Saint James the Less Weekly News & Updates | |
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It was a joy to see Miriam and Reggie present awards to the members of the St. Cecilia’s Choir last Sunday. In addition to what this choir adds to our worship, the experience of the members is formative. It has been said that “The one who sings, prays twice.” I also think that our young people will long remember the pieces they have learned and sung. It is a great gift and supports their faith.
Sunday School -and I am thinking of our young people here primarily, though learning is lifelong and SJTL has great offerings for adults- is also a good support for the faith of our youngest members. We have just finished the Sunday School program year. It was a good one and we are grateful to Miriam for her leadership.
At the same time, it is tempting to think that we are taking a break from Christian formation itself. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.
Sunday Schools came about in the 18th Century and quickly gained in popularity. But Christian formation had, of course, been happening since the Church was founded. And formation happened, in significant ways, by participation in the worship of the Church. That rich experience of Scripture, music, sermon, prayers, community and Holy Eucharist, literally and figuratively feeds our faith. This is true for us all -children and adults.
I am reminded of Charles Price’s and Louis Weil’s words in the book “Liturgy for Living” from some decades ago. They were arguing that baptized children should be allowed to receive communion, which was a change at the time. “Just as an infant is fed by its natural family from the beginning, so an infant member of the church should be fed by the family of God from the beginning…Children are surely to be included with joy as soon as possible…(In) the Eucharist…(children perceive )…levels of meaning -love and nurture- (which) can be grasped experientially even by an infant in arms…” (page 131)
The experience of Sunday worship forms and supports the faith of us all, children and adults. This has been true from the beginning. So, even though Sunday School is taking a well deserved break, we are not taking a break from building the faith. The worship of the Church, with all its blessings, continues.
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Wednesday, June 5, 2024
- 7:30am- Morning Prayer (with bagels & coffee to follow)
- 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie (in the pavilion)
Sunday, June 9, 2024
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8am- Eucharist Rite I -outside in Pavilion
- 10am- Eucharist Rite II (music)
- 6:30pm- Mario Kart family night
Monday, June 10, 2024
- 10:30am- Good Grief
- 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga with Lorie (in the pavilion)
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June Calendar
- 6/9- Family Mario Kart Night
- 6/16- Father’s Day (No Contemplative Service)
- 6/19- Juneteenth- Office Closed
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Altar Guild does a fantastic job every week on the flowers! We are so grateful for our volunteers. | |
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Mario Kart Family Night
Everyone is welcome this Sunday, June 9th, at 6:30pm for Mario Kart Family Night. We will have popcorn and treats to share. We hope many of you can join us for this fun night!
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
Bless my hands...
Often just appendages at the end of my arms...
workers doing their job without appreciation...looked at, yet not really seen.
These instruments of love have done mundane tasks, yet also create beauty.
They reach out, touch, stroke, scrub, lift, grasp, gesture and guide.
These hands, my hands, gifts of great importance,
Blessings be on them and in them as I begin.
May the fruits of their labor be good!
This Sunday, June 9, after the 10am service our Prayerful Hands Ministry will be busy making prayer shawls, prayer cloths, and prayer crosses. Our focus is to provide tangible reminders to all that the love of God is with them wherever they are on life’s journey.
If you have questions or ideas, please feel free to contact our Deacon, Dawn+, at 804-356-6803 or the church office.
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7:30am Wednesday Services
We have wonderful news for our Wednesday morning attendees. Father Bo will be coming every two weeks to serve Eucharist, 6/12 & 6/26. Father Rock will be back in July. The weeks in between will be Morning Prayer services. All services still followed by bagels, coffee/tea and fellowship in the Parish Hall. We hope you will join us!
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8am Service on Sunday OUTDOOR This Week
The 8am service will be in the pavilion this week. It will be 70 degrees at 8am this Sunday. We are excited to get back out there!
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June 30th- Gratitude for Bo+
Sunday, June 30th, following the 10am service, we will have an "elevated" Coffee Hour in honor and gratitude of The Rev. Bo Millner. He has helped us through the first part of Rock's+ sabbatical so beautifully. We hope you will join us in saying "thank you." Please bring a side dish or finger food to share. We look forward to this time together.
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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!
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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!
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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! | |
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Summer Programming
With the program year over, we look forward to family friendly events that will keep us connected through the summer. Please make plans to join us.
- June 9th- Mario Kart Night- 6:30pm- Popcorn and Treats
- July 21st- Family Lego Night- 5:30pm- Pizza and Ice Cream
- August 8th- Flying Squirrels game
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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
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Donate to ACES- Click HERE for current needs (we have a box in our hallway)
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Donate to Peter Paul Development Center. (box in our hallway)
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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, Mark, Dabney & Gail, our Bishops, Rock+, our priest, and Dawn+, our Deacon, Bo+, 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, Sharon Street, Pam Gillette, Joanne Watkins, Ruth Beaudry, Tom & Fran Burke, Dennis Ray, Dawn Haase & family, Tuck Davis, Kimette Cannady, Traci Smith, Jerry & Carolyn Peart, John Wagner, Alicia Wood, Lisa Capen, Heather Grande & family, Lee Hopkins, and Margaret Belyea.
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.
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June 6
Curtis Shifflett
June 8
Andy Baker
Matt Woodbridge
Michael Toscano
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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. | | | | |
