Dear Friends,
This message comes to you on St. Nicholas Day! Bishop Nicholas of Myra may have attended the first ecumenical council of Nicea. He was certainly imprisoned, beaten and tortured during the Diocletian persecution. He is perpetually remembered as the patron of seafarers and more especially of children.
Saint Nicholas' name and spirit inspires giving to children all around the world. My dad used to tell of the St. Nicholas Day parties his aunts and uncles organized when he was a child. "Santa Claus" always made an appearance on the sixth of December to distribute candy, fruit, and maybe a gift. He always reminded the children there were two and half weeks to Christmas Eve, still time for him to make a decision about their gifts. So they better watch out. Better not fight or whine. The days are short.
John the Baptist proclaimed a similar message in the wilderness. Prepare, for the time for decision is at hand. It is true that there are times of decision. Opportune times to act or to refrain from acting. Decisive moments in life that will never come again.
Now is the time to consider the needs of children. Tomorrow, Saturday, December 7 from 8am to noon people from all over the county will gather at the Virginia Horse Center to assemble thousands of Christmas Baskets. What a great thing to transform the day of infamy. I hope you will join them!
There are other opportunities to bless children, but the time is short - the Angel Tree Project, the St. Nicholas Day Fund among them. The children of CATE also deserve generous care- children of Ecole Saint Marc in Haiti, the Kelly School in South Sudan and the Boys Home of Virginia whose education we help provide, whose lives we help sustain. The children of our own parish also need our attention and love through the Winter Star pageant, the Blue Ridge Outdoor School, and the little gifts we give to our college students.
On this Saint Nicholas day take a moment to give thanks for all the children in your life and the the opportunity to do something to brighten the lives of children and to make the world more hospitable and sustainable for their future, for their children's future.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him) Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Reminder - The Annual Meeting 9 AM Sunday, December 8. Unitive Worship 10:30 am
Blue Ridge Outdoor School - When entering the church driveway, please be aware that the children are in the churchyard in the morning from 8:45–9:00 a.m.and in the afternoon from approximately 2:50 p.m.–3:15 p.m. There may be a cone in the driveway to prevent cars from coming in to quickly; you may still park in the lot. Thank you!
Annual Meeting and Worship Services | Second Sunday of Advent | Sunday, December 8
Annual Meeting | 9 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
12/15: Harvey Markowitz onAdonai and the angel of the Lord
12/22: Sally Hansen on Incarnation
Unitive Service | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Light in the Darkness Service | 5 p.m.
Grace Church is offering a special service on Sunday December 8th at 5:00 p.m.. The holiday season is not always a happy time for everyone. Many are going through emotional turmoil, difficult life transitions, maybe experiencing the pain of loss, and are in need of healing. Light in the Darkness is offered to help people who are dealing with these difficult issues and is open to all.Additionally, perhaps you or someone you know seeks a moment of quiet, contemplative music, and prayer in the midst of the holiday bustle. You will find that this service makes the space for that moment. If you know of someone who might want to attend, please share this message with them, or better, invite them to come to the service with you.
Women's Bible Study | Welles Room/Library | 3:30 p.m.
The Book of Esther
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Poinsettias for Christmas
In celebration of the nativity of our Lord, we make our church festive with poinsettias and greenery. To purchase a poinsettia ($12.00), make your check payable to Grace Episcopal Church, memo “Flower Fund,” and drop it in the offering plate or mail it to the Parish Office. To list a memorial or thanksgiving in the Christmas bulletins, call the Parish Office or email Lisa by Wednesday, December 18.
Chrismon Tree
Last Sunday, the Chrismon tree was set up for the first Sunday of Advent. On December 8th, the second Sunday of Advent, white lights will be added to the tree. Then on the third Sunday of Advent, December 15th, as members arrive at church, they will be invited to hang Chrismon ornaments on the tree. These ornaments were made last year by some of our very creative parishioners.
The Winter Star Intergenerational Mini Musical
Join us for this beautiful "mini-musical" telling of the Christmas Story. Dr. Mackenzie Romriell and Martha Jones Burford will lead all ages of shepherds, magi, angels, sheep, and others in this beautiful, easy to learn, story of the star over the manger as it calls the world to the Love Incarnate, the Christ Child. The three Saturday rehearsals will involve singing, movement, and art making (creating costumes, the set, and props). The production will take place as the Pageant during Grace Episcopal Church's 5pm Christmas Eve service. Participants must sign up so we know whom to expect.
