Dear Friends,
This Sunday at 10:30 a.m. please join us at Jordan's point for a celebration of Holy Eucharist under the pavilion beside the Maury followed by a picnic lunch including Kenny's fried chicken and sides you bring to share...
The church staff will provide desserts. If the weather happens to be inclement, we will worship in the nave and have our picnic in the Parish Hall.
Our readings this time of year focus us on what it means to live fruitful and holy lives, and how we can do it. Our faith does not offer us any illusions. God does not promise lives free of conflict, challenge, or heartbreak if we believe in Jesus. What God does promise is to be with us, even to dwell with us by the Holy Spirit, and work with us to transform our lives from despair to joy,
We see how that can be true when we look at the lives of friends, neighbors, parents, siblings, children. None of whom are perfect or free from hardship. But who, with God's help, trusting in God's Word, pick up their lives with courage and hope and bear witness to the power of the Spirit, the power of Love working in and with and through us. You need not look far. You don't need to gaze at distant stars. You don't need to search through ancient history. You can see them in your own house, among your neighbors, sitting beside you in the pew or walking beside you on the sidewalk or trail.
We live broken lives in a broken world, but God's love, God's Word, God's Spirit is never broken. And with our help, our trust, our hope and love, God keeps transforming us into works of surpassing beauty and holiness. You show me that every day.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him/his)
Rector, Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Proper 7 | Sunday, June 25
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
Jordan's Point Park
This year, instead of Lake Robertson, we are gathering at Jordan’s Point for a 10:30 service of Holy Eucharist under the pavilion followed by a picnic. The change of location is to provide easier access to parishioners who would like to join in the service and picnic, but are unable to travel to Lake Robertson. The church will provide fried chicken, dessert and water. Please bring a lawn chair, blanket and your favorite salad or side dish to share! (The 8 a.m. service will remain at Grace, there will be no Christianity and Culture.)
Community Sing | 5 p.m.
Courtyard (undercroft if rain)
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Singing at the Mayflower
On Thursday, June 22, some members of Grace and friends held a Hymn Sing at The Mayflower. Several residents sang along—some knew hymns by heart! Stay tuned for our next visit to a residential home.
Camp Grace: “Make Us Instruments of Peace.”
This Sunday at 10:30 a.m. please join us at Jordan's point for a celebration of Holy Eucharist under the pavilion beside the Maury followed by a picnic lunch including Kenny's fried chicken and sides you bring to share...
The church staff will provide desserts. If the weather happens to be inclement, we will worship in the nave and have our picnic in the Parish Hall.
Our readings this time of year focus us on what it means to live fruitful and holy lives, and how we can do it. Our faith does not offer us any illusions. God does not promise lives free of conflict, challenge, or heartbreak if we believe in Jesus. What God does promise is to be with us, even to dwell with us by the Holy Spirit, and work with us to transform our lives from despair to joy,
We see how that can be true when we look at the lives of friends, neighbors, parents, siblings, children. None of whom are perfect or free from hardship. But who, with God's help, trusting in God's Word, pick up their lives with courage and hope and bear witness to the power of the Spirit, the power of Love working in and with and through us. You need not look far. You don't need to gaze at distant stars. You don't need to search through ancient history. You can see them in your own house, among your neighbors, sitting beside you in the pew or walking beside you on the sidewalk or trail.
We live broken lives in a broken world, but God's love, God's Word, God's Spirit is never broken. And with our help, our trust, our hope and love, God keeps transforming us into works of surpassing beauty and holiness. You show me that every day.
Faithfully,
Camp Grace Planning Team
Independence Day Celebration
July 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. block party on White St (between Jackson Ave. and Jefferson St.) Community party & cookout band music, food & fun! Burgers & hot dogs for all (or bring alt. item for us to cook) BYOB & side dish (open tables & chairs or bring folding chairs)
Labyrinth Presentation and Community Labyrinth Walk
Sunday July 02, 2023 | 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Come learn about the history of labyrinths and practice of labyrinth walking. We'll meet in the Parish Hall for a brief presentation, and then take a guided walk together on the garden labyrinth located just behind the sanctuary.
