On Sunday, October 1st, we will hold two services - a 10:30 a.m. service on the patio (weather permitting) and an 8:00 a.m. service inside the Church. The First Sunday of October also marks the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and environmental stewardship. To celebrate the feast of Saint Francis, you can bring your pets to both services for blessings.
To honor St. Francis of Assisi, I ask you to support our furry friends at the local ASPCA shelter. Your donation of food items can make a big difference in providing these animals with the care and nourishment they need—you will find the list of the items required in the newsletter.
I want to remind you that Habitat for Humanity's Fall Fundraiser (Chill on the Hill) will occur at Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery on October 1st, from 12 to 3. For more information, you can contact Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity.
Mark your calendars for next Sunday, October 1st! After the 10:30 a.m. service in the parish, everyone is welcome to join us for our monthly lunch on the first Sunday of every month.
Rev. Samson
There will be a “Readers Refresh” for lectors in the Nave immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service on 9/24. Laurent Boetsch will lead the refresher. The purpose of our review session is to allow us all to reflect for a moment on our shared ministry and to remind ourselves of the importance of well-presented readings to the overall context of the service. We are so fortunate to be able to rely upon a truly outstanding group of experienced readers in our parish, but we can all benefit from a brief “refresher” session to review those aspects of our readings that occasionally challenge us. By offering several sessions we hope that you may find one convenient for you to attend. Finally, if you are aware of other parishioners who may be interested in becoming lay readers, please do not hesitate to invite them to sign up for one of the refresher dates. Many thanks for your continuing dedicated service to Grace Episcopal.
Worship Services | Proper 20 | Sunday, September 24
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
Parish Hall & Zoom | COREworks and Legacy Society of Grace
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person & YouTube
College Student Lunch on the Labyrinth
Join us right after 10:30 a.m. service, Sunday, September 24. Students are invited to join together for delicious food prepared by Anne Sauder. A great time to get to know each other and share what you love about Grace and would like to see Grace offer. For information contact Michael McLaughlin.
Choral Evensong | 5 p.m.
Christianity and Culture Updates
October 1st: This is the Sunday we bless the animals. Please bring your live pets, stuffed pets, and even pictures to church services that day to be blessed. During September we are asking our members to bring in pet supplies for our local SPCA. Please see list below. During our October 1st class we will organize these donations and make arrangements for them to be delivered the following week. What a special way for our members, old and young, to work together to take care of God’s creatures great and small. We look forward to seeing you at these sessions of Christianity and Culture. Please invite a friend to come with you.
SPCA Supplies List
We are always in need of a variety of supplies to care for the animals until they go to their forever home.
For Dogs:
Purina or Purina One
Purina puppy chow
Canned food–Pedigree, Purina One, or any name brand (not Ole Roy or Cost Cutter brands)
Rawhide chewies
Milk-Bones
Crates (airline type) any size
Blankets
Toys – Kong toys; please, no stuffed toys
Dog collar or leashes; please no harnesses
Advantage 11 Extra, for dogs 55 pounds and up.
For Cats:
Purina Cat Chow Complete (blue bag) or Kitten Chow (yellow bag)
Clay kitty litter
Scoopable kitty litter
Toys
Canned cat food — any named brand (not Cost Cutter), chicken varieties preferred
Towels
Kitten replacement milk (can buy at Walmart)
Cleaning Supplies:
Clorox bleach
Dawn dish washing detergent
Bounty paper towels
High efficiency (HE) laundry detergent
Fabuloso cleaning solution
Pine-Sol
Office Supplies:
Printing paper
Pens and pencils
Lined index cards
Scotch tape
Staples, paper clips, push pins
Poster board
Outdoor bird seed
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Dine In, Dine Out, Lunch, Dinner or Sunday Brunch!
Now that fall is here, it is time to begin to think about our dining clubs. They are a great way to meet and form new friendships among our Grace Church members, prospective members, and students. If this is something you would be interested in, please reply to Ruth or Drusie by September 30th (just click on the email address below).
These groups each have a membership of around eight. The first name on the list will plan the first get- together. They will decide whether to host dinner at their home or in a restaurant. If it is done in the home, the hostess provides the main course and asks each member to bring a side dish. If it is done in a restaurant, the hostess is responsible for reservations.
