Dear friends,
Perhaps you think of February 2 as Groundhog Day rather than the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple.
Both include ritual, hope, and revelation. In obedience to the Mosaic law (Leviticus 12), Mary took the forty day old Jesus to the Temple and presented herself for legal purification from the uncleanliness of childbirth. The required offering was a lamb in its first year, or in the case of those of modest means, a pair of pigeons. Their ritual obedience brought surprising revelation.Â
Simeon and Anna the prophetess who were blessed by God to recognize in the baby Jesus the long expected Messiah surprised the humble parents. For the blessing of seeing him, not their shadows, but the fulfillment of their most deeply held hope, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit which always goes before the Lord to prepare the way, Simeon and Anna gave praise to God that has reverberated through the centuries on the lips of worshippers everywhere.
There is no doubt that we sometimes lapse into thinking there is nothing worth much of our praise in the short cold days of winter. There is no doubt that we lapse into treating our ritual observances as rather dull and predictable. The Presentation reminds us we are far out from Christmas and that the glory of God isn't fading, nor has God's promise of peace been extinguished. The only thing in question is whether we have stopped looking for it, hoping for it, working with it.
Obedience to the law, even the command to keep the Sabbath holy, does not have to be rote, dull, burdensome. The rituals God gives us to keep, (do this as oft as ye shall drink it in remembrance of me), are for the sake of keeping us in touch with the mystery and goodness of life, the gift of God that is truly fresh every morning. The commanded observance are meant to draw us together with and into the presence of the God of glory, to help us see by faith that our lives are worth living with the deepest awareness and commitment and reverence. To see that God will never disappoint.
As God did for Simeon and Anna, so God is doing for each of us - revealing the Savior who has been prepared for all the world to see, the light of all nations, and the glory of Israel. Look.
With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | The Presentation of Our Lord | Sunday, February 2
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and on Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
February 2: Anne Hansen and Alex Brown the creeds (Nicene and Apostles') history and religious/spiritual significance.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
February 9: What's going on in the Eucharist? Tuck Bowerfind
February 16: Rachel Levit Ades, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, Mudd Center for Ethics, Washington and Lee University Discusses disability accessibility; What does it take for everyone to participate in the world? Rachel is a philosopher who studies disability accessibility; she is really curious about what it takes for everyone to participate in the world. She tries to learn more about this, create opportunities for others to discuss this, and make the things she is passionate about accessible. Rachel came to this project after working in special education and deaf education. She teaches philosophy classes both for university students and in community settings for adults with disabilities; she also has some fun with creative accessibility projects. Rachel will finish her postdoc at W&L’s Mudd Center for Ethics this spring. Her future plans are open at the moment, though she will leave beautiful Lexington to be closer to family. In some form, she aims to continue to do work, which is interesting, creative, and hopefully helpful.
February 23: Saint John's Bible Art Joanne Robblee
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
SouperBowl | February 2nd, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Evans Dining Hall
Instead of First Sunday Lunch, next Sunday, February 2, we will be encouraging parishioners to attend the Souper Bowl at W&L. You can leave your cars parked and walk across the street to Evans Dining Hall. Please join us - the information is below:
The Campus Kitchen Souper bowl is an annual, community wide, soup tasting event that brings the community together to eat some good soup and tackle childhood hunger. It is located in Evans Dining Hall, and features delicious, local soup from Lexington restaurants and some W&L Fraternities and Sororities. Lined up against the walls, the participating restaurants and groups ladle their soup into small, tea-sized cups to allow people a taste of their creation. Moving from one table to the next, attendees can take a cup from each restaurant of their choice and try a wide variety of soups. There are also deserts and drinks. There will be live music, featuring the W&L acapella groups and various fraternity and sorority bands. The event lasts from 11-2, and tickets cost $10 for students and children, and $15 for adults.
Although the event lasts just a couple of hours, it has a huge impact on the community and the work of the Campus Kitchen. Every year, hundreds of people stop by to participate in the fun. All proceeds go towards the Backpack Program, which serves over 850 pre-k, elementary and middle school students in the Rockbridge area (Lexington and Buena Vista included). Without the Souper bowl, the Backpack Program would not have the funds necessary to do its good work..
Scout Sunday
This Sunday, 2 February 2025, is Scouts of America Scout Sunday. Scouts will attend the 10:30am service at Grace Episcopal Church, which is their Charter Organization from their Scouting units, Pack 29, Troops 29 / 92, and Venture Crew 29. This day is a Christian celebration that honors the dedication of Scouts and leaders to the Scouting program. It also highlights the importance of faith and duty to God as part of the Scout Oath and Law.
Women's Bible Study | Welles Room/Library | 3:30 p.m.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Beer and Hymns | Sky Bar | Thursday, February 27, 6 p.m.
Join us for an evening of music, fellowship, and fun at Sky Bar on Thursday, February 27th, at 6 PM. Hosted by Grace Episcopal Church, this event will feature lively hymns led by emcees Martha Burford, David Mayersky, and Michael McLaughlin. Bring your friends and your singing voice as we come together to share in community and song. Stay tuned for more details soon! Save the date, and we hope to see you there!
Mardi Gras Spaghetti and Bingo Night
Kick off Lent by supporting our children in Haiti and South Sudan! Mark your calendars on March 5 for an evening of good food, music, games and prizes. Watch this space for more info.
Bakers Wanted for the Community Table
Please contact Virginia Cooke at 348-5367 if interested!
Finance Committee Seeking New Members
The Finance Committee is looking for members of the Parish to join us in monitoring the finances of the church. Time involved: about 1 ½ hours per month. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. somewhere in the Parish Hall. Be willing to serve your church to the best of your ability. Benefits: Joy and Gladness in helping the church spend pledges and donations wisely.
If interested, please contact Margaret Haberman on her cell phone at 703-608-8695, or her home phone at 540-463-0950.
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.
Clothes Closet at Christ Episcopal
The Clothes Closet at Christ Church, Buena Vista, continues toneed children’s winter jackets. They also need teenaged girls’ clothing of all types in sizes 14, 16, and 18. They also need queen-sized sheets. The Clothes Closet is open every first and third Saturday of the month from 9 am until noon. You may drop your items off then.  Alternately, you can bring your items to the Grace Church office and Lisa will ensure your items are conveyed to the Clothes Closet. Thank you for your support of this valuable asset to our community.
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
Paws to Connect will be back the second week of February!
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop The Most Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the ministry of Grace House on the Mountain and it’s director Anita Boyd. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Glen Jones, 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, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Grace, Palmer Stickley and his family, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Patricia Williams, Justin, Rodrigo, Wes O’Dell and family, Peggy DePasquale, Danny Anson (friend of Pat & Keith Gibson), Bill Cannon, Tom Strickland, Virginia Poston (sister of Betsy Carter), Dot Fogo, Roger Baroody, Buster Lewis, Joe Moles, Mo Littlefield, Michelle & John Evola (cousins of Darlene Keane), Kelly Strickland (brother of Paul), For the family of Doug, Shelley and Jennifer in their loss of their gifted son, Tyler (friends of the Passmores), Carol Dent, 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 those who have died, Len & Patricia Klein (parents of Laurie Huger).
In Thanksgiving for January and February Birthdays
1/31  Tom Gosse
2/2 Clarinda Carrington 
2/3 Willy Nelson  
2/9Â Benjamin Huger
2/10 Glenn Szarzynski   
2/12 Rowan Moles  
2/19 Rose Hein    
2/20 Sammy Eastwood     
2/21 Steve Riethmiller  
2/23 Beverly Tucker, Graham Hess, Becky Hall    
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.