Life With Grace | March 28
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Mar 28
- 12 min read
Dear friends,
This Sunday our Gospel focuses us on the challenging work of what Paul calls the new creation. "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" It sounds wonderful, until we reckon with the work of reconciliation which is at the heart of this life in Christ.
In the parable of the two sons Jesus invites us to examine what true repentance might mean for us.
The Father's unconditional grace and forgiveness of the younger son does not remove the younger son's responsibility for all his self centered and short sighted decisions. His former inheritance will not be restored. The Father's grace is the Father's work, the Father's gift. The son still has his own work to do, his own gift to give. The elder son has his work to do, too.
St. Augustine wrote - God created us without us, but God did not will to save us without us. This is what he means - God's gift of grace does not relieve us of our responsibility for things done and left undone. God's forgiveness does not relieve us of the work of forgiving others, or the work of rebuilding trust where we have broken it.
Grace shows us the way, it sets us on our feet, but we have to walk and work out our salvation through daily choices to live in love and charity with those who have wronged us, whether they are willing to live in love and charity with us, or not.
The parable leaves open the possibility that one or both or neither of the brothers will take responsibility for the work of salvation. And it turns that possibility toward us as the central question of Lent, the central question of our salvation - Will you take responsibility for the relationships you have broken, the history you have to repair in order to produce the real fruit of the vineyard? Will you do your work whether or not I am ready to do mine?
With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Fourth Sunday in Lent | Sunday, March 30
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
This Sunday will be Joanne Robblee's second session focusing on the Saint John's Bible. She personally invites you to come and learn more about this glorious Bible.
During the first session, she focused on the frontispiece illuminations of Matthew and Mark. This time we will be learning more about the backstory as to how this Bible came to be and we will then focus on the frontispieces of Luke and John.
It is fascinating to see how these four gospels all come together to give us a greater understanding of Jesus.
We will also be doing another Viseo Divinia - "Sacred Seeing" - meditation.
Hope to see you Sunday at 9:00 for coffee hour. Joanne's talk begins at 9:15.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
April 6: Susan Eastman Personhood in Paul
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Women's Bible Study
Women's Bible Study has changed its meeting place to the home of Susan Cross, 621 Marshall Street. The time is 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. All ladies welcome! We are discussing the lectionary readings for the following Sunday. No preparation is necessary.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Celebration of New Ministry for Samson Mamour
Lenten Programs This Week
Morning Prayer - Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. at Grace Church
Stations of the Cross are displayed in the church and the liturgy for the stations is available for use at any time during the day.
Wednesday Evening Program, April 2, In person/Zoom: Our Lenten program introduces Christ as he would be seen when the “Great O Antiphons” were developed 1,500 years ago. Week IV: Having seen, through the “Great O Antiphons,” that Christ is both divine and human, our Lenten program now asks, “What does he bring?” The answer that we will explore on Wednesday, April 2, is “light” and “hope”: Christ is both the light of the world, and the hope of all nations. Led by David Cox and Michael McLaughlin, the program combines short lectures with discussion and also some music composed for these short prayers.
We will offer a short Evening Prayer and supper at 6 p.m. The program will run from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Lent Madness: Those who are interested in learning more about the exemplars of the faith are encouraged to subscribe to Lent Madness, participate in the voting, and gather with other Lent Madness devotees at 5 pm Friday at Purveyors on Main Street to review score cards.
March 29, 1 p.m. – Professor George Bent of the W&L Art Department will speak on how miniature painting of the kind found in manuscript illumination was used in the Middle Ages to enhance, supplement and reinforce religious texts. Examples from illuminated Biblical and other manuscripts will show how artists both understood and interpreted the Scriptures they illustrated. With an introduction by Alexandra Brown, tying in traditional illumination and The Saint John’s Bible. Grace Church Brooke Family Center/Undercroft.
Art of Illumination Workshop - April 5, 10 a.m. - noon – Lexington artist David Connolly will lead a workshop in the art of illumination. Connelly is a member of the Nelson Gallery, and has been studying illumination techniques using watercolors and gilt foil. Participants will create their own illuminations, and are encouraged to bring a Scripture verse or a short personal reflection, poem or other writing as the basis for the illumination. Art materials will be supplied, with a small donation requested to defray the cost. The workshop, in the Parish Hall, is suitable for middle school age and up. Please contact David at dconnnolly804@gmail.com to indicate interest or for any questions.
Those seeking to learn more about the Episcopal Church are welcome to gather from noon to 1 p.m. in the Welles Room Library with Tuck Bowerfind and others. Sunday, March 23 - Church organization.