Upcoming "Music in the Garden" Concerts at Boxerwood
The garden is loving the rain, but not so much for outdoor music. Unfortunately with forecasted rain this evening and a very soggy field, we have decided to cancel tonight's Music in the Garden. We will schedule a rain date if the band is available. In the meantime, enjoy our unseasonably cool weather and some respite from the drought.
Upcoming Music Events
The Mission and Outreach Committee of the Gadsden Trust
Third quarter grant requests can be sent to Gail Dickerson, Chair, and must be received by September 1, 2023. The Gadsden Trust grant request application can be found here. The third quarter meeting of The Mission and Outreach Committee of the Gadsden Trust is scheduled for September 12, 2023, at 4 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Bellfry Strength for the Journey Retreat
July 7–9 will be our summer retreat time at the Bellfry in Lexington, Virginia. Registration is now open! Please remember, space is limited and we do fill up quickly. Registering early will secure a space for those who wish to attend. Would you prayerfully ask the Lord who among those you know, who might be in need of such a refreshing weekend and then invite them? Perhaps there is someone you would like for me to contact. Simply provide their contact information and I will reach out. Of course you are always welcome to return if you need a refresh and connect deeper with God. God has been faithful to this ministry over the years and He continues to provide comfort and reassurance of His presence and He continues to meet so many where they are on their life journey. Supporting each other during difficult times is important. Visit our website here.
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: The Presiding Bishop Michael Curry who is undergoing medical treatment. The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the Corporations of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, Trustees of the Funds, SVEF and SEH. Pray for Brendon (friend of the Brooke family), Michael Murphy, John Thomas, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin (friends of the Gibsons), Gloria June Perry (mother of Michael Perry), Glen Jones (friend of the Riethmillers), Patricia Brown Boyer (sister of Madison Brown), Dolly Shumate (friend of the Lewis’), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, Helen Kostel, Laura Stearns, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Diana Kenney, Tom Strickland, Worth & Katie Burnes (friends of the Smiths), Amelia Dull, Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Stephen DeMaria, Annie Campbell, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Ginny Dunaway Ferguson, Isabella & Anne (family of Carl Pattison), Mike Robblee and Rosemary Phillips (siblings of Paul Robblee), Glen Szarzynski, the Hotchkiss Family, and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died, especially Paul Mitchell, Farris Hotchkiss and George Kostel. Pray for the people of Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine.
In Thanksgiving for June and July Birthdays
6/24 Sandy Harcus
6/29 Lu Dooley, Michael Finnell
7/5 Tom Vinson, Elise Brooke, Adam Webster, Harold Hill
7/6 Jay Crawford, David Wade
7/7 Benjamin Holston
7/8 Sue Shultis
7/10 Joe Simcoe
7/11 Mary Wilson, Elizabeth Grist, Mary Wilson Grist (this is not a typo – There is a Mary Wilson and a Mary Wilson Grist – no kidding!)
7/12 Otis Mead
7/13 Mary Stuart Gilliam, Caroline Webster
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, Susan Minor
7/29 John Brooke
7/31 Margaret Haberman
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.
Let’s Rock! With Rockbridge Recovery Concert & Cruise-in
June 24, 2023, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Glen Maury Park, Buena Visa, VA | Cruise-in 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., music starts at noon. Music by: Section X, Hateful Bones, Late Night Stumblers, Full Circle Revival, and more!
Food, Raffles, Vendors, Kid Zone. Admission: 1 can food item or 1 pet food item per person. Your help supports recovering addicts, the homeless, survivors of domestic abuse and many more. No alcohol allowed.
Hosting Ukrainian Families
A humanitarian outreach effort organized by citizens of Lexington, Buena Visa, and Rockbridge County, we aim to pave the way for sponsoring temporary re-settlement of families who qualify for entry according to the laws of the United States.
The mission of Hosting Ukrainian Families is based upon love, compassion, and humanitarian concerns for families seeking to live in peace. Accordingly, a call is issued to each person joining in this effort to set aside all political, culturally divisive viewpoints, and all differences which may hinder or defeat these goals. To donate, click the link below.
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