On November 2, the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe will be installed as the twenty-eighth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. I was present at General Convention in Louisville this July when Bishop Rowe was elected and offer the following observations about what he brings to the office and how his tenure may shape the course of our church over the next nine years. 

He is young — at 49, the youngest presiding bishop ever elected. He was ordained at age 24 and became the youngest member of the House of Bishops when elected at age 32 as bishop of the Erie­–based Diocese of Pennsylvania. We can expect nine years of vigorous, forward-looking leadership.

He is deeply grounded biblically and theologically. When you hear him preach, you can tell that he is completely at home in the scriptures and able to speak to the current situation on the basis of a lifetime of biblical and theological reflection. For example, in his sermon to the House of Deputies in Louisville on the day of his election, he noted the idolatry that vexed the Apostle Paul in Ephesus and then addressed our vulnerability to contemporary forms of idolatry: 

What about our idolatry of structures and practices that exclude and diminish our witness? We have to get it together. That’s going to mean laying some things down. The struggle ahead will require a tolerance for uncertainty, a willingness to make real sacrifices.

Bishop Rowe’s sermon was a word on target and portends a tenure of theologically informed preaching and teaching. 

He is alert to how the church must change in order minister to a changing world. He will challenge us to reevaluate long–cherished structures and practices in order to steward our resources:  

We know that we cannot continue being The Episcopal Church in the same way, no matter where we live. It’s time to reorient our church … to support dioceses and churches on the ground, where ministry happens.

As an example of his commitment to adapting cherished practices, Bishop Rowe has elected to have a scaled down investiture service, live-streamed from the Episcopal Church Center in New York: 

With a simple service at the Church Center that will include everyone via livestream, we can care for God’s creation by reducing our collective carbon footprint.  

I guess you can tell that I’m a Sean Rowe fan! Although we have never met, I have followed his ministry with admiration since his election to the episcopate in 2007. Stay tuned for more about his investiture service on November 2 and what he brings to the office of Presiding Bishop.  

The Rev. Dr. Ross McGowan Wright

Supply Priest

I am grateful for the warm welcome from Saint James the Less and look forward to being a part of this lively community in the coming weeks. Our family moved to Ashland in 2005 from Scotland, where I was doing graduate work in theology at the University of St. Andrews. I was ordained in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina and served parishes in New York City, Norfolk, and Richmond before retiring from fulltime parish ministry in 2020. I now serve as the Director of Vocational Ministries for the Diocese of Southern Virginia, overseeing the ordination process, and teach courses in the Religious Studies Department at Randolph Macon, where my wife, Lynda has been a faculty member since 2005. We have three sons and two granddaughters, all of whom live in Richmond, enabling us to enjoy time with our family. I play the trombone in a variety of musical organizations throughout Richmond, including the Richmond Pops and the pit orchestra for musicals at Fort Gregg Adames. 

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

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

Thursday, September 5, 2024

• 6pm- Handbell Choir
• 7pm- Parish Choir

Sunday, September 8, 2024

• PROGRAM YEAR BEGINS
• 8am- Eucharist Rite I -outside in Pavilion
• 9am- Adult & Children's Sunday School
• 10am- Eucharist Rite II (music)
• 11am- Lunch & Learn (Safety & Security)

Monday, September 9, 2024

• 10:30am- Good Grief
• 10:30am- Vinyasa Yoga
• 5:30pm- Pray for the Country Group

September Calendar:

• 9/8- Program Year Begins
• 9/8- Lunch & Learn- Safety & Security (following 10am service)
• 9/8- Time & Talent Stewardship Fair (following 10am service)
• 9/14 (10am-12, 1-3pm) & 9/15 (11am report)- Rev. Bailey Abbot visit
• 9/15- Youth group 6pm
• 9/29- Church Picnic following 10am service (bring a dish to share)
• 9/29- Blessing of the Animals/Blue Grass Mass 5pm
• 9/29- Youth Group 6pm

What a blessed community we are!

Looking for new Choir Members and Handbell Ringers!!

