When I was in fifth grade, my parents packed our acolyte team up for an adventure of a lifetime. We landed at Kanuga (Episcopal Camp and Event Center) for a week of wonder learning and producing The Winter Star, a short musical that tells the story of the star-shepherds-angels-magi-children and parents, following the star to the manger. We practiced, we memorized, we laughed, we donned costumes, we hung on every word Una Harrison and Ray Glover, the directors, shared.
Una’s favorite phrase when something went wrong was “Oh Sausages!” uttered in her inimitable British accent. We learned about people centuries ago who heard and believed "God is with us!" We all sang “Follow where the star is leading, …to where the Holy Mother with St. Joseph at her side rocks the infant God in whom our human flesh is glorified.”
We ourselves, adults and children, were on a pilgrimage together, and I am certain that week is part of why I am a follower of Jesus.
Last summer, Grace hosted several children for Summer Arts Camp. Over the year, I have heard parents, grandparents, and children comment about how formative the experience was. The leadership team gave their all.
This summer: August 5-9, we (GRACE) will host children and adults 5:30-7:30 to rehearse, play, create, eat, and share a performance of The Winter Star. The composer, Malcolm Williamson (who wrote many compositions including the coronation anthem for Queen Elizabeth II), wrote this piece and others to teach children of all ages about the process of putting together theater productions. The pieces are oh so singable!
A group of Music Scholars and Choir Members have been meeting to start to put logistics together. We are calling on all people of good will to participate! There are multiple roles from Greeters to Dinner Preppers (led by Anne Sauder) to Prop and Costume Magicians to Set Design (simple sets and fun!) to Cleanup to Help Get the Word Out!!!
In mid-July, we will learn the closing song during anthem time of a couple of Sunday liturgies, so all of us can bring our frankincense, myrrh, gold, or best gifts to offer to the Christ Child. We all are formed over and over again as followers of Jesus—I promise when you sing and eat and create alongside someone twenty years older and twenty years younger, you will feel the Christ in your heart leaping.
Yes, we are doing this as a sort of “Christmas in August,” but we will also reprise it on the second Sunday of Christmas, January 5th.
We are going to have such a joyful, rich time! Aren’t you already looking forward to it?
In Dulci Jubilo,
Martha
Worship Services | Proper Six | Sunday, June 16
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
June 16th - Come play a very adult game of Grace Bingo during Christianity and Culture. During this game you will learn lots of interesting information about amazing items in our church. You will have a much greater appreciation for the very special people who were part of the life of Grace since its beginnings.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
Sunday, June 23 - Theology of Latter Day Saints & Spiritual Growth, presented by Drew Sorber
Sunday, June 30 - No Christianity & Culture (Parish Retreat)
Sunday, July 7 - Independence Day, A brief talk about the signers of the Declaration of Independence and a video about Fort McHenry and our flag. Presented by Joanne Robblee
Sunday, July 14 - Spiritual Growth in the Early Church, presented by Alexandra Brown
Sunday, July 21 - The Role of Music in Spiritual Growth, presented by Martha Burford
Sunday, July 28 - Our first Ministry - College Students, presented by David Cox
Sunday, August 4 - Buddhism, Nature, and Contemplative Practice, presented by Barney Brown
Sunday, August 11 - Evolving into a More Conscious Communion with the Source of All Creation through Sacred Geometry, presented by Antonia Albano
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
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." June 24: Betty and the Hot Flashes; 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.
Refurbishing Boys Home Sign
Over 20 years ago, fellow parishioner Barton Dick and I made the Boys Home sign shown in the attached pictures. It stands about 6 feet tall and is roughly 10 feet wide.
It is now in need of refurbishing.
We have arranged for three young men from Boys Home to help and now need two or three teenagers from our parish to assist. Our plan is to depart Grace Episcopal Church at 9 AM on Monday, June 24, to return mid-afternoon. We will drive to Covington to sand and stain the existing sign.
A good lunch will be provided, as will all the supplies and materials needed for our work, plus abundant knowledgeable supervision. It should be a fun day for participants to learn a new skill, experience a bit of outreach, and meet new friends.
Please call/text Jerry Nay at 540-460-8697 (or email) for any additional information and to let us know that you would like to participate.
The Way of Love
Reflections on Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry: This is one of a series of tributes to Presiding Bishop Curry, as published in the May 26 edition of The Living Church.
Update on the Trex Challenge
Remember to include various plastic films in your recycling: bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, plastic shipping envelopes, Ziploc food storage bags, shrink wrap, salt bags, wood pellet bags, produce bags, etc. All items must be clean before recycling. Please deposit them in the blue collection bin under the bridge between the Church and Parish Hall. Thank you for your participation!
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.
Music in the Garden
Join us for Music in the Garden on June 21( Late Night Stumblers), 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.
2024 Juneteenth Celebration
Join us in celebration of freedom, history, and community! Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of slavery in the United States. Across the country, people have enjoyed celebrating Black history as an important part of our nation’s history. Lexington had its first Juneteenth celebration in 2021, but this year’s is going to be even bigger and better featuring local food vendors, a wing cook-off competition, and the 100 Proof Go Go Band. Visit Website.
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: Prayers for continued healing for Presiding Bishop Curry. Pray for the candidates for Presiding Bishop: The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez, The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, The Rt. Rev. DeDe Duncan-Probe. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the Corporations of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, Trustees of the Funds, SVEF and SEH. 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, Elizabeth Jones (Martha’s mom), Grace, Ashley Swain & Elliot Ohmann (daughter and grandson of Sharon Kurtz), and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died.
In Thanksgiving for June and July Birthdays
6/14 Penny Henneman
6/15 Michelle Mackie
6/16 Judy Schram
6/17 John Thomas Loughhead
6/18 Alden Mastin, Matthew Fogo
6/20 Susan Lawrence, David Grizzle
6/22 Morgan Roper
6/24 Sandy Harcus
6/29 Lu Dooley, Michael Finnell
7/1 Maria Nava
7/5 Tom Vinson, Elise Brooke, Harold Hill
7/6 Jay Crawford, David Wade, Benjamin Holston
7/7 Mark Nelson
7/8 Sue Shultis
7/10 Joe Simcoe
7/11 Elizabeth Grist, Mary Wilson
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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