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Weekly News from St. James' Episcopal Church | Leesburg, Virginia
August 28, 2026
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Sunday Worship
August 30 | The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
(live-streamed)
View this Sunday's service order
| | | Watch the service live at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning or at your leisure at a later time. | |
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Midweek Eucharist
Wednesday, September 2 | 11:30 a.m. | The Church
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Children in Worship
Pew Pals
Children in grades 2–5 are invited to join the Children’s Formation team in the front two pews on the lectern side for the first half of the service. They will have an engaging, hands-on formation experience where they can explore and learn more about Episcopal worship through quiet activities. Younger children are also welcome to participate with an adult.
Children's Chapel
Following the Children’s Sermon, children Pre-K through 5th grade are invited to gather for Children’s Chapel during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Nursery
Children are always welcome in worship! If needed, Nursery care is available beginning at 9:30 for infants and preschoolers. The Nursery is located through the front left doors of the sanctuary. Go through the Parish Hall and up the stairs – the Nursery is around the corner from the kitchen.
| | This Sunday at St. James' | | |
Formation for All Ages
Children’s Formation:
August 30: Building Faith Brick by Brick
Click here for info and registration links.
Up next: What is a Bishop? and Caring for God’s Creatures.
Youth Formation:
This semester, our youth will gather for The Road, exploring how the journeys of the New Testament invite us to follow Jesus “the Way” in our own lives. Light snacks, usually donuts, will be available most Sunday mornings.
Adult Formation:
Intro to the Bible with Fr. Chad (8/30, 9/6, 9/20, 9/27)
Explore how the Bible came together, how its books are organized, and how Episcopalians approach Scripture. This accessible four-part series is perfect for newcomers and longtime readers seeking a stronger foundation.
| | | Welcome Our New Seminarian, Puja Khanna | | | | |
Beginning September 6, we are delighted to welcome Puja Khanna to St. James’ as our seminarian. Puja is a Master of Divinity student at Virginia Theological Seminary, discerning a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.
A longtime Loudoun County resident, she brings experience in technology, community leadership, interfaith engagement, and mental-health advocacy, as well as recent Clinical Pastoral Education at Mary Washington Hospital.
We look forward to sharing in Puja’s formation through worship, pastoral care, and the daily life of our parish, and to welcoming her and her family into the St. James’ community.
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Interested in Native Plants & Shrubs?
Sacred Soil Society "Teaching Moment"
Sunday, September 6 | 11:30 a.m. | Janney Parlor
St. James’ was recently awarded a $500 Creation Care grant from the Diocese of Virginia to support the purchase of native plants, shrubs, and trees for our grounds. Join Pamela McGraw, Sacred Soil Society Lead and Master Gardener, to learn about native plants you can easily add to your own garden, followed by a brief walk around the St. James’ grounds. RSVP to Pamela McGraw or just come!
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Contemplative Prayer Retreat
September 12 | 8:45 a.m. | Janney Parlor
Join us for a quiet morning of silent prayer, Scripture, reflection, and conversation. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Gathering begins at 8:45 a.m., with the program starting at 9:10.
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Bishop’s Visit
September 13 | 10:00 a.m.
Join us for a special service of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation. The Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson will be our visiting bishop. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following worship.
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Foyer Groups
Meet fellow parishioners over simple meals and conversation in monthly small-group gatherings. Learn more and sign up at stjamesleesburg.org/foyer-groups or contact Nancy Quinn at 571-599-5017.
Fall registration closes September 15.
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National Acolyte Festival
Saturday, October 10 | 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | Washington National Cathedral
Acolytes, servers, vergers, families, and friends are invited for a day of faith, service, fellowship, and fun, including the Grandest of Processions and a festive Holy Eucharist. All are welcome, even if you’re not an acolyte!
Let Rev. Marybeth or Dottie Brannock know by September 28 at 5:00 p.m. if you would like to attend.
