Dear Friends,
"So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16
We are bombarded every day by stories about everything that is wrong with the world. Often amplified to a fever pitch through social media. To the point it can seem as though nothing is right with the world. And therefore we should simply do whatever we please.
So much depends upon our practice of pausing, gathering together, refocusing on the gift of God, the love of God that has been poured into our hearts, and looking again at the world with eyes opened by the Holy Spirit, God's gift in us. Looking at the world again, from the renewal of the Holy Spirit, with eyes opened by the crucified, raised, and ascended Christ, the tragic things of the world reveal the extraordinary goodness and beauty of God's grace.
The love of God is powerfully at work in places such as Gaza, where in the midst of unimaginable suffering countless people are striving for the well being, safety and healing of others. Of course it is not sufficient simply to reframe what is wrong in the context of all that is right. It is not sufficient to see. We are called to join the work of transforming what is wrong through the influence and resources that are available to us.
Thanks be to God who renews our vision and inspires our our hearts and wills to join in the work of the Spirit for the healing of the world.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Proper Five | Sunday, June 9
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
Back in January, 109 parishioners took the Renewal Works survey. Anne Hansen stepped up to lead a Committee of Twelve through the process of analyzing the interesting data and developing possible next steps for implementing a program that will address the identified areas where we need to "renew" our efforts as a church.
Anne has done an amazing job sharing this information with the Vestry and during earlier Christianity and Culture classes. This Sunday Joanne Robblee will be sharing an overview of the survey results, recommendations, and our proposed plan for the upcoming year.
Some of you have heard this information already, but we would love to have you receive this overview. Also, we invite and encourage those who have not heard about the results of the survey to attend Christianity and Culture, this Sunday for a Renewal Works overview session, our proposal as we move ahead in the renewal process, and also to receive your input and answer your questions.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
June 16th - Come play a very adult game of Grace Bingo during Christianity and Culture. During this game you will learn lots of interesting information about amazing items in our church. You will have a much greater appreciation for the very special people who were part of the life of Grace since its beginnings.
Sunday, June 23 - Theology of Latter Day Saints & Spiritual Growth, presented by Drew Sorber
Sunday, June 30 - No Christianity & Culture (Parish Retreat)
Sunday, July 7 - Independence Day, A brief talk about the signers of the Declaration of Independence and a video about Fort McHenry and our flag. Presented by Joanne Robblee
Sunday, July 14 - Spiritual Growth in the Early Church, presented by Alexandra Brown
Sunday, July 21 - The Role of Music in Spiritual Growth, presented by Martha Burford
Sunday, July 28 - Our first Ministry - College Students, presented by David Cox
Sunday, August 4 - Buddhism, Nature, and Contemplative Practice, presented by Barney Brown
Sunday, August 11 - Evolving into a More Conscious Communion with the Source of All Creation through Sacred Geometry, presented by Antonia Albano
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
Taizé Eucharist | 5 p.m.
In-Person | A Celebration of Holy Eucharist in the Taizé tradition
of Contemplative Song and Prayer, 5 p.m.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Monday Music on the Courtyard is Back!
Grace Episcopal Church announces its second season of "Music Mondays on the Courtyard." June 24: Betty and the Hot Flashes; July 15: Betty and the Hot Flashes; August 12: TBA; September 9: 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.
Update on the Trex Challenge
Remember to include various plastic films in your recycling: bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, plastic shipping envelopes, Ziploc food storage bags, shrink wrap, salt bags, wood pellet bags, produce bags, etc. All items must be clean before recycling. Please deposit them in the blue collection bin under the bridge between the Church and Parish Hall. Thank you for your participation!
The Mission and Outreach Committee of the Gadsden Trust
Our next meeting will be on June 11, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. in the third-floor Conference Room to review second-quarter grant requests submitted by June 1, 2024. Download the grant request application here. Completed applications can be sent to gadsden@gracelexva.org. Third-quarter grant requests must be received by noon on September 1, 2024. Meetings are open to the parish.
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.
Intergenerational Summer Camp
Join us at Grace August 5-9, 5:30-7:30pm. We will work on a fabulous musical, The Winter Star. Calling all shepherds, angels, Magi, lambs, stars, children, and adults! We'll gather at 5, learn music (SUCH SINGABLE TUNES!), work on sets, break for a light dinner prepared by Anne Sauder, and wrap up with some work on costumes and staging. WE WILL NEED VOLUNTEERS! People who can paint, who can be creative with costuming, who love to be with children and just, well-exactly that-be with children. More details to come next week. If you have questions contact Martha Burford.
Music in the Garden
Join us for Music in the Garden on June 21( Late Night Stumblers), July 12 (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.
2024 Juneteenth Celebration
Join us in celebration of freedom, history, and community! Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of slavery in the United States. Across the country, people have enjoyed celebrating Black history as an important part of our nation’s history. Lexington had its first Juneteenth celebration in 2021, but this year’s is going to be even bigger and better featuring local food vendors, a wing cook-off competition, and the 100 Proof Go Go Band. Visit Website.
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
Please help us support the Boys Home of Virginia by donating items from their wishlist. Drop off donations in the basket on the stair landing to the Parish Office. Thank you!
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: Prayers for continued healing for Presiding Bishop Curry. Pray for the candidates for Presiding Bishop: The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez, The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, The Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, The Rt. Rev. DeDe Duncan-Probe. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the people of St. Mark’s, St. Paul & All Saints, Norton and the priests of the Appalachian Alliance, The Rev. John Church and The Rev. Emily Edmondson. Pray for Brendon, Michael Murphy, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin, John Perry, Glen Jones, Patricia Brown Boyer, Jack Hershbell, Laura Stearns, Worth & Katie Burnes & Family, Amelia Dull, Stephen deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Don Ellis, Diana Kenney, Patrick Bowes, Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Penny & Ned Henneman, Barbara Bova, Daniel Diener, Shelby, Clay Sadler, Sharon Humphreys, Eloise Adams, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Amaree Cluff, Jeff Patnaude, Blake, Liz & Cameron (friends of Chris Young), Carl & Rachel Pattison, Brian Powers, Jane Drewry (sister-in-law of Ruth Smith), Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Carolyn Williams, Jennifer Humphrey, Linda Lanford, Elizabeth Jones (Martha’s mom), Grace, and those we name aloud or in our hearts.
Pray for those who have died, especially Robert Lee Hopkins (cousin of Catharine Burns).
In Thanksgiving for June Birthdays
6/7 Bill Luton
6/8 Eleanor Penn
6/13 Michael Wirtz
6/14 Penny Henneman
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
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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