Life With Grace | December 5
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Dec 5, 2025
- 10 min read
Dear friends,
"Repent" and "Prepare the way of the Lord" is the theme of the second week of Advent. John the Baptist's urgent warning continues to echo through the world. Today we hear it telling us both to prepare for the celebration of Christmas, and to prepare for Christ's return.
The Baptist calls us to repent, convert, turn back toward God as our fundamental preparation. Paul in his letter to the Romans suggests the starting point for our conversion is to "live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:5)
To live in harmony in accordance with Christ Jesus is the way of forgiving as you have been forgiven by God in Christ.
There is hope for the world, hope for a future in which our children can thrive, if we can "live in harmony with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus." If we can accept God's forgiveness and forgive others as we have been forgiven.
As part of your Advent preparation this year I encourage you to read and reflect on Kairos Palestine 2025. Kairos Palestine 2025 is a reframing of the 2009 Kairos Palestine document for this time of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and displacement unfolding in Palestine. It is a call to people of faith around the world to stand with and amplify Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and secular voices that call for justice and truth about human rights.
Those who want to gather for a discussion of Kairos Palestine are invited to Christianity and Culture on December 21.
Prepare the way of the Lord. Examine your heart for the places you have not accepted God's grace. Let go of shame and guilt. Accept the grace and love of God. Love yourself as God loves you. And, while keeping yourself and those in your care safe, forgive others as you have been forgiven. "So that together we may with one voice sing glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:6) and peace to God's people on earth.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind
Annual Meeting and Worship Service | Second Sunday of Advent | Sunday, December 7
Christianity and Culture | 9 a.m. | In-Person and on Zoom
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
December 14 - Christmas – Messiah - Tim Gaylard - Tim is back to share more about the selected pieces of music and meaning of Handel’s glorious Messiah as we prepare during Advent for the coming of Christ.
December 21 - Kairos Palestine - A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide - Presented by Tuck Bowerfind
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
The nursery is available during our services.
First Sunday Lunch | Immediately following the 10:30 Service
Featuring Brunswick Stew!
The open plate offering on Sunday December 7 is dedicated to the Sudan Mission Team (The Kelly Academy and Hope House) and the Virginia Haiti Collaborative (Ecole Saint Marc).
Annual Meeting
Dear friend,
The Annual Meeting of Grace Episcopal Church is scheduled to convene 9 a.m. Sunday, December 7, 2025 in the Parish Hall, followed by Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m.-- there will not be an 8 a.m. service offering. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is for the members of Grace to elect vestry members who have responsibility for all the temporal affairs of the church. We are grateful to David Passmore, Ruth Smith, and Drusie Milford for their three years of vestry service as well as to Buddy Carter, William Edgar, Cecilia Arpin, Connor Wolfe, Melissa Cox, Carole Elmore, Sharon Kurtz, and Don Robey our continuing Vestry members, and to Lori Apgar Maggie Leventis, Patrick Hugg, and David Partlett who have accepted nomination for election. A quorum of 20% of all adult communicants in good standing is required for an election (41). Please attend and participate.
with gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind, Rector
Patrick Hugg
The Hugg family was active at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans beginning in 1985, participating actively in several Trinity programs. Our three children all attended TrinityChurch and Trinity’s grammar school at various dates through their primary years. We moved to Lexington in 2024 to be with our youngest daughter, husband, and three-year-old grandson. That move, of course, led us to Grace. Trinity is an old and prosperous church in New Orleans, with a history similar to Grace here in Lexington. An early rector of the Church was Civil War General Leonidas Polk, and the primary meeting hall for the church and school was named after him. It was here that the modern leadership of Trinity (3 dedicated clergy in the 1980s and 90s), led Trinity in a forceful direction. Trinity purposefully became a bridge between the traditional Episcopal Church
community and the entrenched low-income housing projects nearby. Phyllis and I supported that direction of Trinity, actively participating in outreach efforts. We served as Loaves and Fishes volunteers every Friday for some years, working with other volunteers packing and distributing food to low-income community centers and homeless shelters. We also led our children to personally serve hot meals at a Baptist church shelter nearby in one of the low-income neighborhoods. I participated in a Trinity program to recruit law students and lead them into public schools for dedicated reading sessions and contributing quality books to their libraries. I was the founding Chair of Trinity Mediation Services, which provided free mediation services to those involved in disputes and litigation, focusing mainly on child custody and other family issues.
