Welcome Sunday is September 12th. Come feel the love.
Our new program year starts September 12th -- aka Welcome Sunday -- and we’re celebrating with an awesome street party from 10:00am to 11:15am.
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Come spend time outside with friends old and new and enjoy live music, authentic homemade food (including ham biscuits, cheese biscuits, mini quiches and sheet cake), games and body painters for the kids, ministry tables for everyone, and even a merch table with brand new St. James’s t-shirts, diner mugs and car coasters that you can score when you make a donation (cash or check only, please).
So plan to stay after the 9 am or come before the 11:15 am and kick off our new program year in style.
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What’s on Summer Vacation?...And what’s not?
These groups will continue to meet during the Summer:
Brown Bag Book Club
Men’s Bible Study Breakfast
These groups will NOT continue to meet during the Summer:
Women’s Bible Wisdom Bible Study
Living Faith Bible Study
Tuesday’s Readers
Lectionary Ladies
Community Yoga - no classes during August
For more information, go to the Calendar at doers.org.
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Wednesday, August 25th
Communion in The Garden: 5:30 pm
A short communion service in the Memorial Garden.
Thursday, August 26th
Brown Bag Book Group, 12 noon
For more information about these events, go to the Calendar at doers.org.
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This week's eChimes features |
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- Fall Worship Service
- Brand New Service at 5pm
- Mask = Love
- Sunday Adult Forums
- Wednesday Nights
- Be a Sunday greeter
- Bring people closer to God
- Still time to be a House Church Host
- Children & Youth Ministries Fall Open House
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- Children & Youth Ministries Registration
- Be ready to be an acolyte
- Youth Confirmation 2021-2022
- The joy of being in a choir
- Volunteer for the video squad
- Easy to give with Amazon Smile
- Be paperless - St. James's app
- Subscribe to YouTube
- Those we've lost
- In Our Prayers this week
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FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE
While we’re still working out a few details, one thing is for certain: Our worship schedule is returning to its traditional times--with one addition. That means we’ll have Sunday morning services at 7:45 am, 9 am and 11:15 am plus a new 5:00 pm service. Stayed tuned for more details.
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A different kind of service at a brand new time.
Our Fall worship schedule--which kicks off September 12--is starting to take shape and we’re excited to tell you it will include a 5 pm service that’s different from anything we’ve ever offered. More casual. More intimate. More modern. And featuring music that’s acoustic and contemporary.
Some people refer to this kind of service as “Ancient Future Worship” because it combines the intimate and personal qualities of original Christian services with more modern touches. Over time, we hope to include an opportunity to gather for food together after the service.
In the meantime, consider the delights of a late afternoon service where we make a different kind of joyous noise in a more informal atmosphere!
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If you’re interested in serving as a greeter or lector at this new service,
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Masks = Love
With the recent rise in Covid cases, we are now encouraging everyone to do the loving thing and wear masks to our in-person services -- no matter which of in-person services you attend. To put our request into perspective, other churches in the diocese have looked at the Covid numbers and decided to return to virtual services. Knowing how important in-person services are to this congregation, we are choosing to continue to meet in person. But, to be clear, we are strongly encouraging everyone to wear masks so we can continue to meet safely in person.
It’s our way of loving, protecting and respecting our neighbors. Please see John’s thoughts on this matter.
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SUNDAY ADULT FORUMS
So much to learn about all there is to learn.
The Big Small Group Showcase in Valentine Hall on Sunday, September 19th at 10:15 am
We know how important small educational groups are for building a sense of belonging and enriching our relationships with each other and God at church. Sunday mornings this fall at St. James’s, in lieu of lecture series in Valentine Hall, much of our formation will be in Sunday Small Groups.
Come to Valentine Hall on September 19th between the services to learn what topics are on offer for our Sunday Small Groups, and to learn about our weekday small groups, including our
Bible studies, book groups, and House Churches!
