Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates | |
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Good morning, friends!
I will be out this Sunday, but leave you in the capable hands of the Rev. Bruce Birdsey and Dawn+.
I was deeply encouraged by the response on Sunday after we asked for people to step up to count. We have had a hard time with getting volunteers lately. Most places have. We were so pleased by those of you who did step up. If you do not have a regular place to serve, we have many opportunities for you to help in our church.
We are now in the season when we are actively seeking Vestry members. These are our leaders who keep the ministries and activities going. If you think you might be called to Vestry leadership, speak now with our Wardens, Alice Cobb or Bob Hughes, or with me. We will be finalizing our slate in the next few weeks. Our Annual Meeting is March 5.
We will say more next week, but we tossed out an invitation to have a substantive and hopefully fruitful conversation regarding our 2023 budget. Our Finance Team and Vestry are currently working very hard on balancing the budget for this year. We will use the approach we learned at the Shrine Mont retreat to look at a real world situation. People asked for this after we got home. I do hope you will join us in the parish hall after the 10 a.m. service on the 22nd (not this Sunday, the following Sunday).
Blessings,
Rock+
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Wednesday, January 11, 2023
- 7:30am- Eucharist Rite II & breakfast to follow
- 10:30am-Vinyasa Yoga
- Noon- Chair Yoga
Sunday, January 15, 2023
- 8am- Eucharist Rite I (no music)
- 9am- Sunday School (children & adult)
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10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music)
- 5pm- Contemplative Service
- 5:45pm- Journey to Adulthood
Monday, January 16, 2023
- 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga (for all fitness levels)
- 10:30am- Good Grief group
- Noon- Chair Yoga (all fitness levels)
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
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Epiphany was awesome! Our children put on a beautiful play to help us see the great love of the Father. A GIANT thank you to all our volunteers and our awesome Formation Director, Miriam Smith. | |
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Bring a Meal for the Youth
The Journey to Adulthood (J2A) regional youth group here at Saint James The Less needs your help. We are looking for volunteers to provide one meal for 15-20 people. We would love for you to help serve our youth and share a meal with us! The doors will open at 5:30pm in Brydon hall and someone will be there to help you set up. We ask that you provide a meal that includes a main course, dessert and drinks. Some ideas include pasta casserole, pizza, salad with grilled chicken, hot dogs or burgers, etc. The possibilities are endless! If you would like to sign up, click HERE.
Please help us in our endeavor to create a community poised to give back and appreciate the gifts of people all around them. Thank you!
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What Star Is This?
Please join us Sunday morning for a fascinating lecture given by Dr. George Spagna during the Adult Sunday school hour at 9am in the 4th Quarter Room.
"What Star Is This?" An astronomer's thoughts on the Star of Bethlehem. We will discuss scriptural, historical, and possible astronomical evidence for the "Star of Bethlehem." We hope you will join us!
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Contemplative Service Sunday
Please join us for the Contemplative Service Sunday evening at 5pm. Our theme for this Sunday is Conversion, looking at the Confession of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul.
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Budget Conversation January 22nd
One of the main pieces of feedback on our Shrine Mont parish retreat was about our activity having hard conversations in respect and loving compromise. We heard from several, "Wouldn't it be nice to do that with a 'real' problem?" We heard you, and we would like to offer the opportunity to do just that.
On Sunday January 22nd following our 10 am service, we invite anyone who would like to participate in a "real world" conversation of our budget for 2023. We continue in the trend over the last few years of increased costs and declining total giving, while at the same time we are still growing in attendance and participation. How do we increase income without that becoming the goal? How do we lower costs without decreasing ministry? If having good, hard, and substantive conversations around this interests or intrigues you, please join us following the 10 am service.
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Coffee Pot Conversation January 29th
Rachel Easter and her family are one of the new additions to our parish over the last few years, and you have loved her addition to the soprano section of the choir. Recently Rachel received funds from the Chenery Fund to help in going on a medical mission trip to Guatemala. She would love to have you come out on the 29th to hear her stories and enjoy some pictures after the 10 o'clock service. Join us in the parish hall that day!
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Rule of Life Class
Our Rule of Life class is continuing on January 17th & 24th at 10am in person. This class will help you dive deeper practices that will enhance your faith. It is not a "one size fits all" situation. You will examine different ways and habits that you can introduce into your daily life. We hope this schedule works for you and you can join us.
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Next Book Club Coming Soon!
Please join us for our next Book Club on Tuesdays at 10am on Zoom, starting February 7th. We will be reading the book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. You can purchase the book from Amazon HERE . Hanover Library systems have it available for free in multiple different forms. You can reserve your copy with them HERE. If you are not on our Book Club email list already and would like to receive messages, please let us know. We would love for you to join us!
In the classic Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War Two from his three previous books The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith.
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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 (see below)
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Pantry: Boxed potatoes, Hot and cold cereal, Pasta sauce, Personal care items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.), Cleaning products (laundry soap, dish soap, etc.)
Adult Clothing: Men's athletic shoes (all sizes), Men's work boots (all sizes), Men's jeans (waist sizes 32 and larger), Men's winter coats (sizes L, XL and larger), Women's winter coats (sizes XL and larger), Men's and Women's plus size sleepwear, Men's undershirts (all sizes)
Children's Clothing: Boy's and Girl's shoes (all sizes), Boy's and Girl's larger size winter clothes (sizes 12 - 18), Boy's and Girl's larger size pajamas (sizes 10 - 18), Diapers (size 4 and size 6)
ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!
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Lord, we lift up this nation struggling with itself these days, reeling from this pandemic and its repercussions. Encourage us to faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion for all God’s Children. We lift up Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Mark, our Bishop, Rock+, our priest, and Dawn+, our Deacon. 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, Meredith Moon, Meghann Batten, Michael Fox, Bill Blakemore, Dennis Folsom, Debra Bernard, Smith family, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Tom Ficklin, Janet Taylor, Jessica and family, Joy Stevenson, Kim Keene, Brad Rose, Wendy Vaughan, Sara Reece, Richard Rennolds, Andy Newchok, Pam Bowers, Bettilee, Iana Mason, Bill Mercier, Jonathan Smith, Rebecca Hottman, Lyde Longaker, Haden Hopkins, Betty Kelley, Charles Bridges, Hilda Kelly, Lee & Susan Chambers, Michele Murphy, James Crump, Sr., Ginny Tilton, Constance Geisenderfer, and Allison Provencher.
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: Kemper Jones, Greg Ericksen, Matthew Thomas, Philip Morison, James Ashley, Andrew Brunson, Jordan Fox, and Katherine Murphy.
We ask your prayers for those who have died. We ask your prayers for those who grieve.
We pray for governments and governing bodies of Metropolitan Richmond: For the Mayor and City Council of Richmond, the City Administrator, and all city employees.
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.
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Epiphany Observed
January 8, 2023
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January 12
George Field
January 13
Ben Marshall
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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. | | | | |