For information contact Martha.
Be a Santa to a Senior
The Be a Santa to a Senior program makes the holidays a little brighter for local older adults who may not receive other gifts this year. Community service organizations, social workers, and nursing facilities identify seniors who are financially in-need, homebound, disabled, or socially isolated. A personalized wish list is created for each older adult. The requests are usually for simple items such as warm socks, lap blankets, or new pajamas. We also receive more unique requests for items like art supplies, a harmonica, a special cologne, a Christmas sweater for a dog, or a VCR. Generous people in our community adopt the wish lists and purchase the items. They fulfill the wish lists with so much care and effort. Some families make it an annual tradition to go shopping for their seniors. As an added touch, the presents are delivered to the recipients in festive gift bags that have been hand-decorated by art students at Lexington City Schools. Older adults are often overlooked during the busy holiday season. Be a Santa to a Senior is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and businesses to make a difference right here in the Rockbridge community.
For more information, contact Melissa Sayre.
ACTS Call for Members
What is Grace Actively Caring Through Sharing (ACTS)?
How can I be a part of it?
Grace ACTS is an important ministry to the parishioners and the community of our church. Our four teams consist of over 20 people or family units that volunteer for the Grace ACTS ministry. Each team has about 6 members and is on duty every 4 weeks. Grace ACTS members select two or more needs from the list when their team is on duty. Team members pray for, call, visit or send a card to those on the list that are ill, have had a death in their family or are celebrating a new baby or a birthday. Please continue to pray for this vital ministry to our parish. If you have a pastoral concern or know of someone who does please contact Fr. Tuck, Melissa Cox or the Parish Office. If you would like to serve on a team, please contact Melissa.
Lexington Presbyterian Music Event
Saturday, December 7
7:30 p.m. at Lexington Presbyterian
HOLIDAY CONCERT
Rockbridge Chorus
with Rockbridge Youth Chorale
Audience carols at 7:15 p.m.
Thursday, December 12
12 noon at Lexington Presbyterian
MUSIC AT NOON
William McCorkle, piano
Improvisations on Advent and Christmas melodies
Year-End Capital Giving
Friendly update and reminder: In addition to our seasonal stewardship campaign to fund operating expenses of the Parish, Parish Hall improvements will soon be upon us! Grace has established this year a designated capital improvements account as part of funding preparations. If you have achieved the age where you are taking required minimum distributions (RMD’s) from your IRA, and are inspired by generous returns from the stock markets this year, you are reminded that you may make qualified charitable distributions (QCD’s) from your IRA over and above your RMD (up to $100,000) to the church and this capital account, which will not be taxed as ordinary income! Of course, please consult your financial advisor for details.
Walk in Love Stewardship Campaign
This Sunday we are handing out pledge cards. Monday we will mail cards to parishioners who were not at church. Thank you to everyone who has already pledged to the Walk in Love pledge campaign to fund the 2025 operating budget of Grace Episcopal Church. Every pledge helps us with our planning for the year to come. We will list the names of those who have made a pledge every week, as well as the total pledged to date in the Parish News Life with Grace. Our goal is between 120-130 pledges totaling $540,000. To date we have received pledges from 114 households totaling $529,364.
