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This Sunday, you’ll find
the Giving Tree in the Narthex.
One of our lovelier traditions during Advent is the Giving Tree. Peter Paul – one of our three ongoing outreach partners – has asked us to give gift cards so families can purchase Christmas presents of their choosing. On Sunday, you’ll find the Giving Tree on the left side of the Narthex. There will be a QR code on the table in the Narthex and in the bulletin.
Once you make the donation, you will have the opportunity to write your name (or someone else’s name whom you’re giving in honor of) on an ornament and put it on the Tree.
If you have any questions, contact Amelia at aarthur@doers.org.
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Saturday, December 9
Young Families Social - 4pm to 6 pm, Valentine Hall
We’ll build some gingerbread nativities, decorate Christmas ornaments, and watch a Christmas movie! St. James’s will provide some snacks, water, and juice.
Sunday, December 10
The Blessing of the Gifts
during the 9 am and 11:15 am service
During this Sunday’s service we will have the Blessing of the Gifts and
give thanksgiving for all the ways you offer your gifts to God and the St. James’s community. During each service there will be an opportunity for everyone to
come forward and add an ornament to our Tree of Thanksgiving.
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Tuesday, December 12
Tuesday Men's Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall
A weekly hour of fellowship, discussion of the bible, and good food.
Contact: Patrick Strickler, jpstrickler@verizon.net
Stephen Spraker, stspraker@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 13
Wednesday Noon Eucharist & Healing Service
held in the chapel inside the sanctuary
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Thursday, December 14
Thursday Men's Breakfast Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall
Our Bible Study Group welcomes St. James’s members and non-members
It meets every other Thursday morning in Valentine Hall for about an hour.
The group enjoys fellowship and relationship-building with each other
and growth in knowledge of scripture and their faith applied to the here and now.
You're welcomed regardless of your current knowledge about the scriptures.
Contact: Matt Harper, mharper2240@gmail.com.
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Community Chanukah Concert at Beth Ahabah, 6:30 pm
Beth Ahabah has invited St. James's to join the Richmond Jewish community in a cultural/non-political setting: a community Chanukah concert featuring Soulfarm & Sari. The acclaimed American duo is a melting pot of Israeli, Middle Eastern, Celtic, Folk, Blues, and Pop, creating a truly unique musical experience. There is an admission fee. See the story below for a link to get tickets.
Doors open at 6 pm.
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Peek at the Week is now on the website (doers.org) too. So if you need to check in on what’s going on this coming week, click on the Peek at the Week banner (The Week's Events) on the home page: doers.org
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This week's eChimes features | |
- Blessing of the Gifts
- Annual Giving pledge update
- December Young Family Social
- Let's join our friends at Beth Ahabah on December 15 for special music concert
- Deadline for the Christmas Poinsettias is today - Dec. 8
- Altar Guild needs magnolia branches for church
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- Deadline for a Service of Hope names
- We still need participants for the Christmas pageant
- Purchase your Children's Center Christmas Cross
- Worship Service Notice
- Advent & Christmas Schedule
- December Music Calendar
- Missions are a go for 2024!
- Prayers of The People
- Diocese of Virginia
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The Blessing of the Gifts
during this Sunday's services
During this Sunday’s services we will have our Blessing of the Gifts, where we celebrate everyone's gifts to the church, and give thanksgiving for all the ways you give to St. James's, including your financial support
At the 9 and 11:15 am services there will be an opportunity for everyone to come forward and add an ornament to our Tree of Thanksgiving (which is different from the Giving Tree in the Narthex) that represents the gifts God has given you that you share with the St. James’s community. There will be pledge cards in the bulletin, so you can bring your pledge up too! (You an also put your pledge card in the collection plate.)
This will be a special day for us to celebrate each of you and the gifts you bring to this community!
If you haven't yet made your pledge, now is a great time. We are 86% of the way to our goal of $1.8 million, and we'd like to be at or near our goal this Sunday. If you're not quite ready, please remember to make your pledge for 2024 before December 31st to help our Vestry plan for the coming year. Thank you!
Every pledge gets us closer.
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December Young Families Social is tomorrow, December 9
Come see what all the Young Families Social excitement is about.
Our Young Families Social will be Saturday, December 9 from 4 to 6 pm in Valentine Hall. This Young Family Social while certainly get us all in the Christmas spirit. We’ll build some gingerbread nativities, decorate Christmas ornaments, and watch a Christmas movie!
St. James’s will provide some snacks, water, and juice. Parents, please feel free to bring a favorite beverage or snack to share.
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Let’s fill the room with
song and candlelight
with our friends
at Beth Ahabah.
Beth Ahabah has invited St. James’s to join the Richmond Jewish community in a cultural/non-political setting: a community Chanukah concert featuring Soulfarm & Sari, held in the Beth Ahabah sanctuary.
Soulfarm & Sari are an acclaimed collaboration between American duo Soulfarm and singer, songwriter and actor Sari Greenberg. Together they are are a melting pot of Israeli, Middle Eastern, Celtic, Folk, Blues, and Pop, creating a truly unique musical experience. View video clips and learn video clips and learn more about Soulfarm & Sari.
