Dear Friends,
Part of our Lenten journey is simply looking for and paying attention to where Jesus is leading us. Where do you find Jesus? How do you recognize him?
One of the great privileges of my work as a priest is to visit people in times and places of great vulnerability, weakness, and suffering. These are places I often find the most authentic and selfless acts of courage and compassion and witness to the power of the great companionship with Jesus, God with us.
I try to remember in the midst of his passion, Jesus didn't pray to be taken off the cross. He prays to keep faith and relationship with the One who said You are my Son, the beloved and to serve the world that God loves.
Try praying these things this Lent - pray to stay faithful even and especially when things aren't going the way you might have hoped. And pray for God to help you be of service, no matter what your situation. I believe these are prayers God will always answer.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | First Sunday in Lent | Sunday, February 18
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
In Person | Parish Hall
On February 18 Cecile West-Settle and Heidi Schweizer will offer the first of three sessions on the Camino de Santiago or as it is known in English the Way of St. James. Since the 8th century pilgrims have crossed from France into Spain, descending the Pyrenees, then turning west and traveling 500 miles to reach Santiago de Compostela, the site of St. James’ alleged tomb.
In the first session we will examine the nature of pilgrimage and focus on the scripture,
ecclesiastical tradition, and folklore contributing to the multiple identities associated with the St. James of the Camino. In the second, we will discuss how to prepare for walking the Way (itinerary the necessary equipment, etc.). In the third session several “pilgrims” of our community will share their personal experiences of walking The Way of St. James.
The second and third session will be on February 25 and May 12.
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person and Youtube
Women’s Bible Study | 4 p.m.
Welles Room | A study of the Gospel of Luke.
Labyrinth Walk | 5 p.m.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
RenewalWorks Spiritual Life Inventory
The survey will be live through February 18. As of January 25, 71 people had completed the inventory. It would be amazing if we could get to 120!
Paws to Connect
We had a great first week back at Paws to Connect! Join us next week, won't you?
A Look Back: A Weekend with Gerald Cohen
Composer, Cantor, and Interfaith leader Gerald Cohen joined Grace Episcopal Church February 10–12. Thanks to W&L, Hillel, The Chamber Music Society of Lexington, Grace Episcopal Church, and Origin Choral Group for making this wonderful weekend happen!
Our Lenten Journey
We hope you will join the Diocesan Becoming Beloved Community Guiding Team as we talk about the mission and ministry of Becoming Beloved Community. What does that look like for individuals, for a church and for our communities? We will learn about this important ministry through history, education and resources, action and worship.
Confirmation and Reception
If you would like to try to understand the Episcopal Church better and consider Confirmation or Reception when the Bishop comes later this year, please meet with Tuck and Samson from noon to 1 p.m. on Sundays of Lent: February 18, 25, March 3, 10, 17, and 24. We will provide a light lunch and try to answer your questions about the Episcopal Church, the scriptures, the creeds, the sacraments, and the historic episcopate. Attendance at all six meetings is aspirational but not required.
Sounder Community Circle Update
The February meeting of the Sounder Community Circle will take place one week later than usual: Monday, February 19, 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Grace Episcopal Church parish hall at 121 W. Washington Street in Lexington. February's topic honors Black History Month with a focus on Charles V. Jones, an early 20th-century Black educator in the Collierstown area of Rockbridge County, who inspired William H. Armstrong's first novel, Sounder, and its sequel, Sour Land. The February 19th program also will explore criticism that renowned author Alice Walker expressed about Armstrong's second novel, in comparison to her deep admiration for the Newbery Award-winning Sounder. For more information about February's Sounder Community Circle Program, or to obtain a link to participate online, contact Susan Virginia Mead.
Dinner Groups
If you did not sign up for a dining group or are new to Grace Church and would like to be a part of a dinning group, (lunch, dine in or dine out) do let Ruth know and we’ll find you a group. Give Ruth a call at 910-409-9325 or send Ruth Smith an email. This is a fun way to get to know other Grace members. If you are in a group that eats in homes, you will be responsible for one meal, planning the date, creating the main course, and assigning other items to those in your group. If you dine out, you are responsible for setting the date and planing where to eat making reservations for the group.
Christ Episcopal Church Community Lunches
Christ Episcopal Church in Buena Vista serves community soup lunches on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All you have to do is come and eat. You don't have to do the dishes or pay anything. We encourage you to consider supporting our sister church. Your presence can make a big difference. Please show your support by joining them on one of these Saturdays. It will mean much to our church and theirs as we reflect Christ's love.
Christ Church is located at 2246 Walnut Ave, Buena Vista.
Wednesday Nights in Lent
Anne Sauder will serve supper at 6 p.m. on the five Wednesday nights of Lent - February 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20. Starting about 6:30 p.m. we will exercise our rights as citizens of the Kingdom and Caucus for our favorite candidates for the Golden Halo. Please register for Lent Madness and vote daily during Lent.
