Dear Friends,
Happy all Saints Day and All Souls Day.
This Sunday we welcome three new saints into the household of God - Jordan Kach, Brayden Aperauch, Austra Burr and Charles Moore. Please join us to celebrate their baptism.
In the New Testament, the word “saints” is used to describe the entire membership of the Christian community, and, in the Collect for All Saints’ Day, the word “elect” is used in a similar sense. From very early times, however, the word “saint” came to be applied primarily to persons of heroic sanctity, whose deeds were recalled with gratitude by later generations.
Beginning in the tenth century, it became customary to set aside another day—as a sort of extension of All Saints—on which the Church remembered that vast body of the faithful who, though no less members of the company of the redeemed, are unknown in the wider fellowship of the Church. It was also a day for particular remembrance of family members and friends.
Last week I invited you to complete the Life-line exercise and discuss it with a friend or group. I think one reason this kind of reflection on our relationship with God can feel like a risk is that the world around us is organized to keep us on the well worn path, or on rocky or thorn-infested ground, as Jesus describes in the parable of the sower. The conditions necessary for our growth, for the growth of our relationship with God, are more rare. We need to find our way to fertile ground and carefully tend it when we find it. The personal decision to take steps off the path, out of the rocks and briars, is faith.
In the attached reading Brian Taylor offers some insights into the nature of our choices and those practices that keep us attentive to the difference between the way the world is ordering us and the way God is calling us. Often our attention, and intention, make the biggest difference.
After you complete the reading, take an opportunity to identify a practice that helps you pay attention to your relationships with God, others, the world, and yourself. If possible, share one of those practices with someone else, over coffee, at a committee meeting, or elsewhere.
The lives of the Saints are transformed by our intentional attention to our relationship with God, ourselves, and other creatures. The peace and justice we seek in our nation and among the nations of the world begins with our personal practice of walking in faith toward good soil.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him) Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Baptism candidates: Brayden Aperauch, Austra Burr, Jordan Kach, Charles Moore.
O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer for an Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blue Ridge Outdoor School - When entering the church driveway, please be aware that the children are in the churchyard in the morning from 8:45–9:00 a.m.and in the afternoon from approximately 2:50 p.m.–3:15 p.m. There may be a cone in the driveway to prevent cars from coming in to quickly; you may still park in the lot. Thank you!
Worship Services | All Saints | Proper 26 | Sunday, November 1
Holy Eucharist Rt 1 | 8 a.m. | In Person and YouTube
Note: this week's 8 a.m. service will be streamed on YouTube, not Zoom.
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In Person and Zoom
RenewalWorks is a ministry of Forward Movement; both are committed to reinvigorating the church and strengthening disciples. It is all part of an exploration of spiritual growth, offered with love and hope for The Episcopal Church.
Sunday, November 3 RenewalWorks workshop: Spiritual Beliefs and Practices
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
Sunday, November 10 RenewalWorks workshop: Building an Intentional Small Groups Ministry
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
First Sunday Lunch | Chili Cook-Off
First Sunday Lunch, November 3. We will have Bach, Baptism and Beans! Come to church to hear a cantata (a beautiful music composition), welcome the newly baptized and eat chili!
Women's Bible Study | 3:30 p.m.
The Women's Bible Study is changing their time to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays
All Saints’ Remembrances
Below are listed the names of people who have been in our prayers for the departed since All Saints’ Day passed. If you would like to add the name of a departed loved one to be remembered in the bulletin for the feast day of All Saints’, Sunday, November 1, please email Lisa with your request.
All Saints' Remembrances (Saints departed since last All Saints' Day)
Eloise Adams
Molly Brown
Sarah Cumming
Joe & Betty Dombrowski
Jane Drewry
Robert Glidden
Mary Stuart Gilliam
Henry Hibbs Hawke
Penelope Henneman
Rob Minor
Lucy Moise
Granville Alexander Moore
Anna Dent Murray
William Noyes
Jim Parkey
Gloria June Perry
Joseph Rebentisch
William Read Richardson
Steve Robbins
Riley Kenneth Rose
Marc Silvia
Jamie Smith
Gail Starr
Susie Starr
Don Taebel
Anne Bell Turnbull
Nancy Walker
Edyth Wheeler
All Souls' Remembrances for those we love and see no longer
Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
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.