The Parish Choir is looking for new (and former) members to join. We welcome any and all voice parts but are especially in need of sopranos. I urge you to consider joining this group. We prepare music each week for our Sunday services, enjoy each other’s fellowship in our weekly rehearsals, and have some fun in the process. The choir is open to all from high school students and up. Please give the choir a try and be a part of this vital ministry to the church. We rehearse on Thursday nights at 7:00 pm in the choir room.

The handbell choir is also seeking new (and former) members to join. We play several times throughout the program year. This is a fun and happy group of people who enjoy making music. An ability to read music at an elementary level is helpful but not required. We rehearse on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm in the parish hall.

Both start this week!

Fall Sunday School

THIS Sunday, September 8th, marks the beginning of our program year. We are starting back with our Adult & Children Formation Sunday school classes at 9am. We have two options for classes:

Short Stories By Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of A Controversial Rabbi, by Amy Jill Levine.

Bart and Rock+ will be co-leading a Sunday School class in Parish Hall at 9am beginning 9/8. The book will be You can purchase it on Amazon HERE. We have some copies in the office you can purchase for $10. We hope you will join us!

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, by Parker J. Palmer

The Adult Sunday School class led by Beth Harrison will begin this coming Sunday, Sept. 8, at 9 am in the Fourth Quarter space downstairs. Palmer asks us “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” With this searching question, he begins a mediation on finding our true calling. The book’s title is a time-honored Quaker admonition, which we will explore with him. “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen to what it intends to do with you.” This exploration is useful at any point in our life ‘s journey. You don’t need the book for the first session. There are copies available in the office if you need one for $19 or you can purchase it on Amazon HERE. Come join us!  

Lunch & Learn September 8th

Join us THIS Sunday, September 8th, following the 10am service for lunch and a program on Security and Safety. Deputy Bland from Hanover Sheriff’s Office and Officer Watts from Ashland Police Department will be sharing tips on Personal Safety, Scams, and what to do in the case of a medical emergency where an AED needs to be utilized. We hope you will join us!

Krispy Kreme Donuts

Calling all donut lovers! St. James the Less will be selling Krispy Kreme Original Glazed dozens ($15/dozen) before the Randolph Macon home football games on 9/14 (sold 11am-12pm) and 9/21 (sold 11:30am- 12:30pm) in the parking lot in front of Huddle House. You can pull up, pay, and take your donuts to go!

To order you can either email Kasey and let her know how many dozen you want and which day or you can sign up on the bulletin board. Cash, check or cards will be accepted at pick up. Make sure you get your order in for the delicious treats!

Church Financials

At St. James the Less, we hope to lead with transparency and integrity, including in our finances. We have copies of the most current church financials in the office from the most recent Vestry meeting. If you are ever interested in seeing them, just ask and we will get you a copy.

Parish Visioning

As the culmination of reflection on this year's theme (Make All Things New!), and in preparation for Rock+'s return from sabbatical, our parish is gathering in a variety of ways on September 14 and 15 to dream out loud about who we've been and how God is calling us anew in mutual ministry. This will lay the foundation for deeper conversations about God's call for St. James the Less Church in the years ahead.

On Saturday, September 14, there will be two opportunities to gather. You are invited to attend ONE OR BOTH Saturday gatherings, as your schedule permits. 

• 10:00 am to Noon - Folks will be invited to enter into a time of guided reflection through various contemplative spiritual practices such as walking the labyrinth, art, journaling, and contemplation of nature. Following this time of dreaming with God, we will then gather to share insights and imaginings in a contemplative space. There will also be special activities for children during this time.

• 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - We'll gather in a group setting for interactive activities meant to stimulate our hearts and imaginations through conversation and play.

On Sunday, September 15, after the 10:00 am church service, we'll have a parish-wide gathering and an opportunity hear significant themes that emerged in the Saturday gatherings. 

Everyone is invited to take part in this important time of dreaming together. We want to hear from everyone of all ages!  We hope YOU will be able to participate in at least one Saturday session AND in the parish-wide gathering on Sunday. We would love for you to let us know if you can come or sign up on the bulletin board, but please know you are welcome even if you don't.

We hope this will be a time of excitement and joy in looking back and looking ahead to all God has in store for St. James the Less. 