On Sunday, March 3, Lexington’s First Baptist Church invites us to take part in its Heritage Day celebration, which will feature (1) a service at 11 a.m. led by Rev. Dr. Boykin Sanders, who succeeded Martin Luther King Jr. in 1960 as senior minister at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery Al.; a complementary soul food meal to which everyone is invited; and (3) the premiere of an exhibition of paintings by Beverly Tucker, “The Music of Black Heritage,” highlighting African American musicians, including “Quintet,” shown here.
Update on the Trex Challenge
Grace Episcopal Church is enrolled in the Trex Challenge to collect 1,000 lbs. of plastic film for recycling over a one-year period. If we meet this goal, we will receive a free Trex bench.
The Creation Care Committee, with the help of the Lexington Garden Club, is pleased to announce that we have collected a total of 199 lbs. of plastic film over the past 3 months toward our goal. This is the equivalent @ 10,000 plastic bags that did not end up in our roads, fields, waters, or landfill. Thank you so much for your efforts in this challenge.
While this is very commendable, we will need to average 267 lbs. each quarter over the next 3 quarters to reach the 1,000 lb. target. This means we need to increase our collections by 34% to meet the goal. Please keep up your collection efforts, and for those yet to participate, we need your help.
Please note that the plastic film collected is not only plastic bags but includes other plastic films that stretch; bread bags, bubble wrap, drycleaning bags, plastic shipping envelopes, Ziploc food storage bags, shrink wrap, salt bags, wood pellet bags, produce bags, etc... everything just must be clean before going into recycling. There is a blue collection bin for plastic film under the bridge between the Church and Parish Hall for your deposit of plastic films. Thanks again for your participation in this challenge.
Prayers for Peace in the Holy Land
A Note from Tuck:
I am writing to ask for your prayers for a de-escalation of violence between Israeli and Palestinian people and for return to the challenging work of building a sustainable and lasting peace.
I have reached out to the current student director of Hillel House, the Chaplain at VMI, and the director of Student Services at W&L to express our support of Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim students.
I encourage you to reach out to your Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim friends in recognition that this crisis creates the conditions for increased anti-semitic and anti-muslim behavior, as well the strong likelihood that they or someone close to them has been impacted by this crisis.
Finally, please read the following statement by the Episcopal Church and the accompanying statement by Churches for Middle East Peace.
Pray for peace.
Boys Home of Virginia Wish List
Please help us support the Boys Home of Virginia by supplying any of items on their wishlist. There is a basket on the stair landing to the Parish Office for the Boys Home donations. Please drop off at church. Thank you!
A Plea for Haiti
Our neighbors in Haiti are struggling through a period of political violence and chaos. With the government disabled, many Haitians rely on church schools to educate their children. Grace, as part of the Virginia Haiti Collaborative, supports one such school in Haiti, St. Marc’s in Cerca-la-Source. Every month the Collaborative sends $5000 to Haiti to pay the salaries of the 30-some teachers at St. Marc’s who teach the 350 students in grades K-12. That $5000/month pays the full salaries of 30 adults and provides education for 350 students. The Collaborative is the school’s only source of funding.
This season, we are also raising money so that the students can have computers at school. They will need some degree of computer literacy to take their graduation exams and to serve them as they seek jobs after graduation. If you can help provide schooling for these children, please put Virginia Haiti Collaborative on the memo line and send your check to Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401. Trinity provides bookkeeping for the collaborative. For more information, please contact Anne Hansen or Tuck.
Wanted: Sunday School Teachers
Grace is looking for youth, college students and adults willing to help provide Sunday School for a few children each Sunday from about 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. We are willing to pay a stipend. Please contact Tuck to find out more.
African American Heritage Celebrations
Prayer List
Prayer for the election of the next Presiding Bishop: Almighty God, source of all wisdom and understanding: Look graciously on your church, and so guide the hearts and minds of those who will choose our next presiding bishop, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for all of your people, equip us for our ministries, and proclaim your word to us and to the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for the Presiding Bishop Curry who is recovering from Jan. 18 surgery. The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the retired Bishops of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, The Rt. Rev. Heath Light and The Rt. Rev. Neff Powell. Pray for Brendon, Michael Murphy, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin, John & Gloria June Perry, Glen Jones, Patricia Brown Boyer, Dolly Shumate, Carolyn Glenn, Jack Hershbell, Laura Stearns, Worth & Katie Burnes & Family, Amelia Dull, Stephen deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Don Ellis, Diana Kenney, Patrick Bowes, Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Penny & Ned Henneman, Barbara Bova, Daniel Diener, Shelby, Clay Sadler, Lynn Butler, Sharon Humphreys, Eloise Adams, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein (daughter of Deb & Bill Klein), Patrick Keeley, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Steve Robbins, Amaree Cluff, Jeff Patnaude, Blake, Liz & Cameron (friends of Chris Young) and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died. Pray for the people of Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and pray for cessation of violence, and for reconciliation, and peace.
In Thanksgiving for February Birthdays
2/19 Rose Hein
2/21 Steve Riethmiller
2/23 Beverly Tucker, Graham Hess
2/24 Holt Merchant
2/25 Jeanne Passmore
2/27 Joseph Henson
2/28 Caitie Carrington, Erin Carrington
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.
Comentários