Life With Grace | July 11
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Jul 11
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Dear friends,
This Sunday we read a famous passage from the prophet Amos, ch 7, in which the image of a plumb line manifests the truth of God to which our religion and politics and ethics have become blind.
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the Good Samaritan parable as a sort of plumb line to clarify and focus our idea of God and the right way to live in obedience with God's eternal law.
Much of the time our attention is drawn to the hero in the parable, the character we familiarly call the Good Samaritan. But the cross reveals a complicated relationship in which God is both the victim and the redeemer who suffered persecution in order to save his persecutors and show the the truth about God.
This isn't to deny the goodness of the Samaritan and the importance of following the Samaritan's example. But it is to suggest that before we put ourselves in the shoes of the Samaritan we should see ourselves and our world through the experience of the victim who can do nothing to save himself.
The first right and true thing the victim can do is to accept the salvation that comes from beyond any power he has in himself. The second true thing the victim can do is to thank and praise his savior and physician. And the third true thing the victim can do is to follow the example of the risen Jesus who invites us to see and touch his wounds and accept his forgiveness as the manifestation of the plumb line for measuring the rest of our life.
With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Fifth Sunday after Pentecost | Proper 10 | Sunday, July 13th
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and on Zoom
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Taizé Eucharist | 5 p.m. | In-Person
A Celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Taize tradition of Contemplative Song and Prayer
Ceiling fans in the nave: Questions have been asked about using the ceiling fans in the nave during the summer months. Because they force the warm air that collects near the top of the nave downward, it negatively impacts the effectiveness of the air conditioning. Accordingly, the recommendation has been made to leave them off.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Coffee Hour
We have these Sundays available for coffee hour volunteers in July and August (7/27 & 8/10). Please consider helping with fellowship after the 10:30 a.m. service. We need 2 volunteers per date to provide snacks (for 50 people), set out and clean up afterward. Thank you for your time and talent!
Music in the Garden at Boxerwood
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 welcome.
July 18 The Late Night Stumblers
July 25 Fatty Lumpkin & The Love Hogs
August 8 Honest Labor
August 22 The Ruckus Bluegrass Band
September 5 Betty and the Hot Flashes
The Saint John's Bible Returns
It was such a wonderful experience having The Gospels and Book of Acts with us.
In mid-September, The Pentateuch volume of the Saint John's Bible will be arriving and staying with us up until Christmas.
We are hoping that some of our parishioners might like to be involved with this second "visit". Please let Joanne Robblee know if you want to volunteer and attend an initial planning meeting.
If you have questions, please contact Joanne Robblee at joannerobblee@gmail.com.
Renewing Grace Capital Campaign
At the amazing Kick-Off Celebration in late May, it was so exciting to hear that during the "quiet phase" of the Renewing Grace Capital Campaign that $1.517.331 had been raised. Tremendous thanks go to those members who made such generous pledges to support this endeavor.
The goal for the campaign is to raise $2.25 million dollars that will go towards much needed repairs and renovations to the Parish House. The priorities for this project are improved accessibility to the Parish House, handicap accessible bathrooms, energy efficient windows, HVAC, and lighting. We are also planning on refurbishing the Parish Hall, to make it more up to date.
Officially, we are now in the Public Phase, which truly involves everyone in the Grace community. We realize that individuals have different resources and means. Our hope is that every member will pledge something based on their ability to support the campaign. It is easy to think that this church is the responsibility of the rector, the Vestry, the Wardens, or different committees. The reality is that this church is the responsibility of each and every one of us. Please make the choice to support this campaign in whatever way you can.
