As we embark upon Renewal Works as a parish, I have been thinking about the Spirituality Vitality component of Beliefs we embrace as Episcopalians.
Episcopalians identify with “lex orandi—lex credendi” “the law of what is prayed is the law of what is believed.” Hymn writer and former Director of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, the Rev. Dr. Carl Daw says we might do well also to identify with “lext cantandi—lex credendi” “the law of what is sung is the law of what is believed.”
So, this is an invitation to you to take a hymnal home sometime. Entertain the following topics of core Episcopal Beliefs, and see what hymns allow you/us to sing these beliefs and pray them. The beliefs Renewal Works lists that I will unpack one at a time are Grace, Trinity, Role of Scripture, Holy Communion, and Spiritual Growth. Each time I write about one of these topics, I’ll pick one or two hymns that form, inform, and nurture my understanding of the belief. I invite you to do the same. Find a hymn that helps you sing your belief. Hum it. Write about it. Remember a time you sang it. Pray it.
This week’s belief I'm considering is Grace, defined in Renewal Works as the belief that "God loves me unconditionally and nothing I do or have earns that love.”
There are some hymns that obviously address Grace. One of my favorites is the perhaps lesser known hymn text “I sought the Lord,” Hymn 689. The text, (in our hymnal attributed to anonymous) is now recorded in hymnary.org to be by the Victorian poet Jean Ingelow (1820-1897) and appeared in print in 1878.
I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me;
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
no, I was found of Thee.
Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea;
’twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou, dear Lord, on me.
I find, I walk, I love, but o the whole
Of Love is but my answer, Lord, to thee!
For thou wert long beforehand with my soul,
always Thou lovedst me.
The hymn expresses the epitome of Grace: God knew us, sought us, and loved us long before we knew it. The great hymn writer Austin Lovelace writes of the hymn “God is holding out a hand and waiting for us to take hold of it and be rescued from the seas of life.” Ingelow is soundly rooted in scripture as the text rings of the words of Psalm 139: “You have searched me Lord, and known me…you are familiar with all my ways.” Verse 2 references Matthew 14 and Mark 6 as the disciples fearful in a boat besieged by storm encounter Jesus walking on the water. Verse 3 references John 4:10, 19 as Jesus beckons the woman to an encounter with living God, and she responds, “I see you!”
Note that, though the topic for this letter is “Grace,” I also addressed the Role of Scripture. Our hymns are an incredible source of Scripture—and when we sing Scripture, we have an even better chance of committing it to memory.
The tune, a simple, folk-ish melody and harmonization, was composed by J. Harold Moyer (1927-2012) who wrote other tunes and harmonized several in our 1982 Hymnal.
We sing hymns for all time—from all time and across the Communion of Saints and the globe. That, indeed, is also full of Grace.
In dulci jubilo,
Martha
Tuck will be out of town July 26-August 5. In his absence the Reverend David Cox has graciously offer to be available in case of pastoral emergency. Please call the office to get in touch with David. The Reverend Samson Mamour has graciously agreed to preach and celebrate at services on Sunday, July 28 and the Reverend Anne Grizzle has graciously agreed to preach and celebrate August 4. Tuck will return to worship D.V. August 11.
Worship Services | Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost | Proper Thirteen | Sunday, August 4
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Christianity and Culture
Sunday, August 4 - Buddhism and the end of suffering...even in our times. Presented by Barney Brown. When the Buddha sat down under the Bodhi tree, he vowed not to arise until he had found an answer to the great dilemma of ubiquitous human suffering. The source, he found, was not in the inevitable changes we experience in life, but in our own mind. The answer he taught is sometimes referred to as "Awakening or Enlightenment." The grandchild of two lines of Protestant ministers, Barney discovered Buddhism at 18. Barney felt an instant union with the highest ideals of Christianity. It opened a path towards service and solution that has guided my way for the last 65 years." Our troubles, we find, are mostly of our own making." And our solutions are of the same source. Barney will tell the story of Buddhism's beginnings and introduce a direct experience of its most powerful practice
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
Sunday, August 11 - Evolving into a More Conscious Communion with the Source of all Creation Through Sacred Geometry. Presented by Antonia Albano. Antonia has had a life-long fascination with how the un-manifest is made manifest permeating all life with its intelligence. She has been on a 20+ yr journey with sacred geometry, considered to be thoughtforms in the mind of God. This spiritual science "represents a latent possibility within ourselves" to grow & evolve into union with God/Source/All That IS ...to actually move closer to becoming a living prayer & living a life of conscious benediction. Antonia will share visuals with animations bringing these multi-dimensional geometric shapes to life.
