Dear Friends,
Alleluia, Christ is Risen. You Betcha.
…
The Resurrection is reality, not an event or a season. Through his indwelling Spirit the risen and ascended Jesus shares life with us and renews creation day by day. Our duty is to remember, week by week, day by day, that we share in his death and in his life. He is the living vine and we are the branches, and when we die we do not die forever. We die to sin and death, and we live to God. Remember, and give thanks.
Today, which is everyday, take time to be alive to God in thanks and praise. Turn your attention away from fears and griefs and worries and turn toward the love of God poured out for you, the presence of God with you. Listen, watch, pay attention. All created things around you join the unending song of thanks and praise to the light that enlightens all, to the life that in all dost abide. Let your heart be glad to live in love and charity with all creatures of our God and King and join their song - great rushing winds and breezes soft, swift flowing water pure and clear, all flowers and fruits that grow on earth, all you with mercy in their heart, forgiving others, take your part - praise God the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three in One. Alleluia.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind, Rector, Grace Episcopal Lexington
Worship Services | Second Sunday of Easter | Sunday, April 16
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
Parish Hall & Zoom | Building Use Proposals Presentation
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person & YouTube
Community Sing | Randolph St United Methodist | 5 p.m.
In-Person
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Join Us for Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect is back and better than ever! Join us this week on Grace's steps from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday!
We're on Twitter!
To stay in the loop with all things Grace Episcopal, give us a follow on our new Twitter! While you're at it, check out our other socials too.
Graceful Play
Graceful Play, an after school program for early childhood and early elementary children, began last month and we need volunteers to assist. Graceful Play blends curriculum elements from Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and hopefully, a Vacation Bible School meets Mr. Roger's Neighborhood atmosphere.
As a volunteer you will not be expected to be present each week. There will be no meetings or training, except Safeguarding. As our parish continues the work of Becoming the Beloved Community, I ask you to prayerfully consider participating in Graceful Play.
If you would like to know more about Graceful Play, please contact Marjorie Connolly at connolly804@gmail.com (713-206-1756).
Confirmation Preparation
Anyone interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation of Faith please contact Tuck or Samson. Meetings are held in the library after the 10:30 a.m. service.
Building Use Proposals
The Vestry requests your feedback on Building Use Proposals prepared by FGMArchitects to address these priorities for improving our Parish House:
Create modern, accessible restrooms on each floor
Create dedicated, modernized, attractive space for young children infant to 6 years old
Modernized office suite sufficient for two clergy, Parish Administrator, and Bookkeeper (note - Music Director's Office in Undercroft)
Improve building accessibility
Update and potentially resize classrooms and conference rooms
Several presentations of the FGMA proposals are scheduled in the Parish Hall:
1. 9:15 Sunday April 16
2. 11:45 am Sunday, April 23
3. 4pm May 1 at the COC meeting,
Please contact Tuck or one of the wardens, Joanne Robblee and Rob Minor to schedule a presentation at a time convenient for you.
Please plan to join a Town Hall Meeting 11 am Sunday, June 11, 2023 in the Parish Hall for a report on feedback received during these presentations.
Upcoming Music Events
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the Lay Employees and Volunteers of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. 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, Crystal Iosco and John Penn (granddaughter and son of Ellie & George Penn), Helen & George Kostel, Laura Stearns, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Diana Kenney, Tom Strickland, Worth & Katie Burnes (friends of the Smiths), Amelia Dull, Jan Ashworth, Barb, Stephen DeMaria, Bill Stearns, Farris Hotchkiss, Annie Campbell and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died.
Drusie Milford is taking over the Grace Prayer email chain. Each Tuesday an email will go out with the week's information. If you would like to become a member of this group, please email Drusie Milford (drusmilford@gmail.com). Likewise, if you would like to request anyone be added to the prayer email chain, please email Drusie.
In Thanksgiving for April Birthdays
4/15 Helen Head
4/16 Donald Ellis
4/18 Dennis Cross, Kevin Manning
4/19 Lisa McGuire, Beverly Wirtz
4/20 Erika Brooke
4/22 Buddy Atkins
4/25 Genelle Gertz
4/26 Chuck Smith
4/27 Nancy Walker
4/28 Sharon Humphreys, 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.
Enduring Wisdom From a Rockbridge Educator...
...FOR THE AGES: CELEBRATING CHARLIE JONES, INSPIRATION FOR SOUNDER & SOUR LAND THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023 Gathering at 5:00 p.m & Program at 5:30 p.m. ANDERSON COLISEUM MEZZANINE THE VIRGINIA HORSE CENTER 487 Maury River Road in Lexington, Virginia Dr. Kip Armstrong, son of Collierstown native and Newbery Award winning author William Howard Armstrong, will illuminate the influence the Rockbridge area had on his father’s work. He will pay special homage to local educator Charlie Jones (1869-1950), whose deep impact on Armstrong inspired his classic young adult novel Sounder, and its sequel, Sour Land. The evening will include a special preview of a remarkable collection of ten original works by James Barkley, paintings that became the illustrations for Sounder. To learn more about this inaugural program of The Sounder Circle, contact Susan Virginia Mead, svm@diversityserves.org or 540-267-5678
RCS Spring Concert
The Rockbridge Choral Society presents William McCorkle and The Rockbridge Chorus Spring Concert 2023. John Rutter: Gloria and works by Vaughan Williams, Paul Halley with brass, timpani and organ. Sunday April 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm, Lexington Presbyterian Church. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets at www.rcs.org. $12.50 per person, $35 per family (at the door $15.00 per person, $40 per family).
Rockbridge Area Cleanup
Grace Crew! We are moving our Rockbridge Area Cleanup date to Saturday May 6. Stay tuned for details or contact Martha Burford or John Milford. The Creation Care Committee will have jackets and bags ready AND provide lunch after!
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.