This year we will also have a group for those who would like to meet at lunch or for Sunday brunch. Please indicate your preferences with your response:
· lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch
· prefer week or weekend
We look forward to lots of fun and great food!
Ruth Smith, 910-409-9325
Drusie Milford, 540-461-1427
Paws to Connect
We jumped back into the school year with all four paws! Join us this Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the courtyard infant of Grace!
Upcoming Music Events
Labyrinths
Joanne Robblee will lead us in a session on labyrinths in the Parish Hall beginning at 5 p.m. and then take the group outside to walk our beautiful labyrinth.
I hope you can join me at Twelve Ridges on Saturday (09/23) We'll be building a labyrinth on the lawn of the hilltop at Twelve Ridges and spending the day with friends and family. Bring your family, friends, dogs, kids, and please extend this to anyone you know who might like to walk and labyrinth and enjoy a beautiful fall day at Twelve Ridges. This event is weather dependent, of course!
Grace Legacy Society Estate Planning Event
Lexington Golf and Country Club – Thursday October 12, 5:30-7pm, Happy Hour with appetizers. Room for approximately 20-30 people. Grace Legacy Society is pleased that experienced estate planning attorney Sarah Brownlow, Esq. of Virginia Estate and Trust Law, PLC in Richmond, will provide a presentation to interested parishioners on understanding the estate planning process, key documents, common questions and pitfalls to avoid. Her presentation will be about 30 minutes with time for Q&A. The event is open to all Grace parishioners. If your estate plans have not been recently updated, you have questions, or want to learn more about the estate planning process please come! The event is currently planned for the back covered patio at the Club. Please RSVP to David Hansen at david.hansen@captrust.com or Dennis Cross at dcross@wlu.edu.
Ministry Celebration
Stewardship and IWC are planning a ministry celebration 5:45 pm Sunday Oct 22, immediately following evensong. This is a reception for all members of the parish, whether they attend evensong or not.
At this reception we want to have a large word cloud that shows all the organizations in Lexington and Rockbridge county supported financially or through volunteer work by members of Grace. To solicit this information we want to survey the congregation and get their input. "Please share all the organizations in Lexington and Rockbridge county you support financially and or through your volunteer work"
A member of IWC and Stewardship will tabulate results for creation of a word cloud and perhaps name tags "Ask me about ___________"
IWC and Stewardship will plan the menu for the reception. We will need survey results by the end of September. Contact Liz Moss with any questions. emoss267@gmail.com
Plastic Bag and Film Recycling through the Trex Challenge
Around the world over 400 million tons of plastic are produced each year and the quantity is growing exponentially. Sadly, only a very small percentage of the plastic waste is being recycled, while the majority ends up in landfills and the oceans. The Creation Care Committee at Grace Episcopal believes we need to do our part to reduce plastic film waste, and we have joined the Trex Challenge to recycle plastic bags and films.
You may be aware of Trex, a company in Winchester, VA who produces composite materials for decking and other uses. Trex uses the plastic bags and film collected in the production of their products. The challenge is to collect 500 lbs. of plastic film over a 6-month period. If we meet this goal, we will receive a free bench made from Trex material. This program has been tremendously successful at Kendall where they have received 5 or 6 benches because of their collection efforts.
Our program kicks off on October 1st. For Grace to receive credit, all plastic bags and film should be deposited in the blue container under the bridge. We will collect and weigh the contents before taking the bags and film to be recycled. A listing of acceptable plastics is attached for your reference.
We ask for your steadfast support in this effort. Together we can make a difference in our environment if we all join in this program.
Grant Writer Wanted
The Virginia Haiti Collaborative is looking for a grant writer to help with procuring computers for St. Marc’s School, Cerca-La-Source, Haiti. Please contact Virginia Cooke if you have any ideas or can help.
Wanted - Sunday School Teachers
Grace is looking for youth, college students and adults willing to help provide Sunday School for a few children each Sunday from about 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. We are willing to pay a stipend. Please contact Tuck to find out more.
Ladies' Book Discussion Group
The ladies’ book discussion group will resume on Sunday, September 24, at 4 p.m. in the Welles Room (Library) with Being Disciples by Rowan Williams. The book has six succinct chapters: Being Disciples; Faith, Hope, and Love; Forgiveness; Holiness; Faith in Society; Life in the Spirit. Please join us!