I also initiated a legal challenge against the State of Louisiana, along with strong participation with other community leaders and the national ACLU, seeking adequate State funding for the inadequately funded state school system. Unfortunately, the State Constitution was determined to not support our efforts. I was active in the Church’s popular Men’s Prayer Breakfast, and for some time served as its co-director. Finally, I served the on the Board and ultimately as President of the New Orleans Pro Bono Project, which managed numerous programs to provide legal services to those in need in the greater New Orleans area. Phyllis and I look forward to future activity here in Lexington with Grace Episcopal.
Maggie Leventis
Maggie Leventis is a sophomore at Washington and Lee University. She was confirmed at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina on October 26, 2022, by Bishop Daniel P. Richards of the Upper Diocese of South Carolina. She is the only child of Ami and James Leventis. She is a member of the Canterbury Leadership Team and the choir here at Grace. As a freshman she found a place here and has appreciated the community that has helped her feel so welcome in Lexington.
David Partlett
Tuck contacted me about joining the Vestry recently. It is an honor to be asked to put my name forward. I understand that the congregation will need some greater background on my experience and skills that might make me a valuable member of the vestry; someone in whom you could place trust as our church faces the challenges in the years ahead.
Nan and I moved back to Lexington 18 months ago after an hiatus in Atlanta of eighteen years. We had been members of the church from 2000 to 20006 when I had been dean of the W&L Law School. During that period, I had served on the vestry when Farris Hodgkiss was so ably the Senior Warden. Nan and I joined All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Atlanta where we worshipped until we rejoined Grace. One of the joys of moving back to Lexington has been that reconnection. Both of us are now retired but still have a strong impetus to help further our Church’s mission in whatever capacity seems most effective. We have reconnected with many of you over the last 18 months. We hope to commit ourselves in the building of Christian community at Grace. We can do so much together guided by the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus.
Lori Rangel
My name is Lori Rangel, formerly Lori Apgar and I have called Lexington home since 1997. Shortly after, I moved my parents, grandmother and sister Kris here as well, in order to keep our family together. I raised my children here and watched them turn into adults that I am very proud of. I am sure there are still people at Grace who remember my parents, Doris and George and grandmother Flo. And if you sit close enough you've heard my sister Kris sing our hymns with gusto! As my parents and grandmother got older, I cared for them as well as for my children's grandfather, Harry, who moved to Lexington to be close to his grandchildren. Grace was there with prayers and support that ushered them to their heavenly home. My sister Kris is still an important part of my life and bringing her to Grace every Sunday gives both of us time each week to be involved in our church family. And that is what Grace is to me, a family that I care deeply about. Grace has become increasingly important to me now that my children have moved away to start their own stories. I am truly thankful for all that Grace has given to me. Now it's time for me to give back to Grace. I am honored to serve on the vestry and look forward to giving a small part back to a church family that has given so much to me and my family.
Please review the introductions of the four candidates for Bishop of Southwestern Virginia and to plan to meet them in person at Grace at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Advent Meditation Series
This Advent season, you are invited to join our Diocesan Advent Meditations, a three week online series offered live on Zoom Monday nights in Advent, beginning on Dec. 1 at 7:00p.m. Join us for this series to slow down, take time for silence and contemplation as we experience this special season.
We will center ourselves and prepare for the coming of the Christ child with quiet meditations using music, prayer, scripture, and brief reflections. We hope you will find this time to be meaningful and restorative.
A Few Spots Left: Journey to Bethlehem
Journey to Bethlehem is a participation activity for Grace families! Beginning the first day of Advent, November 30, a family can invite Mary and Joseph to spend the night at their house. They will come with a special prayer for the family to say to bless the home that offered hospitality. Take a photo with them and send it to Martha so she can post it on Facebook! You will then pass them along to the next family on the list.
If you would like to sign up to host Mary and Joseph at your home click the link to sign up!