Dinner Groups
We are excited to invite you to join our Church Dining Groups—a delightful opportunity to build connections, share meals, and grow in fellowship with one another. Whether you choose Sunday brunch, lunch or dinner, in-home, out or a combination is up to you! Please contact Drusie Milford or Ruth Smith at 910-409-9325 to join a group (and indicate your preferential meeting time). All are welcome!
Music Announcements
After church on Sunday, Nov. 3, before running to the Chili Cookoff, we need some folk to help move the choir chairs from the chancel to the nave and bridge. 10-15 people helping would make this a 5 minute job in preparation for November 9th’s Carry the Flame Concert. Please contact Martha Burford to help out.
On November 3, the Choir, accompanied by string quartet and continuo will offer Cantata 196, "Der Herr denket an uns" ("The Lord is mindful of us") by J.S. Bach during the 10:30a.m. service. Quite possibly Bach's earliest surviving cantata, the Biblical texts celebrate the blessings of God and our gratitude in return. If you would like to listen to this beautiful piece beforehand, this link is to a fabulous performance of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNjAHgMMsFs
Save the date, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. for "Carry the Flame: The Robert Glidden Music Legacy." Concert conducted by Dr. André Thomas and Dr. Brandon Boyd, hosted by Grace Episcopal Church and featuring Rockbridge Youth Chorale, Choirs of Southern Virginia University, Washington and Lee, and Grace Episcopal Church, and other fabulous local musicians!
For the Carry the Flame concert, doors for Grace members will open at 6. We anticipate a large crowd, so come early to get your seat. We also are asking people to sign up on Eventbrite so we get a sense of numbers ahead of time.
Walk in Love Stewardship Campaign
This Sunday we are handing out pledge cards. Monday we will mail cards to parishioners who were not at church. Thank you to everyone who has already pledged to the Walk in Love pledge campaign to fund the 2025 operating budget of Grace Episcopal Church. Every pledge helps us with our planning for the year to come. We will list the names of those who have made a pledge every week, as well as the total pledged to date in the Parish News Life with Grace. Our goal is between 120-130 pledges totaling $540,000. To date we have received pledges from 35 households totaling $172,790.
Thanks to our contributing households thus far:
John & Cecilia Arpin |
Laurent & Elizabeth Boetsch |
Tucker & Delea Bowerfind |
Jane Brooke |
Martha Ann Burford |
Betsy & Buddy Carter |
David & Marjorie Connolly |
Ed & Marlys Craun |
Dennis & Susan Cross |
Susan Denson |
Lynn & Carol Dent |
John & Gail Dickerson |
Will & Cary Edgar |
Don & Claudia Ellis |
Matthew Fogo & Kevin Manning |
Patrick France |
Keith & Pat Gibson |
Tom & Carol Gosse |
Julianne Grimes |
Julia Grover |
Margaret Haberman |
Jack & Anne Hershbell |
Benjamin & Laurie Huger |
Deborah & Bill Klein |
Pat & Lisa McGuire |
Susan Mead |
John & Drusie Milford |
David & Jeanne Passmore |
George & Eleanor Penn |
Michael Perry |
Joanne & Paul Robblee |
Ham & AP Smith |
Jimbo & Ruth Smith |
David Wade |
Connor Wolfe |
If you are new to pledging and would like guidance here are three basic guidelines:
Pledge something. You are a valuable member of the body of Christ. Most of your contribution to Christ's work is through the works of love you do for others every day in your work and personal life. You also share in the responsibility for maintaining and operating our facilities and ministries. Some members give $1/week, some give $400/week. Some give nothing. Whatever you commit and fulfill will be gratefully received and faithfully used for God's mission through Grace. Whether you give something or not, you are a beloved member of the parish and the body of Christ.