Thanks to our contributing households thus far:
As of December 4
Pam & Jim Adams |
Lori Apgar |
John & Cecilia Arpin |
Doug Ayer |
Anne Blanken |
Laurent & Elizabeth Boetsch |
Peter Bowerfind |
Tucker & Delea Bowerfind |
Jane Brooke |
Madison & Katharine Brown |
Ruth Brunner |
Martha Ann Burford |
Bettie Cadden |
Betsy & Buddy Carter |
David & Marjorie Connolly |
Virginia Cooke |
R. David & Melissa Cox |
Ed & Marlys Craun |
Jay & Joan Crawford |
Roger & Anna Crockett |
Dennis & Susan Cross |
Susan Denson |
Lynn & Carol Dent |
Barton & Gail Dick |
John & Gail Dickerson |
Punky Dod |
Langston & Page Donkle |
Ed & Lu Dooley |
Jonathan Eastwood & Maria Nava |
Will & Cary Edgar |
Don & Claudia Ellis |
Carole Elmore |
Matthew Fogo & Kevin Manning |
Patrick France |
Tim & Catharine Gaylard |
Keith & Pat Gibson |
Rene' Glidden |
Rose Gordon |
Tom & Carol Gosse |
Julianne Grimes |
David & Anne F Grizzle |
Peter & Julia Grover |
Margaret Haberman |
Woody & Becky Hall |
David & Anne Hansen |
Sandy & Catherine Harcus |
Elizabeth Harralson |
Diana Harris |
Winifred Hart |
Helen Head |
Jack & Anne Hershbell |
Drew & Megan Hess |
Harold & Kathryn Hill |
Kay Horner |
Judy Hotchkiss |
David & Chris Howison |
Benjamin & Laurie Huger |
Patrick & Phyllis Hugg |
Gini Jardim |
James & Darlene Keane |
Diana Kenney |
Deborah & Bill Klein |
John & Beth Knapp |
Helen Kostel |
Bill & Kathy Kozak |
Sharon & Frederick Kurtz |
Greg & Janet Lemmer |
Buster & Signe Lewis |
Mo & Julia Littlefield |
Jeff & Meg Mason |
M.J. Mayerchak |
William McCorkle |
Pat & Lisa McGuire |
Jo McMurtry |
Susan Mead |
John & Drusie Milford |
Su Minor |
Joseph & Abby Moles |
Helen Moore |
Liz Moss |
Grigg & Cindy Mullen |
Ann & Jerry Nay |
Elaine Nelson |
Mark Nelson |
David O'Connor & Linda Merrick |
David & Nan Partlett |
David & Jeanne Passmore |
George & Eleanor Penn |
Michael Perry |
Shay Peters |
Henry Porter |
Tim & Mary Price |
Colin Reid |
Steve & Peggy Riethmiller |
Joanne & Paul Robblee |
Cynthia Robertson |
Martha & Don Robey |
Woody & Lori Sadler |
Nanalou Sauder |
Bill Sayre & Melissa Gladwell-Sayre |
Judy Schram |
Frank Settle, Jr. & Cecile West-Settle |
Sue & Steve Shultis |
Ham & AP Smith |
Jimbo & Ruth Smith |
Sarah Stockton |
Paul Strickland |
Spencer & Beverly Tucker |
David Wade |
Harry & Marnie Wheeler |
Kent & Mary Wilson |
Michael & Beverly Wirtz |
Connor Wolfe |
Christina Young |
If you are new to pledging and would like guidance here are three basic guidelines:
Pledge something. You are a valuable member of the body of Christ. Most of your contribution to Christ's work is through the works of love you do for others every day in your work and personal life. You also share in the responsibility for maintaining and operating our facilities and ministries. Some members give $1/week, some give $400/week. Some give nothing. Whatever you commit and fulfill will be gratefully received and faithfully used for God's mission through Grace. Whether you give something or not, you are a beloved member of the parish and the body of Christ.
Consider pledging proportionally. As your income or net worth change, continue to give proportionally. For example - you can base your giving on a proportion of your gross annual income. Or if you have a positive net worth, you might consider basing your giving on a proportion of your net worth.
Consider tithing your income or net worth. Traditionally, tithing is ten percent of gross household income. Muslims have a different standard that you might consider. They give 2.4% of their gross positive net worth. If they have zero or negative net worth, they are not expected to give anything except time and talent.
Vestry Candidates
These are the candidates who have accepted nomination for election to the Vestry at our Annual Meeting, December 8, 9 a.m. in the Parish Hall, followed by a Unitive Service at 10:30 a.m. In recent years Grace Episcopal Church has maintained a 12-member Vestry, plus Rector, Clerk, and Treasurer. Vestry members have a three-year term. The Vestry is allowed to be no fewer than 3 and no greater than 24 at any time.
Vestry nominations remain open until they are closed at the meeting. Vestry nominations may be made known to the Clerk of the Vestry, Lisa McGuire.
