October 25, 2023

Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates

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A Note From Father Rock

Good morning, Church Family!


I have been hearing that those who tested positive that they got through it and are now testing negative. We were not trying to make people afraid, but enough had tested positive we felt that it was important that people know.


Two things happen Sunday you may want to be a part of:


After the 10 am service we will have a coffee pot and discussion on the budget for the coming year, naming priorities and taking a deep look into the finer details of our common life and how to fund it. The one we had in the spring was helpful and informative. We will have some heavy snacks and coffee to tide you over to lunch. 

Sunday evening, we have a fun night planned to watch a certain kids' musical about the "king of Halloween" staging a coup against a holiday that happens to be in December. We have invited the whole town as part of the Halloween festivities they are advertising. (We are having to be vague because of our licensing and advertising to the public.) Think of it as A Really Bad Dream Before A Certain December Holiday. If you need more, please talk to Rock+


Please invite your friends and family to join us. It is a beloved film by many. We are still looking for people to help give out treats and popcorn. If you can help out, please contact the office.

Blessings, and hope to see you Sunday!

Rock+

JOIN US THIS WEEK

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

  • 7:30am- Eucharist Rite II & breakfast to follow
  • 10:30am-Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie
  • 5pm- Vinyasa Yoga with Susan


Thursday, October 26, 2023

  • 6pm- Hand Bell Rehearsal
  • 7pm- Parish Choir Rehearsal


Sunday, October 29, 2023

  • 8am- Eucharist Rite I (no music) INDOORS
  • 9am- Adult & Children Sunday School
  • 10am- Eucharist Rite II (music)
  • 11am- Budget Coffee Pot & Volunteer Fair
  • 6:30pm- Halloween Movie in Pavilion


Monday, October 30, 2023

  • 10:30am- Good Grief
  • 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie


Tuesday, November 1, 2023

  • 10am- Book Club
Click Here to Watch Services Live or Later

October Calendar:


  • 10/29- Coffee Pot- Budget Check In (after 10am service)
  • 10/29- Fall Outdoor Movie in Pavilion 6:30pm


November Calendar:

  • 11/2- Journal Group with Beth Harrison 10:30am
  • 11/5- Daylight Savings
  •  11/6- Election Eve Time of Prayer 7pm
  • 11/10-Office Closed- Veterans Day
  • 11/11- Stew Sale
  • 11/12- Stewardship Celebration after 10am
  • 11/18- Supper Club
  • 11/19- Contemplative Service 5pm
  • 11/20- 6:30pm Vestry Meeting
  • 11/23 & 11/24-Thanksgiving- Office Closed

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)


Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

We had an excellent Lunch and Learn presentation on Mental Health awareness on Sunday. Thank you to Nancy Chamlee, Alice Cobb and Anne Woodward for all their help organizing it! It was delicious food and invaluable information. Be on the lookout for our next Lunch & Learn early 2024.

Bettilee Kay funeral



We will celebrate the beautiful life of former member Bettilee Kay Saturday, November 18th at 11am here at St. James the Less with a reception in the Parish Hall to follow. We hope you can join us.

All Saints


We will be observing All Saints at our Sunday, November 5th service. We read the names of our Beloveds that have passed at that service. If you would like the name of your loved one read aloud, please email Kasey and let us know how you would like it to read.

Coffee Pot- Budget Check In


For those who are curious about how the church is doing financially, please join us for a Coffee Pot on Sunday, 10/29 following the 10am service. We will be able to answer questions and give a clear picture of how things are going. We hope you will join us!

Election Eve Prayer


The Election Eve Prayer Service is a area-wide service praying for our community, state, and nation. We have been doing this for several years. It is a non-partisan gathering lifting up our friends and neighbors and asking for God's grace in our communal life on Monday, 11/6 at 7pm. All are welcome, as we celebrate our unity in Christ with The Rev. Rock Higgins and Reverend Isaac Varner of Independence Christian. Please join us and invite your church and neighbors!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There is a poster and some information on breast cancer table in the hall opposite the church office. There is also a Survivor banner attached. If you are a survivor of breast cancer, you are encouraged to attach your name to the banner.

