Dear Friends,
This past week we were surprised by the visit of a bomb detecting German Shepherd. Apparently someone issued a bomb threat on line and all the buildings on campus had to be searched to ensure there was in fact no bomb.
While that threat proved baseless, there are some real threats that do confront us. Global warming, as experienced locally in extreme heat and drought, is not a phantasm. Nor is the real harm experienced by people displaced by the effects of a global economy that prioritizes the comfort and consumption of the wealthiest owners and "producers" over the basic needs and rights of people, regardless of their race, nationality, or gender.
Distinguishing between real and baseless threats and promises is at the heart of this Sunday's gospel. A minor despot, Herod Antipas, interprets the success of Jesus and his apostles as a threat to his peace of mind. Herod should have been more afraid of raising a child who would have the absence of compassion necessary to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Instead he seems to fear anyone who challenges him to examine his extraordinary way of life.
What difference might it have made in the course of human history if, instead of fearing the sycophants of his court, Herod had feared for his soul and repented and examined his life and taught the members of his household to prioritize the loving-kindness of God above all else?
What difference might it make in the course of human history if we, the people, who bear the responsibility for government in the most powerful empire the world has ever known, decided to put the welfare of creation above false fears about immigrants, gender, race, and above petty self centered concerns about sustaining a lifestyle of unbridled and unprecedented consumption and comfort?
With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him) Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Proper Ten | Sunday, July 14
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Christianity and Culture
Sunday, July 14 - Spiritual Growth in the Early Church, presented by Alexandra Brown: Paul and the theology of the cross amidst ecclesial factions in Corinth. Paul's letters and the struggle for concord among Christ believers then and now.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
Sunday, July 21 - Is singing in church a hidden treasure in our culture? This observation from Don Saliers, William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship at the Candler School of Theology of Emory University makes so much sense to me: "Our culture is saturated with music—it’s used to sell things, and you hear it in elevators. But the one place where many regularly participate in some modest music-making is in church. That may be a hidden treasure for our culture." Is singing together a gift God intends us to share?
Is singing in church formational? What memories do you have of moments music has drawn people together? Or born witness to someone's life and ministry? Or marked a sacred milestone in your life? We'll gather with a goal of sharing points in our faith journeys music has nurtured.
Sunday, July 28 - David will share insights about the history of Grace with the nearby colleges over the years. Then Steven and Michael will share the exciting plans they have for the upcoming year for our college ministry.
Sunday, August 4 - When the Buddha sat down under the Bodhi tree, he vowed not to arise until he had found an answer to the great dilemma of ubiquitous human suffering. The source, he found, was not in the inevitable changes we experience in life, but in our own mind. The answer he taught is sometimes referred to as "Awakening or Enlightenment"
The grandchild of two lines of Protestant ministers, I discovered Buddhism at 18. I felt an instant union with the highest ideals of Christianity. It opened a path towards service and solution that has guided my way for the last 65 years.
"Our troubles, we find, are mostly of our own making." And our solutions are of the same source.
I will tell the story of Buddhism's beginnings and introduce a direct experience of its most powerful practice
Sunday, August 11 - Antonia has had a life-long fascination with how the un-manifest is made manifest permeating all life with its intelligence. She has been on a 20+ yr journey with sacred geometry, considered to be thoughtforms in the mind of God. This spiritual science "represents a latent possibility within ourselves" to grow & evolve into union with God/Source/All That IS ...to actually move closer to becoming a living prayer & living a life of conscious benediction. Antonia will share visuals with animations bringing these multi-dimensional geometric shapes to life.
Sunday, August 18 - Russian Orthodox Faith & Iconography symbolism & Spirituality, presented by Madelyn Stuart
Sunday, August 25 - Rat Sunday
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Taize Eucharist | 5 p.m. | In-Person
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Monday Music on the Courtyard is Back!
Grace Episcopal Church announces its second season of "Music Mondays on the Courtyard." July 15: Betty and the Hot Flashes; August 12: TBA; September 9: Open Mic Night All events run 6:30-8:00pm. All are invited to bring food, beverages, lawn chairs, and blankets. In the event of rain, music will move into the Undercroft of the church. Free will donations are accepted. For information contact Martha.
The Wall that Heals Program
As you know, The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center. It will be at the Jackson River Sports Complex in Covington, from October 3rd – October 6th, and will be open 24 hours a day. It is free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
We are relieved this event has been well funded – we have successfully raised enough to support bringingThe Wall That Heals to our area and to cover needs for supporting the event while it is here. We appreciate your willingness to support this unique opportunity.
We are now seeking help spreading the word about The Wall That Heals as we continue to move forward. We would love if you could help spread the word.