St. Nicholas Day Appeal 2025
The 2025 St. Nicholas Day Appeal is underway. We invite and encourage our parishes to engage the promotional materials included below to promote this appeal in your bulletins and digital communications during the seasons of Advent and Epiphany.
The St. Nicholas collection will support Boys Home of Virginia’s growing extracurricular club program. The student-driven clubs give the young men the opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom and explore their personal interests in a structured, supportive environment. Each club was started by the students themselves, reflecting their creativity, initiative, and desire to build community.
They range from skateboard and bike clubs, which teach balance and perseverance, to the Lego and robotics clubs, where creativity meets problem-solving, each activity helps students develop confidence and leadership. The archaeology club connects them to history through hands-on discovery, while the drama club encourages self-expression, teamwork, and confidence on stage. The weightlifting, equine, and outdoor clubs provide healthy outlets for physical activity, teamwork, and personal growth. E-sports offers an opportunity for strategic thinking, digital collaboration, and friendly competition, while the cooking club teaches valuable life skills and the joy of preparing and sharing food together.
Funds from the St. Nicholas collection will directly enhance these programs by providing essential equipment and experiences—including skateboards, helmets, wrist and elbow pads, paintball gear, Lego kits, video game equipment, groceries, and more—as well as helping fund off-campus outings for each club.
These experiences not only enrich the students’ daily lives, but also strengthen their sense of purpose and belonging. By supporting our clubs, you help Boys Home engage the students in meaningful, growth-oriented activities that fulfill Boys Home’s mission: to help each young man reach his full potential.
Boys Home is deeply grateful for the continued generosity of the people of the Diocese and the enduring partnership that makes their mission possible.
Please consider faithfully how you might support this effort, either by donating online at www.dioswva.org or by mailing a check payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia with “St. Nicholas Day Appeal” marked in the memo to PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009.
Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect will pause while W&L and VMI are out of session. We'll see you in the new year!
5 p.m. Community Services
We are elated to invite you and your friends to our 5 p.m. Community Services. All are welcome.
December 14: Contemplative Service of Light in the Darkness
Note: There will be no 5 p.m. Service on December 28.
Clothes Closet at Christ Episcopal
The Clothes Closet at Christ Church, Buena Vista, continues to need girls winter clothing sizes 10-12, and silverware forks and spoons.. They are not accepting any other items at this time as they are chock full! The Clothes Closet is open every first and third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. until noon. You may drop your items off then. Alternately, you can bring your items to the Grace Episcopal Church office and Lisa will ensure your items are conveyed to the Clothes Closet. Thank you for your support of this valuable asset to our community.
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: Pray for Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray today for the people of Christ Church, Marion and their rector, the Rev. John Church. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Ned Henneman, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Carl Pattison, Virginia Poston (sister of Betsy Carter), Dot Fogo, David Austin (friend of the Keanes), Buddy Atkins, Stan Driver, Chris Clayton Syrrist (cousin of David Sorrells), Glen Jones, Charlotte & Mike Murphy, Jean & Mike Walsh, Cullen Bahr, Lane Hewett, Susan Martin, Carolyn, Nancy Hellwig, Dennis Coughlin, Mike Haire, Chuck & Biddy Watson, Rob Fleming, Patricia Williams, Richard Hay (nephew of the Partlett’s), Patty Irving Sensabaugh, Liz Moss & family, 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, Bill Gibson (brother of Keith Gibson), Elizabeth Jones (mother of Martha Burford).
In Thanksgiving for December Birthdays
12/6 Anna Crockett, Howard Pickett, Joanne Robblee
12/7 Jo McMurtry
12/9 John Knapp, Adelaide Simcoe
12/10 Sis Warner, Lynn Dent
12/12 M.J. Mayerchak
12/13 Anne Lamont
12/16 James R. Keane, Kay Glore
12/18 Robert Hull
12/19 Roger Crockett , Merce Brooke
12/23 Carol Gosse, Julianne Grimes, Betsy Carter
12/24 Jordan Kach
12/25 Harrison Edgar
12/27 Joy Harris
12/30 Maggie Lawrence, Willow Moles, Buddy Carter, Martha Robey
12/31 Grace Frascati
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