Vestry Candidates Bios
Melissa Cox
Baptized in an Episcopal Church, confirmed thirteen years later, I’ve been attending Episcopal churches my entire life. In my 37 years at Grace I’ve served on numerous committees – higher ed, worship, Gadsden, outreach, hospitality, vestry - as both Jr. and Sr. Warden- and fed hundreds of students and cadets. I’ve taken EFM and taught confirmation for eight years. Over the years I’ve been active in the diocese as delegate to Convention and as member and president of the Standing Committee.
I grew up in CT, CA, MA and spent three early years in Sri Lanka, but I’ve lived in VA for more than half of my life, thanks to David’s being called as rector in 1987. Our oldest son is unmarried and lives in DC. The other son and daughter live in Richmond with our six grandchildren.
Retired from Washington and Lee after thirty years, I currently head up the ACTS ministry, serve as trustee of the parish, take minutes for the property committee and assist as chalice bearer and reader.
Carole Elmore
As part of a military family, l traveled around the country and we attended many different Episcopal churches. There was the rather dark, cold one on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; the one in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with its link to an English queen; the one in Washington state with its folding chairs; and the bright, friendly, new one in Georgia. Whatever the individual church was like, we always felt at home with the ritual and welcomed by the parishioners.
If l can give back a little of what the church has given me over the years by serving on the Vestry, it would be an honor to do so.
Sharon Kurtz
I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1980 as a young adult and have been an active member since, except during the six and one-half years I lived overseas while working for the US State Department. I’ve served in numerous capacities in the Church since 1980, from working in the nursey when my children were toddlers, to Sunday School teacher, lay reader, chalice bearer, and Vestry service at Church of the Incarnation in Highlands NC and Trinity Episcopal in Arlington VA. I was co-senior warden at Trinity. At Grace, I am currently a greeter, chalice bearer, member of the Christian Outreach Committee and have the privilege of taking communion to those who are home-bound.
Rick and I moved to Lexington in November 2021 from Northern Virginia. We started attending Grace the same month and are very grateful to be members of Grace, with its rich fellowship and worship and its strong to commitment to outreach. Tuck married us at Grace, so we feel an additional special connection to Grace.
It would be an honor to serve on the Vestry at Grace. I pledge to work my hardest to support Grace’s mission and in any other way needed.
Donald Robey
Hello, my name is Donald (Don, Donny) Robey. I attend high school in Franklin, VA before coming to Lexington, to attend VMI in fall of 1974. I am a 1978 graduate from VMI and majored in electrical engineering. While at VMI, I met my wife (Martha; aka Biddy), on my 20th birthday, in 1976. We were married at Grace (R.E Lee) Episcopal in August 1978, by the Ex-Bishop of Nebraska, Bob Varley. Shortly after our marriage, I began a 41-year career in the railroad industry. In my career, we moved 8 times in first 12 years (NJ, VA, Ill, VA, OH, TN, NC and FL). Each move was a promotion and more responsibility. Additionally, my career took me to 44 different states in the US, 4 Canadian Providences, Australia and in 2018 an extended stay in the UK.
The last move to Jacksonville, FL, was to the CSXT Headquarters, where I worked on the locomotive engineer staff rising to the position of Chief Mechanical Officer – Engineering. I oversaw a staff of 12 engineers and provided technical support to over 4300 locomotives. In June 2017, I asked to move to VA; otherwise, I was going to retire. We moved and initially attended Christ Church in Buena Vista (where my wife was raised) until COVID. I retired in Feb. 2020 and began to follow my passion in restoring old items (furniture, radios, safe, etc.) and help others with home repairs.
I was raised and baptized in Southern Baptist Church; however, I never quite felt at home. After our first child was born (1982), we became regular attendees in the Episcopal church. In 1985, while living in Ohio, I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Since that time, church has been a part of our life and we focused on raising our children in the church and giving them that exposure. In 1990, we moved to FL and became members of Grace Episcopal / Grace Anglican Church, for the next 26-1/2 years; until we moved back to VA.
Thank you, Donny Robey
Advent Meditations
This Advent season, you are invited to join our Diocesan Advent Meditations, a three week online series offered live on Zoom Monday nights in Advent at 7:00 p.m. Join us for this series to slow down, take time for silence and contemplation as we experience this special season.