Little Scholars Summer Camp
Little Scholars will be hosting a summer camp for rising K - 6th graders on W&L’s campus (see attached flyer).
Camp Details:
Dates: June 16 – August 1 (no camp the week of July 4)
Hours: 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM, Monday - Friday
Sign-up: Choose to register for 1 week or all 6!
Cost: $260 per child per week
Space is limited so register early!
Want more info? Visit Little Scholars Summer Camp Info where you can find detailed info.
Reach out to Nicole Brown, Program Coordinator at Little Scholars, 804-447-4095 or nbrown@littlescholarsllc.com with further questions.
Exchange Students Seeking Host Families
Cindy Miller from CIE the high school student exchange program, is looking for two host families in Rockbridge County to sponsor students. Please contact Cindy Miller at cmiller24450@outlook.com or (540) 817-8851 if you are interested in helping and to see the two student profiles.
The Saint John's Bible
If you have photos you would like to share of the St. John's Bible in our community and beyond, please send them to Lisa.
As the visiting volume of The Saint John’s Bible makes its home with us for three months, we also turn to other volumes to share with the congregation and visitors.
The illumination that captures some of Jesus' most well-remembered parables is the Luke Anthology. It is spread over two pages of The Saint John's Bible. The lefthand page catches the eye first, with its multiple brilliant images; but if we look to the right, we discover Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary. Mary sits raptly listening, her back to us, while Martha stands with hands on hips, impatient to get a little help in the kitchen.
But then perhaps she too listens. For as the eye travels upward from these two in the foreground, we see the figure of Jesus, entirely illuminated in the gold that throughout The Saint John’s Bible conveys divinity. His words are superimposed: "There is need of only one thing." He gently chastises Martha and adds that in the work at hand, Mary-- who listens-- has "the better part."
A viewer will observe, in this panel, the broad diagonal bands in gold that travel from Jesus into the anthology of parables to the left: The lost coin. The lost sheep. The Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, and finally the judgment on the wealthy man Dives who turned the beggar Lazarus -- who is now lifted up by Abraham-- from his door.
Donald Jackson spoke of the message of forgiveness in the parable of the Prodigal or Lost Son, and an image of the Twin Towers is seen here in gold. He has said he included it to evokes the challenge of forgiveness, of good over evil. Gold flecks emanate from the golden rays of Jesus' teaching and hover distinctly over the towers.
As the eye travels, the panel literally encompasses Heaven and Hell, from the angels in its upper reaches to the figure of Dives begging for forgiveness--a second chance --in the lower right.
The illumination also reflects the central mission of the Benedictine tradition in the images of Mary and Marthand of the parables as well: the balance of attending wholeheartedly to the message of God's love while also caring to the earthly needs of those around us.
Talks and workshops illuminate a Bible’s substance and history
Events in March and April
Workshops, talks and readings during March and April are highlighting the history and use of illumination and other techniques in the creation of The Saint John’s Bible. A series of talks offers background on our visiting volume and on the history and process of illumination itself; hands-on workshops in calligraphy and illumination are suitable for all ages middle school and up. The Saint John’s Bible volume will be at all events for folks to delve into. Bring family and friends!
March 29, 1 p.m. – Professor George Bent of the W&L Art Department will speak on how miniature painting of the kind found in manuscript illumination was used in the Middle Ages to enhance, supplement and reinforce religious texts. Examples from illuminated Biblical and other manuscripts will show how artists both understood and interpreted the Scriptures they illustrated. With an introduction by Alexandra Brown, tying in traditional illumination and The Saint John’s Bible.
April 5, 10 a.m. - noon – Lexington artist David Connolly will lead a workshop in the art of illumination. Connelly is a member of the Nelson Gallery, and has been studying illumination techniques using watercolors and gilt foil. Participants will create their own illuminations, and are encouraged to bring a Scripture verse or a short personal reflection, poem or other writing as the basis for the illumination. Art materials will be supplied, with a small donation requested to defray the cost. The workshop, in the Parish Hall, is suitable for middle school age and up. Please contact David at dconnnolly804@gmail.com to indicate interest or for any questions.
The Saint John’s Bible is available in the church each Thursday from 1 p.m to 6 p.m. throughout the Lenten season when the bible will travel to Clifton Forge for a day at the Allegheny Arts and Crafts Center. A visio divina led by Joanne Robblee is offered at 1 p.m. each Thursday, focusing each week on a different illumination and reading. Bring family and friends, take a turn reading, reflecting, and turning these magnificent pages yourself!