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WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, STUDY & FELLOWSHIP
Last year our Wednesday Night programs attracted people from well beyond Richmond, so to make it easier to attract both out-of-town speakers and attendees, our Wednesday evening programs will continue to be entirely online this year.
Each Wednesday night is organized into three three simple sections. Evening Prayer begins at 5:30 pm, followed at 6:00 pm by our study topic, then continued conversation at 7:00 pm. You’re welcomed to come for all or part of our evening together.
The first get-together--called Welcome Wednesday--is Wed., September 15th.
After worship at 5:30 pm, we’ll continue with fellowship to catch up with each other since the summer.
You only have to register once for the entire Wednesday series. Register here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This link will be emailed each Wednesday to all registered attendees.
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For every person who feels it’s essential for our church to be Welcoming.
St. James’s Welcome Team is recruiting Greeters for each of the regular services (9 am and 11:15 am) from September 12th - October 3rd.
The team is ready to welcome smiling faces who have a gift for making people feel welcomed, comfortable and at home. If you fit that description, click here to sign up.
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Bring people closer to God.
Wheels Ministry Volunteers Needed.
Imagine how great it could feel to bring truly grateful parishioners back to our beautiful sanctuary. Well, that’s how it feels to work in our Wheels Ministry.
This is a lay-led program where volunteers provide transportation each Sunday morning to Westminster Canterbury residents who attend the 11:15 a.m. worship service. (If we are able to recruit drivers before the end of the summer, we may attempt to start this program with our 10:00 a.m. summer service instead of waiting for the fall service schedule.)
Volunteers will work on a rotation and will be expected to drive to Westminster Canterbury, pick up the Westminster Canterbury van and transport approximately 6-8 WC residents to and from the service.
At this time, we are looking for several drivers, as well as a leader to handle recruitment and the driver schedule. If you are interested in volunteering and/or leading the team, please contact Mary Brown at mbrown@doers.org.
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The deadline to sign up as a House Church host has been extended.
Because the way we’re doing Houses Churches this fall is a little different from last year, we’re giving folks some extra time to decide if you want to be hosts. The new deadline is now Monday, September 13th.
To be clear, unlike last year (when House Churches were only on Sundays), this year we’re accommodating the schedules of our hosts and their guests, and encouraging you to host on the day that suits you best.
We’re also changing the format a bit (and giving you more flexibility) by making it more about fellowship, sermon discussion and prayer--rather than focusing on the liturgy.
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The Fall Kick-Off is on. Come to our Open House Sunday, Sept 19th.
All children & youth and your parents, plus any other interested parishioners, are invited to the Fall Kick Off in the Michaux House basement Sunday, September 19 from 10:15-11:00 a.m. Come mix and mingle with new and old friends, meet your Sunday School teachers, adult youth leaders, and learn about our children and youth plans for this year—including confirmation. The best part: All youth ministry registrations and payments will be processed online this year so there won’t be any PAPERWORK!!
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Registration. The easy way to get more out of our Children & Youth Ministries.
With this information we will more effectively be able to support you on your spiritual journey. Thanks!
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Be ready to be an Acolyte when we’re ready to have Acolytes again.
Becoming an acolyte is a great way to serve others, grow in your faith, and learn leadership skills within The Episcopal Church. We are so grateful to all our acolytes for serving in this important ministry. And we welcome any 6th-12th grader who is interested in being trained to becoming an acolyte.
Even though we’ve suspended the Acolyte Ministry for the time being, now is a great time to train new and current acolytes. So sign up now and let us know you’re interested.
Fall 2021 Acolyte Trainings
Sunday, October 3, 2021: 10:00-10:45 am
Wednesday, October 6, 2021: 5:30-6:15 pm
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It’s time to register for Confirmation 2021-22.
The clergy and Youth Ministry are honored and excited to walk with youth through your confirmation preparation process. At St. James’s we like to think of Confirmation as “base camp” on your spiritual journey. It’s neither your point of origin, nor your destination, but a place to rest, grow, and be equipped for your spiritual journey.