Many thanks to everyone who has made a pledge or gift to the Renewing Grace Campaign:
Lori Apgar
Cecilia & John Arpin
Laurent & Elizabeth Boetsch
Tucker & Delea Bowerfind
Jane Brooke
Alexandra Brown
Madison & Katharine Brown
Ruth Brunner
LM & Elizabeth Carter
David & Marjorie Connolly
R. David & Melissa Cox
Marlys & Ed Craun
Roger & Anna Crockett
Dennis & Susan Cross
Susan Denson
Lynwood & Carol Dent
Gail Dick
John & Gail Dickerson
Langston & Page Donkle
Jonathan Eastwood & Maria Nava
Cary & Will Edgar
Donald & Claudia Ellis
Carole Elmore
James & Katharine Farrar
Matthew Fogo, Kevin Manning & Dot Fogo
Anzolette Pendleton Gadsden Trust
Timothy & Catharine Gaylard
Rene' Glidden
Thomas & Carol Gosse
David & Anne F Grizzle
Margaret Haberman
Woody & Becky Hall
David & Anne Hansen
Sandy & Catherine Harcus
Heather & Hunter Hawley
Anne Hershbell
Harold & Kathryn Hill
Judy Hotchkiss
Benjamin & Laurie Huger
Patrick & Phyllis Hugg
Virginia Jardim
James & Darlene Keane
Suzanne Keen
William & Kathy Kozak
Sharon & Frederick Kurtz
A.W. “Buster” & Signe Lewis
Maurice & Julia Littlefield
Bill & Barbara Luton
Mary Jane Mayerchak
William McCorkle
Patrick & Lisa McGuire
Josephine McMurtry
John & Drusilla Milford
Susan Minor
Elizabeth Moss
Grigg & Cindy Mullen
Ann & Jerry Nay
David O'Connor & Linda Merrick
Anita Ogard & George Strickland (in honor of Tom & Paul Strickland)
Elizabeth & Bill Oliver
David & Nan Partlett
David & Jeanne Passmore
Michael Perry
Steve & Peggy Riethmiller
Joanne & Paul Robblee
Martha & Donald Robey
Rose & Connor Rothermel
Woodson & Lori Sadler
William Sayre & Melissa Gladwell-Sayre
Judy Schram
Maurice Seaton
Frank Settle, Jr. & Cecile West-Settle
Marjorie Sherrill
Steve & Susan Shultis
Hampden & Aine Smith
James & Ruth Smith
Stephen & Janice Straske
Paul Strickland
Elizabeth Tracy
David Wade
Kent & Mary Wilson
Michael & Beverly Wirtz
To learn more about the Renewing Grace campaign and its priorities, and to make a gift or pledge online, visit www.givingsites.com/renewinggrace/.
Renewing Grace Capital Campaign House Parties
The Renewing Grace Capital Campaign committee themed parties to celebrate our fellowship and on-going commitment to God and community have been successful. We have two parties left, July 20 and August 10. If you have not attended a party and you would like to join in the fun, we have a few spots left! You can sign up by clicking the link below. Thank you!
Sunday for Sundaes - hosted by Joanne & Paul Robblee.
Family Backyard BBQ - hosted by Phyllis & Pat Hugg, Sarah & Scott Centorino.
Bakers Wanted for the Community Table
Please contact Virginia Cooke at 348-5367 if interested!
Clothes Closet at Christ Episcopal
The Clothes Closet at Christ Church, Buena Vista, continues to need girls' clothing sizes 10-18, winter clothes only and boys summer clothing, sizes 10-12.. 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 am until noon. You may drop your items off then. Alternately, you can bring your items to the Grace 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 Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray for the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Pray today for the people of St. Thomas, Bedford County. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Diana Kenney, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Ned Henneman, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Grace, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Justin, Rodrigo, Wes O’Dell and family, Virginia Poston (sister of Betsy Carter), Dot Fogo, Roger Baroody, David Austin (friend of the Keanes), Buddy Atkins, George Collier, Rosemary Phillips (sister of Paul Robblee), Patricia Williams, Emily & Luke Child, Rebecca Robblee (daughter-in-law of Joanne & Paul), Andy Wolfe, Mike, Margy & Aaron Haire (Susan Cross’ brother and family), Stan Driver, Chris Clayton Syrrist (cousin of David Sorrells), Pat Hugg, Christopher, Reed, Glen Jones, Anne Hershbell, Charlotte & Mike Murphy, Peter Bowerfind, Jean & Mike Walsh, Erin Daunic, 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 John Repulski (Episcopal musician and friend of Martha.)
In Thanksgiving for July Birthdays
7/11 Elizabeth Grist, Mary Wilson Grist, Mary Wilson
7/13 Jackson Hotchkiss
7/14 Bethany Hull
7/15 Linda Merrick
7/17 Kris Hoolahan
7/18 Carla Henson
7/19 Jeff Mason
7/20 Lisa Tracy
7/21 Catharine Gaylard
7/23 Miss D Penick
7/28 Paul Robblee, Su Minor
7/29 John Brooke, Holly Pickett, Jonathan Eastwood, Woody Hall
7/31 Margaret Haberman
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