Life With Grace | July 24
- Grace Episcopal Church
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
Dear Friends,
The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a person who finds a hidden treasure. They sell everything they have, and then buy the field in order to possess the treasure.
It's a pretty duplicitous self-interested story. It wouldn't seem to have anything to do with the love, mercy, and grace of God.
But I often meet people who tell me they were completely self involved, even criminal, or addicted to something. The possibility of God, the grace of God, the acceptance and blessing of God, the power of God was not something they ever thought about or wanted. And then for some reason, somehow, they discovered it, sometimes as the only light left in the darkness of their life.
They finally heard the gospel - that powerful story of God's loving will to send his beloved Son to live and die for us, to reclaim our souls from the prison of nihilism, self involvement, and despair for a life lived in the spirit and light of Christ for others.
The gospel story that had probably washed over them for a couple hundred Sundays or fifty Christmases and Easters is suddenly revealed as a treasure.
Suddenly they are ready to trade in their self absorbed addicted lifestyle for the hope of a life formed by the love, mercy, and grace of God, redeemed by the blood of the lamb who gave himself in love for us.
Not that everything changes in an instant. It takes time to learn to live. Maybe you go to meetings. And it takes a few years. But something has changed, of a sudden, just like that. All of a sudden a person sees what has been lying around out in the open for anyone to take. The love of God. A fire starts. A seed cracks open. The old life is over. A new life begins.
It's like that.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Ninth Sunday after Pentecost | July 26
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
July 26 | Chapter 4 and Conclusion | Alexandra Brown
“When in Romans:” Christianity and Culture, Four Sessions and a Film!
All Sundays in July at 9:15 am.
We are currently working through Paul’s Letter to the Romans in the lectionary. This “magisterial” letter (as it is sometimes called) is associated with the conversions of both Saint Augustine in the 5th c and Martin Luther in the 16th. Key themes in it (e.g., justification by faith) are fundamental to the development of and controversies within the church, East and West, Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox.
Romans is written from Corinth to a congregation or congregations that Paul did not found in Rome, a city he anticipates visiting for the first time. He is introducing himself and setting out for a new audience what he takes to be the radical heart of the gospel. It is for him a matter of profound urgency for the future of the church that the good news he offers here be heard in its fullness. That message is sometimes missed in our atomized lectionary readings of the letter. And if we miss the through-lines of his argument, we may also miss the provocative and liberating news he delivers.
In her accessible and short (!) book When in Romans Beverly Roberts Gaventa (Emerita Distinguished Professsor of New Testament, Baylor University and Emerita Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary) offers to a wide, nonspecialist, Christian audience what she calls “an invitation to linger with the Gospel according to Paul.” Attentive to the throughlines of his argument and to features of Paul’s style and vocabulary, she guides us through the letter, allowing us to see the whole and with it the radical heart of Paul’s gospel. Her vivid prose, her sensitivity not only to Paul’s culture, but to ours, and her exegetical clarity bring Paul’s revolutionary rethinking of the relation of God to the world to us afresh.
For four Sundays in July, you are invited to join Christianity and Culture in reading and discussion of Gaventa’s book. We’ll set the scene as she does in the book, with a viewing of the Terrence Malick film, The Tree of Life on Sunday, June 28 at 5 pm. (Pizza provided!). And don’t be surprised to find Gaventa referring to Bob Dylan (“Gotta Serve Somebody”) or Bruce Springsteen (“Land of Hopes and Dreams”) as present day interpreters of the letter. Fr. Tuck, Anne Hanson, Cecile West-Settle and Alexandra Brown will be facilitators of discussion. You are encouraged to get the book and read along for maximum enjoyment!
Beverly Roberts Gaventa, When in Romans: An invitation to linger with the Gospel according to Paul (Baylor University Press, 2016).
Upcomiong Christianity and Culture Classes
August 2 | Race at Grace | Julie Charles
August 9 | Renewing Grace Mural and Windows and Finance | Tuck Bowerfind and Others
August 16 | Rockbridge Faith Works | Ray Higgins
August 23 | Rat Sunday/Sabbatical
August 30 | Jonathan Daniels Day – Adopt-a-Rat | Breakfast & Calling Home
September 6 | Renewing Grace Transition Plan | Wardens
September 13 | Marc Nikkel & CATE (Children Aspiring to Education) | Susan Mead & MJ Mayerchek | Celebrating the passion embodied by Marc Nikkel for educating South Sudanese youth, this session will highlight parishioners' efforts to carry on his legacy, particularly at Hope House International and the Kelly Academy of Hope.
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | YouTube and In-Person
The nursery is available during our services.
