June 4, 2022 More than 450 lay and clerical delegates gathered June 4 at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va. for a special convention to elect the 14^th Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Virginia. The delegates elected the Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson on the second ballot.

The Rev. Canon Stevenson is the Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry Within The Episcopal Church. He is the principal liaison between Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the House of Bishops, the various dioceses, and many of the governing bodies of The Episcopal Church.

Before being called to this role in September 2018, Canon Stevenson was the Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, leading a dedicated team in executing a national program of refugee resettlement. Previously, he served as Domestic Poverty Missioner for The Episcopal Church.

Canon Stevenson served as Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Louisiana from August 2005 until September 2013. Following hurricane Katrina, Canon Stevenson worked closely with local, regional, national, and international leaders and groups to put into place the processes for effective relief and other ministry. He was the Rector in two parishes: the Church of the Annunciation in New Orleans, and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Maitland, Florida. His time at both churches focused on developing ministries with youth and revitalizing ministries of stewardship, Christian education, and community outreach.

Canon Stevenson and his wife of 27 years, Joy, reside in Louisville, Kentucky, with their Border Collie, Franklin.

According to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, the majority of Bishops and Standing Committees of the 109 Episcopal dioceses must consent to this election. Pending the consent of the bishops and dioceses, Canon Stevenson will be ordained and consecrated a bishop in the Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 3, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, located at 4247 Creighton Road, Henrico, VA 23223.

Canon Stevenson will become the 14th Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Virginia. He succeeds the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, who retired in 2018. The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff, Bishop Suffragan, has served as the Ecclesiastical Authority since Johnston’s retirement. Bishop Goff will retire at the end of this year.

Friends, 

What a busy and glorious weekend. We had our movie night, our bishop's election (Thanks be to God and prayers for the Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson), and a jam-packed Pentecost with a beautiful service, the Summer Kick-Off Carnival, and the deeply moving Contemplative Service. Thanks to everyone who made so much good happen.

I also would like to share some news from Becky+. We were to share this information last week, but the diocese asked us to hold off. Below, she shares God's Call on her life. She had been scheduled for months to be away this month to begin her Doctor of Ministry work in Sewannee, but God had bigger plans. Pray for Becky+ and Matt in this transition.

Dear St. James the Less Family,

It is with mixed emotions that I share the news that I have been called to serve as Priest-In-Charge of Westover Episcopal Church in Charles City, Virginia beginning on August 1st.  I will finish my time as chaplain to St. Catherine’s School at the end of June, and my last Sunday at St. James the Less will be July 31st.  Ever since I joined SJtL as a priest associate in the fall of 2019, I have felt welcomed and loved.  As I have served alongside this wonderful congregation and slowly gotten to know you all, I have sensed an increasing call to parish ministry.  I am thankful that you all have helped me to listen to the Spirit’s movement in my ministry, as I was unsure that I would ever return to parish work.  I have learned so much from Rock+, the members of the Vestry, the talented staff of the church, and the loving congregation.  Matt and I have nurtured friendships here, and he will maintain his membership at SJtL while I venture down the road to the James River each Sunday.  We are so grateful to call Ashland home and will continue to serve this community and grow in faith and friendship here in the Center of the Universe.  Please know that I will be away for the month of June, as I am beginning a doctoral program (D. Min.) in Sewanee, Tennessee.  I look forward to seeing you all in July!

God’s peace,

Becky+  

Becky+, know our hearts are with you. We will celebrate with you in July. We will have a reception on July 31st. And, of course, we will enjoy seeing you around town and back whenever you can in the years to come. 

Westover Episcopal in Charles City, VA

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

• 7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
• Breakfast following

Thursday, June 9, 2022

• 10am- Book Club

Saturday, June 11, 2022

• 9am- Group Exercise Class

Sunday, June 12, 2022

• 8am- Eucharist: Rite I Service
• 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music)

Monday, June 13, 2022

• 10:30am-Grief Group

We are thrilled to celebrate our Graduating seniors this year. What a milestone! We celebrate your incredible accomplishments with them and their families. We are so proud of you and will be praying for you as you take the next steps on your journey. You are a gift to this community and we are cheering you on!

