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Life With Grace | May 30


Three older adults serve themselves from a buffet line at a community meal. A man in a cream-colored suit and bow tie smiles warmly at a woman beside him wearing glasses and a blue and white scarf. Another woman with short white hair and glasses, dressed in a patterned blouse and black cardigan, focuses on selecting food. The setting appears to be a cheerful gathering in a church or community hall, with trays of food and a pot of salad in the foreground.
Join us this Sunday for worship and First Sunday Lunch!

Dear friends,

On Thursday (yesterday) we celebrated the Ascension and during these intervening ten days until Pentecost (June 8) the church gathers in prayer for the unity and faith of all disciples. They realized that to continue to thrive as the new people of God in Christ's name they must continue to come together, to pray, to listen for God and to listen to each other and to speak to God.

The church that gathered in Jerusalem between the Ascension and the day of Pentecost was small, perhaps 70 people plus a few others scattered in villages of Israel. Imagine what it might have been like to be part of that community of shared experience, expectation, and prayer.  If you could zoom into those gatherings, wouldn't you want to hear a little of what they were praying and talking about?

At 10 am June 7, the day before Pentecost, our diocese gathers, by zoom and in person, to listen to members' thoughts and prayers for our next bishop.  Even if you have no particular thoughts to express, it is important for as many of us as possible to register and participate through listening to what others are thinking about and praying for.  

The work of the Holy Spirit cannot effectively be delegated.  It is best done together, sharing, participating, through presence, prayer, listening, and sometimes by speaking up.

Please register here for the June 7 listening session whether you plan to join in person at Emmanuel, Staunton or by Zoom. Register just in case you can attend some or all of the session. Your listening presence will make a difference.  That's the way the church lives and does its best work.


With Gratitude, Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)

Rector | Grace Episcopal Church


Worship Services | Seventh Sunday of Easter | Sunday, June 1


Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube




Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom

Christianity and Culture will be on hiatus for the summer. See you in September!


Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube




First Sunday Lunch

Following the 10:30 a.m. service. Join us on the patio for Kenney's chicken, please bring a side to share

Six smiling adults pose inside a church with arched stained glass windows; one person holds a tablet displaying a group video call with additional participants.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.

In-Person & Zoom

Renewing Grace Capital Campaign

We continue to celebrate the success of the May 21 kickoff event for the Renewing Grace capital campaign. As part of this festive program, the capital campaign committee was pleased to announce the funds pledged to the campaign so far: $1,517,331. Once again, many thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a tremendous success! 

As a reminder, capital campaign festivities will continue this summer in the form of several themed parties to celebrate our fellowship and on-going commitment to God and community. If you have not yet had opportunity to register to attend one of these fun gatherings hosted by your fellow parishioners, you can sign up by clicking the link below. Please choose and sign up for one party only. 

As noted in previous newsletters, several major projects will be covered by the Renewing Grace campaign. One these initiatives will involve addressing the Parish House's infrastructure by substantially improving the safety, reliability and efficiency of these systems. By replacing the building's exterior windows and heating and cooling systems that are well past their expected life span, we will be able to effectively heat and cool the building, while also significantly improving the environmental impact of the building and achieving energy use savings. A new electrical system will also address safety and efficiency issues for the Parish House.

With regard to the replacement of the building's exterior windows, the church's Property Committee thoroughly researched and evaluated this need. The windows facing Washington Street will be rebuilt by John Raynal in fall 2026. Their appearance will be preserved and it is anticipated the new windows will have a life expectancy of roughly 50 years. The other approximately 43 windows in the Parish House will be replaced by modern, efficient, double pane, high performance glass, sealed windows. Our architect and contractor recommended Marvin Ultimate windows, which were used in the estimated campaign budget. No final decisions have been made about including mullions (which could affect cost) or the window frame colors. We plan to move forward with replacing the 43 other exterior windows before 2026.  