Consider pledging proportionally. As your income or net worth change, continue to give proportionally. For example - you can base your giving on a proportion of your gross annual income. Or if you have a positive net worth, you might consider basing your giving on a proportion of your net worth.
Consider tithing your income or net worth. Traditionally, tithing is ten percent of gross household income. Muslims have a different standard that you might consider. They give 2.4% of their gross positive net worth. If they have zero or negative net worth, they are not expected to give anything except time and talent.
Diocesan Update on Hurricane Helene
Many of you have been praying for all those affected by the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, in much of the southeast, especially in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Please continue your thoughts and prayers. I wanted to let you know that most of the high water in this diocese occurred in the Abingdon Convocation and some areas of the New River Convocation.
We are checking in with our parishes in those areas and none are reporting any damage to their facilities. Some lost power, but reports at this hour are that all power has been restored. There are still some cell service outages in the far southwest.
There are many trees down throughout the Grace House property. Luckily, none came into contact with any of the buildings on the campus. We are working with the staff to begin assessment and tree removal in the critical areas that might impede functioning. We will keep you updated on assessment and need. If you or your parish would like to contribute financially to relief work thatEpiscopal Relief & Development is doing in the most affected regions please click the button below.
Please let us know what assistance or resources we can assist you with as your parish addresses possible needs in your community.
I ask that you pray through this week and this coming Sunday for those who have died and their families; for those who are suffering and scared; and for all relief workers who are helping people around the clock. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Peace,
The Rt. Rev. Mark Allen Bourlakas
For updated information on Hurricane Relief, read this newsletter from Episcopal Relief and Development.
Rockbridge Recovery Support Group
Rockbridge Recovery is excited to announce our newest support group: Family and Friends Support.
Having support from your loved ones when thinking about or in recovery helps build a solid foundation and can give the person the motivation and strength to continue into long-term recovery. But we know addiction has a ripple effect that goes far beyond the person in active addiction.
But what about the ones that are doing the supporting? Where can they get support? Where is their "village"? You cannot pour from an empty cup. We wanted to give our community members that have been touched by addiction, alcoholism, and/or mental health conditions a safe space to share their experiences, somewhere to gain hope and develop relationships to build their own support system. This group will allow for your voice to be heard, encourages empathy and provides a sense of community. You'll benefit from hearing other's experiences, discover your inner strength and empower yourself by sharing your own experiences in a non-judgmental space.
We would like to invite anyone who has lived these experiences with a loved one or friend to join us beginning Monday, November 4th at 5:30 p.m.
ConnectionsPlus
Do you have your Ducks in a Row?
ConnectionsPlus is now offering a 6-session educational group in which the participants support each other through the process of gathering improatnt information such as health, property, finances, and final wishes to make things easier for those who must resolve our affairs.
Beginning Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 9:30 to 11:00 AM and meeting monthly for 6 months. Location: Kendal at Lexington, Sunnyside House, 160 Kendal Drive, Lexington.
For more information or to register, please contact our office at 540-463-1848 or info@connectionsplus.care Cost: $20 for materials. Space is limited.
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
Fall Youth Event
We are excited to announce that this years, Fall Youth Event will be held at Boys Home of Virginia, located in beautiful Covington. Boys Home, an outreach ministry of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia provides a stable and supportive environment for young men who have faced significant adversities. You can read more about their mission and ministry here.
Several of these young men have attended our Youth@Convention for the past several years and we are excited to hold our fall event on their campus! This year, we will combine service and fun by beginning our day with a small project for Boys Home. After completing our service project, the afternoon will be filled with fun. With a gym, plenty of outdoor space, an indoor and outdoor chapel, dining hall and hiking nearby, the rest of our weekend will be jam packed with games and activities!
