Now that I’ve been with you long enough to get to know you, I would like to share some impressions of life at Saint James the Less.

I see abundant signs of vitality and health in your life together. There is palpable energy in the Sunday morning liturgy, with strong attendance, robust congregational participation, and a steady stream of newcomers. You are blessed with an excellent music ministry under Reggie’s leadership, and I particularly appreciate his hymn selection and splendid preludes and postludes. The scriptures are read carefully; the altar is prepared with reverence, the acolytes and the Eucharistic ministers are well trained.

I sense a lot of energy in your ministry to children and young families. That fact that you have a staff member dedicated children and youth – especially someone with Miriam’s gifts and dedication – is a sign of health.

It is evident that you enjoy being with each other. You linger after the liturgy, share meals together, and enjoy deep, supportive Christian friendships with each other. During my brief tenure, many of you have told me that Saint James the Less has become the center of your spiritual life and the primary place where you feel connected to people who matter to you.

The parish is extremely well organized. Kasey is a skillful administrator who cares deeply about the congregation. The systems you have in place to enable lay leadership are allowing a large percentage of the congregation to find meaningful ways to serve the Lord, building up the congregation and reaching out to people in need in Ashland and beyond. You are playing an important role in Bart’s formation as he prepares for ordination and have provided Dawn an opportunity to exercise her diaconal ministry. I see strong vestry leadership in your practice of designating a vestry member of the day, in Bob Hughes’s wise, energetic guidance as Senior Warden, and in the care with which you maintain the buildings and grounds.

           For all these good things to happen, it takes a savvy rector who knows how to help people find their place in the congregation and put them to work. I admire how Father Rock cares for you and oversees this veritable beehive of activity.   

           I’m sure I have overlooked other areas of vitality, and if I have failed to mention an aspect of parish life that is dear to you, please chalk it up to my status as a relative newcomer. What do you see as signs of health and vitality at Saint James the Less? 

The Rev. Dr. Ross McGowan Wright

Supply Priest

I am grateful for the warm welcome from Saint James the Less and look forward to being a part of this lively community in the coming weeks. Our family moved to Ashland in 2005 from Scotland, where I was doing graduate work in theology at the University of St. Andrews. I was ordained in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina and served parishes in New York City, Norfolk, and Richmond before retiring from fulltime parish ministry in 2020. I now serve as the Director of Vocational Ministries for the Diocese of Southern Virginia, overseeing the ordination process, and teach courses in the Religious Studies Department at Randolph Macon, where my wife, Lynda has been a faculty member since 2005. We have three sons and two granddaughters, all of whom live in Richmond, enabling us to enjoy time with our family. I play the trombone in a variety of musical organizations throughout Richmond, including the Richmond Pops and the pit orchestra for musicals at Fort Gregg Adames. 

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

• 7:30am- Morning Prayer II (with bagels & coffee to follow)
• 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie (in the pavilion)

Thursday, September 19, 2024

• 6pm- Handbell Choir
• 7pm- Parish Choir

Sunday, September 22, 2024

• 8am- Eucharist Rite I -outside in Pavilion
• 9am- Adult & Children's Sunday School
• 10am- Eucharist Rite II (music)

Monday, September 23, 2024

• 10:30am- Good Grief
• 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga
• 5:30pm- Pray for the Country Group

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

• Noon- Red Hats

September Calendar:

• 9/29- Church Picnic following 10am service (bring a dish to share)
• 9/29- Blessing of the Animals/Blue Grass Mass 5pm
• 9/29- Youth Group 6pm

Please pick up a copy of the Parish Calendar next time you are here!

It was a lovely weekend for our community! We visioned what the future might hold. THANK YOU to all our volunteers that make it possible!

Bring your Keys

We wanted to to make sure that if you are coming to the church, off hours, that you have your keys with you. Our keypads in the Parish Hall and 4th Quarter room are down. Please make sure the doors are fully closed and locked when you leave.

Tree In Front

We've had many asking questions about the tree taken down on Beverly Road. We were advised because of safety that Dominion would be taking it down. The wood created will help "fuel" our heat for our annual Brunswick stew and other projects.

Red Hats

SEPTEMBER 24, Tuesday 12:00 - Red Hats will be meeting at MARCO'S Italian Restaurant -  805 England St, Ashland, VA 23005 

All are welcome. Call a buddy or Dani Stockwell if you need a ride, we are glad to pick you up!

Annual Church Picnic

Please join us on Sunday, September 29th following the 10am service for our annual Church Picnic. We will have drinks and fried chicken (a Gluten free baked chicken option will be available. Please bring a side dish to share.

Blessing Of the Animals/Blue Grass Mass

Please join us on Sunday, September 29th at 5pm in our Pavilion for our annual Blessing of the Animals. It will be paired with our Blue Grass Mass this year. It will be a lovely service for all involved. We encourage you to bring a friend (finned, feathered or furry) and join us!

Supper Club

Supper Club is organizing for the 2024/2025 year. You don't want to miss an opportunity to get together informally for some serious fun and community building. It is a great way to get to know your fellow parishioners in a relaxed homey setting.

We will meet once a month in groups of 6-8 on the third weekend of the month. Most groups will meet on Saturday, but individual groups may decide on an alternate night that weekend. There will be Host, Entrees, Side/Salad, and Desserts assigned to each of the four couples in a group. Hosts will provide the venue, appetizers, bread, and dinner wine/water. The other couples will provide the entree, sides and dessert of their choice. Hosts are responsible for contacting their group members at least a week in advance to finalize arrangements. Don't hesitate even if you know you might be out of town or have some conflict. Almost anything can be accommodated. We have a list of alternates in case a conflict cannot be resolved.

