Good morning, friends.

The Vestry met last night and we had several big decisions. First, we had a vacancy on Vestry after a member stepped down, and I am pleased to announce the George Field, former Warden, has agreed to serve the remainder of the term. Thank you, George! The vote was unanimous.

As mentioned on Sunday, we reviewed our COVID policies after the shifting of the CDC guidelines released on Friday. We are making the following changes over the next few weeks, and all will be in place by Labor Day.

• We are moving to mask optional. We are still in the "High" (Orange) range in regard to transmission in Hanover County, and we encourage masking for your safety and health and those of others. We will no longer require masking. 
• We will keep the distanced "noodles" section for those who desire/require social distancing.
• We will be moving back to receiving communion at the high altar for those that choose to do so. I will take the Eucharist to those who choose to remain seated. This will remove the low altar which we have used since regathering. Harrison's beautiful gift has been well used and much appreciated.
• We will serve the Eucharist like many of our sister churches. You can receive the host (bread) alone, or I will intinct (dip) the host in the wine and give it to you. This will do away with the little cups of wine. Gluten-free will be bread alone as I cannot sanitize my hands between each person.
• We are currently seeking Nursery workers and will begin having Nursery during Sunday School and Church and in-person Children's Sunday School the week after Labor Day (September 11). Children's Church (which has been meeting) will continue.

These changes will be implemented as we can over the coming weeks. If you have questions over any of this, please reach out.

Yesterday, a favorite Christian author passed away. Rev. Frederick Buechner was a Presbyterian minister and an author of 39 books. His fiction and memoirs were my favorites. Here is the NY Times article on his life. (LINK). There is a quote of his I use quite frequently in regard to discernment. Last Sunday I said that discernment was the requirement of all of us who follow Christ to discern the times we live in and ourselves daily. This is particularly true in the call of God on our lives. Buechner shares this wisdom on it.  

The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness 

and the world’s deep hunger meet.

Thank you, Frederick Buechner! You have blessed many. 

God bless you today!

Rock+

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

• 7:30am-Eucharist Rite II
• Breakfast following

Saturday, August 20, 2022

• 9am- Group Exercise Class

Sunday, August 21, 2022

• 8am- Eucharist: Rite I Service
• 10am- Eucharist: Rite II (music)

Monday, August 22, 2022

• 10:30am-Grief Group

Please join us for our last summer movie night this Friday, August 19th at 6pm in the Library to watch That Thing You Do- Director's Cut. If you are familiar with the movie, this is a slightly longer version with some twists. We hope you will join us. We will have popcorn for you to enjoy. Please feel free to bring your own food and snacks if you like. 

Wily band manager Mr. White helps a small town band achieve big time success when they release a Beatles-style pop song in 1964. Pennsylvania band the "Oneders" become a sensation after their drummer breaks his arm, and is replaced by jazz enthusiast, Guy Patterson, who injects something a bit different into their music.

The Communion Table is wide and has an invitation to all. If you are homebound or unable to visit one of our in-person services, please email us or call the church (804-798-6336) if you would like someone to visit and bring Eucharist. We would love to do this for you. 

It’s hard to believe the school supplies are already back in the stores and we are talking about getting back to our fall rhythm. We are really looking forward to being back together with you and your family. A few things to note:

• Mark your calendars for August 28^th 5:30-6:30pm. We will have a Back to School Orientation (including popsicles!) here at the church to give you more information about our exciting curriculum this year. You can also drop off supplies.
• If you would like to participate in the ministry by donating supplies from our Amazon wish list, please click the link and know we are grateful. It’s your support that makes this happen!

We are thrilled to announce that we are taking our Parish Retreat to Shrine Mont on October 14-16, 2022. It is a restorative time for yourself and your family. It is also chocked full of community and faith building. We hope you can join us. There are multiple ways you can let us know you are planning on coming. You can fill out this online form HERE. You can call Kasey and have her sign you up at 804-798-6336. You can also sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway. 

The cost is $75 for children (ages 4-12), $90 for teens (13-18), and $175 for adults (18 +).  If you would like to complete a Chenery grant request to help with the cost of your trip, please complete THIS form. We don’t want cost to hinder anyone from this awesome experience.

We are working hard getting prepared for our Parish Audit. If you would like to help be part of the team, please email Kendra Shifflett. She would love your help. It would be a one day, couple of hours commitment. 

We are excited for our upcoming year in the life of SJtL Children’s ministry. Miriam has already been working hard getting all the rooms straightened and looking great! She’s preparing curriculum and looking forward to teaching these sweet children about our incredible faith.  We are looking for volunteers that would like to volunteer in the Children's Sunday School and in Children's Church.  Please email Miriam to let her know you can offer some Sundays.

Thank you for the consideration! We are excited to partner with you on helping these children develop firm foundations of faith. What a beautiful thing!

Communities in the South and Western parts of the US are experiencing devastating flooding and fires. Please pray for all of the affected communities and consider helping us bring awareness to this urgent situation. 

Deadly flooding and fires in southern and western parts of the US are displacing thousands and creating a financial burden on the most vulnerable. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with church and local partners to provide help where it’s needed the most. Your swift response and compassionate gift to the Episcopal Relief & Development Disaster Fund will provide supplies to help communities in Kentucky, Virginia, Missouri, California and other places make a full and sustained recovery. Visit episcopalrelief.org to make a contribution today.

• 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)

Pantry: Oatmeal (smaller containers preferred),Canned fruit, Canned vegetables (all except corn), Canned meat (chicken, spam, salmon, etc.), Canned soup (all except cream based), Boxed potatoes (smaller containers preferred)

Adult Clothing: Men's Boxer Briefs (all sizes), Men's Athletic Shoes (all sizes), Men's Undershirts (sizes M - XL), Women's Underwear (sizes 6 - 8), Feminine Hygiene Products

Children's Clothing: Boy's shoes (all sizes), Boy's Underwear (size 10), Girl's Underwear (sizes 2 - 3) and (sizes 16 - 18), Boy's Socks (large sizes, 3 - 9), Boy's and Girl's Pajamas (sizes 10 - 18), Diaper's (sizes 5 and 6)

ACES is open on both Mondays and Wednesday from 8:30-11:30am. Thank you for your continued support!

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, Susan and Jennifer, our Bishops, the Bishop Elect, The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson and family, Rock+ and Becky+, our priests. 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, Chambers Cromwell, Dennis Folsom, Carter, Paul Robb, Debra Bernard, Smith family, Alex Gillette, Pam Gillette, Sally Budd, Jeff Lawrence,  May and family, Melanie Fischer, Court Warfield, Pam Bowers, Rose & Mike Brown, Wendy Vaughan, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Matt & Megan Goff, Tom Ficklin, Betty Lee, Janet Taylor, Bower family, Curtis and family, Carolyn Moury, Sherry Gilmartin, Nicki Moon, Cameron & Camilla Sharma, Jessica and family, Joy Stevenson, David Turner, Carol Meacham, Pete Buxton, Dabney Holt, Kim Keene, Ronnie Atkins Jr. family, Patty Gleason, David Fritter & family, Meg & family, Brad Rose, Sara Reece, Wiley Hughes, 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.

Proper 15

August 14, 2022

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336

Staff:

The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- Parish Administrator