The Wall That Heals will be escorted through downtown Lexington on October 1st. We hope our community will come out to cheer as the truck is escorted through downtown Lexington. If you know any community members, schools, or organizations, or church groups that may be interested in a tour, or who would like to volunteer for this event, check out the following website for schedules, contacts and opportunities available:
VPAS
Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) offers older adults and their family members a variety of services. Please feel free to use VPAS as a resource, even if we can't help directly, we'll always try to point people in the right direction.
Examples of Services:
Meals on Wheels for homebound adults age 60+
Medicare Options Counseling
VPAS Cafes in Buena Vista, Lexington, and Goshen for socialization and lunch
Senior Transportation to medical appointments
Activities such as Line Dancing, Seated Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pickers Strings Group
Info about financial assistance programs
Caregiver support and training
There is an upcoming workshop called "Prepare to Care: Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis." This is a workshop for family caregivers, care partners, and friends of persons new to dementia. It will be held on Wednesday, August 28 from 9 am-12 pm at Maury River Senior Services, 2137 Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista, VA. Table discussions, role plays and resources to help you in your journey. No cost. To register, call at (540)261-7474 or visit the site.
Music in the Garden
Join us for Music in the Garden on July 12 (The Pickup Band), August 2 (Hoss & Soss), August 23 (Caravan of Fools) and September 6 (The Ruckus Bluegrass Band). Members and kids are free; nonmember adults are $5 cash at the gate.130 Munger Lane | Gates open at 5:30 pm, music from 6:30-7:30 pm | $5 per adult, kids are free. BYOB, BYO chairs, and pack out your waste. Leashed pets are welcome.
Update on the Trex Challenge
Wonderful news! We have met our goal of 1,000 lbs. of plastic film for the Trex Challenge. Thanks so much to all that helped us meet the goal. I want to give a special thanks to Cindy and Grigg Mullen, Lexington Garden Club, Jefferson Florist, Lexington Prescription Center and ConnectionsPlus for their help in reaching our goal. We will continue to participate in this program!
Please note that we will continue to collect plastic film collected. This 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.
The Community Table
The Community Table serves a hot meal each week to families and individuals in need. Our bakers are getting tired and need some support. Could any of your congregations donate monthly? Mondays, desserts for 150 (cakes, brownies, cookies, seasonal). Once a month or on a quarterly rotation. Or once a year would take a little burden off our current crew. We can set a schedule. Thank you so much. I know many of you already support TCT through donations, volunteers and more. We appreciate your ongoing support to uplift and strengthen those in need in our community.
Intergenerational Summer Camp
Winter Star is a 5 day intergenerational Arts-Music Camp for Adults and Children that culminates in a production of the musical on Friday. We rehearse Monday-Friday, and share The Winter Star Musical performance at 7pm on Friday, Aug. 9. All who want to participate are invited! Roles for Shepherds, Angels, Magi, Stars, Parents and Children. Think "Christmas in August." Each day will include music rehearsal, costume and stage preparation, creative prop making, dinner, stage directions, and fun music warmups. Registration will close Monday, July 29. The registration fee is to cover cost of dinner. Email Martha Burford for details or with questions.
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
Efforts continue to collect items for the Boy's Home. A list of what is needed can be found on the table in the stairwell near the parish office. A basket labeled Boy's Home is underneath the table for your contributions. Questions about this effort can be directed to Lisa or to Darlene Keane.
Wanted: Sunday School Teachers
We are looking for youth, college students, and adults to help with Sunday School from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. each Sunday. A stipend is available. Contact Tuck for more information.
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop Curry, for The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop-Elect. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the people of St. Paul’s, Bear Mountain.
Pray for Brendon, Michael Murphy, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin, John Perry, Glen Jones, Patricia Brown Boyer, 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, Sharon Humphreys, Eloise Adams, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Amaree Cluff, Jeff Patnaude, Blake, Liz & Cameron (friends of Chris Young), Carl & Rachel Pattison, Brian Powers, Jane Drewry (sister-in-law of Ruth Smith), Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Carolyn Williams, Jennifer Humphrey, Linda Lanford, Grace, Ashley Swain & Elliot Ohmann (daughter and grandson of Sharon Kurtz), Sue Hill, Frances Harcus, Glenn & Christine Szarzynski, Palmer Stickley and his family, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Bob Lera, 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, The Rev. Mary Luck Stanley (friend of Martha Burford).
In Thanksgiving for July Birthdays
7/12 Otis Mead
7/13 Jackson Hotchkiss
7/14 Bethany Hull
7/17 Kris Hoolahan
7/18 Carla Henson
7/19 Jeff Mason
7/20 Lisa Tracy
7/21 Catharine Gaylard
7/23 Miss D Penick
7/28 Paul Robblee, Su Minor
7/29 John Brooke, Jonathan Eastwood
7/31 Margaret Haberman
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.
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