So sign up- the sheet is on the hall bulletin board on the way to Parish Hall. Our first Supper Club is schdueled for October 21. There are friends to be made, stories to be told and laughter to be shared. Come join us! If you have questinos, please reach out to Beth Harrison (bethbill@aol.com)

Fall Book Club

Please join us for our fall Book Club on Tuesdays at 10am, October 8- November 19. We will meet in the library. If you would like to zoom in, let us know.

We will be reading Becoming Who You Are, by James Martin, Sr.  You can purchase the book HERE. We will have a few books available to purchase in the office for $14. If you would like us to help you with purchasing the book, please let me know.

Collecting Cards for Father Ross

We will be collecting greeting cards of gratitude for Father Ross in the hallway in a white box on the table that will be given to him on his last Sunday with us, 9/22. We have so enjoyed his kindness, wisdom and care for us while Father Rock was away. How lovely that he lives in Ashland and we will hopefully see him around.

Deacon's Purse

As we wish our lovely Deacon Dawn farewell we will be collecting a Deacon's Purse for her. If you would like to donate to this, please make your check payable to "St. James the Less", with "Deacon's Purse" in the memo line. Her last day will be 9/29. Please have contributions in by that date. Thank you for your generosity!

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!

Resources available to celebrate investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe

The planning committee for the investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe has released a batch of resources to aid Episcopalians in hosting local watch parties during the churchwide virtual event at 11 a.m. ET on Nov. 2.

The service will be livestreamed on the event webpage as well as The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page.

As previously announced, this simpler, scaled-down service to welcome our 28th presiding bishop is ordered around a smaller carbon footprint and increased churchwide virtual engagement. A prelude showcasing the rich mosaic of The Episcopal Church will kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET with a video “roll call” of dioceses.

For those planning local watch parties, customizable invitations and promotional graphics are now available for download. A media kit with photos, biography, and statements by Bishop Rowe is also available—as are FAQs. Children’s activities will be added to the webpage in the coming weeks.

The space-limited, in-person component of the service will take place at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in The Episcopal Church Center in New York City—with diverse representation from around the church.

“The Holy Spirit continues to move and groove throughout The Episcopal Church, inviting us to respond anew to God’s call to be agents of transformation and reconciliation,” said the Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and chair of the investiture planning committee. “As we prepare to gather virtually in a few weeks to witness Bishop Rowe’s investiture in a service unlike any we have seen in the past, we remain grounded together in our church’s rich traditions to joyfully proclaim God’s love in Christ to the world.”

Those with questions may email info@episcopalchurch.org.

Church Financials

At St. James the Less, we hope to lead with transparency and integrity, including in our finances. We have copies of the most current church financials in the office from the most recent Vestry meeting. If you are ever interested in seeing them, just ask and we will get you a copy.

Children's Program Registration

The program year registration is open for all children's and family activities here. Please complete one form per family. If you ever need anything, please feel free to email Miriam at Formation@stjamestheless.church. 

Volunteers

We have a desperate need for volunteers for an older Sunday School offering. Currently, children ages 3 and up are welcome to join us. We only have the volunteers to offer one class at this time. We would love to be able to provide a separate room for those that are upper elementary and above. Please reach out to Miriam if you are willing to help. We only ask for one sunday a month (once we have enough volunteers) and only one hour (8:50am-9:45am). Please consider helping us provide for our community!! 

Wish List

We are so excited to have everyone back in the classroom and with that comes lots of amazing supplies. HERE is our wishlist link. Any and all items are extremely appreciated!! Thank you so much for your continued support!!!

• 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)

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 Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Sean, our Presiding Bishop elect, Mark & Gail, our Bishops, Rock+, our priest, and Dawn+, our Deacon, Ross+, our supply 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, 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, Dennis Folsom, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Joy Stevenson, Andy Newchok, Haden Hopkins, Pam Bowers, Hilda Kelly, Harry Hassell, Bower family, Smith family, Lyde Longaker, Mary Ann Harris, Gini Dryden, Bob & Mary Lou Brown, Diana Timberlake, Kristi Elles, Pam Gillette,  Ruth Beaudry, Tom & Fran Burke, Dennis Ray, Dawn Haase & family, Kimette Cannady, Traci Smith, Jerry & Carolyn Peart, John Wagner, Alicia Wood, Lisa Capen, Jenny Bruce, Anna Marie, Steve Crain,  Mark, Virginia, Sharon Street,  Elizabeth Whitmire, Kay Kemper,  John Hodges, Dale Halter, Judy Sledd,  Floyd Moore, Debra Molter, Clint Rose, Tim Yagla, Ken Perry, 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, Liam Higgins, and Katherine Murphy. 

We ask your prayers for those who have died, especially Kim Keene, Rone Deas & Leslie Crabbs. 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.

• Prayer List- Prayers of the People
• Giving Online- Click here to give online or text "GIVE2THELESS" at 73256 from your phone.
• Ask for prayer-Send in your prayer request (please acknowledge if the prayer is private or for our Parish list)
• The Collect Collective- Daily short prayer with Father Rock
• List of Local Food Pantries- Click here for a complete list of local food pantries.
• Fall Line Farms- A wonderful organization that supports local farmers. Click here to order food so you can pick it up here at SJTL on Thursdays.
• Self- Guided Ways Of Worship Brochure- It has wonderful ways of engaging with your own space (and the spaces around the church) to find the Holy, already present, within them.
• Father Rock's Blog- Access reading of all of Father Rock's Homilies.
• Blessings & Dressings- A copy of the SJTL Cookbook 
• End of Life Planning Kit- Help with estate planning from the Episcopal Church Foundation.
• Diocesan Creation Care Website- Creation Care Task Force

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

The Rev. Deacon Dawn McNamara Deacon

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- Parish Administrator