Brunswick Stew


We are so excited to be selling our famous "Bishop's Blessed Brunswick Stew." They will be $12 a quart. If you would like to reserve a quart (or more) for yourself or your family, please do that here, or you are welcome to call Kasey and she can set you up. (804-798-6336). You can pay when you pick it up via check, cash or card on Saturday, November 11th.


We need volunteers! If you are willing and able to help us, please sign up on the bulletin board or email us and let us know how/when you'd like to be part. We need help with set up, stirring the stew, chopping vegetables the day beofre, etc. It is so much fun to work together! THANK YOU!

2023 SJtL Ornament


We started a tradition last year creating a SJtL Christmas ornament. We are thrilled to continue that again this year! This year's ornament features the Pavilion. (last year it had our logo on it) It is crystal with beveled edges. It's gorgeous! We are selling this Parish Fundraiser for $20. To place an order, please complete this form, sign up in the hallway on the bulletin board or call the office, 804-798-6336. Orders need to be in by Friday, October 27th for pick up at our Stew Sale. You can pay when you pick them up. Thank you for supporting this community!

CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING

Sunday Schedule:


  • Children's Sunday School- Sundays 9am
  • Nursery- Sundays 9am
  • Children's Church- during the 10am service


Children's Supplies -Help us get ready for the new program year. Click the link HERE to see the needs for our youth and children’s programming. Thank you all so much for your continued support!!!

Regional Youth Group: Go Fourth Sundays


Join us on November 26th at 6pm for the next meeting of Go Fourth Sundays for our Youth! We will share a meal, create a to go service project, and share in fellowship! Follow us on Instagram for more information. @GoFourthSundays

UPCOMING EVENTS

If you would like to view the rest of the Halloween events the town of Ashland has going on, click HERE. What a fun place to live!

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 (see below)

Pantry:

  • Canned beef stew
  • Canned vegetables (not green beans)
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned soup
  • Canned beans
  • Peanut butter
  • Pasta sauce
  • Cold cereal
  • Oatmeal (smaller sizes, or instant packets)
  • Laundry detergent

 

Children's Clothing:

  • Boy's and Girl's fall & winter clothing (all sizes)
  • Boy's and Girl's fall & winter pajamas (all sizes)
  • Boy's and Girl's shoes (all sizes) VERY LOW INVENTORY
  • Boy's and Girl's socks (all sizes)
  • Boy's underwear (size 6 - 8)
  • Girl's underwear (size 16)
  • Diapers (size 4, 5, 6 and 7)... We do not need pull-ups
  • Baby Wipes 


Adult Clothing:

  • Men's athletic shoes (all sizes)
  • Men's work boots (all sizes)
  • Men's jeans (all sizes but especially size 28 - 40)
  • Men's undershirts (all sizes)
  • Men's athletic socks (all sizes)
  • Women's athletic socks (all sizes)
  • Women's sanitary products


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

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 Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Mark, Dabney & Gail, our Bishops, Rock+, our priest, and Dawn+, our Deacon. 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, 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, Dennis Folsom, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Janet Taylor, Joy Stevenson, Wendy Vaughan, Andy Newchok, Rebecca Hottman, Haden Hopkins, Kim Keene, Pam Bowers, Hilda Kelly, Lee & Susan Chambers, Harry Hassell, Baker/Penland family, Joel Blunk, Holly Rison and family, Bower family, Michele Murphy, Gavin Yonce and family, Smith family, Lyde Longaker, Mary Ann Harris, the Poskey family, Dennis Ray, Michele Parks, Gini Dryden, Aubree Dillon, Angela Bennett, Steve Sullivan, Debby Hudgins, Tim & family and Bobbie Street.



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, Liam Higgins, and Katherine Murphy. 


We ask your prayers for those who have died, especially Bettilee Kay and Wayne Morris. 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.

Proper 24 Homily

Click HERE to read the sermon text

WEDNESDAY FUNNY

October 25

Bob Batten

Tish Sanders

Lettie Dyer


October 26

Fern Tharrington


October 27

Bill Harrison

October 30

Kolbey Hogeboom


October 31

Eleanor Urquhart

HELPFUL LINKS

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336


Staff:

The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector

The Rev. Deacon Dawn McNamara Deacon

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- 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.