Dear Saints of Grace,
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the profound impact your kindness and love have had on my journey as a priest. My first assignment at Grace was a significant milestone, and your warm welcome from the staff, Father Tuck, and the entire community made it all the more special. Your open arms and acceptance made me feel like one of your own, and I am forever grateful for that.
During my time here, I have been privileged to witness and be a part of the remarkable unity and love that defines this community. Each interaction, each lesson, and each moment of service has been a testament to this shared bond, a bond that has guided us all under the loving watch of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on my time here, I am grateful for how God has guided and allowed me to serve. I want each of you to know that my prayers are with you, always. I pray that God will continue to bless and shower His love on this community and guide us all in our future endeavors.
Before I wrap up, thanks to my dedicated support team: Joanne Robblee, David Passmore, James Keane, Steve Shultis, and Melissa Cox. Their support has been invaluable, and I sincerely appreciate their guidance. They have been an outstanding resource for me. Joanne, thank you for the stole, quilt, and prayer pad you made for me. I will never forget your motherly advice.
To this beloved congregation of Grace Church, your warm wishes, heartfelt cards, and mouth-watering food during my reception made my day. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity. Please know your thoughtfulness has impacted me; I will never forget it. Thank you so much.
Peace, and may God Bless you
Rev. Samson Mamour
Assistant Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Day of Pentecost | Sunday, May 19
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m.
In-Person and Youtube
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
In-Person and Zoom
Due to a scheduling conflict, this Sunday will be our Memorial Day session. Parishioners are invited to share stories and memories of family, friends, colleagues, and comrades who paid the ultimate price in service to our country. Please join us for this very meaningful gathering. The session on the Oberranergau Passion Play is next week.
Sunday, May 19th: Â During Christianity and Culture we will learn about some of our war heroes who are memorialized in our stained glass windows.Â
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
 May 26th: Elaine Nelson and her husband traveled to Oberammergau, Germany to watch the performance of the Passion Play that is only performed every ten years. You are invited to come and learn about the history of the city and this unique play as well as the experience of watching this seven hour performance.
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person and Youtube
Our Spiritual Hike is Coming Soon!
Save the date: May 22, 5:30 pm - Chessie Trail, Old Buena Vista Road. Bring a friend to join in the fellowship!
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Paws to Connect
Join us next week for the last Paws to Connect of the academic year!
Update on the Trex Challenge
Please note that the plastic film collected 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.
A Racial Equity Coalition Event
MAY 18, 2024
A CELEBRATORY SAMPLING OF ROANOKE’S DIVERSITY
Like all locales in Virginia, Roanoke has a complicated and tragic history of
institutional racism that is critical to explore as we forge new paths to racial equity.
Historic Gainsboro, the first neighborhood that comprised what would become
Roanoke, and once an incredibly vital Black community, is at the heart of the
nationwide story of how urban renewal was used to destroy communities of color.
Residents are coming together today with the dream that Gainsboro will one day be
an example of revitalization, reconciliation, and reparation. The Racial Equity
Coalition plans several trips to Roanoke to learn about both this history and hope.
The first will take place Saturday, May 18, and because the trip coincides with
Roanoke’s annual Local Colors Festival AND the Gainsboro Block Party, will focus on
how Roanoke celebrates its diversity today with cultural events, community arts, and
collective growth and understanding through interpretive markers. We hope to have
several vehicles going, for flexibility in mobility and schedules. Please join us!!
Contact Susan Mead at 540-267-5678 for more info & to RSVP (by May 11, if possible!)
8:30
~Leave Lexington (Courthouse Parking Lot on Randolph Street)
10:00-10:45
~Harrison Museum of African American Culture to view The David Ramey Exhibit
https://harrisonmuseum.com/david-ramey-exhibit-free-admission-extended/?amp=1
https://gainsborohistoryproject.org/
11:00-12:45
~Local Colors Festival parade, entertainment, international booths, and lunch
https://localcolors.org/events/2024-local-colors-festival
1:00-2:00
~Gainsboro Block Party, in the heart of the Historic district, hosted by GNO, Inc.
https://www.roanokeva.gov/1223/Gainsboro-Neighborhood-Organization-Inc
2:00-3:30
~Visit Henry Street and Wells Ave in HIstoric Gainsboro to view interpretive panels
and see the Martin Luther King statue and newly dedicated David Ramey mural
https://roanokepreservation.org/historic-gainsboro-history-walk/
3:30-??
~Enjoy more of the Local Colors Festival, if desired
Departure time is up to the group!
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 supplying any of items on their wishlist. There is a basket on the stair landing to the Parish Office for the Boys Home donations. Please drop off at church. Thank you!
Wanted: Sunday School Teachers
Grace is looking for youth, college students and adults willing to help provide Sunday School for a few children each Sunday from about 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. We are willing to pay a stipend. Please contact Tuck to find out more.
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. John’s, Wytheville and their Rector, The Rev. Paul Hicks. Pray for Brendon, Michael Murphy, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin, John & Gloria June 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, Wayne Fitzgerald (husband of Anna-Lisa Nay Fitzgerald), 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), and those we name aloud or in our hearts. In thanksgiving for the birth of Kora Azalea Mead (grandchild of Susan, great grandchild of Otis), and graduates Elise Brooke and Mason Grist. Pray for those who have died, especially Mary Stuart Gilliam.
In Thanksgiving for May Birthdays
      
5/17   John Dickerson, Cynthia Robertson 
5/20   Joan Crawford     
5/22   Garrett Frascati  
5/26   Raeanna Simcoe    
5/30   Lyle McClung      
5/31   Anne Tyler McCabe, Ellie Mastin  
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