Sunday, August 18 - Russian Orthodox Faith & Iconography symbolism & Spirituality, presented by Madelyn Stuart
Sunday, August 25 - Rat Sunday
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
New Coffee Hour Schedule
Beginning Sunday August 4 the following team leaders will host Sunday morning coffee hours. Please thank our Coffee Hour team leaders!
August 4 team leaders are David Passmore and Will Edgar
August 11 team leaders are Joanne Robblee and Melissa Cox
August 18 team leaders are Grace Simcoe and Peggy Riethmiller (Anne Sauder will coordinate a special reception in honor of visitors from the Boys Home of Virginia following the 10:30 service.)
August 25 team leaders are Stephen Lowe and Michael McLaughlin
September 1 is Unitive Worship at 10:30 followed by First Sunday Lunch
September 8 (Marc Nikkel Day) team leaders are Susan Mead and MJ Mayerchak
September 15 team leaders are Gail Dickerson and James Keane
September 22 team leaders TBD. If you would be willing to help lead coffee hour this day please contact Tuck.
September 29 team leaders are Ruth Smith and Chris Young
October 6 team leaders are Cecile West-Settle and Elizabeth Boetsch
October 13 team leaders are Lynn Dent and Bill Kozak
October 20 team leaders are Drew Sorber, Madelyn Stuart, Connor Rothermel, and Rose Hein.
Team leaders would welcome assistance. Please contact team leaders directly if you are available to help!
Regarding The Winter Star and Extra Events for Young People
The Winter Star will be rehearsed and prepared Saturday mornings 10-11:30 Dec. 7, 14, and 21, and we will offer it as the "Pageant" at the early service on Christmas Eve. We will ask that participants make themselves available to at least two of the three preparations. This still remains open to the community at large, and anyone is welcome, of course, to attend the early service on Christmas Eve.
Summer of 2025 we will go back to last summer's successful formula of a day "Art Expression Camp" 2-5pm the week before public schools start.
We also are going to offer, beginning in October, "Art Expression on the Courtyard" for kids on First Fridays, 5-7pm, during the galleries' "First Fridays" as a way to offer kids an art experience and let their parents enjoy the galleries. Feel free to contact Martha for more details.
Monday Music on the Courtyard is Back!
Grace Episcopal Church announces its second season of "Music Mondays on the Courtyard." August 12: TBA; September 16: Open Mic Night All events run 6:30-8:00pm. All are invited to bring food, beverages, lawn chairs, and blankets. In the event of rain, music will move into the Undercroft of the church. Free will donations are accepted. For information contact Martha.
The Wall that Heals Program
As you know, The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center. It will be at the Jackson River Sports Complex in Covington, from October 3rd – October 6th, and will be open 24 hours a day. It is free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
We are relieved this event has been well funded – we have successfully raised enough to support bringingThe Wall That Heals to our area and to cover needs for supporting the event while it is here. We appreciate your willingness to support this unique opportunity. We are now seeking help spreading the word about The Wall That Heals as we continue to move forward. We would love if you could help spread the word.
The Wall That Heals will be escorted through downtown Lexington on October 1st. We hope our community will come out to cheer as the truck is escorted through downtown Lexington. If you know any community members, schools, or organizations, or church groups that may be interested in a tour, or who would like to volunteer for this event, check out the following website for schedules, contacts and opportunities available:
VPAS
Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) offers older adults and their family members a variety of services. Please feel free to use VPAS as a resource, even if we can't help directly, we'll always try to point people in the right direction.
Examples of Services:
Meals on Wheels for homebound adults age 60+
Medicare Options Counseling
VPAS Cafes in Buena Vista, Lexington, and Goshen for socialization and lunch
Senior Transportation to medical appointments
Activities such as Line Dancing, Seated Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pickers Strings Group
Info about financial assistance programs
Caregiver support and training
There is an upcoming workshop called "Prepare to Care: Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis." This is a workshop for family caregivers, care partners, and friends of persons new to dementia. It will be held on Wednesday, August 28 from 9 am-12 pm at Maury River Senior Services, 2137 Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista, VA. Table discussions, role plays and resources to help you in your journey. No cost. To register, call at (540)261-7474 or visit the site.
