Our Weekly News & Updates |
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In the book of Esther, we see a young woman who is given a choice. She is given the chance to do what is right, or to do what is easy. When confronted with the options, it is said that her privileges were given to her "for such a time as this."(Esther 4:14) Esther is a short book, and if you are not familiar with it, take some time, sit down, and read it from beginning to end. She had a lot expected of her, but she was born to play that role.
I think about the times we are living in, and I have to chuckle to myself that a Chinese curse is "May you live in interesting times." I pray for a little bit less "interesting," but we have no say on the When of our lives.
"For such a time as this" we have been brought together. "For such a time as this" we have been given Christ's Good News to share. "For such a time as this" we have been given the opportunity to be instruments of God's peace. In the coming days and weeks, I think this will be all the more needed. On page 833 in the Book of Common Prayer is Prayer 62. A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis. Before we speak, or act, praise, or condemn anyone this week, maybe we can filter what we were about to do through this prayer.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
As Episcopalians we believe that as we pray, so we believe. And we know, as we believe, so do we act. May your prayers shape your actions this week. May actions shape your prayers, especially those beyond your control. "For such a time as this," my friends, I believe we are called to pray.
God's blessings on you, and on our nation. Amen
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As we look to the new year, we want to wish our very own Carolina Lugo well as she transitions to more responsibilities (and a promotion!) with her full time work. It is bitter sweet that she needs to step down from her current position here at SJTL. Her last Sunday will be January 31st. We pray blessings on her and her family and are deeply grateful for the love and care she has shown our families. We love you Carolina! |
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With excitement we want to welcome our dear Miriam Smith as the new Christian Foundation Director. She is a beloved member of our community and will create a seamless transition for our families. Miriam will start on February 1st. We pray for you Miriam as you bless our families with your talents, love and care. |
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UPDATE FROM OUR PARISH NURSE |
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Hanover is currently only doing COVID immunizations for those in the 1A group. Hopefully they will move to 1B by the end of the month (this includes anyone 65 and older). If you would like to see when a vaccine might be available to you, click this link for the Virginia Department of Health and they will take your contact information and let you know when it might be available to you.
We are so blessed to have a Parish Nurse, Bobbie Street, in our midst. We wanted to remind you that if you have a medical question, she is associated with a vast network of medical professionals that she can connect you with. She can help get answers to your questions. Feel free to text or call her at (804) 651-8289. You can also email her here.
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You all are such thoughtful and generous people, in spirit and in deed. As you are holding our prayer list and community in your hearts, many have asked for phone numbers, emails, and mailing addresses so that you can send support, especially in this time of isolation.
If you would like any of that information, we are happy to pass it along to our members. . Just give us a call or email us. Thank you for supporting each other so well!
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We've moved the memorial stone in the Memorial Garden. It looks absolutely gorgeous! Thank you to AP Grappone & Sons for their incredible work. Please feel free to come by and enjoy this beautiful outdoor space to reflect on the incredible generations that have come before us. What a legacy Saint James the Less has! |
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WEDNESDAY NOONDAY PRAYERS |
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On Wednesday, 1/20, we will hold our Noonday Prayers at 11:30am. This will allow us to be together in Spirit and then be present to the Inauguration. We hope you will join us.
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Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 16th from 4:30-6:30pm. We will have Monique's Crepes food truck here in our our parking lot! You will be able to pre-order and they email you when you dinner is ready for pick up. Yoto those inu can also walk up and order as well. Their menu looks fantastic! Take a look here.
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Since we can't meet together for pancakes, we thought this might be the next best thing. You will also be able to pick up individual bags of blessed ashes for Ash Wednesday that evening. Invite your friends and family. All are welcomed and wanted! |
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We have emailed and called those who requested pledge envelopes. They are labeled and on a table in the hallway. We can leave them out for you to pick up at a certain time or we could mail them. We are here in the office Monday and Wednesday 8:30-2pm. If you would like to swing by on one of those days, we can bring them out to you. You don't even need to get out of your car, our very own curbside pick up. You are welcome to email us and let us know how you would like to get them. If you didn't request envelopes, but would like them, we are happy to provide those too. Just let us know!
If you would still like to pledge, there is still time. Email us if you need a new card. This helps us plan the budget for 2021. We are grateful for all the ways you continue to support SJTL!
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Wednesday
Join us for Morning Prayer this Wednesday at 7:30am and then a cup of coffee afterward at 8am on Zoom. Please make sure that your screen name is your name so we know who is there. It is a wonderful time to reconnect!
Link to join the conversation at 8am: click here.
If you would like to call in (audio only) dial (646) 558 8656 and enter the Meeting ID: 826 2172 6493 and Password: 997124
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Thursday
We are thrilled January Book Club has started! We will meet on Thursday at 10:30am.
We will be reviewing Chapter 3. Please read the chapter before, if you can.
We are reading The Ragamuffin Gospel:Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out, by Brennan Manning. You can order it here from Amazon. We are happy to order you a copy if you would like. Please join us. Everyone is wanted and welcome! Also, if this is your first time using Zoom, we are happy to help you get set up.
To join the Zoom meeting click here
If you would like to call in (audio only), dial (301) 715-8592 and enter the Meeting ID: 840 2332 3497 and Passcode: 570346
To watch the recording from last week, click here. Password:2gPVZu!N
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Sunday Morning
We hope that you will join us at 10am for virtual Morning Prayer Worship service. It will be a beautiful time of connection and community. The link to watch and the bulletin is below in the schedule.
