Life With Grace | March 21
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Mar 21
- 11 min read
Dear friends,
This Sunday our Gospel lesson draws our attention toward the meaning of true repentance. Repentance, metanoia, is a change of thinking, a turn toward seeing our lives in a different light. This is the central purpose of the Incarnation of God in Jesus - to provide the light that can open the eyes of our minds to a dimension of reality to which we have been blind. To open our eyes to what is truly real, to the eternal and unchanging reality of God who is, and from whom all blessings flow.
The business of our daily lives distracts us from the eternal reality of God. We may assume this is all there is. The repetition of days, the labor, the trauma, the violence, nature red in tooth and claw.
God sees our daily lives as real and important. Otherwise God would not have visited us and suffered for us. In reality, we are continually presented with opportunities to enact the reality of God in whom we live and move and have our being. But often we react to circumstances out of habit, fear, or ignorance. God doesn't condemn us for this. God gives the light of Christ to help us see more clearly.
In the light of the Incarnation, the love, grace, and mercy of God illuminates a way toward fruitful living. We can begin to see that only those things begun, done, and ended in the love of God are worth our time and effort. We may also see that we are deeply interconnected. We are members of a network, a body of which the God of Love is the head, the mind, the heart.
Repentance, metanoia, is simply seeing, believing this reality, and trying to live and choose and do those things that might help someone see, that build up the body, and that help restore confidence that God is always working through our little lives to accomplish infinitely more than we can imagine.
What we choose, what we do and say is important. Our moment on the stage of life is important because we are the capillaries of God's love.
Repenting and believing and living in the light and power of the incarnation is the work of Lent, and every season.
With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Third Sunday in Lent | Sunday, March 23
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
March 23: Rethinking Equal Opportunity Harlan Beckley
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
March 30: Saint John's Bible Joanne Robblee
April 6: Susan Eastman Personhood in Paul
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Feast of the Annunciation | 5 p.m. | In-Person
For further information, contact David Cox or Martha Burford
Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington will celebrate the annunciation to Mary of the birth of Christ with a traditional-oriented liturgy this Sunday, March 23, at 5 p.m. As a “sung Mass with incense,” the service will use for the Eucharist the Elizabethan language of Rite I of the Book of Common Prayer, and, for sung portions of the liturgy, the plainsong setting of the Missa Marialis which derives from medieval days for feasts associated with the Virgin Mary. The Reverend David Cox will officiate and preach. The parish’s minister of music, Martha Burford, will conduct the choir, and Jonathan Clawson, interim director of choral activities at Southern Virginia University, will assist her as organist. The usual morning services of Holy Eucharist, Rite I at 8 a.m. and Rite II at 10:30 a.m., will observe the Third Sunday of Lent. Between the services in the parish hall, Dr. Harlan Beckley will discuss his new book, Rethinking Equal Opportunity.
Women's Bible Study
Women's Bible Study has changed its meeting place to the home of Susan Cross, 621 Marshall Street. The time is 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. All ladies welcome! We are discussing the lectionary readings for the following Sunday. No preparation is necessary.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Lenten Programs This Week
Morning Prayer - Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. at Grace Church
Stations of the Cross are displayed in the church and the liturgy for the stations is available for use at any time during the day.
Wednesday Evening Program, March 26, In person/Zoom: Our Lenten program introduces Christ as he would be seen when the “Great O Antiphons” were developed 1,500 years ago. In Week III, we look at two questions: Where do you come from? What do you do? Two antiphons reveal Jesus as “root of Jesse,” a human being of royal descent, and as “key of David” who holds authority, and thus becomes a messianic embodiment of Israel who opens the way to wisdom, light, and life.
Led by David Cox and Michael McLaughlin, the program combines short lectures with discussion and also some music composed for these short prayers.
We will offer a short Evening Prayer and supper at 6 p.m. Please email Lisa McGuire if you are coming so Anne Sauder has an idea of how much food to prepare.
The program will run from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Lent Madness: Those who are interested in learning more about the exemplars of the faith are encouraged to subscribe to Lent Madness, participate in the voting, and gather with other Lent Madness devotees at 5 pm Friday at Purveyors on Main Street to review score cards.