Music in the Garden
Join us for Music in the Garden on August 2 (Hoss & Soss), August 23 (Caravan of Fools) and September 6 (The Ruckus Bluegrass Band). Members and kids are free; nonmember adults are $5 cash at the gate.130 Munger Lane | Gates open at 5:30 pm, music from 6:30-7:30 pm | $5 per adult, kids are free. BYOB, BYO chairs, and pack out your waste. Leashed pets are welcome.
Update on the Trex Challenge
Wonderful news! We have met our goal of 1,000 lbs. of plastic film for the Trex Challenge. Thanks so much to all that helped us meet the goal. I want to give a special thanks to Cindy and Grigg Mullen, Lexington Garden Club, Jefferson Florist, Lexington Prescription Center and ConnectionsPlus for their help in reaching our goal. We will continue to participate in this program!
Please note that we will continue to collect plastic film collected. This is not only plastic bags but includes other plastic films that stretch; bread bags, bubble wrap, drycleaning bags, plastic shipping envelopes, Ziploc food storage bags, shrink wrap, salt bags, wood pellet bags, produce bags, etc... everything just must be clean before going into recycling. There is a blue collection bin for plastic film under the bridge between the Church and Parish Hall for your deposit of plastic films. Thanks again for your participation in this challenge.
Project Horizon Seeking Volunteers
There will be a training session in October. If you are interested call and get your name on the list for the training session. Project Horizon desires empathetic, thoughtful, and motivated volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to help us accomplish our mission of eradicating domestic, sexual, and dating violence through empowerment of survivors, and by being a sanctuary for victims. We need your help to provide these vital services as Rockbridge County’s only domestic violence shelter and hotline.
Project Horizon was founded in 1982 by a group of women sitting around a kitchen table. Today, we provide a 24-hour crisis hotline, free counseling services, an emergency shelter for victims, outreach to underrepresented communities, and educational programming for kindergarten through college-aged students.
Volunteers play an integral role in Project Horizon’s mission by answering hotline calls, providing office support, interacting with shelter residents, working with employees on specific projects, such as translation or art projects, and assisting staff with events.
For information about volunteering and to sign up for our next training, contact volunteer coordinator Janice Burguieres at 540-463-7861or jburguieres@rockbridge.net.
Boys Home of Virginia Wish List
Efforts continue to collect items for the Boy's Home. A list of what is needed can be found on the table in the stairwell near the parish office. A basket labeled Boy's Home is underneath the table for your contributions. Questions about this effort can be directed to Lisa or to Darlene Keane.
Wanted: Sunday School Teachers
We are looking for youth, college students, and adults to help with Sunday School from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. each Sunday. A stipend is available. Contact Tuck for more information.
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop Curry, for The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop-Elect. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the Retired Clergy of The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia and their Chaplains, The Rev. Dr. Bob Copenhaver and The Rev. Dr. James Hubbard. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Glen Jones, Jack Hershbell, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Don Ellis, Diana Kenney, Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Penny & Ned Henneman, Barbara Bova, Shelby, Clay Sadler, Sharon Humphreys, Eloise Adams, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Jane Drewry (sister-in-law of Ruth Smith), Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Grace, Ashley Swain & Elliot Ohmann (daughter and grandson of Sharon Kurtz), Sue Hill, Frances Harcus, Glenn & Christine Szarzynski, Palmer Stickley and his family, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Helen Moore, Patricia Williams, Cecile West-Settle, Christy Panko, Ann, 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, especially Bob Lera.
In Thanksgiving for August Birthdays
8/3 Joshua Henson
8/5 Rissie Murphy
8/6 Michele Hentz, Kaydance Sadler
8/8 Greg Lemmer, Carol Dent
8/10 David Partlett
8/11 Mimi Knight
8/14 Gerry Locher, Nick Murphy, Kathy Kozak
8/17 Kent Wilson
8/18 Luke Camp
8/20 Marjorie Connolly
8/21 Lena Simcoe
8/26 Elaine Nelson
8/28 David Howison
8/30 Barton Dick
8/31 Pat Gibson
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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