Dear Friends,
This Sunday our celebration focuses on our relationship with the Three-Person God. Genesis and the Psalm marvel that humanity...
is capable of approaching God's divine capacity to love, have mercy, and govern, while Paul and Matthew focus on God's dependable presence with us, always, to the end of the age.
We can rise to the high calling of God, to bear faithful witness through our lives to God's love, mercy, peace and justice. But we cannot expect to enjoy the peace of God without attention and discipline, without doing God's work. So Paul tells us first: listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace. And then , he tells us, the God of love and peace will be with us.
We are made to live in love and charity with one another, made to extend mercy and do justice, just as we are made to measure and grow in understanding of the universe by means of books and balances. So may we rise to the higher calling by practicing charity, mercy, justice, and peace and bearing witness to God's abiding presence and favor toward all people.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind, Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Trinity Sunday | Sunday, June 4
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity & Culture | 9:15 a.m. Parish Hall
Symbolic language of the Trinity at Grace
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person & YouTube
We're going to Jordan’s Point Park, Sunday, June 25!
This year, instead of Lake Robertson, we are gathering at Jordan’s Point for a 10:30 service of Holy Eucharist under the pavilion followed by a picnic. The change of location is to provide easier access to parishioners who would like to join in the service and picnic, but are unable to travel to Lake Robertson. The church will provide fried chicken, dessert and water. Please bring a lawn chair, blanket and your favorite salad or side dish to share! (The 8 am service will remain at Grace.)
Town Hall Meeting: Building Use Plan
Parish Hall, next Sunday, June 11 following Unitive Worship at 9:30am.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Paws to Connect: A Recap
Thank you to all who attended and participated in Paws to Connect! We look forward to welcoming students back in the fall!
Ministries Opportunities at Grace
Please contact the church office and let us know if you can help 540-463-4981
Coffee/Hospitality Hour: A committee is being formed to schedule and organize 2-3 events each month following the 10:30 service. The responsibilities of this committee would be to schedule hosts for the designated Sundays, ensure that supplies are available for the hosts and follow up and provide instruction for the hosts.
Altar Guild Update
The Altar Guild would gratefully welcome new members to the team. Each team is “on duty” one week per month. The ministry is to care for the altar, altar linens and altar vessels. The team prepares the altar each week for the two Sunday services and clean up after the services. They also set up for special services like baptisms, weddings and funerals.
They consider the Altar Guild work as a grateful service to God for His love for us and His many blessings. They team up with the Flower Guild at Christmas and Easter to decorate the church with flowers and candles. It is joyful work to the Glory of God. Contact Lisa or Tuck in the Parish Office if you are interested or would like more information. Please consider joining this wonderful ministry. Contact Lisa in the parish office if you would be interested in joining the Altar Guild
Bike and Build Bikers
Bike & Build is a national nonprofit committed to raising awareness for affordable housing. The Central United States team, made up of 25 riders, is pedaling into Lexington, VA to volunteer on a construction site, helping to build affordable homes with the Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity.
The journey began on May 31st on the east coast in Yorktown, VA. Over the next 10 weeks, the Central US team will pedal an average of 70 miles per day to the Pacific Ocean arriving in Florence, OR on August 14th. Along the way, the riders will participate in volunteer build days with 16 different affordable housing organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, and small local housing nonprofits to help build affordable homes for families in need. Riders will work to support communities in Charlottesville, VA, Lexington, VA, Hazard, KY, and many others across the US. They will also advocate for the need for affordable homes for all in the pass-through towns along the way and many communities that host riders overnight.
“I am so excited to ride my bike across the country and make a difference for the important cause of affordable housing! I’m hoping to meet many new people and learn more about the communities that we travel through this summer. I hope to gain new perspectives that will help me become a better advocate for affordable housing in my own community and beyond.” - Bike & Build CUS Rider
The Central US route is one of two long-distance bike trips this summer where riders will see and experience first-hand the affordable housing need in this country. In addition to volunteering, riders meet with local officials and community members to discuss affordable housing issues. Riders will sleep in local churches, community centers, and schools, and will rely on the generosity of hundreds of community members for food, showers, and other necessities. When the trip is complete, many Bike & Builders have gone on to continue their commitment to service through their career choices or further volunteering. Please consider supporting the Central US team’s journey across the U.S. here: https://bikeandbuild.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=5013
Bike & Build is a non-profit organization that encourages young adults to address the country’s affordable housing crisis through organized bicycle trips. Trip participants support the affordable housing cause by fundraising and building efforts. Since its founding in 2003, Bike & Build has motivated over 3,900 young adult volunteers and contributed over $6.4 million and 255,000 volunteer hours to housing groups such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together to fund projects in the United States. For more information, visit www.bikeandbuild.org or call (267) 331-8488.
