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Life With Grace | June 13

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

An Episcopal priest stands at the altar mid-sermon, hands raised in blessing, during a church service. He is dressed in white vestments, with two acolytes or assisting clergy standing behind him, also in white robes. The altar is adorned with a decorative cloth and lit candles, and a gold cross and lectern are visible. Behind the altar, large pipe organ structures and stained glass windows frame the scene in warm, reverent light.
Welcoming the stranger is not a partisan act—it’s a sacred obligation, the heart of God's call to us.

Dear friends,

Trinity Sunday celebrates the fullness of the revelation of God to the world.  One of the things clearly revealed to us from Advent through the Day of Pentecost is that God takes the initiative to come to us, to seek and serve us, to prepare a place for us, to prepare us for that place. So that God can share God's life fully with us, through us. 

Our presiding Bishop Sean Rowe wrote to the church on Wednesday to encourage us to advocate for federal spending that safeguards the welfare of the most vulnerable; care for immigrants and refugees in our congregations and communities; and stand in solidarity with other faith groups.   This is not a call to partisan politics.  


Welcoming the stranger is not a partisan act—it’s a sacred obligation, the heart of God's call to us. Using the sacred rights of citizenship to advocate for, stand with, protect, and serve the vulnerable is not partisan, it is neighborly, human, civil.  

Welcoming the stranger plays out in many different ways.

On Monday night Grace will host a legal clinic being offered by Project Horizon for local immigrants who want to better understand their rights.  At the same time a few Grace members will be feeding hikers from the Appalachian Trail at St. John's, Glasgow while other Grace members will partner with members of other churches to serve the Community Dinner at RARA.  

We always welcome everyone who comes to receive the love of God, the gifts of God, the food of God, the sanctuary of God.


With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)

Rector | Grace Episcopal Church




Worship Services | First Sunday after Pentecost | Trinity Sunday | Sunday, June 15


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




Evensong | 5 p.m. | In-Person

As seen in the News Gazette

Choral Evensong will conclude the celebration of Trinity Sunday at Grace Episcopal Church, Lexington this week at 5 p.m.    The entire community is welcome to attend.

            Featured music will include as anthem a setting of the hymn, “Thy Strong Word,” by Robert Roth, whose brother George was for four decades the organist and choir director at the parish.  The choir will sing responses recently composed by Gabriel Rhys Simerson, director of music ministries at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ivy.  Canticles include a Magnificat by the English composer Sir Henry Walford Davies who, among other positions was Master of the King’s Singers from 1934-1941.  From the Orthodox tradition, a Kievian chant will serve as the Nunc Dimittis. psalms, hymns, and anthems performed in concert form and as part of an evening service of worship.

Directing the choir and playing the organ will be Jonathan Clawson, who often served in those capacities while singing with the choir as a choral scholar during his time as a student at Southern Virginia University.  Following his graduation from a masters’ program at East Carolina University, he has served this year as interim director of choral activities at SVU.

 Choral Evensong, in the Anglican tradition, is the sung version of the office of Evening Prayer.  Derived from medieval monastic tradition, it is primarily comprised of scripture including psalms, canticles which are biblical songs, and prayers.  Long considered one of the treasures of the Anglican Communion, Evensong has drawn increasing appreciation in England, where it has been a fixture of cathedrals, college chapels, and some parishes, and in the US.

            Trinity Sunday will also be observed at the two morning services, at 8 and 10:30 a.m.  Grace Church is located at 123 West Washington Street, at the corner of Lee Avenue.


Jonathan Clawson will be the organist for the next few weeks while Martha is in England. Please welcome him back to Grace!

Six smiling adults pose inside a church with arched stained glass windows; one person holds a tablet displaying a group video call with additional participants.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.

In-Person & Zoom

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.

A Thank you to Michael McLaughlin
A young man in choir robes holds up a framed painting of a church, smiling as he presents it to a group of seated clergy. The painting features a stone church with a tree in front and a group of people gathered near its entrance. The older men, also in white robes over black cassocks, watch with smiles and interest. The setting appears to be a formal presentation or celebration in a church hall, with white columns and soft lighting in the background.

A few weeks ago, we thanked Michael McLaughlin for being part of our Grace community with a gift from the choir: a Grace Church painting by David Connolly. 

Through Hikers Dinners

St John's Glasgow welcomes Appalachian Trail through hikers for dinner every Monday night in May and June. In recent years Grace has hosted two of these dinners. This year it would help St John's if we would prepare and serve hikers dinner on June 16 and 23. Please let Tuck know if you would like to help.

Renewing Grace Capital Campaign




Renewing Grace Capital Campaign House Parties

The Renewing Grace Capital Campaign committee has come up with themed parties to celebrate our fellowship and on-going commitment to God and community. If you were unable to attend our kick-off party to sign up to attend one of these fun parties, you can sign up by clicking the link below. Please choose and sign up for one party only. Thank you!



Family Picnic - hosted by Anne & Dave Hansen


Dark & Stormy Cocktails - hosted by Carol & Tom Gosse


Summer evening on the patio - hosted by Cecile & Frank Settle


Wine & Cheese - hosted by Su Minor, Peggy Riethmiller & Catherine Harcus


Casual Brunch - hosted by Gail & John Dickerson


Sunday for Sundaes - hosted by Joanne & Paul Robblee


Family Backyard BBQ - hosted by Phyllis & Pat Hugg, Sarah & Scott Centorino.




3rd Annual White Street Block Party

INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL

JULY 4TH - 5:00 PM TO 8:30 PM

COMMUNITY PARTY & COOKOUT & LIVE MUSIC & FUN!

WHERE TO GO? White St. between Jefferson St. & Jackson Ave.

Burgers & Hot Dogs for all (or bring items for us to cook)

BYOB (or wine/drinks) - ice & water provided

Side Dishes, open tables & chairs (bring folding chairs)

Helping Ukrainian Families

Please consider helping this humanitarian outreach. The group has engaged an immigration attorney to guide the Ukrainian families, that were helped by Hosting Ukrainian Families, through the rules and regulations that could provide a safeguard from deportation. Donate HERE.

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. 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. Peter’s, Altavista. 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), Ellen Fure, 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), Cary & Sarah Edgar who are hiking the El Camino, Pat Hugg, Christopher, Reed, 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 June Birthdays

6/13  Michael Wirtz

6/15  Michelle Mackie

6/16  Judy Schram

6/17  John Thomas Loughhead

6/18  Alden Mastin, Matthew Fogo

6/20  Susan Lawrence, David Grizzle

6/22  Morgan Roper

6/24  Sandy Harcus

6/29  Lu Dooley, Michael Finnell

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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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