January 1, 2025

Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates

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A Note From Father Rock

Good morning, Church Family! Happy New Year!


Today is the Feast of the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Every Jewish boy was circumcised (and formally named) on the eighth day of his life, and so, one week after Christmas, we celebrate the occasion when Our Lord first shed His blood for us. Jesus comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua (Joshua) which means "God is Salvation." This is often shortened to "God Saves," or "Yahweh Saves." The angel instructed Joseph, Jesus' earthly dad, to name him this in a dream in Matthew. Mary was instructed to do this at the Annunciation in Luke. What does Jesus' name mean to you? Or the meaning of his name, how does that affect your view of him?


This Sunday we will be having our Epiphany Play, our annual celebration of the visit of the Wise Men and rounding off our 12th Day of Christmas (even though Sunday will only be the 11th day). Miriam and her many helpers always make this a joyous and heartwarming time. I hope you will be able to join us at the 10 am service for this.


Our new Sunday School year starts. Beth Harrison's class will be looking at the lectionary readings enabling a deeper understanding for the day's lessons. Bart's and my class will be looking at Catechism 101, going over Episcopal belief and practice. I cannot encourage you enough to be intentional in your discipleship and growth this year. Hope you will join Beth in the 4th Quarter room downstairs or our class in the Parish Hall upstairs. 

Next week we will be starting our new book club on Tuesday mornings at 10. Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, SJ. Though the thickness of the book may be intimidating, it is a travel journal of his visit to the Holy Land, and is a fun and quick read. These are always a fun time. Please join us in person, or it is also simulcast on Zoom and it can be watched later if you miss a week. This is always a fun gathering Tuesday mornings.



Blessings on you and yours in the New Year!


The Collect for the Feast of the Holy Name:



Eternal Father, who didst give to thine incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we beseech thee, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, even our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.


Rock+

JOIN US THIS WEEK

Sunday, January 5, 2025

  • 8am Eucharist Rite I
  • 10am Eucharist Rite II with music and the Epiphany play
  • 6pm Youth Group

Monday, January 6, 2025

  • 10:30am Grief Group
  • 10:30am Yoga with Lorie

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

  • 10am Book Club

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

  • 7:30am Eucharist Rite II
  • 10:30am Yoga with Lorie
Click Here to Watch Services Live or Later

January Calendar:

  • 1/1- New Year's Day- Office Closed
  • 1/5- Epiphany Observed with play and 6pm Youth Group
  • 1/19- Prayer Shawl Ministry after 10am service
  • 1/20- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- Office Closed
  • 1/26- Youth Group 6pm

2025 Book Club


We will be reading Jesus a Pilgrimage, by James Martin, SJ in our next Book Club. HERE is a link to purchase . It will be on Tuesdays at 10am 1/7-4/8 in 2025. We hope you will join us in person for our next Book Club! All are welcome!

Zoom Repeat of Julie's Ukraine Trip


For those who were disappointed to miss Julie’s Ukraine trip presentation, she will be sharing it again via Zoom on January 14 at 7pm Eastern Time. Please contact Julie (jbericksen2013@gmail.com) or office@stjamestheless.church for the Zoom link.

Andy Newchok Funeral


The funeral for Andy Newchok will be January 18 at 10 a.m. This will be a full Eucharist service with a reception following. Please join the family as we celebrate the life of Andy.

Prayer Shawl Ministry


Kim Cannady will be heading up our Prayer Shawl Ministry moving forward in the new year. They will meet the 3rd Sunday of the month, following the 10am service. All are welcome and will be trained. The first meeting will be on January 19th. Please reach out to Kim with questions.

2025 Altar Flowers


Sign up sheets are up for the 2025 Altar Flowers. Our Altar guild does an incredible job honoring the lives of the ones we remember. The cost is $35.

Rosemary Jones Funeral


The funeral for Rosemary Jones will be February 2nd at 2 p.m. Please join the family as we celebrate the life of Rosemary.

Fall Line Farms Volunteer Opportunity


Do you have time once a month to help distribute food orders for church and fellow members of the Ashland area? We would love to add a person or two to our small team of staff. Requirements are about 3.5 hours of a Thursday once a month from 2:30pm -6pm. Foods are delivered, you divided it into orders for clients and then greet people with a friendly face. (I read or catch up on podcasts while waiting.) Can you join us? Please contact Heather Grande with your availability and join her and the Sehlhorsts for an easy, but wonderful chance to help.

CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING

January 5, 2025

9am Nursery, Children's Sunday School practicing for play

10am Play and Children's Church


Epiphany Play


Epiphany will be here before we know it! We will have our Epiphany Play on January 5th, this Sunday. Just come at Sunday School time and we will get parts assigned and give you a little time to practice. We welcome kids and young adults to participate!! We would love to have a full array of farm animals and kings!

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!

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 Sean, our Presiding Bishop, 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, Donald, our President elect, 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, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, 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, Tim Yagla, Ken Perry, Erik Klauss, Teva Rittenhouse, Bobbi Prentice, Steve Crain, Margaret Belyea, Tom Slaughter, Calvin Stanley, Heather Grande, Ray Tyson, 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, and Katherine Murphy. 


We ask your prayers for those who have died. 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 WIT

January 3

Kathryn Roberts


January 4

Lee Chambers

Hunter Fines

Dylan Friedman

January 6

Jim Sanders



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

Dr. Bart Natoli- Seminarian

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Dawn Baker- Interim Parish Administrator

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