A note from Amelia to the St. James’s Community |
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Wow, what a week it’s been for our community. I’ve connected with many of you over email, phone, and in person, and I’m grateful for the honest and thoughtful conversations we’ve had. First, thank you to all of you who attended the special adult forum last Sunday with Bishop Stevenson. Although it was a difficult conversation I know that it was the first of many conversations we will have as a community in the coming weeks and months. When I talked with Bishop Stevenson on Monday to reflect on the Sunday forum, he told me that I could share part of our conversation with all of you. In short, our bishop is really proud of our community and the way that we came together to hear what he had to say and ask good questions. He did clarify that he himself helped edit the letter from the vestry that went out last week and that everything in that letter is true, as precise as we can be at this moment, and was aimed at caring for everyone -- John, the vestry and staff, and our parish community. We understand that the forum did not answer all of your questions and that not having answers can be frustrating. At some point we will have more answers, though right now we are called to be patient and trust that all shall be well. We’ve also received some inquiries as to a recording of the forum from last Sunday. The Bishop asked us not to post the video of the forum due to concerns about digital security. If you were not able to attend, any of the clergy or vestry members would be happy to talk with you to share the general content of the message from the bishop and the question and answer session.
I hope that as we live through this time of transition we can also look forward to the good things coming up in our life together; Confirmation and Reception at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services this Sunday, moving to summer worship times as we celebrate Pentecost on May 28th, the Welcome Summer Recital Series, Vacation Bible School, and so much more. One of the things I love most about St. James’s is our joy, and joy even in the midst of change can be a healing and hopeful thing.
As many of you said on Sunday and have said this week, we are a strong and faithful community. I believe that we are not only strong and faithful, we are kind, thoughtful, and reasonable. We have lived through hard things before, and this will not be the last hard thing we live through together. My prayer for each of us is that we can keep the faith and look forward to the future together, knowing that God is with us. I hope to see you all on Sunday as we celebrate the youth and adults who will be confirmed and received into the Episcopal Church, and I hope to see you often as we move into our summer rhythm of worship, fellowship, and service.
I continue to hold each of you in my prayers, may we continue to live in hope and find joy together.
In Christ,
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A Milestone Sunday at St. James's.
This Sunday The Rt. Rev'd Gayle E. Harris, Assistant Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, will be at St. James’s to preach, celebrate, and to confirm and receive St. James’sers into the church.
Her visit also coincides with our Senior Blessing, where our graduating seniors will be blessed as they complete one phase of their lives, and head into another. Join us as we celebrate these significant milestones in the lives of so many of our fellow parishioners. Then celebrate with us in Valentine Hall between the services.
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Tuesday, May 23
Tuesday Men's Bible Study - 7:30 am, Valentine Hall
A weekly hour of fellowship, discussion of the bible, and good food.
Wednesday, May 24
Living Faith Bible Study - 10 am via Zoom
This opportunity for fellowship, study, and discussions that help to make
our Christian faith a “living faith” and apply the witness of the Scripture
to our everyday lives. Please contact Betsy for the Zoom link.
Wednesday Noon Eucharist
in the Chapel
Thursday, May 25
Women in Fellowship - 7 pm, location varies
The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at a parishioner's home.
We’ll be following the lectionary, and reading and discussing the upcoming week’s Gospel.
For information about where we'll meet this week, contact:
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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 on the home page.
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This week's eChimes features |
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- Summer worship schedule
- Welcome Summer recital series
- Enrich your summer
- Come be a VBS Hero
- Sunday flower delivery ministry
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- Keeping up with St. James'sers is back with a twist
- Prayers of The People
- Diocese of Virginia
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SUMMER SCHEDULE
starts NEXT Weekend
Starting next Sunday, May 28, worship will be at 8 am and 10 am, with fellowship between the services. We'll have the outdoor options y’all love so much.
We look forward to worshiping and gathering with you all Summer long.
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Welcome Summer
Recital Series
One of the lovelier Summer traditions at St. James’s is the Recital Series that kicks off the season. This year on three Wednesdays in June, you can be soothed, inspired, moved and enriched by the performances of gifted and accomplished musicians playing beautiful compositions. In addition to being a delight for St. James’sers, it’s also a great opportunity to introduce friends to our church.
Click on the artwork above for more details.
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Spend part of your summer giving something back.
It’s not too late for youth to sign up for our summer mission or volunteering opportunities. Adults you can volunteer too or chaperone. Go here to sign up.
Here are the dates of our various offerings:
· June 19-23: Project HOMES: Richmond Mission
· June 26-29: Vacation Bible School from 8:30 am-12:30 pm
· July 15-18: Middle School Mini Mission (Gleaning on the Eastern Shore)
· July 16-22: High School Mission (house repairs and community building in Hurley,
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Calling all heroes.
Vacation Bible School is coming!
Register now.
Vacation Bible School is more than a great summer experience for children. It’s the perfect summer opportunity for youth and adults to have an awesome time volunteering too.
Parents, now’s the time to sign up your child (or children) for our fun and unforgettable VBS program.
If you’re a teen (6-12 grade) or an adult (with or without kids), help us make this the best VBS ever. It's not to early to sign up.
- Teens can earn service hours.
- To make volunteering easier for families, we will offer nursery for siblings under 3 each day of VBS
This year’s theme is Hero Hotline: Called Together to Serve God! You can go here to learn more.
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Sunday Flower
Delivery Ministry
Here’s a lovely way to get involved and bring joy to others. By joining the Sunday Flower Delivery Ministry you can deliver flowers used in the Sunday services to various parishioners. Some are sick or homebound; others are celebrating special life events.
You select which Sundays you want to deliver flowers. Four flower arrangements go out each Sunday so we are hoping for two deliverers per Sunday. The arrangements are ready for delivery approximately 15-30 minutes after the last service. A card containing the recipient’s name and address will accompany the flowers. If you can’t make church that morning, no problem…you can come later in the day as we will make arrangements for you to get into the building.
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Keeping Up with St. James’sers
is back! With a twist.
With Summer just around the corner, we wanted to let you know that we’ll be bringing back our popular Keeping Up With St. James’sers program – where you share with us what you’re doing and where you’re going over the Summer.
Last Summer, most of you shared your vacation plans with us – which was awesome. But this Summer, we want to expand what you share to include things like: volunteering, hobbies, backyard parties; work at the church, accomplishments, weekend activities like kayaking or hiking, offbeat moments, or any other activity – serious or silly – that you’re up to this Summer.
Send photos and information about what you're doing and where you are to
Don’t be shy. Have some fun. Surprise us!
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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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St. James’s Episcopal Church | DOERS.ORG | (804) 355-1779
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