Calligraphy Workshop, March 22, 10 a.m. – Retired art teacher Dee Dee Lischer will lead a calligraphy workshop in the church Parish Hall, with assistance from Judy Schram, David Connolly, and artists from the Alleghany Arts and Crafts Center, to give participants a sense of the skill involved and individual help completing their own calligraphy sample. Suitable for middle school age and up.
Those seeking to learn more about the Episcopal Church are welcome to gather from noon to 1 p.m. in the Welles Room Library with Tuck Bowerfind and others. Sunday, March 23 - Church organization.
ERD Lenten Resources: Episcopal Relief & Development's Lenten Meditation resources are now available online. Click here: https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/lent/
Exchange Students Seeking Host Families
Cindy Miller from CIE the high school student exchange program, is looking for two host families in Rockbridge County to sponsor students. Please contact Cindy Miller at cmiller24450@outlook.com or (540) 817-8851 if you are interested in helping and to see the two student profiles.
The Saint John's Bible
If you have photos you would like to share of the St. John's Bible in our community and beyond, please send them to Lisa.
As the visiting volume of The Saint John’s Bible makes its home with us for three months, we also turn to other volumes to share with the congregation and visitors.
The entire text and all the illuminations of the Book of Revelation in The Saint John’s Bible were done by art director and master scribe Donald Jackson, the culmination of his vision. In the text of Chapter 22 – the final chapter – Saint John relates his own vision, in which the Lord shows him a crystal clear river “of water of life,” emanating from the throne of God and the Lamb, and nourishing the tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of nations.
The Great Amen, the illumination for this chapter, captures its final words:, “Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.” The script is in the gold that has expressed the presence of the divine throughout the Bible, and the illumination’s brilliant colors reflect and evoke all those that preceded it, from Genesis through the Acts and Letters of the Apostles. Angels from a heavenly choir, seen in an earlier illumination, Vision of a New Jerusalem, circle a golden cross; at its base can be seen one of the voiceprints provided by the monks of Saint John’s Abbey and University: a joyous excerpt from Sacred Improvisations, by Father Robert Koopmann, president of the university and an accomplished pianist.
As the written words and illuminations of The Saint John’s Bible come to an end, its message travels onward, illuminating the hope and faith of Christian life in the Resurrection: “Come, Lord Jesus!” The final line of the illumination is the single word: Amen.
Talks and workshops illuminate a Bible’s substance and history
Events in March and April
Workshops, talks and readings during March and April are highlighting the history and use of illumination and other techniques in the creation of The Saint John’s Bible. A series of talks offers background on our visiting volume and on the history and process of illumination itself; hands-on workshops in calligraphy and illumination are suitable for all ages middle school and up. The Saint John’s Bible volume will be at all events for folks to delve into. Bring family and friends!
March 22, 10 a.m. – Kimberly Watters will lead a calligraphy workshop the church Parish Hall, with assistance from Judy Schram, David Connolly, and artists from the Alleghany Arts and Crafts Center, to give participants a sense of the skill involved and individual help completing their own calligraphy sample. Suitable for middle school age and up.
March 29, 1 p.m. – Professor George Bent of the W&L Art Department will speak on how miniature painting of the kind found in manuscript illumination was used in the Middle Ages to enhance, supplement and reinforce religious texts. Examples from illuminated Biblical and other manuscripts will show how artists both understood and interpreted the Scriptures they illustrated. With an introduction by Alexandra Brown, tying in traditional illumination and The Saint John’s Bible.
April 5, 10 a.m. - noon – Lexington artist David Connolly will lead a workshop in the art of illumination. Connelly is a member of the Nelson Gallery, and has been studying illumination techniques using watercolors and gilt foil. Participants will create their own illuminations, and are encouraged to bring a Scripture verse or a short personal reflection, poem or other writing as the basis for the illumination. Art materials will be supplied, with a small donation requested to defray the cost. The workshop, in the Parish Hall, is suitable for middle school age and up. Please contact David at dconnnolly804@gmail.com to indicate interest or for any questions.
The Saint John’s Bible is available in the church each Thursday from 1 p.m to 6 p.m. throughout the Lenten season, with the exception of March 20, when the bible will travel to Clifton Forge for a day at the Allegheny Arts and Crafts Center. A visio divina led by Joanne Robblee is offered at 1 p.m. each Thursday, focusing each week on a different illumination and reading. Bring family and friends, take a turn reading, reflecting, and turning these magnificent pages yourself!
