Student Resources

Grace Episcopal Church is committed to the spiritual growth of the students and cadets at Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute. We recognize that nurturing spiritual growth is vital to academic and human development. Our mission is to assist students and cadets as they discern their vocation through the discovery and stewardship of their God-given gifts. Through the Episcopal Student Fellowship we provide opportunities for Christian fellowship, study and worship that foster interaction between W&L students, VMI cadets, Mountain Gateway Community College and Southern Virginia University and members of the Grace parish family.

​

Presently, we have a student on the Vestry. If you are interested in being involved in church opportunities such as a worship leader, lector, acolyte, or Choral Scholars, get in touch with us!

Cadets and students are invited to participate in the life and worship of our parish. Some sing in the choir as choir scholars; serve as lay readers, chalice ministers, ushers or acolytes; assist in the Church School program or volunteer with our youth group. Students are invited to spend Sunday afternoon in the Canterbury Room. The church provides lunch.

Each year a new group of highly motivated young adults join the Corps of Cadets at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). These new students are "affectionately" known as Rats. The Rats spend the next six months dealing with (in addition to their course load) physical and mental challenges that most 18 to 20 year olds cannot imagine. The one temporary escape is the Adopt a Rat program. This program allows Host Families in Lexington to adopt Rats, giving the Rats a temporary reprieve. On Sunday the Rats have the opportunity to leave VMI and spend the day with their host family. The family provides a quiet refuge, a lot of food, and an opportunity for the Rats to re-energize. The bonds that develop between the Rats and the host families often last well beyond that first year, and even beyond the graduation of the cadet. Some students have chosen to be "adopted" by parishioners and spend Sunday afternoon in their homes before returning to post.

For more information please contact our Rector, Tuck Bowerfind.