December 4, 2024

Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates

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A Note from Father Rock

Dear Church Family,


This will be a momentous week for our Church with the Bishop's Visit on Sunday. The Right Reverend Susan Goff will be with us with Confirmations, Receptions, and Baptisms. Because of the Bishop's Visit, we will only have one service this week, at 10 a.m. I do hope you plan to be here and a part of the celebration.


Sunday Morning Schedule:

NO 8 a.m. Rite I service this week.

9 a.m. Q&A time with Bishop Goff

9:40 Meet with Candidates for Confirmation and Reception

10 a.m. Rite II Eucharist Service with Confirmations, Receptions, and Baptisms

11:30 a.m. Reception directly following the end of the service


I do hope you will be with us this Sunday. Also, please remember to bring your cards and any gifts for Kasey's purse this weekend. There is a red metal box directly outside the office to receive anything as she finishes her ministry with us on the 13th.


We are looking for some help in the office covering phones, making copies, and other light tasks in the coming weeks as we search for a new Parish Administrator. If you have some flexibility Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, please email me. rhiggins@stjamestheless.church


Lastly, I would ask that if you have questions or concerns that you bring them directly to the source. This is what Jesus said to do, and if you need someone to go with you, take them. He says this is Matthew 18:15-17, and you can read it here. For those of you with worries or concerns, please, in the spirit of the season, seek reconciliation and forgiveness if needed and give the benefit of the doubt if you do not have all the information.


Advent blessings,

 

Rock+

JOIN US THIS WEEK

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

  • 7:30am- Eucharist Rite II
  • 10:30am-Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie


Thursday, December 5, 2024

  • 6pm Handbell Choir
  • 7pm Parish Choir


Sunday, December 8, 2024

  • NO Eucharist Rite I
  • 9am- Sunday School (adults and kids)
  • 10am- Eucharist Rite II
  • 4:30pm- Confirmation Class today


Monday, December 9, 2024

  • 10:30am- Good Grief
  • 10:30am- Yoga with Lorie
Click Here to Watch Services Live or Later

December Calendar:

  • 12/8- Bishop Goff visit
  • 12/8- Cherub Choir sings 10am
  • 12/15- Julie Ericksen Coffee Pot on Ukraine following 10am service
  • 12/15- Evensong 5pm, Youth group 6pm
  • 12/16-Vestry Christmas Party at December Vestry Meeting at 6:30pm
  • 12/22- Rock+ Sunday School with the kids
  • Christmas Eve Services 12/24
  • 4:30pm- Family Service, Cherub Choir sings
  • 10:30pm- Christ Mass
  • Christmas Day Service- 12/25 10am
  • Christmas- December 25th, 2024- Office Closed
  • 12/28- Youth group reunion
  • 12/29- Lessons & Carols

Such a beautiful Sunday! Advent Faire was so much fun! We are so grateful to all our volunteers who helped make it that way. We had our beloved member Jenny Bruce joining us this week. We have so much to be grateful for!

Julie Ericksen Coffee Pot


Please join us for a Coffee Pot on December 15th following the 10am service where Julie Ericksen will share about what led to her decision to go to Ukraine, her experience there, and the potential relevance to our personal and spiritual lives here. How do we move forward in these challenging times of deep polarization and wars that impact the world order? We hope you will join us!

Christmas Poinsettias


As a way of honoring and remembering loved ones during this season, we offer Christmas flowers that will be in the church for Christmas Day. We will have an insert in the bulletin with the names of the loved ones represented. The cost is $15. I f you would like to remember or honor someone, please email Kasey or call, 804-798-6336, and let her know who you would like to remember.

SJTL Youth Group Reunion



Please join us for a reunion of both youth group participants and leaders on Saturday, December 28th from 6:30-8pm. It will be a great to reminisce and reconnect. We will have food and drinks to share! Meet us at 319 Myrtle Street, Ashland VA 23005. Looking forward to a wonderful evening! 

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.

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!

CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING

9am- Nursery & Children's Sunday School

10am- Children's Church

Gratitude


Big thank you to everyone that brought in towels, gift cards and wish list items for Loving Acres!! They were so appreciative of all of your gifts!! 

Song for the Bishop


I know the weekends have gotten crazy with the holiday season already starting. I wanted to let everyone know that we will be singing for the Bishop on December 8th at the 10am service. This is the link to the song. I will also put the sheet music on our Facebook Page. If you need anything, please let me know! On the day of we will robe and meet before the service. As of right now, we are practicing at the beginning of Sunday School. Looking forward to it!!

Middle School Youth Group Cat Food Drive


The middle school youth group is doing a winter pet food and supply drive. They are seeking kitten food and small cardboard flats (pictured above) for Hanover Community Cats. There is a box in the hallway near the office. We got to meet 3 of their residents and they were super cute!! Please help us support this worthy organization! We will deliver all of the items on December 15th

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, 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, Jonah Smith, Erik Klauss, Teva Rittenhouse, Bobbi Prentice, Steve Crane, Rebecca Paxton, Louise Hopkins, Margaret Belyea, Tom Slaughter, Calvin Stanley, 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, especially Dennis Folsom & Linda Bateman. 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

December 6

Alex Carter


December 7

Chris Belyea

December 8

Faith Boyle


December 9

Alex Brown


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

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.