Dear Friends,
This Sunday, the Seventh Sunday of Easter we celebrate the return of Jesus to the Father, an occasion of glory and joy because of all God has done for us in Jesus, the Word made flesh...
He is the Victorious Passover Warrior who has defeated the powers of the world, the flesh and the Devil, conquered sin and death, and by his resurrection opened the way to eternal life for all people.
He is the Abundant Pentecost Provider whose Spirit restores communion with the Father to people of every family, language, people and nation, and makes us his brothers and sisters, children of the one Father by the power of the one Spirit.
He is the Ascended Christ, Son of the Father, reigning with the Father over all creation, and ever present in the hearts of his people to the end of the age.
For his victory, providence, power, abiding presence and love we give glory, praise and honor to our three-person God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we strive to show forth our praise in our lives, giving up ourselves to his service and walking before him in holiness and righteousness all our days.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind, Rector, Grace Episcopal Lexington
Worship Services | Seventh Sunday of Easter | Sunday, May 21
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
Parish Hall | Mere Christianity – The New Men, C.S. Lewis
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person & YouTube
Community Sing | 5 p.m.
In-Person at Randolph St UMC
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Congratulations to the following students who are graduating this year from college, high school or Education for Ministry (EfM): Emily Brookfield, Anna Dennis, Sue Denson, Townsend Dotterer, Pat Gibson, Joshua Henson, Benji Hess, Graham Hess, Boots Lackey, Michael McLaughlin, Elaine Price, Ren Price, Christopher Vasquez.
Paws to Connect: A Recap
Thank you to all who attended and participated in Paws to Connect! While this past week was our last Paws for the year, we look forward to welcoming students back in the fall!
Ministries Opportunities at Grace
Please contact the church office and let us know if you can help 540-463-4981
Coffee/Hospitality Hour: A committee is being formed to schedule and organize 2-3 events each month following the 10:30 service. The responsibilities of this committee would be to schedule hosts for the designated Sundays, ensure that supplies are available for the hosts and follow up and provide instruction for the hosts.
Bike and Build Bikers
Arriving on Monday, June 5, bikers will stay overnight in the Parish House on June 5 &6, and will build at the Habitat site on June 6. Please join us in the Parish Hall at 6pm either evening to greet them and enjoy a meal together. Sign-ups for food donations will be sent out on May 25.
On the road, rider teams stop about every 5th day and riders trade their bikes for hammers or saws to help on an affordable housing build with a local affiliate. For Bike and Builders, “days off” are really “days on” as riders serve alongside local community members in hands-on application of Bike & Build’s mission to impact affordable housing. Additionally, prior to the trip every rider must complete 15 hours of “sweat equity” volunteer work on a local affordable housing site in their communities.
Hiker Dinner
On May 15, Grace served dinner at St. John's Glasgow to hikers from the Appalachian Trail. St. John's has hosted hikers for dinner on Monday nights in May and June for the past eight years. May 15 twenty three hikers enjoyed BBQ sandwiches with coleslaw, chips, baked beans, brownies, ice cream and "Trail Magic" (take away snacks to enjoy on the trail).
Grace will host another hiker dinner at St. John's on June 5, the same night we host Bike and Build at Grace, 20 cross country cyclists raising awareness for Habitat for Humanity. If you would like to help with either the Hiker Dinner or the Bike and Build dinner, please contact Tuck, Cary Edgar, or the Parish Office.
Building Dementia-Friendly Communities
Jeri Schaff, executive director of the Virgnia Program For Aging Services (VPAS) was the guest presenter at this month's Christian Outreach Committee. She shared compelling information about the number of individuals diagnosed with dementia, how this number is expected to dramatically increase in the coming years, the challenges to caregivers, and what we have learned about how to communicate meaningfully with people with dementia to make them feel comfortable, valuable and safe.
There is more to a person than the dementia they live and struggle with and they deserve to be valued, honored and treated with respect. Dementia Friendly @ Work is a program that works with businesses, governments, faith communities, and other organizations to provide simple, usually low-cost ways to serve those living with dementia, make them continue to feel part of the community, and preserve dignity and choice. By providing a welcoming, compassionate environment, Grace Episcopal Church can offer families coping with dementia opportunities for meaningful engagement and spiritual connection.
If you are interested in participating in a one- hour discussion led by Jeri Schaff to learn how our parish can embrace and uplift people with dementia and their care partners, please contact Anna Crockett at aennchen3@gmail.com or 540-460-3254. The event will be scheduled based on responses from interested parishioners.
Building Use Proposals
The Vestry requests your feedback on Building Use Proposals prepared by FGMArchitects to address these priorities for improving our Parish House:
Create modern, accessible restrooms on each floor
Create dedicated, modernized, attractive space for young children infant to 6 years old
Modernized office suite sufficient for two clergy, Parish Administrator, and Bookkeeper (note - Music Director's Office in Undercroft)
Improve building accessibility
Update and potentially resize classrooms and conference rooms
Please contact Tuck or one of the wardens, Joanne Robblee and Rob Minor to schedule a presentation at a time convenient for you.
Please plan to join a Town Hall Meeting 11 am Sunday, June 11, 2023 in the Parish Hall for a report on feedback received during these presentations.
Monacan Indian Nation 30th Annual PowWow
June 3rd & 4th, Gates open at 10:00 a.m. General admission: Adults (13-61) $10.00, Seniors 62+ & Children $5.00, 6 & under FREE *Cash Only*
225 Laurel Cliff Road, Monroe, VA 24574
Dance Specials: Mens Fancy: $300/200/100 Womens Fancy: $300/200/100
Red Dress Special: Sponsored by Dark Tide Tattoo Studio, Winner Take All - $500
Dancer registrations: $10 + Tribal ID
Music in the Garden at Boxerwood
Friday Evenings 6:30-8pm starting May 26 with the Late Night Stumblers (Rock/Country originals), gate opens at 5:30 for picnics. Admission free for members, $5 non members (cash only). Kids are free and free to explore. Dogs on leashes are welcome. LexVegas Bistro at all concerts. Join us!
Celebrate June with Grace
Monday, June 5: Celebrate June on Grace’s Courtyard with, live music by Rockbridge’s own “Betty and the Hot Flashes” featuring covers from The Wailing Jennies to TheTalking Heads to Tom Petty and more. Bring food and beverage to share, blankets or chairs to spread out, and a little cash if you want to purchase hot dogs and fixings.
Upcoming Music Events
Best Church Coffee in Lexington!
With an upgraded coffee system and local coffee grounds, Grace is taking our Coffee/ Hospitality Hour seriously. In the bible we learn of disciples gathering for prayer and Hospitality with each other and strangers. The coffee/hospitality hour is an extension of our worship where there is opportunity for fellowship, developing relationships, listening to others and being listened to, offering or receiving compassion and kindness. Let’s not underestimate the importance of Coffee/Hospitality hour. Please plan to attend each week.
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. The residents and staff of Boys Home, their Executive Director Chris Doyle and their chaplain, The Rev. Anne Grizzle. 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), Darlene Travis (sister of Don Ellis), Patricia Brown Boyer (sister of Madison Brown),Dolly Shumate & Betty Gale Anderson (friends of the Lewis’), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, Helen & George Kostel, Laura & Bill 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, Farris Hotchkiss, Annie Campbell, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Lynwood Dent, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Paul Mitchell, and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died. Pray for the people of Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine.
In Thanksgiving for May Birthdays
5/20 Joan Crawford
5/22 Garrett Frascati
5/30 Lyle McClung
5/31 Anne Tyler McCabe, Ellie Mastin
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.
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.