VMI Community Theater
VMI Community Theater is proud to present Agatha Christie's Murder On The Nile. Performances are in the Gillis Theater in VMI's Marshall Hall, Friday March 28 at 7:30p, Saturday March 29 at 7:30p, and Sunday March 30 at 2:00p.Tickets purchased at the door: adults $10, students and seniors $5, cadets and children under 6 are free.
Creation Care Committee Updates
Rockbridge Co. Cleanup – Saturday, March 22 | The Creation Care Committee has enrolled Grace Episcopal in the Rockbridge Co. Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, March 22nd , weather permitting. Our plan is to clean up a 1-mile stretch of Rt. 251 south of Lexington from Cedar Grove to Windy Slope Lane. We will meet at the Milford’s house, 1 Grouse Run Rd., Lexington at 9 AM on Saturday, March 22nd and go from there. Trash bags and safety vests will be provided. Please call or text John at (540) 460-6837 if you can join us for the cleanup.
The Creation Care Committee is pleased to report that Grace Episcopal has collected 905 pounds of plastic film toward our goal of 1,000 pounds. We are very close to receiving another Trex bench for our efforts. Thanks to all for your tremendous help in the collection of plastic film for recycling into Trex products.
Connections Plus
Do you have your Ducks in a Row?
Connections Plus is now offering a 6-session educational group in which the participants support each other through the process of gathering important information, such as health, property, finances, and final wishes to make things easier for those who must resolve our affairs.
Locations offering sessions:
Manly Memorial Baptist Church - Parish Hall (food/beverage allowed), 202 S. Main Street, Lexington. Beginning April 14, 2025, 5:30-7 p.m. Meetings held every other Tuesday ending June 24
Sunnyside House at Kendal at Lexington, 160 Kendal Dr., Lexington. Class Schedule: 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday April 3, Tuesday April 15, Thursday May 1, Tuesday May 13, Thursday May 29 and Thursday June 12.
Bakers Wanted for the Community Table
Please contact Virginia Cooke at 348-5367 if interested!
Clothes Closet at Christ Episcopal
The Clothes Closet at Christ Church, Buena Vista, continues to need girls' clothing sizes 10-18, queen-size sheets, silverware, and brand new socks and underwear for everybody, young and old. 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.
Province 3 Youth Event
Dates: Apr. 25-27, 2025
Where: Claggett Center 3035 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown, MD 21710
Who: 6th-12th graders
Cost: $175 (includes dinner on Friday, 3 meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday).
Transportation: Will be provided from Evans House for those in and around the New River Valley.
• Arrangements will be made for the pick up of youth from the northern portion of our diocese on our way to Maryland.
• A late afternoon departure from Roanoke is expected with additional details to follow.
If you have multiple children attending or have questions, email us at youth@dioswva.org.
Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect is back! Join us on the steps of Grace on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We'll see you there!
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 the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the healing of Pope Francis. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Diana Kenney, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Ned Henneman, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Grace, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Justin, Rodrigo, Wes O’Dell and family, Virginia Poston (sister of Betsy Carter), Dot Fogo, Roger Baroody, Michelle & John Evola (cousins of Darlene Keane), David Austin (friend of the Keanes), Ellen Fure, Buddy Atkins, George Collier, Harry Wheeler, Rhea Carter. 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.
In Thanksgiving for March and April Birthdays
3/23 Polly Lawrence, Laura Stearns
3/24 Rose Gordon
3/26 AP Smith
3/27 Kathryn Hill
3/31 Will Edgar
4/2 David Connolly
4/3 Dot Fogo, Punky Dod
4/5 Gail Dickerson
4/6 Jasper Murphy
4/7 Diana Kenney
4/8 Anne Sauder, Emily McClung, William Mackie
4/9 Lori Sadler, Aurelia Sorber
4/10 William McCorkle, Suzanne Keen, John Arpin
4/13 David Passmore
4/14 Gini Jardim
4/15 Helen Head
4/16 Don Ellis
4/18 Dennis Cross, Kevin Manning
4/19 Lisa J McGuire, Beverly Wirtz
4/20 Erika Brooke
4/22 Buddy Atkins
4/25 Genelle Gertz
4/26 Chuck Smith
4/27 Clara Pickett
4/28 Sharon Humphreys, Clark Simcoe, Abby Moles, Madison Brown
4/29 David Hansen
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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