January 8, 2025

Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates

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A Note From Father Rock

Good morning, friends. I hope you were able to stay safe and warm in the snow. There are a few updates I need to let everyone know about.


Our sister church, First Baptist Ashland, is deeply grieving the death of Pastor Josh Hayden's son Rowan. He died from complications from the flu. This was unexpected and a shock to everyone. Please hold Josh, Shey (Rowan's mom), and their family in your prayers. Our heart breaks with them.


Just before Christmas, our internet at the church went out and deeply affected all our systems which work through the internet. That includes our phones and the heat pumps in the Church. Thankfully we got them online on the 24th. We got the phones working, but our messaging system was knocked out and we are still working to restore that. If you need something from the church over the next few days, please contact me on my cell phone.


I want to thank Miriam, our formation director, all her helpers, and the kids and families who made the annual Epiphany play so much fun. It is always a joy.


Because of the weather, we had to delay our Book Club beginning. We will begin next week (hopefully). Please have the Intro and Chapter 1 read. 


Blessings, Rock+


JOIN US THIS WEEK

Thursday, January 9, 2025

  • 6pm Handbell choir
  • 7pm Parish choir

Sunday, January 12, 2025

  • 8am Eucharist Rite I
  • 9am Sunday School for Adults and Children
  • 10am Eucharist Rite II with music

Monday, January 13, 2025

  • 10:30am Good Grief Group
  • 10:30am Yoga with Lorie

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

  • 10am Book Club

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

  • 7:30am Eucharist Rite II
  • 10:30am Yoga with Lorie


Click Here to Watch Services Live or Later

January Calendar:

  • 1/19- Prayer Shawl Ministry after 10am service
  • 1/20- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- Office Closed
  • 1/26- Youth Group 6pm


February Calendar:

  • 2/9- Super Bowl Sunday, Youth Group 6pm
  • 2/16- Valentine's Dinner led by Youth


2025 Book Club


We will be reading Jesus a Pilgrimage, by James Martin, SJ in our next Book Club. HERE is a link to purchase . It will be on Tuesdays at 10am 1/14-4/8 in 2025. We hope you will join us in person for our next Book Club! All are welcome!


Because of the weather, we had to delay our Book Club beginning. We will begin next week January 14th(hopefully). Please have the Intro and Chapter 1 read. 

Zoom Repeat of Julie's Ukraine Trip


For those who were disappointed to miss Julie’s Ukraine trip presentation, she will be sharing it again via Zoom on January 14 at 7pm Eastern Time. Please contact Julie (jbericksen2013@gmail.com) or office@stjamestheless.church for the Zoom link.

Andy Newchok Funeral


The funeral for Andy Newchok will be January 18 at 10 a.m. This will be a full Eucharist service with a reception following. Please join the family as we celebrate the life of Andy.

Prayer Shawl Ministry


Kim Cannady will be heading up our Prayer Shawl Ministry moving forward in the new year. They will meet the 3rd Sunday of the month, following the 10am service. All are welcome and will be trained. The first meeting will be on January 19th. Please reach out to Kim with questions.

2025 Altar Flowers


Sign up sheets are up for the 2025 Altar Flowers. Our Altar guild does an incredible job honoring the lives of the ones we remember. The cost is $35.

Rosemary Jones Funeral


The funeral for Rosemary Jones will be February 2nd at 2 p.m. Please join the family as we celebrate the life of Rosemary.

Fall Line Farms Volunteer Opportunity


Do you have time once a month to help distribute food orders for church and fellow members of the Ashland area? We would love to add a person or two to our small team of staff. Requirements are about 3.5 hours of a Thursday once a month from 2:30pm -6pm. Foods are delivered, you divided it into orders for clients and then greet people with a friendly face. (I read or catch up on podcasts while waiting.) Can you join us? Please contact Heather Grande with your availability and join her and the Sehlhorsts for an easy, but wonderful chance to help.

CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING

January 12, 2025

9am Nursery, Children's Sunday School

10am Children's Church


Epiphany Play Photos to be proud of sharing.

Youth Group Meals


Youth Group is finally back into full swing for the year!! We had a wonderful first session and are looking forward to many more. One of the ways we need help is through meals. Below is a sign up genius for meals for our meetings. Please help us to fill the gaps and show the youth how important they are to our community! Click HERE to sign up. Thank you!

WAYS TO HELP

  • Sign up to bring meals for the Clinic Volunteers HERE
  • Help stock our Emergency Food Pantry (outside the clinic)
  • Send in your Pop Tops for McDonald House
  • Bring in Hygiene or laundry items for Peter Paul
  • Donate to ACES- Click HERE for current needs (we have a box in our hallway)
  • Donate to Peter Paul Development Center. (box in our hallway)

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE

Lord, we lift up this nation struggling with itself these days. Encourage us to faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion for all God’s Children. We lift up Sean, our Presiding Bishop, Mark, Gail & Bud, our Bishops, Rock+, our priest. We pray for Bart, our Seminarian, in his formation. 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, Donald, our President elect, 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, Meghann Batten, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Haden Hopkins, Pam Bowers, Hilda Kelly, Harry Hassell, Bower family, Smith family, Lyde Longaker, Mary Ann Harris, Bob & Mary Lou Brown, Diana Timberlake, Kristi Elles, Pam Gillette, Ruth Beaudry, Tom & Fran Burke, Dennis Ray, Dawn Haase & Family, Kimette Cannady, Traci Smith, Alicia Wood, Jenny Bruce, Anna Marie, Dale Halter, Judy Sledd, Floyd Moore, Debra Molter, Tim Yagla, Ken Perry, Erik Klauss, Teva Rittenhouse, Bobbi Prentice, Steve Crain, Margaret Belyea, Tom Slaughter, Calvin Stanley, Ray Tyson, and Lee Chambers


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: Larson Flanagan, Kemper Jones, Greg Ericksen, Matthew Thomas, Philip Morison, James Ashley, Ellie Deas, Andrew Brunson, and Katherine Murphy. 


We ask your prayers for those who have died. We ask your prayers for those who grieve.  


Our citizens who live in Hanover County, the Board of Supervisors, School Board, and Manager. The print and broadcast media. The churches of metropolitan Richmond: members and clergy. All who live in poverty. All who suffer from mental illness. Our citizens who live in Ashland, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg, the town and city Councils and Managers. All who work in banks and finance; all making financial decisions for greater Richmond. Prisons and jails of metropolitan Richmond: prisoners and staff. All who are unemployed or underemployed. All public servants.


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.

WEDNESDAY WIT

January 8

Aleta Meyer


January 9

Virginia Meade

Conde Page Dyer


January 10

Ellen Pleasants

Ashton Cobb

January 12

George Field

Lara Jean Brown


January 13

Ben Marshall


January 14

Mallory Brown


HELPFUL LINKS

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336


Staff: (click on the name to email them)

The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector

Dr. Bart Natoli- Seminarian

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Dawn Baker- Interim Parish Administrator

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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.