Dear Friends,
As we move into summer the question of whether to come to church seems more wide open. I think it's good to think about that. Why come to church? Some people might say because it is our canonical duty as members of the church. And of course it is one of the few canonical duties of all members of the church.
Someone else might say because it is the first of our human rights - to assemble, worship, think and speak free from any governmental authority. And that is also true. Exercising this right is essential to the health of our democracy and the life of a free people.
Someone else might say because it fills my heart with gladness to gather with friends and neighbors to sing and pray and give thanks for the love and goodness of God that surrounds us on every side. And another might say it is good to remember and celebrate the resurrection week by week, because there are so many other voices demanding my attention I often lose track of the voice of the good shepherd who reminds me of who really cares for me.
There are many reasons to come to church, and of course many reasons to do something else. Regardless of season or the decision, one thing remains constant - the value of living an examined life and paying attention to the spirit of truth. For me, church helps me do that. I hope it helps you do that to.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him)
Rector | Grace Episcopal Church
Worship Services | Proper Four | Sunday, June 2
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and Zoom
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).
A Note of Thanks
We are thankful for all the presenters who made Christianity and Culture possible over the last nine months. Grace Episcopal Church is so blessed to have this very special program. Each speaker made such a wonderful contribution.
Sudanese Culture, MJ Mayerchak & Susan Mead; Education for Ministry, James Keane; Liturgical Year, David Cox; CoreWorks & Grace Legacy Society, John Milford & David Hansen; Intergenerational: Blessing of the Animals - collected donations for the SPCA; Building a Sounder Community, Susan Mead; Evensong, David Cox; Sacred Ground, Tuck & Team; Footsteps of Jesus, Pilgrimage group; Intergenerational: All Saints Day - Church Schedule and Saints; Hope, Anne Hansen; Stewardship: Rooted in Abundance, David Connolly; Intergenerational, Nativity Story with Puppets; Symbols of the Season, Joanne Robblee; Intergenerational: Epiphany, Crowns, Story, Lantern, Kings' Cake; Renewal Works, Tuck; The Messiah, Tim Gaylard; Parish House Building Project, Tuck and Strategic Planning Committee; Role of the Cantor, Gerald Cohen & Martha Burford; Pilgrimage, Cecile West-Settle & Heidi Schweizer; Intergenerational, Pilgrimage; The Silence of Jesus, Ed Craun; The Feminist Spiritual Voice, Susan Mead; Update on our South Sudan Mission, MJ Mayerchak, Samson Mamour, Susan Mead; Report on Renewal Works Survey, Committee of Twelve; Passover, Harvey Markowitz; Beyond a Binary God, James Keane; Labyrinth for Families, Heidi Schweizer; Transgenderism and the Bible, James Keane; Memorials in our church & Memorial Day, Joanne Robblee; Passion Play - Oberamergau, Elaine & Mark Nelson/Joanne Robblee
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and YouTube
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Monday Music on the Courtyard at Grace Episcopal! Monday, June 24:
Betty & the Hot Flashes. 6:30-8:00 pm. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, your own picnic/beverages, and enjoy the music and setting. Free will donations gratefully welcomed.
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.
The Community Table
The Community Table serves a hot meal each week to families and individuals in need.
Our bakers are getting tired and need some support. Could any of your congregations donate monthly?
Mondays, desserts for 150 (cakes, brownies, cookies, seasonal). Once a month or on a quarterly rotation. Or once a year would take a little burden off our current crew. We can set a schedule.
Thank you so much. I know many of you already support TCT through donations, volunteers and more. We appreciate your ongoing support to uplift and strengthen those in need in our community.
Music in the Garden
Join us today, Friday, May 31in the field at Boxerwood for music by Shester, Datz, & Newhall Trio. Join us for Music in the Garden on May 31 (Shester, Datz, and Newhall Trio), June 21( Late Night Stumblers), July 12 (The Pickup Band), August 2 (Hoss & Soss), August 23 (Caravan of Fools) and September 6 (The Ruckus Bluegrass Band). Members and kids are free; nonmember adults are $5 cash at the gate. 130 Munger Lane | Gates open at 5:30 pm, music from 6:30-7:30 pm | $5 per adult, kids are free. BYOB, BYO chairs, and pack out your waste. Leashed pets are welcome.
Monocan Indian Nation Powwow
31st Annual Monacan Indian Nation Powwow
June 1st and 2nd | Gates open at 10:00 am | Grand Entry: Noon | General Admission (Cash Only) $10.00 | Seniors and Children $5.00 | 6 and Under Free
No outside food/drink/drugs/alcohol | Weapons prohibited | No pets, only ADA certified service animals allowed
225 Laurel Cliff Road, Monroe, VA 24574 | Contact: minpowwow@gmail.com
Drum Competition: $100 Registration (Minimum 6 Drummers) | Cash Prize: $1500/$800/$500
Dance Competition: Adults 18+: Traditional, Fancy, Grass/Jingle | Cash prize: $300/$200/$100
Teens 13-17: Traditional, Fancy, Grass/Jingle | Cash Prize: $100/$75/$50 | Juniors 6-12: Combined Categories | Cash Prize: $75/$50/$25 | Tiny Tots 5 & Under | Prizes All: $5 & Gift Bag | Dancer Registration: 13+ $10.00 | 12 & Under Free
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 for the people of St. Stephen’s, Forest and their Rector, The Rev. Paul Hicks. Pray for Brendon, Michael Murphy, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin, John 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, Will Mackie, Grace, and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died, especially Molly Brown and Gloria June Perry (mother of Michael Perry), and Karl (Martha Burford’s dachshund).
In Thanksgiving for May and June Birthdays
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.
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