This retreat is being led by the Rev. Abbott Bailey. Ordained in 2005, Abbott has served in both diocesan and parish roles as canon, rector, associate rector, school chaplain, and co-executive director of an Episcopal Service Corps Program. She has worked extensively with church and nonprofit leadership to help cultivate strong practices of shared leadership, organizational vitality, trust-building, and communication that support healthy and vibrant organizational cultures. Prior to ordination, Abbott worked in several regional and statewide nonprofit organizations in community health care, health policy, and health philanthropy. She is a professional leadership coach (certification track), consultant, retreat/workshop facilitator, Positive Intelligence® Coach, and a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator with additional training in mediation and leading contemplative prayer groups and retreats. Abbott delights in meandering walks in the woods with her pup Thunder, immersing herself in good storytelling, nourishing foods and deep conversations with friends, and tending her relationship with the earth and more-than-human world.

Red Hats

SEPTEMBER 24, Tuesday 12:00 - Red Hats will be meeting at MARCO'S Italian Restaurant -  805 England St, Ashland, VA 23005 

All are welcome. Call a buddy or Dani Stockwell if you need a ride, we are glad to pick you up!

Collecting Cards for Father Ross

We will be collecting greeting cards of gratitude for Father Ross in the hallway in a white box on the table that will be given to him on his last Sunday with us, 9/22. We have so enjoyed his kindness, wisdom and care for us while Father Rock was away. How lovely that he lives in Ashland and we will hopefully see him around.

Congratulations to Rev. Bo Milner (our first Sabbatical Supply Priest) for having an article published in the Anglican Digest.  Click HERE to read. Scroll to p.56

Children's Program Registration

It's that time of year!! The program year is upon us and registration is open for all children's and family activities here. Please complete one form per family. Miriam looks forward to seeing everyone and meeting our new families!! If you ever need anything, please feel free to email Miriam at Formation@stjamestheless.church. 

Middle School and High School Youth Group

We have amazing news for all youth in grades 6th – 12th! St. James The Less WILL have a Youth Group program this school year! Youth Leaders have been working hard to design a fun, spiritual, and purposeful program and we want all our Middle and High School Youth to please join. ALL are welcome. The first Youth Group event will be on September 15th and will meet approximately two times per month.

To ensure that we have all the necessary information and can provide the best experience for your child, we kindly ask you to complete the registration form HERE. This will help us keep accurate records, understand specific needs or preferences, and ensure that your child is fully involved in all our activities. We encourage our youth to bring a friend. Please share the registration link with the parent/guardian of any friend who might attend so we can properly plan for meals, activities, and transportation.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to Miriam Smith. We look forward to welcoming your child to the group!

Wish List

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!! Thank you so much for your continued support!!!

Visioning

We will be meeting on September 14th for a church wide visioning with Abbott Bailey. We want you to know that children and youth are an important part of the conversation!! We will be having adapted activities for them. The first session of the day (10AM) will have children's activities. In the second part of the day(1PM), the youth are invited to join in. On September 15th the children and youth will share their own discoveries and hopes for our future together. Please join us for a reflective and creative time to vision the future of our church! 

• 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)

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, 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, Jenny Bruce, Tom Gillman, Anna Marie, Steve Crain, Lizzie Campus, Mark, Virginia, Sharon Street, and Elizabeth Whitmire, Patty Atkins- Smith, Kay Kemper, Leslie Crabbs, John Hodges, 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.

• Prayer List- Prayers of the People
• Giving Online- Click here to give online or text "GIVE2THELESS" at 73256 from your phone.
• Ask for prayer-Send in your prayer request (please acknowledge if the prayer is private or for our Parish list)
• The Collect Collective- Daily short prayer with Father Rock
• List of Local Food Pantries- Click here for a complete list of local food pantries.
• Fall Line Farms- A wonderful organization that supports local farmers. Click here to order food so you can pick it up here at SJTL on Thursdays.
• Self- Guided Ways Of Worship Brochure- It has wonderful ways of engaging with your own space (and the spaces around the church) to find the Holy, already present, within them.
• Father Rock's Blog- Access reading of all of Father Rock's Homilies.
• Blessings & Dressings- A copy of the SJTL Cookbook 
• End of Life Planning Kit- Help with estate planning from the Episcopal Church Foundation.
• Diocesan Creation Care Website- Creation Care Task Force

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