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Monday Morning
Grief Group is continuing via Zoom on Monday mornings at 10:30am until we are allowed to meet again in person.
To join the meeting on Monday, simply click here
If you would like to call in (audio only), dial (301)715-8592 and enter
Meeting ID: 879 5406 9630 and Passcode: 062583
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OUTREACH
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
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Many of you have been looking for ways to be generous this holiday season. Hanover Department of Community Resources put together a lovely flyer that show the needs of our community and how you can help. Please click here to see the many ways you can "love your neighbor."
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First Baptist Church Food Pantry is offering food to any resident of Hanover County that might need it.
WHERE: 800 Thompson Street, Ashland 23005
WHEN: First Tuesday, Third Tuesday or Third Saturday from 9 until 11 am (come 1 time within a 30 day period)
They offer food, hygiene items, and baby needs. Tuesdays are drive through to receive a bag of food, freezer items, bread,hygiene items. Saturdays are self shop in fellowship hall. COVID procedures in place: Temperature checks, masks required, social distancing. Call 804 -798 -9014 for more information.
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Saint James the Less Free Clinic
Right outside our very own Saint James the Less Free Clinic the Girl Scouts have donated a food pantry. It is available 24/7 if people might have an immediate need. Please feel free to come by and 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:
- Pantry: Canned Meat (chicken, beef, spam, ham, salmon, tuna), Canned and Boxed Potatoes, Pork-n-beans, Protein Soups/Stews (with meat and/or beans), Pasta Sauce
- Children's Clothing: Diapers - size 6, Boy's New Underwear (sizes 8 - 10)
- Adult Clothing: Women's New Undergarments (bras & panties - all sizes), Men's Jeans - size 34 waist
- Household Item's: Queen Sheets and Blankets (new or gently used)
They respectfully request that clothing donations be limited to "in-season" only, as we do not have space to store "out-of-season" items. They are open to drop off donations Monday 8:30am-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!
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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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Tuesday, January 19, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
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7:30am- Morning Prayer (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
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8am- Coffee & Conversation (online)
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Link to join
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11:30 am-Noonday prayer (online)
Thursday, January 21, 2021
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10:30am- Book Club
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Link to join
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Friday, January 22, 2021
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12pm- Noonday Prayer (online)
Sunday, January 24, 2021
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9am- Children's Sunday School (online)
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Link to join
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10am- Morning Prayer Worship (online)
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Link to watch service
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Link for bulletin
Monday, January 25, 2021
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10:30am- Grief Group (online)
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Link to join
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12pm- Noonday prayers (online)
Join us daily for Noonday Prayer online here. You can follow along with the service on page 103 of the Book of Common Prayer or visit BCPonline.org (Click on "Daily Office" and then"An Order of Service at Noonday")
If you can't join us live-time, no worries. All of our services can be viewed at your convenience afterward on Facebook. All our Sunday morning and Contemplative services will be posted on our YouTube Channel, "St. James the Less Ashland VA." You can access that here.
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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, and Harrison, our deacon. May they be strengthened and encouraged as the work with us to proclaim your Good News in this world. We pray for Donald, our President, Joe, our President Elect, Ralph, 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, Pat, Dick, Erin, Joanie, Anna, Meredith, Madge, Mary Ann, Katie, Kirsten, Carolyn Moore Lindau, Molly, Amy, Meghann, Mark, Carol, David, Alice, Dennis, Barbara, Colin and Caleb, Jimmy, Ricki Carson, Michael Fox, Alex Gillette, Bill & Beth Arrott, Michelle Murphy, Bill Blakemore, Rose, Mason, Elizabeth Attkisson (Erin Cobb's mother), Jan Meacham, Karl Meyer, Chambers Cromwell (friend of Betty & Jim Moore), Horace Crowe (friend of the Meyer’s family), Delaney Thompson family, Aubrey Fletcher, Dee Alvarez, Ginny Miller (sister of Carol Barnes), Kia (friend of Shelby Davies), John Murphy, Lyla Buchanan, Emily Bach, Kathy Marshall and her mom Connie.
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, especially Bill Gleason.
We ask your prayers for those who grieve.
We pray for Metropolitan Richmond:We pray to overcome in Christ’s name the heritage of racism: For the elimination of discrimination in housing, policing, education, employment, transportation, and churches in Metropolitan Richmond.
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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THIS PAST SUNDAY'S HOMILY |
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Rum Cream Pies
(contributed by Cami Stiles on p. 147)
Ingredients:
- 2 8" pie crusts, vanilla wafer, graham or chocolate (all are good)
- 6 eggs, separated
- 1 scant cup sugar
- 1 env. unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 c. cold water
- 1 pt. cream
- 1/2 c. dark rum
Beat egg yolks until light and add sugar. Soak gelatin in cold water. Put gelatin mixture over a low heat, bring to a boil. Pour over sugar and egg yolk mixture. Stir briskly. Whip cream until stiff; fold into egg mixture. Flavor with dark rum. Cool until mixture begins to set. Pour into shells. Sprinkle with chocolate curls. Chill and serve.
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NeverTheLess and Weekly E-News Deadline: If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information to Kasey no later than noon on Monday. Thanks!
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January 19
Dale Hill
Danah Massey
January 21
Mark FitzHugh
January 22
Kelly Criste-Cook
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January 24
Cameron Bajcsi
James Bajcsi
January 25
Tyler FitzHugh
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