Join Us This Week Indoors

Vestry Minute

Here’s a fun story from the desert fathers and mothers. 

Some old men came to see Abba Poemen and said to him, “When we see brothers who are dozing [during prayers], shall we rouse them so that they will be watchful?” He said to them, “For my part, when I see a brother who is dozing, I put his head on my knees and let him rest.”

Friends of God, are you finding rest among one another’s company? Are you providing a space for each other to rest even when tradition might dictate otherwise? I love this story because it flies in the face of our works righteousness culture. We are not what we do for a living. We are who we are - cast in the image of God. That’s it. And that image deserves all our care and compassion. 

Even when we “should” be at work.

A note from the Senior Warden with an update from your Vestry:

This past week we met with Bishop Stevenson and received an updated report regarding the consultant’s work -- work that we reported to you in our July 2 update. The Bishop acknowledged the difficulties we have experienced during these months and assured us that in addition to the work he is doing with us, he continues to pray for our faith community and for Fr. Rock and his family. 

The Bishop continues to be in conversation with the consultant, Fr. Rock, and the vestry. Although the Bishop did not provide a specific timeline, he did assure us that this reconciliation process is coming to a conclusion. He is acutely aware of the tension we’ve all been experiencing, and the need for resolution.

We are grateful for Fr. Ohmer’s pastoral presence during this time, as we know you are as well. Moreover, we are grateful for each of you and for all that you do for our Church. Please continue doing all of that, for each other and in the name of the Lord.

Here is the list of the current vestry if you want to reach out and talk.

Jim Allen, Sr. Warden

George Field, Jr. Warden

There are two new email addresses.

wardens@stjamestheless.church

vestry@stjamestheless.church

• 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)

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 Sean++, our Presiding Bishop, Mark+, Gail+ & Bud+, our Bishops, John+ and Rock+, our priests. We pray for Bart, our Seminarian, in his formation. 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 remember before you all who are restricted by poverty or oppression, all who cannot fulfil their calling due to illness or circumstance. We pray for all who are afraid to commit themselves to anyone. We pray for members of our community, friends and loved ones who are ill, especially, Gus Miller, Erin Yagla, Meghann Batten, Haden Hopkins, Hilda Kelly, the Smith family, Mary Ann Harris, Mary Lou Brown, Pam Gillette, Ruth Beaudry, Dawn Haase & Family, Kimette Cannady, Alicia Wood, Anna Marie, Judy Sledd, Floyd Moore, Tim Yagla, Erik Klauss, Steve Crain, Jessica Wingo, Margaret Belyea, Calvin Stanley, Lee Chambers, Patty Smith, Douglas and Karen Bower, Ginger Brooking, Jennifer Fewell Gardner, Charlie Bonner, Christen Meacham, Susan Arthur, Dearing Gardner, Jason Robb, Paul Schofield, Teva Rittenhouse, Mattie Ham, Jerry Peart, Mike Littlefield, Melissa Deas and John Hodges.

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, and Katherine Murphy. 

We ask your prayers for those who have died. We ask your prayers for those who grieve their missing loved ones.  

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.

July 24

Ashley Harrison

July 25

Matt Lambert



July 27

Joyce Blunt

July 29

Annette Paul

Joyce Blunt's Birthday!

• Prayer List- Prayers of the People
• Giving Online- Click here to give online or text "GIVE2THELESS" at 73256 from your phone.
• Ask for prayer-Send in your prayer request (please acknowledge if the prayer is private or for our Parish list)
• The Collect Collective- Daily short prayer with Father Rock
• 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- It has wonderful ways of engaging with your own space (and the spaces around the church) to find the Holy, already present, within them.
• Father Rock's Blog- Access reading of all of Father Rock's Homilies.
• 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

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

Dawn Baker- Interim Parish Administrator

Office Hours: Monday 9am-2pm, Wednesday 9am-2pm and Friday 9am-12pm