Optional Spotlight Tours are offered at 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. for $5 and require advance tickets at tickets.cathedral.org.
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Keeping In Touch With Our College Students
If you have a St. James' student starting or returning to college this year, the Card Writing Ministry would like to have their mailing address to stay in touch and offer encouragement, ensuring they know their church family supports them throughout the year. Click here to share their information.
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Save the Date: Honduras Mission
February 27–March 6
More information is coming soon. Questions? Contact Henry Stribling at hdstribling@gmail.com.
| | | We're Hiring: Weekend Sexton | | |
This part-time position is Sundays, 6:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., with occasional Saturday hours for funerals, weddings, and special events. Duties include opening and securing the campus, preparing worship and gathering spaces, setting up and breaking down tables and chairs, and helping keep common areas clean and welcoming.
Please share with someone dependable, practical, and glad to support a church community. Learn more here.
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Thank You for Your Generosity!
Loudoun Hunger Relief Breakfast Food Drive
We give thanks for the generosity of our parish family, whose gifts to the Breakfast Food Drive for Loudoun Hunger Relief totaled 256 pounds of food. Together, we have contributed 874 pounds of food so far this year to help care for our neighbors in need.
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Treasurer’s Update through July 2026
Giving continues to be ahead of budget by over $22,000. Many thanks to those parishioners who have completely fulfilled their pledge for 2026.
As giving tends to slow during the summer, we're grateful to our leaders for managing well within their budgets. Our operating expenses are under budget, as well. We have incurred 58% of our planned operating expenses compared to a planned 61% of our total operating expense budget. And this includes absorbing a couple of emergency repairs.
Check your Giving Progress!
Q2 Financial Statements were mailed the week of July 20. Of our 223 pledgers in 2026, 185 households have started or fulfilled their pledge. If you have questions on how to give, please visit our website: stjamesleesburg.org/give.
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Don't Fall for Scams!
Reminder: St. James' staff will never reach out to you via text or email asking for gift cards. If you receive a message like this, it is a scam. These messages should be ignored. If you are unsure about a suspicious message or have questions about scams, you are welcome to reach out to communications@stjamesleesburg.org.
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(Asterisk * denotes those in the St. James’ community)
Those requesting our prayers this week: Carolyn Taylor, *John Stine, *Wayne Newell, Bill Ziegler, *Nancy Burghardt, *Traci Eddinger, *Bob Jamison, Paul Fifield, *Sheila Brooks, Marian Staley, and *Virginia Smith.
Those on our long-term Prayer List: The O’Hara family, Jenn Quinn, *Carson Scheuerman, *Carol Chapman, Scott & Susan Beaver, Kevin, Edward Fortier, Virginia Cogger, The DeHond Family, *Charlotte Woods, Rachel Shatananda, *Fran Smith, Jason & Stephanie, Pamela Scott, The Hovsmith family, Mike Shott, Kathy & Lenny, *Michael Fabian, Joan Douglas & the *Douglas family, Margaret Ann, *Sandra Moody, Megan Kilkeary, Margaret, *Christopher Osborne, The Spealman family, Kate Pinson, Jan, Bill, *Rene, *Lois Krumwiede, *McKenna Hagler, Richard Ford, *Alice Forlini, *Darrell Ackmann, Judy Popple, Nathan Rodney, *Harold Neely, *Rachelle Graves, Tony Beltrano, Mary Ellen Hurley, Nicholas Rodney, Ed, and Virginia Laughlin.
Those who have died: Jan Harder, Richard McCann, Gail Margaret Whelband, Robert McDonnell, and Linda Petrie.
Those who need our prayers: All those affected by the fires and floods in the US, 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 suffer acts of violence around the world, especially for Ukraine and for the Holy Land, for those suffering from the wars in the Middle East and in Sudan; for federal employees and those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad; for those who are unemployed or underemployed; and for those who continue to be affected by COVID-19.
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 3:30 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
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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 an 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.
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