Register today for a weekend of service and community as we seek to worship, pray, play and serve! All middle and high school youth are invited to join.
Event Info
WHEN: Nov. 16-17, 2024
Check-in: Saturday, Nov. 16, between 9:30-10:00 a.m. (Please eat breakfast prior to arrival).
Check-out: Sunday, Nov. 17, at 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Boys Home of Virginia, 414 Boys Home Rd, Covington, VA 24426
WHO: 6th-12th graders & adult chaperones
COST: $75 (includes lodging, activities, lunch & dinner on Saturday, and breakfast & lunch on Sunday)
TRANSPORTATION: Parents will be responsible for Saturday drop-off and Sunday afternoon pick-up at Boys Home. (*Please see registration form if your child will be driving to the event separately.*)
An email will be sent out closer to the event if transportation by convocation is possible.
Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect is back and better than ever! Join us every Tuesday and Wednesday this semester from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the steps of Grace. Our pups can't wait to see you!
The Clothes Closet
The Clothes Closet, run by our colleagues at Christ Episcopal Church, Buena Vista, could use some assistance, both with donations for their stock as well as volunteers to help run the operation from 9am till noon each first and third Saturday of the month. Christ Church initially established the closet, and volunteers from our church, as well as some funding provided by our Gadsden Trust, helped expand it into a more robust operation. It is open to all persons and is currently well stocked except for needing these items: children's coats, men's size small shirts and jeans, men's T-shirts of all sizes, bath towels, pots and pans, baking dishes, blankets, queen and full sheets, and women's purses. Please drop any donated items or financial contributions for the Clothes Closet at Christ Church when it’s open.
New Coffee Hour Schedule
The following team leaders will host Sunday morning coffee hours. Please thank our Coffee Hour team leaders!
11/3 - Robblee and Dick
11/10 - Riethmiller and Simcoe
11/17 - Mead and Mayerchak
11/24 - Dickerson and Keane
Team leaders would welcome assistance. Please contact team leaders directly if you are available to help!
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the people of Grace, Massies Mill and their rector, The Rev. Allison Caudill. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Glen Jones, Jack Hershbell, 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, Shelby, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Grace, Sue Hill, Frances Harcus, Glenn & Christine Szarzynski, Palmer Stickley and his family, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Helen Moore, Patricia Williams, Christy Panko, Kitty Farrar, Justin, Rodrigo, Wes O’Dell and family, Peggy DePasquale, Nick Penn, Danny Anson (friend of Pat & Keith Gibson), Bill Cannon, Sandy Harcus, Peter Fyfe, Rebecca Robblee (daughter-in-law of Joanne & Paul Robblee) 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 the communities that are suffering the effects of Hurricane Helene & Milton.
Pray for Baptism candidates, Austra Burr, Charles Moore, Brayden Aperauch and Jordan Kach.
Pray for those who have died, Penny Henneman, Bill Noyes.
We give thanks for our former Presiding Bishop, The Rt. Reverend Michael Curry.
In Thanksgiving for November Birthdays
11/1 Margaret Branner, Frances Grist, Bettie Cadden
11/4 Peggy Riethmiller
11/6 Michael Perry, Patrick France
11/7 Pam Adams, Owen Gertz, Melanie Griffis
11/8 Evan Atkins, Grace Simcoe, Donna Noyes
11/10 Richard Jones
11/11 Brooks McCabe
11/13 Doug Ayer, Julie Grover
11/14 Jim Farrar
11/15 Tim Price, Rene' Glidden, Samson Mamour
11/18 Sis Harcus, Alex Eastwood, Diana Harris
11/19 Steven Lawrence, Hank Humphreys, Langston Donkle
11/21 Tim Gaylard, Liam Murphy
11/22 Will McClung
11/23 Bill Kozak, Kristi Finnell
11/26 Michael McCabe
11/27 Jack Hershbell, Anne Blanken, Avery Hess
11/29 Maurya Schweizer
11/30 Harry Warner
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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