Life With Grace | May 2
- Grace Episcopal Church
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
Dear friends,
This Sunday our gospel lesson presents a fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus to some disciples on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples have returned to Galilee to fish. After a night of unsuccessful fishing a person appears to them and directs them to cast their nets in a specific place. Following his direction they find so many fish they are unable to haul them in.
It is now that one of the disciples recognizes Jesus and tells Peter. As the story unfolds the focus shifts from the abundant haul of fish to a renewal of Jesus' call to tend and feed his lambs and sheep.
The abundance of the catch and the call to feed others is connected by the disciples relationship to Jesus. Jesus' love for them has drawn him back to them to direct them and help them find fulfillment in their work. Their love for Jesus has drawn them back to him to offer themselves to serve his disciples for love of him.
This is the advent of a distinctive way of life deeply formed by the experience of the gift of God which becomes the gift of ourselves to God for others. One of the mysteries of this economy of reciprocal giving is the way abundance multiplies.
The first experience of that multiplication happened earlier, also in Galilee, when 5000 are fed by five loaves and two fish, and then twelve baskets of fragments are collected. We are led to wonder whether the multiplication might continue. Could the multiplication be multiplied? Can we rely on God to keep showing up to bless our work and bestow these abundant gifts?
I believe we can. But the gift, the fulfillment, the abundance, only multiplies through sharing it, through entering into the Spirit of the gift. That is the challenge for us. To believe, to trust, and to enter into the Spirit of the Giver, to become ourselves participants in the gift of God for the people of God.
With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Third Sunday of Easter | Sunday, May 4
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
Prophetic Imagination: The Alternative Community of Moses
In 1978, during the emergence of ordained women ministers throughout the church, Walter Bruggeman, professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia published The Prophetic Imagination in which he describes the task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us." p. 13 We will review what Bruggeman means by the alternative consciousness the church is called to nurture concluding with his reflections on the Song of Moses. And we will think about how his observations apply to the realities of the church today.
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
May 4 | First Sunday Lunch
To celebrate the ministry of Michael McLaughlin who is getting married and leaving the Grace family, and our graduating college students from SVU: Julia Evans (graduated 2024), Susie Falconer, Daisy Grover, Eliza Stucki. W&L: Patrick France. VMI: Grant Martin, Harrison Williams.
Evensong on the Feast of Monica | 3 p.m.
This Sunday in addition to the 2 services, there will be an Evensong on the Feast of Monica at 3 p.m., In-person only.
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
Renewing Grace Capital Campaign
Join us for Fellowship & Food to kick-off the Renewing Grace Capital Campaign! May 21, 2025 at 6 p.m. | Parish Hall
RSVP to Phyllis Hugg by May 19.
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.
A Fond Farewell
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.
The Saint John’s Bible copy of Volume 6 departed Grace Episcopal Church on April 30 as scheduled, secure in its travel case and voyaging via FedEx, to its home at Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, MN, after an eventful three months with us.
Its sojourn here began with a training session in mid-January led by Brad Neary, director of the Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program, who came to introduce us to the Gospels and Acts volume. Its official residence, February through April, included regular Gospel readings each Sunday, sessions at our Christianity and Culture gatherings, EfM, and time with the Men’s Breakfast. As many as 25 parishioners also stayed on Sundays after services to learn more and turn pages of its amazing hand-lettered message and glorious illuminations. On Thursdays during Lent, a visio divina was offered, led by Joanne Robblee, who also took the volume to the Rockbridge Regional Library for a public introduction.
The Bible also traveled with Fr. Tuck to the Rockbridge Area Ministers Association and the First Baptist Church MLK service. The volume attended the Diocesan Convention in Roanoke and visited Kendal, the Glebe retirement center in Daleville, and the Art Center, Trinity Episcopal Church, and Stuart Hall School in Staunton, as well as the Alleghany Arts and Crafts Center in Staunton and Washington and Lee’s Special Collections. The volume – which came to be known as “Big John” by those who packed and toted it to various locations -- was appreciated by students of the Blue Ridge Outdoor School, members of PEO, and many visitors and worshippers.
