Good morning, Church Family!

I am so thankful that as Episcopalians we are part of the global Anglican Communion. All the national churches that span the globe are children of the Mother Church, the Church of England. Now we do have a convoluted history, with many a questionable piece of public record along the centuries. We need own up to that. But our current incarnation comes with all the joys of big family, and the differences of opinion that go along with that.

For the most part, the recent gathering of bishops in Canterbury and London (The Lambeth Conference) was a time of optimism and hope. Bishop Curry portrayed it that way. Many of the issues of contention came about from different stances on human sexuality, and these were mostly divided between the Golbal South and the Global North.

Having dear friends from around the Communion, there are ways we can support, encourage, and strengthen one another despite differences theological or cultural, as my work with the Triangle of Hope has shown. Pray for the bishops as they return and share their stories and hopes with their dioceses.

One of my dear friends in the Anglican Communion is the Right Reverend Paul Bayes, recent Bishop of Liverpool, whose final service I was honored to attend. Yesterday he was named our Visiting Bishop of Virginia from September to December, and I hope he may be able to visit with us during his time here. Here is a picture of +Paul, our own +Susan, and Archbishop Daniel Sarfo who came to St. James the Less a few years ago. 

Pray for our family in the Anglican Communion, and that we may broaden the Kingdom and model love for one another. Pray for Bishop Paul as he transitions to the Virginia this fall. 

Blessings, 

Rock+

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

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

Saturday, August 13, 2022

• 9am- Group Exercise Class

Sunday, August 14, 2022

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

Monday, August 15, 2022

• 10:30am-Grief Group

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 had an awesome time together celebrating the remarkable Reverend Becky McDaniel. If you would like to make a donation to wish her well in her next chapter, you can write a check to the church and please put "purse for Becky" in the memo.  We will make sure she gets it. 

Would you be interested in becoming the Volunteer Coordinator for the school backpack program? 

Details:

• The Food Ministry provides six Ashland area schools with approx. 125 backpacks (total) per week. 
• Each backpack includes -2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, snacks & fresh fruit.

Basic Duties: (September-June)

• Contacting school guidance counselors to find out the need
• Coordinating volunteers to purchasing food to fill backpacks
• Coordinating volunteers to pack backpacks
• Coordinating with schools for weekly delivery/pickup
• Contacting guidance counselors in case of inclement weather

Anyone interested can contact Susan Gray for more information at (804) 412-2759.

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.

We hope you will join us for the Stations of the Cross outside on our property.  We have updated them.   The Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross, refers to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers. It is a meditative way to read scripture, be outside and let the words sink into your heart. You are more than welcome to walk our Labyrinth as well.

• 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, Sarah Chamblee & family, 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, Wayde Geoghegan,  Pete Buxton, Dabney Holt, Kim Keene, Ronnie Atkins Jr. family, Patty Gleason, David Fritter & family, Meg & family, Brad Rose, 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, especially Ronnie Atkins Jr. and Susan Johnston. 

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 14

August 7, 2022

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336

Staff:

The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector

The Rev. Becky McDaniel- Assistant Rector

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- Parish Administrator