Weekly News from St. James' Episcopal Church | Leesburg, Virginia

January 31, 2025

WORSHIP

Sunday Worship

February 2 | Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany


8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

View the 8 a.m. Service Order



10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

(live streamed)

View the 10 a.m. Service Order


Watch the Service Live on YouTube
Watch the Service Live on Facebook

Watch the service live at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning or at your leisure at a later time.

Wednesday Worship (February 5)

11:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Annual Parish Meeting/Vestry Elections

Annual Parish Meeting: Annual Report Now Available

Sunday, February 2 | 9 a.m. | Parish Hall

Our Annual Meeting will take place this Sunday, February 2, at 9 a.m. This is an important occasion in the life of our parish family, so please make every effort to join us as we celebrate all we've accomplished in 2024 and hear about the exciting things to come in the year ahead.


If you cannot attend the meeting in person, we hope you will join via livestream on Facebook or YouTube. We value the voice of each parishioner and encourage you to participate however you are able.


The nursery will be open and Jess Eastridge will offer activities for kids during the meeting.

View the 2024 Annual Report

St. James' Vestry Election Results

We are incredibly grateful to all those who placed their names forward in our new Vestry Election process. We are pleased to announce that 163 members participated in this year's Vestry selection process. Our final 4 Vestry candidates are:

 

  • Michael Fabian
  • Dick Hersh
  • Senta Keegan
  • Bryan Welsh

 

We will officially elect these candidates to the Vestry for the next three years at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 2.

Stewardship 2025

Stewardship 2025: Walk In Love

Many thanks to all those who have made a pledge for 2025! We have received 188 pledges for a total of $862,479. In 2024, we received 192 pledges. If you haven’t done so, please consider making a pledge to help us fund the wonderful ministries and mission of our beloved parish. No amount is too small. You may pledge online by clicking the link below or filling out a pledge card in the Narthex. Thank you for Walking in Love with your St. James’ Family.

Make a 2025 Pledge

Christian Formation

St. James' Newcomer Class

Sunday, February 9 | 11:30 a.m. | Parish Hall

Join Fr. Chad to hear more about the history, values, and mission of St. James, and discover what it means to be a member of the Episcopal Church. You will also learn more about our active ministries and ways to get involved.

Register here

Adult Forum: Is Jesus God?

Sundays, Feb. 9-Mar. 2, 9 a.m., Parish Hall

Join Michael Fabian and bring your questions as we discuss Jesus’ nature and divinity in this four-week series. Questions/discussion topics include: Did Jesus Exist? How do we know about him? Are the Gospels historically accurate? Please join us for thought-provoking and meaningful conversations that can help us grow together in our faith.

Children's Formation Registration is Open!


Register on Realm 


Teachers needed! To best serve multiple age groups, we would love a team of regular teachers. Reach out to Jess Eastridge if interested in teaching


Calling all Children's Chapel Assistants

Help welcome and support families and visitors in this essential ministry. As partners with Children's Formation Minister, Jess Eastridge, no weekly preparation is required of Children's Chapel Assistants. To volunteer and then receive access to the schedule, let us know more about you.

YOUP is for Youth Group

All 6th through 12th graders are invited to join Youp (a portmanteau of "Youth"+"Group") led by fantastic team of couples and parents. If you are interested in getting your student involved, let us know. 



Youth Sunday School

6th through 12th grade

9:00 AM Sunday School and snacks in the Youth Room

We're currently discussing the Biblical theme of deliverance.

Please join us!

Questions? Email Jon Coate


SAVE-THE-DATE: March 4 Mardi Gras Beignets

Proceeds benefit the Youth Ministry-more details soon!

Take the YOUP Survey

Rector's Bible Study

Wednesdays | 10 a.m. | Janney Parlor

Join Fr. Chad for this lectionary-based Bible study where we will discuss the upcoming scripture lessons for each Sunday.

Men's Service Ministry Book Study

All men of St. James are invited to join a weekly MSM meeting at 7 p.m. Mondays in the lower level of the Parish House.  For additional info or should you have questions, please email Mike Scott.

St. James' Preschool

2025-2026 Registration now open!

Providing children with a creative learning experience in a Christian atmosphere of love and acceptance since 1972.


The Preschool has a brand-new website! Check it out:

Visit the NEW Preschool Website

Opportunities to Serve

Ministry Volunteer Training Slideshow

Did you miss last Sunday's volunteer training? Never fear...you can view the slideshow from the training here! Questions? Contact Jeff Brannock.

Honduras Mission Supply Drive

Please bring gently-loved clothing (all sizes), basic toiletry items, and unused school supplies to Rev. Marybeth's office by Wednesday, February 6. We have a team of 5 parishioners joining Water for the People in Honduras February 8-15. Your in-kind donation supports this long-standing partnership with Hondurans to bring clean water and basics to people in need.

