hoping to surpass our record-breaking year of 2021 with Pop Tops. Please bring any and all of your pop tops. We will be counting them on June 1st. You can drop them by the office or in the blue bucket downstairs by the Sunday School room. Thank you! |
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INVITATION TO FRITTER CELEBRATION |
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IRA CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2021 |
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In IR–2022–52 the Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers to consider taking a deduction for a 2021 contribution to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The contribution may be made prior to filing your tax return on April 18, 2022.
IRAs are a popular savings plan. Individuals with earned income may contribute to a traditional IRA and qualify for a deduction on their 2021 tax return. Traditional IRA or Roth IRA contributions are subject to many rules and limits. IRA contributions may be reduced for individuals with higher incomes.
- IRA Contribution Limits — The basic rule for an IRA contribution is a limit of $6,000 for individuals under age 50. Individuals age 50 or older are permitted to add $1,000 as a "catch–up" contribution, for a total amount of $7,000. The contribution limit is not affected by rollovers of existing IRAs.
- IRA Deduction Limits If Covered — If you are covered by a retirement plan at work and your income is above specific limits, you may be limited in your IRA contribution amount. A single person may take a full IRA deduction with $66,000 or less of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). The IRA contribution is phased out between $66,000 and $76,000 of MAGI. If you are married and filing jointly or you are a qualified widower, the MAGI limit is $105,000 and the IRA is phased out over the next $20,000. Married couples filing separately have a limit of $10,000 of MAGI.
- IRA Deduction Limits If Not Covered — If you do not have a retirement plan at work, there are higher limits. A single person or married person filing jointly whose spouse is not covered by a retirement plan may contribute any amount to an IRA even if he or she has a high income. If you are married to a spouse who is covered by a plan at work, the MAGI limit is $198,000 and the IRA deduction is phased out over the next $10,000. If you are married and filing separately with a spouse who is covered, the MAGI limit is $10,000.
- Roth IRA Contribution Limits — If you are married and filing jointly or you are a qualifying widower and desire to make an after–tax Roth IRA contribution, you may do so if your MAGI is less than $198,000. The Roth IRA contribution is phased out over the next $10,000. If you are single or head of household, your Roth contribution limit is $125,000 and the amount is phased out over the next $15,000. If you are married filing separately, the MAGI limit is $10,000.
- IRA Contributions After Age 70½ — For tax year 2021, there is no longer an age limit on contributions to traditional IRAs. You may contribute to a Roth or traditional IRA if you have earned income.
- Spousal IRAs — If you file a joint return and your spouse has earned income, you are qualified to contribute to an IRA even if you did not have income. The limit for both spouses is the $6,000 or $7,000 contribution per spouse (depending upon age), but may not exceed your total earned income.
- Tax on Excess IRA Contributions — If you contribute more than your qualified IRA amount, there is a 6% tax each year on the excess amounts in your IRA. To avoid a 6% tax on the excess contribution, you should withdraw that amount by April 18, 2022.
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Mark your calendars! Our annual Parish Retreat is October 14-16, 2022 at Shrine Mont. It is always such an beautiful time of community, rest and deepening of our faith. We hope you will make plans to join us! |
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SJTL CHILDREN & YOUTH UPDATES |
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Resurrection Garden Contest
We will be having our annual Resurrection Garden Contest. It is always so much fun! Supplies are available Please reach out to Miriam if you would like them. |
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Youth Group Sunday 6- 7:30pm
Journey to Adulthood has been such a special time for youth to come and build fellowship, relationships and deepen their faith. If you would like to come, please do! A meal is served followed by fun and inspirational activities and discussions.
We hope you can join us for the rest of the schedule:
- March 20 & 27
- April 3, 10 & 24 (no meeting on Easter)
- May 1
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Easter Egg Hunt
Please join us for our annual Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 17th after the 10am service. We will have sections for all different ages. If you would like to help hide or stuff the eggs, let us know. We would appreciate it!
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Become an Acolyte
Is your youth interested in becoming an acolyte? We are hoping to hold a training this spring. Please email us and let us know if your youth would like to be included on this. We would love to have them!
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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Meals for the Clinic Volunteers
As many of you know, Saint James the Less Free Clinic meets every Wednesday evening. It is staffed by some INCREDIBLE volunteers who care in remarkable ways for our community. We have the opportunity to provide meals for them. If you would like to bring food over for 8-10 people before clinic starts on a Wednesday evening, click HERE to choose your date. More information is listed on the website. We are grateful for your willingness! |
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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: Canned fruit (smaller cans), Rice (smaller bags), Shampoo, Toothbrushes, Laundry detergent (smaller containers)
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Adult Clothing: Women’s bras (C and larger cup; 40 and larger band), Women’s underwear (xl and larger),Men’s athletic shoes (sizes 10 and larger), Men’s undershirts (all sizes), Men’s boxer briefs (all sizes), Men’s jeans (all sizes)
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Children's Clothing: Boy’s winter clothes (sizes 8 thru 20), Boy’s summer clothes (sizes 8 thru 20), Girl’s winter clothes (sizes 8 thru 20), Girl’s summer clothes (sizes 8 thru 20)
*They are now looking for spring and summer items.
ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-1130am. Thank you for your continued support!
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Peter Paul is currently in need of the following items. If you are able to give you are welcome to put them in the box in the hallway.
Hygiene items- bar soap, body wash, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, chapstick, Vaseline, sanitary products.
Laundry items- Detergent pods, rolls of quarters, dryer sheets.
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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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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, Glenn, 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, Paul Robb, Debra Bernard, Smith family, Alex Gillette, Pam Gillette, Sally Budd, Sarah Chamblee & family, Jeff Lawrence, May and family, Schuyler, Harry Hassell, Melanie Fischer, Court Warfield, Meredith Roemer, Gus Meyer, Jane Howard, Amanda and family, The Rev. Susannah Metz, Val Sutton, Carol Martin, Pam Bowers, Gene England Simons, 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 health care in Metropolitan Richmond: For persons living with terminal illnesses and for their families, friends, and communities; for persons working to find cures for diseases.
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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March 13, 2022
Lent 2
Becky's+ Sermon
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Father Rock's Sermon- Link to text HERE
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March 17
Hardy Meade
March 18
Beth Harrison
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March 20
Julie Ericksen
Dawn Davis-Baker
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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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