The goal for the Renewing Grace capital campaign is $2.25 million, inclusive of all fees and expenses. An existing $1 million bequest received in 2019 will allow us to complete our first phase goals. Other major projects to be addressed by the Renewing Grace campaign include: Making the Parish Hall fully accessible and improving the interior of the Parish Hall and the building's second floor. More information about the campaign will be shared in upcoming Grace newsletters and at the campaign festivities taking place this summer. 





Renewing Grace Capital Campaign House Parties

The Renewing Grace Capital Campaign committee has come up with themed parties to celebrate our fellowship and on-going commitment to God and community. If you were unable to attend our kick-off party to sign up to attend one of these fun parties, you can sign up by clicking the link below. Please choose and sign up for one party only. Thank you!


Midsummer Night's Frolic - hosted by Martha Burford


Luncheon - hosted by Kitty & Jim Farrar


Sunday Brunch - hosted by Liz Moss


Family Picnic - hosted by Anne & Dave Hansen


Dark & Stormy Cocktails - hosted by Carol & Tom Gosse


Summer evening on the patio - hosted by Cecile & Frank Settle


Wine & Cheese - hosted by Su Minor, Peggy Riethmiller & Catherine Harcus


Casual Brunch - hosted by Gail & John Dickerson


Sunday for Sundaes - hosted by Joanne & Paul Robblee


Family Backyard BBQ - hosted by Phyllis & Pat Hugg, Sarah & Scott Centorino.




Boys Home Seniors' Stories

We are pleased to share a few highlights from the recent graduation ceremony at Boys Home of Virginia. It was a joyful and meaningful day as we celebrated the accomplishments of three outstanding young men—Carveon, Ephy, and Sean. Each graduate has overcome significant challenges and demonstrated resilience, growth, and character that reflect the heart of our mission. One of the most powerful moments of the ceremony was the senior address, confidently delivered by Carveon Lee. His words captured the spirit of perseverance and brotherhood that define life at Boys Home. I also invite you to learn more about each graduate’s journey by watching this video of their Senior Stories, shared at our pre-graduation luncheon:



The Mission and Outreach Committee of the Gadsden Trust

We will convene on June 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the third floor Conference Room of the Parish House for its second meeting of 2025.  The Gadsden Committee will review second quarter grant requests that were submitted by the noon June 1, 2025, deadline and make awards.

The online Gadsden Trust Grant Application can be found here.

Third quarter grant requests must be received by noon on September 1, 2025.

Gadsden Committee meetings are open to members of the parish.

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.

Through Hikers Dinners

St John's Glasgow welcomes Appalachian Trail through hikers for dinner every Monday night in May and June. In recent years Grace has hosted two of these dinners. This year it would help St John's if we would prepare and serve hikers dinner on June 16 and 23. Please let Tuck know if you would like to help.

End of Life Care Seminar

In collaboration with VTCSOM, Roanoke College, Good Sam Hospice, and Voices of Fatih, we are putting on a free half day seminar titled: "The Intersection of Belief Systems and End of Life Care." We aim to explore religious and spiritual beliefs surrounding end of life and why they matter in the medical community. Rev. Dr. Bill Lee will be Keynote speak, we will have a panel discussion with Q&A, small group case study discussions, and Dr. Brian Unwin will be our closing speakers. We hope you can join us on June 3rd from 1pm-5pm at Riverside 4 in room G101 A&B. Please use the Link below to register. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GJCmcZQHwEGAqNE-H68wpsl3Dt0_XbtNse76px6GLfFUQTQwS0JWRlFaTlY2RkxFN0FIN1cyRjBHNC4u 

Address for the Event is 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016

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, winter clothes 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.

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. Pray today for the people of St. Thomas, Abingdon and their interim, The Rev. Tom Day. 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),  Andy Wolfe, Mike, Margy & Aaron Haire (Susan Cross’ brother and family), Stan Driver, Chris Clayton Syrrist (cousin of David Sorrells), Cary & Sarah Edgar who are hiking the El Camino, Pat Hugg, Christopher, 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, Helen Head, Bishop Benoni Ogwal-Abwang.

In Thanksgiving for May and June Birthdays

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

6/15  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

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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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