July 10, 2024

Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates

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A Note from Father Rock

Good morning, friends!


It was wonderful seeing folks on Sunday, and your warm welcome back. On Sunday I shared some gifts our parish received from the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in San Jose, Costa Rica. These will be in the office. The statue is a replica of their national symbol, La Negrita. It is a madonna and child made from lava rock. It sits in the heart of the altar in the basilica for the country. Also, we were given a Last Supper art piece. Lastly is a chalice and paten, made of stainless steel, which we will use out at the pavilion. These will be treasures and what I hope will be the beginning of a good relationship.

Last night and tonight, our staff are gathering for our annual prayer and calendaring retreat. Our folks will be looking at the last year(s) and the next one, and charting our direction during that time. Pray for us as we reflect and encourage one another. These are big days.


Blessings, and hope to see you Sunday!

Rock+

JOIN US THIS WEEK

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

  • 7:30am- Eucharist Rite II (with bagels & coffee to follow)
  • 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie (in the pavilion)


Sunday, July 14, 2024

  • 8am- Eucharist Rite I -outside in Pavilion
  • 10am- Eucharist Rite II (music)


Monday, July 15, 2024

  • 10:30am- Good Grief
  • 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie (in the pavilion)
Click Here to Watch Services Live or Later


July Calendar



  • 7/21- Jimmy's Jam Coffee Pot following the 10am service
  • 7/21- 5:30pm- Family Lego Night
  • 7/28- Morning Prayer services

We are so grateful to our Hospitality and Altar Guild for all they do for our community! We are so appreciative of all the thoughtful ways you bring our people together.

Altar Guild Volunteers


We are looking for some new Altar Guild members. You would be joining a team that volunteers once a month. You will be trained. If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Karla Batten at 804-441-3406. Thank you!

Hospitality Volunteers


Would you like to be part of our AWESOME hospitality team? You can use your gifts to help people feel welcome and part of our incredible community. You can do things like making a dish for an event or helping to set up Coffee hours, whatever way you would like to get involved is appreciated. Email us and let us know if you would like to be added.

Confirmation Class


Are you or someone in your family interested in getting confirmed? Let us know. We are building a list of candidates and will email you separately to find best times to hold the class in October and November before our Bishop visit in December.

Prayer Shawl Ministry


Prayer Shawls are such a beautiful way to show someone care and support during a difficult time. We are hoping to collect a small supply of them in the office that we could distribute them as needs arise. Please fill out the information HERE or let the office know that you are interested in making prayer shawls for our ministry. We truly appreciate your dedication to such a special ministry for our community. HERE is a link to a few simple patterns for prayer shawls if you would like to learn more.

Family Lego Night



Please join us for food, fun and prizes! We will have Family Lego Night on July 21st at 5:30pm. All ages are welcome! We will have a little kids building area as well as space for our children and youth. There will be competitions with chances to win prizes (and bragging rights). Please use the link below to make sure we have enough food and legos :) See you all then!!

https://forms.gle/XDExwKgSGscnpjo26

Flying Squirrels Game


Join St. James the Less Episcopal Church for Faith Night at The Diamond on August 8th at 6:35pm! First pitch is at 6:35pm, but make sure to arrive early for pre-game player testimonials and faith-based bands on the main stage! Post-game fireworks too! Tickets will be available for purchase until the day before, HERE. The SJtL family will be seated together. We hope you can join us!

Shrine Mont Annual Retreat


We are thrilled to announce that we are taking our annual Parish Retreat to Shrine Mont on October 4-6, 2024. It is always such a restorative time of community and faith building. We hope you can join us! Please complete the form HERE or sign up in the hallway to let us know you are interested. 


The cost is $55 for children (ages 4-12), $70 for teens (13-18), and $155 for adults (18 +). If you would like to complete a Chenery grant request to help with the cost of your trip, please let the office know and we can get you a copy of the application, 804-798-6336. We don’t want cost to hinder anyone from this awesome experience. All are wanted and welcome!

CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING

We will not have Sunday school, nursery or Children's church through the summer, starting this Sunday. We will be back with normal schedule in the fall. We hope you will bring your children into church. We welcome all!

Summer Programming


We look forward to family friendly events that will keep us connected through the summer. Please make plans to join us.


  • July 21st- Family Lego Night- 5:30pm- Pizza and Ice Cream 
  • August 8th- Flying Squirrels game 6:35pm (ticket information above)

Wish List


We are beginning to prepare for the program year!! We are so excited to have everyone back in the classroom and with that comes lots of amazing supplies. HERE is our wishlist link. Any and all items are extremely appreciated!! With Prime Day approaching (July 16 and 17), we wanted to make sure we sent the list in time. Thank you so much for your continued support!!!

Children's Open House


Join us on Sunday, August 4th at 2pm in the Sunday School room downstairs for our Children's Open House to find out more of what to expect from this coming Program Year. Please join us for pop tops and popsicles! Come see the classroom and help us to kick off the program year with our favorite service project, Pop Tops!! We will count all of them and enjoy some treats as well. Hope to see everyone there! 

WAYS TO HELP

  • 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- Click HERE for current needs (we have a box in our hallway)
  • Donate to Peter Paul Development Center. (box in our hallway)

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE

Lord, we lift up this nation struggling with itself these days. Encourage us to faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion for all God’s Children. We lift up Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Sean, our Presiding Bishop elect, Mark & Gail, our Bishops, Rock+, our priest, and Dawn+, our Deacon, Ross+, our supply priest. We pray for Bart, our Seminarian, in his formation. 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, Meghann Batten, Dennis Folsom, Court Warfield, Andrea Alexander McCallum, Joy Stevenson, Andy Newchok, Haden Hopkins, Kim Keene, Pam Bowers, Hilda Kelly, Harry Hassell, Bower family, Smith family, Lyde Longaker, Mary Ann Harris, Gini Dryden, Bob & Mary Lou Brown, David Bandas, Rone Deas, Diana Timberlake, Kristi Elles, Pam Gillette, Ruth Beaudry, Tom & Fran Burke, Dennis Ray, Dawn Haase & family, Kimette Cannady, Traci Smith, Jerry & Carolyn Peart, John Wagner, Alicia Wood, Lisa Capen, Heather Grande & family, Jenny Bruce, Pat Jordan, Anna Marie, Steve Crain, Lizzie Campus, Tom Gillman, and Lee Chambers.


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: Larson Flanagan, Kemper Jones, Greg Ericksen, Matthew Thomas, Philip Morison, James Ashley, Ellie Deas, Andrew Brunson, Liam Higgins, and Katherine Murphy. 


We ask your prayers for those who have died. We ask your prayers for those who grieve.  


Our citizens who live in Hanover County, the Board of Supervisors, School Board, and Manager. The print and broadcast media. The churches of metropolitan Richmond: members and clergy. All who live in poverty. All who suffer from mental illness. Our citizens who live in Ashland, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg, the town and city Councils and Managers. All who work in banks and finance; all making financial decisions for greater Richmond. Prisons and jails of metropolitan Richmond: prisoners and staff. All who are unemployed or underemployed. All public servants.


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.

WEDNESDAY FUNNY

July 10

Nancy Fines

Jeannette Toscano


July 12

Cheryl Thomas

July 14

Wright Brockwell


July 15

Sandi Shirey

Danielle Sergi

Kai Reed

HELPFUL LINKS

Saint James the Less Episcopal Church

125 Beverly Road

Ashland, VA 23005

(804) 798-6336


Staff: (click on the name to email them)

The Rev. Rock Higgins, tssf Rector

The Rev. Deacon Dawn McNamara Deacon

Reggie Long- Organist/Music Director

Miriam Smith- Christian Formation- Children & Youth Director

Kasey Buckland- Parish Administrator

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Weekly E-News Deadline:  If you have an announcement to be shared with the parish, please get the information in no later than noon on Monday.