Easter Baskets for Children in Need
The local organization Unity for Kids works with Rockbridge Area Social Services, Alleghany Social Services, Project Horizon, and Care Portal to provide needy children in our area joy at Christmas and Easter. At present, local churches and businesses are working with Tammy Reid (CFO of Spencer Home and Board member of Unity for Kids) to assemble Easter baskets. If you would like to donate a book or a toy or other items for one of these baskets, Unity for Kids will arrange to pick it up or you may drop it off at Spencer Home Center where Tammy works. To contact Tammy Reid: tammyr@spencerhomecenter.com. Questions, contact Cecile West-Settle 540-570-3256 or Ruth Smith 910-409-9325.
An Update from Christian Outreach Committee
The mission of COC is “to support and engage the people of Grace Episcopal Church in loving our neighbors as God’s children: joining with all people…to serve the marginalized, and those in need, seeking healing, reconciliation and justice.”
Each year Grace COC receives a budget sourced from 10% (calculated on a three-year rolling average) of your pledge monies and withdrawals from certain endowment funds designated for outreach. Our annual budget for 2025 is $50,213. By early February the committee had received 18 grant proposals from local and international organizations for use of this money. In early March the committee met and approved $45,980 for distribution, holding the remainder in reserve for emergencies. A partial list of local agencies receiving grants includes RARA, Community Kitchen, Boys’ Home, CASA, Project Horizon, Mission Next Door, and GATES. International agencies administered by Grace and the Episcopal Church --- Virginia Haiti Collaborative and Sudan Mission Group --- have also received money for 2025.
If you have questions or concerns or are interested in joining COC, please contact Cecile West-Settle or Ruth Smith at outreach@gracelexva.org.
VMI Community Theater
VMI Community Theater is proud to present Agatha Christie's Murder On The Nile. Performances are in the Gillis Theater in VMI's Marshall Hall, Friday March 28 at 7:30p, Saturday March 29 at 7:30p, and Sunday March 30 at 2:00p.Tickets purchased at the door: adults $10, students and seniors $5, cadets and children under 6 are free.
Connections Plus
Do you have your Ducks in a Row?
Connections Plus is now offering a 6-session educational group in which the participants support each other through the process of gathering important information, such as health, property, finances, and final wishes to make things easier for those who must resolve our affairs.
Locations offering sessions:
Manly Memorial Baptist Church - Parish Hall (food/beverage allowed), 202 S. Main Street, Lexington. Beginning April 14, 2025, 5:30-7 p.m. Meetings held every other Tuesday ending June 24
Sunnyside House at Kendal at Lexington, 160 Kendal Dr., Lexington. Class Schedule: 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday April 3, Tuesday April 15, Thursday May 1, Tuesday May 13, Thursday May 29 and Thursday June 12.
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, queen-size sheets, silverware, and brand new socks and underwear for everybody, young and old. 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.
Province 3 Youth Event
Dates: Apr. 25-27, 2025
Where: Claggett Center 3035 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown, MD 21710
Who: 6th-12th graders
Cost: $175 (includes dinner on Friday, 3 meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday).
Transportation: Will be provided from Evans House for those in and around the New River Valley.
• Arrangements will be made for the pick up of youth from the northern portion of our diocese on our way to Maryland.
• A late afternoon departure from Roanoke is expected with additional details to follow.
If you have multiple children attending or have questions, email us at youth@dioswva.org.
Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect is back! Join us on the steps of Grace on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We'll see you there!
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, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray today for the retired Bishops of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, The Rt. Rev. Heath Light and The Rt. Rev. Neff Powell. Pray for the healing of Pope Francis. 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, Michelle & John Evola (cousins of Darlene Keane), David Austin (friend of the Keanes), Ellen Fure, Buddy Atkins, George Collier, Rosemary Phillips (sister of Paul Robblee), Patricia Williams, Emily & Luke Child, 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 March and April Birthdays
3/31 Will Edgar
4/2 David Connolly
4/3 Dot Fogo, Punky Dod
4/5 Gail Dickerson
4/6 Jasper Murphy
4/7 Diana Kenney
4/8 Anne Sauder, Emily McClung, William Mackie
4/9 Lori Sadler, Aurelia Sorber
4/10 William McCorkle, Suzanne Keen, John Arpin
4/13 David Passmore
4/14 Gini Jardim
4/15 Helen Head
4/16 Don Ellis
4/18 Dennis Cross, Kevin Manning
4/19 Lisa J McGuire, Beverly Wirtz
4/20 Erika Brooke
4/22 Buddy Atkins
4/25 Genelle Gertz
4/26 Chuck Smith
4/27 Clara Pickett
4/28 Sharon Humphreys, Clark Simcoe, Abby Moles, Madison Brown
4/29 David Hansen
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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