DioSWVA Digest
Safe Church Safe Communities Training
Monday, Sept 25 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
We are offering a newly updated Safe Church, Safe Communities training via Zoom this fall for those that need a certification or refresher.
Clergy, lay leaders, staff, and volunteers should all be up to date with their safe church certifications for safety reasons and to be in line with diocesan policies. To identify people requiring this training, please check the beginning of the policies (linked below) as well as Appendix A.
The date and time for the training and registration link are included below. If you plan to attend, registration is required to receive your unique Zoom link.
Read more: https://conta.cc/3Z5qdjI
Faith@Home
Are you looking for simple ways to connect with your children and their faith? Join Pattie Ames, Canon for Christian Formation and her guest and good friend Emily Gowdy Canady, Missioner for Lifelong Christian Formation in Eastern NC, as they discuss ways parents can interact with their children through easy activities that make faith connections for everyone. Emily will talk as a mom and formation leader and Pattie will chime in as an active Godparent and children’s minister for 22 years. We will share ideas to do with your children through the fall and leading up to Christmas. We hope you will join us and the discussion.
Wednesday, Sept 27 from 7-8 p.m. on Zoom
Read more: https://conta.cc/3EtUQGf
Prayer List
Prayer for the election of the next Presiding Bishop: Almighty God, source of all wisdom and understanding: Look graciously on your church, and so guide the hearts and minds of those who will choose our next presiding bishop, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for all of your people, equip us for our ministries, and proclaim your word to us and to the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for the continued healing of The Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the students and staff of Virginia Episcopal School, their Headmaster, Garth Ainslie and their chaplain, The Rev. Adam White. 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), Patricia Brown Boyer (sister of Madison Brown), Dolly Shumate (friend of the Lewis’), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, Laura Stearns, Worth & Katie Burnes (friends of the Smiths), Amelia Dull, Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Stephen deMaria, Annie Campbell, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Ginny Dunaway Ferguson, Rosemary Phillips (sister of Paul Robblee), Joan Wade (sister-in-law of David Wade), Maria Scott. Don Ellis, Diana Kenney, Patrick Bowes (brother-in-law of Linda deMaria), Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Lucy Moise, Penny & Ned Henneman, Steve Riethmiller, Heidi Schweizer, David Wade, Barbara Bova (friend of the Dickersons), Daniel Diener, Carrie Strickland (sister-in-law of Paul Strickland), Edith Covard Crutcher (family of Jimbo & Ruth Smith), Anne Stenhouse (friend of Ruth & Jimbo Smith), Clay Sadler, Lynn Butler (friend of Melanie Griffis), and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died. Pray for the people of Morocco, Libya, Hawaii, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine.
In Thanksgiving for September and October Birthdays
9/22 Ann Nay, Elizabeth Oliver
9/24 Graham Centorino
9/25 Darlene Keane
9/26 Heidi Schweizer
9/28 Winifred Hart, Tim Harrison
9/30 Mo Littlefield. Lynda Bassett-deMaria
10/2 Donnie McBrayer
10/4 Mary Katherine Lawrence, Anne Hansen
10/6 Christine Szarzynski
10/8 Rob Minor
10/9 Jerry Nay, Susan Denson
10/11 Heather McBrayer
10/16 Sharon Kurtz
10/20 Eloise Adams, Drusie Milford
10/23 Claudia Ellis
10/24 Sarah Centorino
10/25 Lily Youngman
10/26 Melissa Cox
10/27 Connie Loughhead
10/29 Jimbo Smith
10/30 Steve Shultis
10/31 Peggy Hays
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.
Donations for Lisa's House – Project Horizon
Items we currently need: · High efficiency laundry detergent · Toilet paper, paper towels · Lysol disinfectant spray · Dish soap · Coffee · $10 gas cards At this time, we are only able to accept items on this list. Thank you for thinking of us!
First Baptist Church Anniversary
Join us in celebrating the 156th Church Anniversary & 5th Anniversary of Pastor McKinley A. Williams
Sunday, September 24, 11:00 a.m. | Dedication of the Sanctuary Windows | Anniversary Fellowship Luncheon served immediately following the Worship Service for Everyone
Chill on the Hill
Habitat for Humanity Fund Raiser | Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery | Sunday, October 1, 2023 12 – 3 pm | Food provided by: Lex Vegas Bistro and Old Lex Mercantile
Meal Ticket $20.00 | Music by Datz Us Ramblers
Comments