Ian Hughes

Ian is graduating from Atlee High School and will attend the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design, with a major in Architecture.

Anabel Shifflett

Anabel graduating from Atlee High School, and she will attend James Madison University in the Honors College with a major in Social Work.

Jeremy John

Jeremy is graduating from Atlee High School. He will be a Mechanical Engineering major at VCU this Fall.

Deklan Cauthorne

Deklan is graduating from Patrick Henry High School.

Kaitlyn Crump

Kaitlyn is graduating from Patrick Henry High School.

What a gift to be together this weekend. This was a SPIRIT filled time celebrating Pentecost, our Children’s Carnival and our Contemplative service. 

A HUGE thank you to all who helped us with the carnival--those who volunteered to work, provided over 100 baked goodies, participated in the games, enjoyed the food trucks.  It really did take the "village."  This is such a special community!

Please join us this Saturday at 9am for a Group Exercise Class in Brydon Hall, lead by Ale Meade. Get ready for a functional training class that will include some cardio, strength and core that will take your fitness to the next level and will help you with to improve you everyday life. Open to all and adequate for all fitness levels. Please bring a mat.  First class is free, $10 per class or $80 for 10 pass class (only punched when you attend). We look forward to seeing you 

Our beloved Smith family is in the midst of some tough times. If you would like to make the load a bit lighter and take them a meal, please sign up for their Meal Train HERE. They are endlessly grateful for all your support and love. 

Please join us for Book Club on Thursdays at 10am.

The link to join the meeting is here

 If you need to call in, please dial 1 301 715 8592 and enter Meeting ID: 894 6180 0018 and Passcode: 781507

The book is Inspired, by Rachel Held Evans. You can purchase the book on Amazon HERE.  You can also get it on Hoopla through the library (ebook & audiobook).  Please let us know if we can purchase it for you or you need any assistance.  

We are so excited! We are putting together a new Church Directory. It will even come with an app for your phone so that you can locate people's contact information while you are on the go. Our dates to have your pictures taken are June 15-18. Just for participating you will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a copy of the church directory. You will view your images right away and have the chance to purchase family portraits for your own memories and to give as gifts.

Please click HERE to sign up for a date and time. Click on "Photography Appointment Scheduling Login." Enter church code va139, and the church password is photos. We look forward to seeing you beautiful faces on the pages of our directory!

Join us for some our summer movie line up! We have family films and movies for just the grownups. We will hold all movies indoors in Brydon Hall at 6pm, so come rain or shine. We will have popcorn, but you are more than welcome to bring food and drink from home to enjoy while you watch. 

Family films:  

• June 17^th- The Wizard of Oz
• July 1- Raya the Last Dragon
• August 5- The Jungle Book (live action)

For the grownups:

• July 15^th- Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile
• August 19- That Thing You Do

ACES is in need of the following items:



Pantry: Spaghetti sauce, noodles, boxed potatoes, oatmeal, pork & beans, Baked beans, Queen size sheets

Adult Clothing: Women’s bras (C and larger cup; 38 and larger band), Women's underwear, Men’s athletic shoes (sizes 10 and larger), Men’s undershirts (sizes L, XL, and 2X), Men’s boxers and briefs (sizes L, XL, and 2X), Men’s jeans (all sizes)

Children's Clothing: Boy’s clothing & Girl’s clothing (sizes 10- 18), Boy t-shirts, Socks, summer shoes (sandals, flip flops, etc.)

*They are now looking for spring and summer items.

ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!

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, Meghann Batten, 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, Melanie Fischer, Court Warfield, Jane Howard, Pam Bowers, Rose & Mike Brown, Wendy Vaughan, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Matt & Megan Goff, Tom Ficklin, Betty Lee, Janet Taylor, Bower family, Sarah Sebastian, Curtis and family, Sherry Gilmartin, Teva Rittenhouse,  the called Diocesan Convention for our new Bishop and the Slate of Candidates for the process.

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 clinics, medical personnel, and all institutions that serve persons who are uninsured or underinsured. For a national health care system that promotes and encourages health, wellness, and well being for all people.

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.

Pentecost

June 5, 2022

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336

Staff:

The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector

The Rev. Becky McDaniel- Assistant Priest

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- Parish Administrator