Meals on Wheels in Lexington
Meals On Wheels is the oldest and largest national organization supporting community-based senior nutrition programs. It addresses hunger and social isolation problems that impact homebound older adults. The program in our area is administered by the Virginia Program for Aging Service (VPAS).
In Lexington, meals are picked up from the RARA building on Spottswood Drive and delivered between 11:00 and 12:00 noon on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Volunteers select their preferred day(s) and get a delivery route within a convenient radius, usually taking no more than a half hour.
In addition to helping to meet nutritional needs of homebound seniors, serving as a Meals On Wheels volunteer provides opportunities for social interaction that is rewarding to volunteers and recipients.
If you are interested in more information on joining the team of Meals On Wheels volunteers, even as a substitute, please contact Anna Crockett at aennchen3@gmail.com or Susan Mead at susanvirginiamead@gmail.com
Music in the Garden at Boxerwood
June 9, Shester, Datz & Newhall Bluegrass (upcoming dates 6/23, 7/14, 7/28, 8/11, 8/25 & 9/8). Gate opens at 5:30 for picnics. Admission free for members, $5 non members (cash only). Kids are free and free to explore. Dogs on leashes are welcome. LexVegas Bistro at all concerts. Join us and let there be songs to fill the air!
Celebrate June with Grace
Monday, June 5: Celebrate June on Grace’s Courtyard with, live music by Rockbridge’s own “Betty and the Hot Flashes” featuring covers from The Wailing Jennies to TheTalking Heads to Tom Petty and more. Bring food and beverage to share, blankets or chairs to spread out, and a little cash if you want to purchase hot dogs and fixings.
Best Church Coffee in Lexington!
With an upgraded coffee system and local coffee grounds, Grace is taking our Coffee/ Hospitality Hour seriously. In the bible we learn of disciples gathering for prayer and Hospitality with each other and strangers. The coffee/hospitality hour is an extension of our worship where there is opportunity for fellowship, developing relationships, listening to others and being listened to, offering or receiving compassion and kindness. Let’s not underestimate the importance of Coffee/Hospitality hour. Please plan to attend each week.
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: The Presiding Bishop Michael Curry who is undergoing medical treatment. The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the people of Grace Episcopal, Massie’s Mill and their Priest-in-Charge, The Rev. Allison Caudill. Pray for Brendon (friend of the Brooke family), Michael Murphy, John Thomas, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin (friends of the Gibsons), Gloria June Perry (mother of Michael Perry), Glen Jones (friend of the Riethmillers), Darlene Travis (sister of Don Ellis), Patricia Brown Boyer (sister of Madison Brown), Dolly Shumate & Betty Gale Anderson (friends of the Lewis’), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, Helen & George Kostel, Laura Stearns, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Diana Kenney, Tom Strickland, Worth & Katie Burnes (friends of the Smiths), Amelia Dull, Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Stephen DeMaria, Farris Hotchkiss, Annie Campbell, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Lynwood Dent, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Mo Littlefield, Ginny Dunaway Ferguson, Mary Mayhew (sister of Jay Crawford), Isabella & Anne (family of Carl Pattison), and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died, especially Bill Stearns and Al Gordon. Pray for the people of Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine.
In Thanksgiving for June Birthdays
6/2 Philip Brooke
6/4 Sophia Brown
6/5 Grigg Mullen, Helen Kostel
6/7 Bill Luton
6/8 Eleanor Penn
6/13 Michael Wirtz
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, James Grizzle
6/24 Sandy Harcus
6/29 Lu Dooley, Michael Finnell
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.
Monacan Indian Nation 30th Annual PowWow
June 3rd & 4th, Gates open at 10:00 a.m. General admission: Adults (13-61) $10.00, Seniors 62+ & Children $5.00, 6 & under FREE *Cash Only*
225 Laurel Cliff Road, Monroe, VA 24574
Dance Specials: Mens Fancy: $300/200/100 Womens Fancy: $300/200/100
Red Dress Special: Sponsored by Dark Tide Tattoo Studio, Winner Take All - $500
Dancer registrations: $10 + Tribal ID
Hosting Ukrainian Families
A humanitarian outreach effort organized by citizens of Lexington, Buena Visa, and Rockbridge County, we aim to pave the way for sponsoring temporary re-settlement of families who qualify for entry according to the laws of the United States.
The mission of Hosting Ukrainian Families is based upon love, compassion, and humanitarian concerns for families seeking to live in peace. Accordingly, a call is issued to each person joining in this effort to set aside all political, culturally divisive viewpoints, and all differences which may hinder or defeat these goals. To donate, click the link below.
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