Dear Friends,
This weekend amidst the opening of summer swimming pools, weekend barbecues and baseball games we rightly take time to memorialize and honor those who have offered their lives in service of our nation. And in the midst of our memorials we rightly enjoy the blessings of our freedoms, including our swimming pools, barbecues, baseball games, our friends, families, and neighbors.
We remember and lament, rejoice and give thanks at the same time because we must take sin seriously, especially the terrible and lamentable failure to live in peace and to love our enemies as Christ loved his enemies. And we must also take the saving power of God seriously. We know that those who lay down their lives for others are held in the highest esteem by our Lord, and we know that he has a plan to bring glory out of all sin through his abundant transformative grace. And he will do it.
Prayer for One Who Has Died in Military or Public Safety Service, from Enriching Our Worship 3
God, the King of Glory, in whose hands are the living and the dead: We give you thanks for [___, and ] all those who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant them your mercy and the light of your presence; give us a sense of your will and purpose, that we may understand that the work you have begun in them will be perfected through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, in whom all strife is resolved. Amen.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | First Sunday after Pentecost | Sunday, May 26
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
May 26: Elaine Nelson and her husband traveled to Oberammergau, Germany to watch the Passion Play, performed only every ten years. Join us to learn about the city's history, this unique play, and their experience of the seven-hour performance.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
On June 2nd, Anne Hansen will share more about the Renewal Works survey results from January. This session will focus on spiritual growth, catalysts for change, and practices that sustain and deepen our beliefs. Join us as we explore pathways to spiritual growth as individuals and as a church. (June 2nd & June 9th).
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Paws to Connect
Thank you for a wonderful semester of Paws to Connect!
Spiritual Hikes
Our second Spiritual Hike was a success! Organized by Samson, our enthusiastic group enjoyed a day on the Chessie Trail. We will continue to meet monthly on the fourth Wednesday, weather permitting. Join us for our next hike and connect with nature and each other!
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.
Women's Bible Study
Several members of the Grace Women’s Bible Study met on May 19th for a delightful social gathering. Pictured from left to right are Michelle Mackie, Anne Hansen, Jules Grimes, Maria Nava, Heidi Schweizer, Sandee Greene, and Susan Cross. Not pictured: Ann Nay, Catherine Harcus, and Cindy Robertson. We would love to have you join this group of intelligent, spiritual, and fun women!
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 today for the staff and residents of Westminster Canterbury and their chaplain, the Rev. William Deal. 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, 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), Shay Peters, Molly Brown, Will Mackie, and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died, especially Rodney Harrell (uncle of Madelyn Stuart).
In Thanksgiving for May and June Birthdays
5/26 Raeanna Simcoe
5/30 Lyle McClung
5/31 Anne Tyler McCabe, Ellie Mastin
6/1 Ed Dooley, Toni Brown
6/2 Philip Brooke
6/4 Sophia Brown
6/5 Grigg Mullen, Helen Kostel
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.