The visit by the volume was inspired by a trip made by Liz Moss to an Episcopal conference in Atlanta almost three years ago. She learned that copies of The Saint John’s Bible’s volumes are available for loan to churches, universities, museums and other institutions, fulfilling the vision of Donald Jackson, the chief scribe and artistic director for the Saint John’s illumination project: that the Bible would be a worldwide celebration of the millennium and carry its message beyond that time. At Grace, we became part of that vision.
During its stay, the volume also inspired participants at a great series of workshops and presentations – a talk and demonstration by illuminator Fr. Rick Workowski; a lecture by W&L professor George Benton; and workshops led by calligrapher Kimberly Watters and by artist David Connolly, who studied illumination closely in order to instruct us. Materials were graciously provided by the Carters of Clifton Forge.
Committee members and docents for the Saint John’s visit included Fr. Tuck, Liz Moss, Joanne Robblee, Martha Burford, Lisa McGuire, David Connolly, Phyllis Hugg, Alexandra Brown, Carole Elmore, Matt Fogo, Keith Gibson, Pat Gibson, Michelle Mackie, Michael McLaughlin, Judy Schram, Steve Shultis, and Lisa Tracy. On their behalf and that of our entire congregation, we give our deepest thanks to the abbey and the scribes and artists and all others who made it possible. Thanks be to God! Alleluia!
Upcoming Muisc Events
Celtic Contemplative Eucharist | 5 p.m. Sunday, May 11
Tuck Bowerfind, celebrant; William Hughes, Susie Falconer, and Martha Burford, musicians.
Tuesday, May 6 at 8 pm
Wilson Concert Hall, W&L
Faculty Recital: William McCorkle, harpsichord
Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
Lexington Presbyterian Church
Couperin: 'Organ Mass for the Parishes'
William McCorkle, organ
Michael McLaughlin, baritone
Trex Challenge Met Again
As we celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day this week, the Creation Care Committee is very pleased to announce that Grace Church has once again met the goal of 1,000 pounds of plastic film collected and recycled. Thanks to your steadfast support we have been able to reduce the amount of plastic film in this world by the equivalent of 50,000 plastic bags. For our efforts we will also receive a new Trex bench.
Going forward we will continue to collect plastic film to reduce the amount of plastic in our environment. Thanks so much for all your help with this project.
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, 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.
Community Appreciation Celebration
For Major General Cedric T. Wins | Superintendent, Virginia Military Institute
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church
Rockbridge Animal Alliance Fundraiser
Get ready for a fun-filled evening supporting a great cause! We’re excited to announce that Trivia Night, in support of Rockbridge Animal Alliance, will be happening on May 6th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Heliotrope Brewery in Lexington, Virginia. Trivia will start at 6:30 p.m.
This is the perfect chance to test your trivia skills, enjoy great company, and support our furry friends in the community. Teams of 1–4 people are welcome to join in the fun, and we’d greatly appreciate it if you could pre-register for just $20 per person.
Heliotrope will be providing the venue exclusively for our event, with a limited menu available for food and drinks flowing from the taps (all for purchase). And don't forget — prizes will be awarded to the winning team!
As Rockbridge Animal Alliance won't be holding Wags and Whiskers this June, this is a fantastic opportunity to provide vital support for local pets in need.
Gather your team, brush up on your trivia, and get ready to make a difference while having a blast!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Tuesday, May 6th 6–8 p.m. at Heliotrope Brewery in Lexington, VA
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 for the people of Emmanuel, Bristol and their rector, The Rev. David Bridges. 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), Kathy Kricensky (Abby Moles mom), Andy Wolfe, Mike, Margy & Aaron Haire (Susan Cross’ brother and family), Stan Driver, Chris Clayton Syrrist (cousin of David Sorrells), 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, especially Dixie Sorrells.
In Thanksgiving for May Birthdays
5/2 Elizabeth Harralson, Ruth Smith
5/6 Peter Bowerfind
5/8 Kate Holston
5/12 Anne Hershbell
5/13 Caroline Russell
5/15 Jenny Mastin
5/16 Ren Price, Elaine Price
5/17 John Dickerson, Cynthia Robertson
5/20 Joan Crawford, Foster Pickett
5/22 Garrett Frascati
5/26 Raeanna Simcoe
5/30 Lyle McClung
5/31 Anne Tyler McCabe, Ellie Mastin
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