Adults and older youth trained in Safe Church are needed to assist in the nursery from 9 a.m.–noon. We can pay $15/hour. Volunteers also welcome. Please contact James Keane for more information and to offer assistance.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
Zoom and In-Person
The Mission and Outreach Committee of the Gadsden Trust
Third quarter grant requests must be received by noon on September 1, 2026. The online Gadsden Trust Grant Application can be completed by going to the Grace Episcopal Church website at www.gracelexva.org. Once on the Grace website, click on the “Grants” tab and then the Gadsden Grants tab. The completed application will automatically be sent to the Gadsden Committee.
Gadsden Committee meetings are open to members of the parish.
Renewing Grace Meetings
As we approach the Phase 2 construction of new accessible toilet rooms, HVAC, and full renovation of the Parish Hall, I invite you to take the opportunity to listen to each other with regard to three small design elements.
This Sunday, July 26 from noon to 12:30 pm in the Parish Hall (in person and via Zoom) I invite comments about the new "Welles" conference room and the Junkin Mural. At Christianity and Culture, 9:15 - 10:15 am Sunday, August 9, there will be an additional opportunity to listen to comments about the remaining leaded glass windows and the gender designations of the toilet rooms. Sunday, August 16 9:15 - 10:15 am there will be a presentation on the financing of Phase 2 and the program continuity plan during the Parish House closure September 18-March 21, 2027.
The Welles Conference Room and Junkin Mural (July 26)
The Renewing Grace plan, approved by the Vestry in January 2025 calls for a new conference room in the northwest corner of the first floor, created by combining the current children's chapel with the current program director's office. This large (420 sq ft) light-filled room would include the current "Welles Library", appropriate new and reupholstered furnishings, and built-in AV support for meetings of Vestry and other groups. To create this space, the 1963 mural painted by W&L art professor Marion Junkin onto plaster on the wall of the children's chapel has to be destroyed along with the entire wall that divides the chapel and office. I will be able to share the digital photography of the mural taken by W&L Academic Technologist Mickie Brown for archival purposes and we will take time to listen to comments about the merits of both the mural and the conference room.
The Vestry will make a final decision about the conference room and the mural at the July 28 meeting.
Windows (August 9)
The Renewing Grace plan calls for preserving the current appearance of the building facade by rebuilding the street facing leaded glass windows of the Parish House. Since the Marvin Ultimate windows have been installed, many people have expressed an interest in changing the plan and replacing the remaining leaded glass windows with the Marvin windows.
Toilet Room Gender Designation (August 9)
The Renewing Grace plan assumes that the toilet rooms will be designated male and female in order to provide for two users in each room at the same time. Some people have expressed a preference for single use, lockable, gender neutral toilet rooms.
On August 9 we will listen to comments about the merits of the options for the windows and the toilet rooms. The Vestry will make final decisions about these items at the August 22 meeting.
Note: On August 16 at Christianity and Culture we will have a report on the financing of Phase 2 and describe the plan for ensuring continuity of programming once the Parish House closes in mid September.
As we have these conversations it is important to remember that Renewing Grace is a process for increasing the accessibility, dependability, and beauty of the Parish House for the sake of the work God is calling us to do. We each deserve to be respected and heard during the process. But we also have to take into account the needs of many who we will never hear from - people who are not yet members of Grace, the community we serve and which relies on our buildings for programming support, and future generations. And finally, we always have to remember that our relationships, how we listen to and respect each other, is generally far more important than the outcome of any decision.
Rockbridge NAACP Event
Rockbridge NAACP Members welcome Kentucky Poet Laureate & 2014 NAACP Image Award Recipient, Frank X. Walker to the Freedom Fund 2026 Fundraiser "A Peaceful Struggle for Justice" (Medgar Evers, 1963) - Honoring Tammy Dunn. Saturday, August 22, 1:30 p.m. at the Virginia Horse Center, 487 Maury River Road, Lexington. Donations can be made by check and mailed to: Rockbridge NAACP, P.O. Box 1065, Lexington, VA 24450. For more information email Susan Mead at susanvirginiamead@gmail.com. To donate online go to RockbridgeNAACP.com
Music in the Garden at Boxerwood
Join us in the Boxerwood field on select Fridays May - September for this family-friendly concert series. For more than ten years, neighbors have gathered at Boxerwood on warm summer evenings to enjoy great local music in a relaxing atmosphere. The concerts are kid and pet-friendly, affordable, easily accessible, and welcoming to all.
