January 29, 2025

Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates

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A Note From Father Rock

Good morning, Church Family,


On Monday, Reggie Long celebrated his fifth anniversary with us at St. James the Less. He had the undesirable position of starting a month before we shut down for COVID, but despite that rough start (it would be for anyone) he has survived and thrived as our Organist and Choir Master. Reggie, thank you for your continued service and leadership in all our choirs, Cherub, Handbell, and Chancel. I appreciate your friendship and your five years of service. Blessings and thanks!


This Sunday afternoon we will be celebrating the life of Rosemary Jones. She was a long-time member and suffering from dementia the last few years. There will be a special nurse honor guard portion of the ceremony for her years of service as a nurse. The service will be Sunday at 2 pm with a reception following.


I was so excited seeing the Youth Group on Sunday night. I appreciate Miriam, all the leaders, our "dinner makers," and all the teens who make our Sunday evenings special times. They have several special events they are gearing up for, and we will have more on that in the weeks to come.


Yesterday, our bishop showed his tender side sharing that his dog of 11 years had passed unexpectedly from undetected heart disease. With all the grief of his wife's passing last fall, this is another blow. Pray for Bishop E. Mark Stevenson during these hard and triggering days. 


This Sunday we will be announcing our slate of candidates for our Vestry. The Vestry committee has worked hard to present a solid and good slate. As a reminder, anyone who is a communicant in good standing is eligible to run from the floor in addition to the slate. If you have any questions on the process or how to run, please let me know.


Blessings, Rock+


JOIN US THIS WEEK

Thursday, January 30, 2025

  • 6pm Handbell choir
  • 7pm Parish choir

Sunday, February 2, 2025

  • 8am Eucharist Rite I
  • 9am Sunday School for Adults and Children
  • 10am Eucharist Rite II with music

Monday, February 3, 2025

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

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

  • 10am Book Club

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

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

February Calendar:

  • 2/9- Youth Group 6pm
  • 2/16- Budget Discussion at 11:30am
  • 2/21- Share the Love Dinner led by Youth
  • 2/23- Youth Group 6pm


March Calendar:

  • 3/2- Annual Meeting between services and Youth Group 6pm
  • 3/4- Shrove Tuesday dinner at 5:30-7pm
  • 3/5- Ash Wednesday 7:30am Eucharist and 7pm Ash Wednesday Service
  • 3/9-Daylight Saving Time, End of Life Program 11am, Youth Group 6pm
  • 3/11-4/8- Lenten Evening Program, Tuesdays 7pm
  • 3/23- Spring Lunch and Learn
  • 3/23- Youth Group 6pm

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.

In Remembrance of Lyde Longaker


We are very sad to report that Lyde Longaker passed away Tuesday morning. She was beloved by this church family. We hope you will join us as we celebrate her life. Her service will be held here in the coming months.


If you would like to be in touch with the family, please mail:

Eliza Longaker

9467 W Alabama Dr.

Lakewood, CO 80232


Please remember Lyde, her family, and friends in your prayers.




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 2/4-4/8 in 2025. We hope you will join us in person for our next Book Club! All are welcome!

Acolytes Wanted!


Every Sunday, we work together to celebrate and worship. We are a liturgical church, and "liturgy" literally means "the work of the people." A big part of that is having folks who assist in the service by carrying the cross, bringing out the Gospel book, gathering the offering, and assisting at the altar. If we have enough, we also have torchbearers lighting the way. Often we have older children and teens helping out. Of our regular Sunday morning attendees, our two main acolytes are both seniors. We will soon be holding a training, and would encourage interested parties, no matter your age, to participate as we rebuild our post-COVID ranks of our acolyte team. Let the office or Father Rock know of your interest or your child's interest.

Brunswick Stew Still for Sale


Friends, we have a few, precious remaining quarts of this year’s amazing “Bishop Blessed” Brunswick Stew. If you would like some quarts, they are $14 each. They were stowed safely in the freezer the day of the event. Grab us on a Sunday or Wednesday after services and we can set you up. We can also reserve for you if you contact the office. We will sell till we are out. Thanks!

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.

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

February 2, 2025

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!

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 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 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, 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, Erik Klauss, Teva Rittenhouse, Bobbi Prentice, Steve Crain, David Bandas, Jessica Wingo, Sharon Street, Margaret Belyea, Tom Slaughter, Ray Tyson, 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.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 31

Roger Reynolds

Stephanie Werner


February 2

Hank Hunter

Teddy Cook


February 3

Kimette Cannady

Rebecca Batten

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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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.