Registration for our youth confirmation process is now open for the 2021-2022 program year. Students beginning in 9th grade are eligible to participate accompanied by at least one parent. If 9th grade doesn’t feel like a good fit, you’re welcome to come back any time later in high school.
For more information about Youth Confirmation at St. James’s, please contact our director of youth ministry Mary Beth Abplanalp (mbabplanalp@doers.org)
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Don't Stop, There's More News |
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There’s still time to learn the joy of being in a Choir.
The choir banner you see here, hand-crafted by Vienna Cobb Anderson, is an appropriate depiction of music at St. James’s. Bright, ebullient, eclectic, always moving, morphing, yet grounded, joyful, free, colorful, enriching, praising, thankful, powerful, life-giving, life-sustaining. The source of all of this is God. A God not only of color and texture, but the God of song – the Creator of stones that cry, stars that bend their voices together, mountains and hills that break forth into singing, and trees that not only sing but clap their hands. The Psalmist says, “Sing for the Lord a new song and sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet (Psalm 33:3). Our choristers can testify that this is a task they are eager to do. Maybe this is something you feel compelled to do, as well.
As we all gear up for the fall and the return to routines, we encourage you to consider adding a choir rehearsal to your schedule. As in all ministries, you receive more than you give! YOU should join us in the choir loft. Everyone is welcome.
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- Cherub Choir (K-2nd grades) – Wednesday, 4:00 pm
- Children’s Choir (3rd-5th grades) – Wednesday, 5:00 pm
- Youth Choir (6th-12th grades) – Sunday, 12:30 pm
- West Gallery Choir (9:00 am service) – Wednesday, 7:00 pm
- Guitar Ensemble (9:00 am service) – Wednesday, 8:30 pm
- Parish Choir (11:15 am service) – Thursday, 7:30 pm
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The Video Squad.
Where the cool kids hang out on Sundays.
Our online services have continued to be valuable and popular with our parish. And as we move into the Fall, we’ll begin to livestream the services from the chapel rather than record services earlier in the week. That’s where you come in!
We’re seeking committed individuals to join our Video Squad. You’ll get to work with our brand new cameras and state-of-the-art editing equipment to bring St. James’s into the homes--and onto the computers and phones--of St. James’s parishioners everywhere. We’ll train you and even give you easy-to-follow editing instructions.
Even if this isn't your thing, please think about someone you know (they don't have to be a church member) who may get a lot out of this opportunity. Maybe a high school student who loves making movies or a college student studying communications, for instance.
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Support St. James’s without it costing you a penny.
There’s an easy way to support St. James’s while you’re doing something else. When you're shopping on Amazon (which is probably often these days) go to smile.amazon.com, instead. Once you’re there, designate St. James’s as the program you’re supporting, then a percentage of every purchase you make on Amazon Smile will go the church. Easy-peezy.
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Want to be paperless? Checkout the St. James’s App.
Want an easy way to watch the Sunday service on your phone? There’s an App for that. Want to read the eChimes, view the calendar or watch past sermons on your tablet? There’s an App for those things too. The St. James’s App has been updated and it’s ready to make your life easier. You can see the bulletins for the services, refer to the book of common prayer, even make a pledge. Click on your preferred button to download our app.
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Why Subscribe?
What you'll get:
Easy access to video recordings of recent sermons, services, musical performances, bible studies and more.
What St. James's gets:
Free access to enhanced video capabilities that includes live streaming and more.
Subscribing is easy.
Go to the St. James’s Episcopal Church Richmond page on YouTube.com - find the red "subscribe button" and instantly be one of the 99 who gets us to the finish line.
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Parishioners who have passed away recently:
Thornton Neal (passed away 7/25/2021)
Dorothy Lee Barrett (passed away 8/20/2021)
Geoffrey Sisk (passed away 8/21/2021)
We commend each of them 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 office at 804-355-1779.
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Click here to see 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 contact Mary Brown 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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