The gate opens at 5:30 p.m. so that early arrivers can meet up with friends to picnic, socialize, or get a bite to eat. Musicians take the stage at 6:30 p.m. and conclude at 8:00 p.m. as the sun goes down. A food truck is on site at each show. Admission to Music in the Garden is free for kids and current Boxerwood members and $5 per adult for non-members. There's no charge for parking. We have handicapped parking and the terrain is suitable for wheelchairs.
To view the bands and plan your visit, check out our Calendar.
Upcoming Art Exhibit
Grace Church member David Connolly, is featured in a new exhibit at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Craft Center, 539 Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge. The exhibit runs into August. We hope you can visit this watercolor exhibition, a mixture of realistic scenes and abstract paintings.
The Art Center is located at 539 Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge. The phone is 540.862.4447.
RARA Food Pantry Service Projects
Every August, the Rockbridge Jewish Community partners with Blueberry Hill Farm to organize a series of service projects where participants pick blueberries to be donated to the RARA Food Pantry. This year, we are including more groups from our community, and would like to have an interfaith gleaning on August 10. Doing good together is a great way to build bridges among various faith groups!
Monday, August 10, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Blueberry Hill Farm
569 Still House Rd. (off 60 West)
Bring your own picking bucket.
Not a time for picking for personal use (farm is closed to the public).
Subject to rain cancellation.
Join us for a fun and meaningful way to spend a summer evening in a beautiful location!
Music at Lexington Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, July 29at 12 noon at Lexington Presbyterian
Adam Williams, tenor/guitar. Classic songs from the 60s and early-to-mid 70s, featuring songs by Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and more. You are cordially invited.
Piano Recital, Sunday, August 2, 3 p.m. at Lexington Presbyterian. William Hsieh, music of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin.
Food for Pets of RARA Clients
We are collecting 8- or 10-pound bags of dry or wet dog, puppy, cat, and kitten food for pets of RARA clients.
Any brand is welcome, but please choose regular diets.
Donations may be delivered inside the RARA Neighborhood Market at 350 Spotswood Drive, Lexington, during the following drop-off times:
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
If these times are not convenient, donations may also be dropped off at the parish office.
For questions, please email Susan Cross.
Clothes Closet at Christ Episcopal
The Clothes Closet at Christ Church, Buena Vista, needs new men's briefs and boxer shorts and women's underwear - all sizes, men's collarless tee shirts in all sizes, men's shorts, jeans, pants sizes 30 to 36, and new or gently used men's socks. 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.
Upcoming Funeral
Jimbo Smith Funeral, Saturday, July 25 at 11 a.m. and online followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
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 Diocese of Southwestern Virginia and our Bishop The Rt. Rev. Bishop Karin’s McPhail. Pray for the
people of St. Mark’s, Clifford and their rector, The Rev. Allison Caudill.
Pray for God’s blessing on the peacemaking labor of Anthony Poggo, former bishop of the South Sudanese diocese of Kajo-Kejil and now serving as Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, and Ezekiel Kondo, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, and Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.
Pray for Brendon, Timmy, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Kent Wilson, Jerry & Ann Nay,
Paula Cooper, Sharon Humphreys, Elizabeth Klein, Dot Fogo, Buddy Atkins, Dennis Coughlin, Rob Fleming, Patty Irving Sensabaugh, Gerry Locher, Mo Littlefield, Tena Clark, Shay Peters, Meg Moss, Steve Lawrence, Patricia Williams, Peggy Matheson, Al Hipp (nephew of Virginia Cooke), Sid, Allison Williams, Neil Treger & Michelle Ludwig, Biddy & Chuck Watson, Sue Denson, Anne Hershbell, Michelle Mackie, Gary Steinmiller (cousin of Darlene Keane), Virginia Cooke, and those we name aloud or in our hearts.
Pray for the people living in war, pray for cessation of violence, and for reconciliation, and peace.
Pray for those who have died.
In Thanksgiving for July and August Birthdays
7/28 Paul Robblee, Su Minor
7/29 John Brooke, Holly Pickett, Jonathan Eastwood, Woody Hall
7/31 Margaret Haberman
8/1 Alexandra Brown, R. David Cox, Henry Porter
8/3 Joshua Henson, Katharine Brown
8/6 Michele Hentz, Kaydance Sadler
8/8 Greg Lemmer, Carol Dent
8/10 David Partlett
8/11 Mimi Knight, Gabi Eastwood
8/14 Gerry Locher, Kathy Kozak, David O'Connor
8/15 Uncas McThenia
8/17 Kent Wilson
8/18 Luke Camp
8/20 Marjorie Connolly
8/21 Lena Simcoe
8/26 Elaine Nelson
8/28 David Howison
8/29 Pierson Hotchkiss
8/31 Pat Gibson
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