Christmas is such a special time at St. James the Less. We remember our saints that have gone before and honor the incredible people in our midst now. We are grateful you are part of this community and look forward to beautiful growth and care in 2026. Thank you to all our volunteers that make our seasons so special with the ways they use their gifts, seen and unseen.

Shrine Mont Sunday – January 11- We are pleased to welcome Kirk Gibson, Director of Shrine Mont, who will be joining us following the 10:00 a.m. service on January 11. Kirk will share updates on recent and upcoming improvements at Shrine Mont, including the rebuilding of the cross and other exciting news. We will also announce the date for our 2026 Parish Retreat and have information available about Shrine Mont Summer Camps. Please plan to stay and learn more about this special place and its ministry.

Lord God, encourage us to faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion for all God’s children. We lift up Sean, our Presiding Bishop, Mark, Gail & Bud, our Bishops, and John, our Priest in Charge. May they be strengthened and encouraged as they work with us to proclaim your Good News in this world. We pray for Donald, our President, Glenn, our Governor, and Steve, our Mayor, and all our elected officials. Guide them to lead us to the common good. 



We pray for members of our community, friends and loved ones who are ill, especially, Gus, Erin, Meghann, Haden, Hilda, the Smith family, Mary Lou, Pam, Ruth, Alicia, Judy, Erik, Steve, Jessica, Margaret, Patty, Douglas, Karen, Ginger, Jennifer, Susan, Dearing, Jason, Paul, Mike, Melissa, Amy, the Skidmore family, Martin, Don, Bob, Cara, Sharon, Sandi, Jack, Winnie, Cleve and Bill. 

We pray for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. We ask your prayers for those serving in the diplomatic corps, the military, and as missionaries: Larson, Greg, Matthew, James, Ellie, Andrew, Katherine and Duke. 

We pray for those who have died, especially Marcella. We ask your prayers for those who grieve their missing loved ones. Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored.

December 30- Mary Ann Kinser, Sam Rosser

December 31- Beth Renswick, Hannah Moberg

January 3- Kathryn Roberts

January 4- Hunter Fines, Dylan Friedman

January 6- Jim Sanders

January 7-Morse Faria

• Ask for prayer-Send in your prayer request (please acknowledge if the prayer is private or for our Parish list)
• List of Local Food Pantries- Click here for a complete list of local food pantries.
• Fall Line Farms- A wonderful organization that supports local farmers. Click here to order food so you can pick it up here at SJTL on Thursdays.
• Self- Guided Ways Of Worship Brochure- has wonderful ways of engaging with your own space (and the spaces around the church) to find the Holy, already present, within them.
• Blessings & Dressings- A copy of the SJTL Cookbook 
• End of Life Planning Kit- Help with estate planning from the Episcopal Church Foundation.
• Diocesan Creation Care Website- Creation Care Task Force for 2025

Vestry Contact Information

Here is the list of the current vestry members, if you want to reach out:

Melissa Hoar, Sr. Warden

George Field, Jr. Warden

Beth Baxter

Nancy Chamlee

Julie Ericksen

Richard Grosse

PK Kinser

John Krause

Melissa Roberts

Derrick Rosser

Sylvia Spagna

Use these email address to contact the wardens or whole vestry:

vestry@stjamestheless.church

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336

Staff: (click on the name to email )

The Rev. John Ohmer Priest in Charge

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- Coordinator of Administration and Hospitality

The church office is open/staffed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to 3pm.