Beth Ahabah is also inviting us to share in the moment of the community chanukah candle lighting as they light the lights of the festival. Chanukah is the traditional spelling of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is celebrated Friday, December 7 to Friday, December 15.
There is an admission fee. Go here to see the full flier, and the direct link to the registration page: https://jewishrichmond.regfox.com/micha-biton-chanukah-concert-
Proceeds from the ticket sales will be split between the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond (a non-profit Jewish community organization here in Richmond) and Beth Ahabah to cover the costs of the event.
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The Flower Guild welcomes memorial gifts to help beautify the church with poinsettias and greenery, which adorn our sanctuary on Christmas Eve. After Christmas the poinsettias will be delivered to our home-bound parishioners as well as parishioners who may need a little “pick me up” during the holiday season.
The deadline to submit names is today, December 8. Your loved one’s name(s) will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin insert. The suggested donation is $25.
Please email your name and your honoree(s) name to: Veni Davidkova, Parish Administrator, at vdavidkova@doers.org.
Then pay by check made payable to: St. James’s Episcopal Church (be sure to write “Poinsettia” in the memo line)
And mail to: St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1205 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23220.
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We need your magnolia branches.
The altar guild needs magnolia branches to decorate the church windows for Christmas services. Please bring your magnolia branches (in large trash bags) to the church on Friday, December 22.
Call Lucy Meade (804-200-1372) with questions or to let her know you have some to give. She would prefer you call but you can also email her at lmeade535@gmail.com.
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The Service of Hope.
Because grief knows no season.
Advent and Christmas are joyous, but they can be a challenging time too. Our Service of Hope is a time to slow down, feel supported and loved, and reconnect with our God and others feeling grief of any sort or loneliness.
Part of this service includes the reading of the names of those being remembered, whether they have passed away or need to be remembered for another reason.
If you have a name or names you wish to submit, please send them to Mary Brown at mbrown@doers.org by Tuesday, December 12th.
Our Service of Hope, with healing music performed on flute and guitar, will be Monday, December 18, at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. It will not be live-streamed.
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We need a few more participants for
The Greatest Story Ever Told.
The Christmas Pageant is fast approaching. But there's still a chance for our children and youth to participate. All children can sign up using this form.
Parents, please use the same form to sign up to volunteer. We can’t do it without all of you!
And our youth, have you always wanted to play Joseph, Herod, the innkeeper, or narrate the Christmas Pageant? If so, your time has come! Please contact Katie Ricard at youth@doers.org if you’re interested in participating.
Rehearsal for everyone will be on Saturday morning, December 16.
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SJCC CHRISTMAS CROSSES
are still available.
This year's Children's Center cross features the scallop shell, which for . centuries has been associated with St. James, and symbolizes courage, strength, and hope - the gifts we wish to share with you for the coming year. The crosses are available for a donation of $30 each. This donation will cover the cost of one week’s breakfast, lunch and daily snacks for one of our children.
To place your order, click here or scan the QR code. Free delivery on orders of ten or more.
For more information, contact Winnie Canup at the Children’s Center or 804-358-9788.
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Worship Schedule Notice
Beginning next Sunday, Dec. 17 (the day of the Christmas Pageant), the 9 am and 11:15 am services will be replaced by one service at 10 am.
Also on Sunday, December 24, 25 and 31, we will have a 10 am service instead of the 9 am and 11:15 am. Normal service times will return on January 7. Thanks.
Likewise, the 7:45 am service on Dec. 17 will be the last 7:45 am service until January 7.
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Click on the Advent artwork above for the full Advent and Christmas worship schedule, including live-streaming and nursery services.
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Missions at St. James’s
are a go for 2024!
Come see what we have planned.
Based on feedback from our parish-wide survey and a thoughtful discernment process, the Mission Committee has made some changes to our ministry’s approach.
We will focus on deeper and more long-term relationships with our partners that attempt to empower and support the community year-round. For that reason, our missions will not resemble week-long voluntourism experiences impacting a handful of parishioners. Instead, we hope to engage with our partners throughout the year and include members of the congregation who are unable to attend the actual trips. For more information on our ministry’s mission statement and guiding principles, please click here.
Our mission partners for 2024 are the Hurley Community Center in Appalachia, Our Little Roses in Honduras, and Harvest of Hope on the Eastern Shore. Trips will occur in June and July of 2024.
If you are interested in going on a mission trip, working “behind-the scenes” with our mission partners, or just learning about our mission ministry, please join us for wine and cheese at Wyn Brown’s (211 Banbury Road) on Tuesday, January 9 from 5pm to 6:30 pm.
Please RSVP by 12/31/23 to Julie Wade at juliecwade12@gmail.com.
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Parishioners who passed away recently:
Anthony ("Tony") Patrick Smith
(d. 12/3/2023)
Elizabeth (“Betty”) Arundell Stallings
(d. 12/7/2023)
We commend Tony and Betty to God’s love.
If you would like information on how to reach out to the loved ones of the deceased, please do not hesitate to contact the church offices.
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Prayers of the People
Here are the names of those we're remembering in our prayers this week.
We do our best to keep this list current, but if you want your name added or removed, please email Mary Brown at mbrown@doers.org or call her at 804-355-1779 ext. 313
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You are something special. You made it all the way to the end. That took some DOing. | | |
St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779
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