Angel Tree is Here!
Angel Tree 2024 is virtual! Grace has chosen to sponsor 50 children.
Will you help connect children with their incarcerated parents and show them the love of Christ? It starts with a simple Christmas gift. To sponsor a child go to Grace’s Angel Tree site and select the child you would like to sponsor.
Virtual sponsorships will be available through Christmas. A Wal-Mart gift card in the amount of $30.00 will be sent to each individual child. You may choose one child or multiple children. Once you select a child, if they have siblings, you will be asked if you would like to sponsor their siblings. This is not required. If you choose to do so, all siblings will be in your “check out cart.” You can reduce the number of children once you proceed to your checkout cart. You will also be given the option to sponsor the caregiver and have a gift card sent to them. This is not required. You may pay by credit, debit and ACH. Note: In addition to showing the love of Jesus, your gift is tax deductible this year! You will receive a donation receipt upon virtual checkout.
Questions? Contact Sharon Kurtz at 828-424-3434, call or text.
Thank you for participating in this ministry to strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children.
Shop for a Child Affected by Hurricane Helene
Unity for Kids, Inc. Get the real Christmas spirit by shopping for a child affected by Hurricane Helene in Morganton, NC. Call Tammy Reid (RARA Board Member) 540-784-2659 and she help you pick out a child to shop for. Be sure you complete your purchases and be in touch with Tammy by December 7.
Holiday Church Open House
Friday, December 20 4–6 p.m. During the Open House at Grace, visitors are invited to see Nativity sets shared by our members. Martha Burford will play carols and invite all manner of fa-la-la singing, and candy canes will be offered! We look forward to visitors!
Greeter Team and Usher Team at Grace
Greeters take turns welcoming worshipers as they enter the churchyard to attend the service. They identify visiting guests, visitors, new members and extend a warm greeting. Greeter schedules are flexible to work with your availability. A great way to meet others at Grace. Contact Cecile West-Settle at West-SettleC@wlu.edu, 540-570-3256.
Ushers help the service run smoothly by welcoming worshipers to the service and assisting them as needed. They distribute the service bulletin and help with the offering collection, communion and more. Schedules are flexible to work with your availability. Email or call Lisa McGuire at 540-463-4981.
Training provided, many benefits! Join TODAY
Paws to Connect
See you this Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the steps of Grace for Paws to Connect!
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the Bishop’s Visitation to St. Paul’s, Salem. Pray for the people of St. Paul’s, Salem and their rector, The Rev. Ned Morris. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Glen Jones, Jack Hershbell, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Diana Kenney, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Ned Henneman, Barbara Bova, Shelby, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Grace, Sue Hill, Frances Harcus, Glenn & Christine Szarzynski, Palmer Stickley and his family, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Patricia Williams, Justin, Rodrigo, Wes O’Dell and family, Peggy DePasquale, Nick Penn, Danny Anson (friend of Pat & Keith Gibson), Bill Cannon, Sandy Harcus, Rebecca Robblee (daughter-in-law of Joanne & Paul Robblee), Tom Strickland, Virginia Poston (sister of Betsy Carter), and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for the people of Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and pray for cessation of violence, and for reconciliation, and peace. Pray for the communities that are suffering the effects of Hurricane Helene & Milton. Pray for those who have died, The Rev. Shelby Owen, Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford).
In Thanksgiving for November and December Birthdays
12/6 Anna Crockett, Joanne Robblee
12/9 John Knapp
12/9 Adelaide Simcoe
12/10 Sis Warner. Lynn Dent
12/13 M.J. Mayerchak
12/13 Anne Lamont
12/16 James R. Keane, Kay Glore
12/18 Robert Hull
12/19 Roger Crockett, Merce Brooke
12/23 Carol Gosse, Julianne Grimes, Betsy Carter
12/24 Jordan Kach
12/25 Harrison Edgar
12/27 Joy Harris
12/30 Maggie Lawrence, Willow Moles, Buddy Carter
12/31 Grace Frascati
We're so glad you're here! If you or someone you know is new to Grace and would like more information about Parish life, follow the link below.
Commentaires