Creating Community

Two Spots Available for Tomorrow's Breadmaking Class--Register Now!

Saturday, February 1 | 10 a.m. | Parish Hall Kitchen

We had two spots open up for the sourdough bread making workshop led by Tara Jensen. Click here to get your spot--first come first serve!

Spring 2025 Women's Ministry Retreat

Fri. May 23 - Sun. May 25, 2025 | Claggett Center

All women of St. James' are invited to our annual Women's Ministry Retreat in Adamstown, MD (about an hour from Leesburg). We have 5 more slots open for registration. The total cost of the retreat is $310 and includes a private room with ensuite bath and 5 meals over the weekend. The deposit to secure your spot is $75. Our goal is to welcome everyone who wishes to attend the retreat. Please reach out to Rev. Marybeth for financial aid. All requests will be kept confidential. 

Register Here

Shrine Mont Summer Camp Registration is Now Open

Registration for Shrine Mont summer camps is now open. Last summer, we had several campers from St. James' and Rev. Marybeth served as chaplain for one of the St. George's sessions. We would love to continue to strengthen the connections between St. James' and Shrine Mont. Click here for more information and to register: https://www.shrinemontcamps.org/

2025 Shrine Mont Retreat: Join the Planning Committee

It is time to plan our 2025 Parish Retreat. It will be the 100th Anniversary of the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration and we would like to make this retreat special. The Retreat dates are September 19-21. If you would like to be on the planning committee, please contact Dottie Brannock (703-431-1820). The first meeting will be in February.

Parish Life

Ordination Date Set for our Seminarian: Kara Laughlin

Saturday, March 1, 10:30 a.m. | St. George’s Episcopal Church, Arlington, VA

Everyone is invited to the ordination ceremony for Kara to the Sacred Order of Deacons. The address is 915 N. Oakland St, Arlington, VA 22203. The service will be available by livestream at saintgeorgeschurch.org/live.

(Asterisk * denotes those in the St. James’ community)


Those Requesting Prayers This Week: Erik deVriendt, *Elaine Nunnally, *Dan Thomas, *Dubose Fleming, *Bill Rice, *Page Barrett, and *Harold Neely. 


Those on Our Long-Term Prayer List: Katie B. Sullivan, *Steve Page, Neil Gwinn, Ruth Ann Fox, Timothy McKimmie, Charlotte Giblin, *Rachelle Graves, *Charlotte Woods, Virginia Cogger, *Michael Fabian, Stephanie Kreuger, The Porter family, Ralph Dale, Dwayne Traylor, Brayan Cruz, Jefferson Zapata, *Michael Dowling, Darrell Ackman, Kaleb Cortes, Peter Schweitzer, Joan Douglas, *Joan Corderman, Skip Hovsmith, Tony Beltrano, Emily, Mary Ellen Hurley, *Barbara Roark, *Fran Smith, Nicholas Rodney, Ed, *Scott Clark, *Pam Mossburg, Virginia Laughlin, and *Alice Lynn.

 

Those who have died: *Peter Schweitzer, Guy Woolman, Annie Jackson, *Jane Gable, Trudye Pember, Joe Shircliff, and Sandra Beall.

 

Those Who Need Our Prayers: All those affected by the fires in California, all those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, for the lives lost and that God will sustain them for the recovery ahead, for all those across the globe who suffer the effects of natural disasters; for those who continue to be affected by COVID-19 and for protection of the most vulnerable through the coming flu season and cold weather; for those who are unemployed or underemployed; for those who suffer acts of violence around the world, especially for Ukraine and for the Holy Land; and those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad. 


Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: In thanksgiving for God’s Creation and those who care for it. 


Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan


Do You Need Prayer or Care?

"In case of illness, the minister of the congregation is to be notified." (BCP p. 453)

Make a prayer request here.


Call the Church Office | Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(703)777-1124 ext 1 | info@stjamesleesburg.org

After Hours Pastoral Care Line | (202)750-4247

Prayer List Changes

The clergy and Pastoral Associates of the Parish have been considering ways to deepen the prayer life of St. James’. Our parish prayer list is a vital part of our corporate and individual prayers. We also know there are many in need of prayer who are known to God alone. 

One of the ways we hope to hold our St. James’ family in prayer is to denote St. James’ congregants using and asterisk in our printed list. This way, whether on the short-term or long-term, those praying in worship will be able to hold those closest to us in mind. We will always continue to pray for friends and family. 

Though we only name a few names out loud, please use the long-term list in your personal prayers. Many who reside on the list are our home bound folks we send communion to. They are a part of us. Please check our weekly email each week for suggested prayers and our diocesan and Anglican prayer cycles. For questions or suggestions, please reach out to Rev. Marybeth

Click the image to view our full weekly calendar

St. James' Episcopal Church | stjamesleesburg.org

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