October 23, 2024

Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates

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A Note from Father Rock

Good morning, friends!


I wanted to give a clarification on my article from last week. Our beloved tree out front was removed by Dominion as their pruning around the power lines made it lopsided and unhealthy. And it was removed at their expense. Also, we attempted to record my talk about my sabbatical, and had the camera all set up. Somehow, when I thought it was recording it was not so our video that several asked for was not made. I deeply regret that. I was so touched by the turnout, interest, and engagement from the program.


A couple of really big things are coming up. 

  • The Deacon Susan Parlier will be preaching this Sunday. She has been attending St. James the Less for years and was on the parish retreat, and recently had her credentials transferred to Virginia from the Upper South Carolina diocese. I am excited to hear Deacon Susan bring God's Word to us.
  • If you want quarts of our wonderful "Bishop Blessed" Brunswick Stew, please pre-order that. Contacts for pre-orders are below. Our cook and pick-up will be November 9. (Details below.)
  • Miriam is collecting for our Advent Faire Santa Shop. If you have things ready, you can drop them off at the Stew Pick-Up on the 9th. This is earlier than normal, but it helps us know what we have for the shop.
  • Next Sunday, November 3, we are observing All Saints' Day. It is always moving to read the list of names of those being prayed for, so please get those names into the office for their inclusion.
  • November 10 is the culmination of our Stewardship Season. The Stewardship Moments have been inspiring the last two weeks. Thanks to Harrison, George, and Faith for their words and giving hearts. Our Stewardship Luncheon will follow the 10 am service on the 10th.

Continued blessings and thanks! Hope to see you Sunday!

Rock+


JOIN US THIS WEEK

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

  • 7:30am- Eucharist Rite II (with bagels & coffee to follow)
  • 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie (in the pavilion)


Thursday, October 24, 2024

  • 6pm- Handbell Choir
  • 7pm- Parish Choir


Sunday, October 27, 2024

  • 8am- Eucharist Rite I (INDOOR)
  • 9am- Sunday School (adults and kids)
  • 10am- Eucharist Rite II
  • 11am- Hospitality Team Meeting
  • 6pm- Youth Group


Monday, October 28, 2024

  • 10:30am- Good Grief
  • 10:30am- Yoga with Lorie
  • 5:30pm- Pray for the Country Group


Tuesday, October 29, 2024

  • 10am- Book Club (in person and virtual)


Click Here to Watch Services Live or Later

October Calendar:

  • 10/8-11/19- Book Club- Tuesdays 10am


  • 10/27-Youth Group 6pm


November Calendar:

  • 11/3- Daylight Savings, All Saints Observed/Baptisms, youth group 6pm
  • 11/4 7pm- Election Eve Service
  • 11/7-9- Annual Convention
  • 11/9- Brunswick Stew Sales
  • 11/10-Stewardship Sunday & Meal
  • 11/11- Veterans Day- Office Closed
  • 11/17-Cherub Choir sings 10am service, Youth group 6pm
  • 11/27- No Wednesday service
  • 11/28 & 11/29-Thanksgiving- Office Closed

What a beautiful and full weekend! We are grateful to all our volunteers who give of themselves on our behalf. Father Rock was able to give us a glimpse in to his Sabbatical experiences.

Hospitality Team


Sunday, 10/27 following the 10am service, Nancy Chamlee will be holding a training for our hospitality team in the kitchen. We invite anyone interested in joining or participating in our hospitality team. Food will be prepared and served. All are wanted and welcome!

Installation of Presiding Bishop Elect Sean Rowe


As announced at the close of the 81st General Convention, the investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe will be a simpler, scaled-down event this fall with a view toward reducing carbon footprint and increasing virtual engagement and participation.


The investiture service will take place on Nov. 2 at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in The Episcopal Church Center in New York City with a prelude beginning at 10 a.m. ET and the service starting at 11 a.m. ET. There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation. We will be holding a watch party here at St. James the Less for those that would like to gather and watch it in the library starting at 10am.

Election Eve Service


Please join us on Monday, 11/4 at 7pm for our Annual Election Eve Service. It is such an important time for our community, nation and world. Let's gather together and pray on their behalf. May we come together in unity and love!

Annual Stew 11/9


It's that time of year again! Our Annual Brunswick Stew is upon us. We are so excited to be selling our famous "Bishop's Blessed Brunswick Stew." They will be $14 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 9th between 3-5pm. If you would like to volunteer to help cook or clean up, please let us know. We could use the extra help!

Santa Shop Donations


Doing some fall cleaning? Finding beautiful trinkets or wares that you no longer need? Feel free to donate early to the Santa Shop. (During Advent Fair, 12/1, we invite our children to shop in our Santa's Shop for their family members for Christmas gifts, for free) We are in need of donations of items for the shop. We would also love a few Christmas gift bags and tissue paper. Please drop them in the hallway box. 


Some examples of items that we would love:

Candles, snow gloves, oven mitts, stationary, pen sets, nativity sets, ornaments, little keepsakes, mugs, pottery, notepads, card games, nice books, etc.


Advent Faire will be December 1st and we would love to be able to prepare well before Thanksgiving to be ready to kick off Advent our favorite way! We look forward to sharing in this wonderful time with our church family! 

Creation Care


The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia's Creation Care Committee offers the nine-week program, Love God, Love God's World. The national Episcopal Church developed this course about caring for our planet. It is structurally similar to Sacred Ground. More information is here.


The first session will meet via Zoom on Monday, October 28 and will meet every other week. If you are interested, please drop a note to Deacon Salli Hartman at sjhinva@gmail.com.

Confirmation Class


We will be holding our annual Confirmation Classes on Sunday afternoons 11/3, 11/10, 11/24, and 12/1 from 4:30-6:30pm. There will be no class 11/17. If you would like to join us for Confirmation classes, let us know. We would love to have you come and learn more.

All Saints


We will be observing All Saints at our Sunday, November 3rd 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.

This is a Thanksgiving box drive being held by Peter Paul. You are welcome to fill a box with all the items listed above or you can bring in just a singular item to contribute. We are grateful for any and all donations. Betty Moore will be taking the donations we receive down to Peter Paul November 12th.

CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING

9am- Nursery & Children's Sunday School

10am- Children's Church

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!

Wish List


We are so excited to have everyone back in the classroom and with that comes lots of amazing supplies. HERE is our wishlist link. Any and all items are extremely appreciated!! Thank you so much for your continued support!!!

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 Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Sean, our Presiding Bishop elect, 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, 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, Dennis Folsom, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Joy Stevenson, Andy Newchok, 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, Clint Rose, Tim Yagla, Ken Perry, Teva Rittenhouse, Jonah Smith, Christen Meacham, Erik Klauss, Bobbi Prentice, 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, Liam Higgins, and Katherine Murphy. 


We ask your prayers for those who have died, especially Walton Vaughan. 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 FUNNY

October 23

Paul Feeley

Brooke Matthews


October 24

Heather Grande


October 25

Bob Batten

Tish Sanders

Lettie Dyer

October 26

Fern Tharrington


October 27

Bill Harrison

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

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.