
Dear Friends,
For the next five Sundays our lectionary readings turn to the Bread of Life discourse in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. This Sunday we see the sign of the feeding of the 5000 that sets the table for the rest of the Bread of Life discourse.
The feeding of the 5000 is recounted by all four gospels. In each telling there are meager provisions - five loaves and two fish - for feeding thousands of people in the wilderness.Â
You know in many ways we are in a wilderness like Palestine. Complex structures of ecological destruction, militarism, racism, and sexism oppress and displace millions. If we are not among those killed, displaced, or oppressed we are likely "benefitting" in seen and unseen ways from the injustice they suffer.
What does responsible action for a better world look like when the solutions are so beyond our personal efforts? It isn't about miraculously providing a solution. It isn't even about solving the problem. We cannot feed everyone, end all armed conflict, transform the economy into one that does not destroy the environment or exploit women and children of foreign countries.
Responsible action accepts the improbability of solving the problems that confront us and to act anyway, seeking God's blessing, and using the limited provisions available.
The feeding of the 5000 is a sign to us of responsible action. Despair is not considered. Jesus takes what is available, asks God's blessing , and gets to work with his disciples for the sake of a world in which every creature is safe and free by God's grace not only to be fed what they need to survive, but to be fed abundantly, so that each creature can enjoy life as they want to live.
With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him) Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
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 | Tenth Sunday after Pentecost | Proper Twelve | Sunday, July 28
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Christianity and Culture
Sunday, July 28 - Our First Mission: College Students. David Cox will share insights about the history of Grace with the nearby colleges over the years. Then Stephen Lowe and Michael McLaughlin will share the exciting plans they have for the upcoming year for our college ministry.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
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.Â
Barney will tell the story of Buddhism's beginnings and introduce a direct experience of its most powerful practice
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 Lunch coordinated by Susan Lawrence
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!
Letter to President Biden from the Presiding Bishop
Dear President Biden,
 Over the past many months, The Episcopal Church has engaged with your Administration and many members of Congress about the ongoing violence in the Middle East. We have been grateful for the ongoing communication with senior members of the National Security Council and the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Our Church has strong ties to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, also a member of the global Anglican Communion. We have raised concerns again and again about attacks against al Ahli Arab Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. We have expressed our horror at the loss of civilian life, Israeli and Palestinian, and have urged the U.S. government to use all the leverage it can to call for a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian access, the release of hostages, and an end to the death and suffering of innocent civilians, including children.
Just last month, The Episcopal Church’s governing body passed a number of resolutions on Israel and Palestine, urging on all to call on your administration to take strong and decisive action. We share these calls below, and urge you to do everything in your power to move forward with not only a ceasefire plan, but to ensure a sustained commitment to the people of Gaza as they rebuild, as well as accountability for human rights abuses, violence, and illegal land seizures.Â
Our Church recognizes the moral and legal obligations of the United States to the people of Gaza, given the role of the United States in providing military aid and diplomatic support for the war. The Episcopal Church opposes any military aid in violation of human rights (Resolution D012), and we must be prepared join in historic levels of aid and investment to fund the restoration and rebuilding of Gaza (D009). We call for an immediate ceasefire (D056) as well as the release of all unjustly detained prisoners with a future ensuring equal rights and peace (D007). Â
The United States has a capacity that is unique to pressure the Israel government to make urgent changes now. Ahead of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit, we ask that the U.S. do the following:Â
• Push for an immediate and sustained ceasefireÂ
• Indicate a willingness to halt U.S. security assistance to Israel and force accountability of human rights violationsÂ
• Find a way forward to fund UNRWAÂ
• Push for an end to the detention of Palestinians who are unjustly held without charges or trialÂ
We recognize your longstanding support of Israel, but call on you to recognize that we cannot continue with this level of impunity, with assurances of change but ongoing violence and killing of civilians, targeting of medical facilities and staff, and bombing of refugee camps, UN facilities, and hospitals. Please take this moment and use the power of the U.S. government to ensure Israel makes meaningful changes and to push forward a way of peace in the region.Â
Sincerely, Â
The Most Reverend Michael Bruce CurryÂ
Presiding Bishop & PrimateÂ
The Episcopal ChurchÂ
Regarding The Winter Star and Extra Events for Young People
The group heading up The Winter Star met this week, and with very few registrations for participation, we changed course. Here are our outcomes:
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
The Philadelphia 11
June 29 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of "The Philadelphia 11," the first eleven women to be ordained to priesthood in The Episcopal Church. Kinema and The Episcopal Church are making it possible to watch the documentary "The Philadelphia 11"  for $11.00.
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)Â 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.Â
Examples of Services:Â
Meals on Wheels for homebound adults age 60+Â
Medicare Options CounselingÂ
VPAS Cafes in Buena Vista, Lexington, and Goshen for socialization and lunch
Senior Transportation to medical appointmentsÂ
Activities such as Line Dancing, Seated Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pickers Strings Group
Info about financial assistance programs
Caregiver support and trainingÂ
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 July 26 (rescheduled due to weather: The Pickup Band), 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.
The Community Table
The Community Table serves a hot meal each week to families and individuals in need. Our bakers are getting tired and need some support. Could any of your congregations donate monthly? Mondays, desserts for 150 (cakes, brownies, cookies, seasonal). Once a month or on a quarterly rotation. Or once a year would take a little burden off our current crew. We can set a schedule. Thank you so much. I know many of you already support TCT through donations, volunteers and more. We appreciate your ongoing support to uplift and strengthen those in need in our community.
Prayers for Peace in the Holy Land
A Note from Tuck:
I am writing to ask for your prayers for a de-escalation of violence between Israeli and Palestinian people and for return to the challenging work of building a sustainable and lasting peace.
I have reached out to the current student director of Hillel House, the Chaplain at VMI, and the director of Student Services at W&L to express our support of Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim students.
I encourage you to reach out to your Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim friends in recognition that this crisis creates the conditions for increased anti-semitic and anti-muslim behavior, as well the strong likelihood that they or someone close to them has been impacted by this crisis.
Finally, please read the following statement by the Episcopal Church and the accompanying statement by Churches for Middle East Peace.
Pray for peace.
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 Lay Employees and Volunteers of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. 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, Bob Lera, 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.
In Thanksgiving for July and August Birthdays
7/28Â Â Paul Robblee, Su Minor
7/29Â Â John Brooke, Jonathan Eastwood
7/31Â Â Margaret Haberman
8/1Â Â Â Â Â Alexandra Brown, David Cox, Henry Porter
8/3Â Â Â Â Â Joshua Henson
8/5Â Â Â Â Â Â Rissie Murphy
8/6Â Â Â Â Â Â Michele Hentz, Kaydance Sadler
8/8Â Â Â Â Â Greg Lemmer, Carol Dent
8/10Â Â David Partlett
8/11 Â Â Mimi Knight
8/14Â Â Â Gerry Locher, Nick Murphy, Kathy Kozak
8/17Â Â Â Kent Wilson
8/18Â Â Â Luke Camp
8/20Â Â Â Marjorie Connolly
8/21Â Â Â Lena Simcoe
8/26Â Â Â Elaine Nelson
8/28Â Â Â David Howison
8/30Â Â Â Barton Dick
8/31Â Â Â 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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