Life With Grace | October 17
- Grace Episcopal Church
- Oct 17
- 12 min read
Dear friends,
This Sunday's parable about the persistent widow who bothers a local judge until he gives her relief. One thing we might get out of this parable is the observation that faith often appears as a persistent swimming against the current, not simply "going with the flow".
The judge thinks he is too important to have to pay attention to this unimportant widow. She is only a bother.
Like this judge, we all tend to get swallowed up in the effort to distinguish ourselves. We imagine we have to become special, important. The world validates and rewards these pursuits.
But in truth we are always human, made of the earth and to earth shall we return. Our specialness is not something that comes from separating ourselves from others, it comes from our humanity. Our humanity is the gift of God. Faith sees the common dignity of humanity from God's POV. It interrupts the urge to prove we are special by out-performing, or out possessing our neighbor.
The faithful often appear peculiar because they embrace the humble truth that they are merely human, and yet they act with the noble dignity with which humanity is endowed by God. We are dust, and we are members of the body of Christ. Faith is keeping both in mind. So that like the widow we can dare to treat the judge like simply another human being, given a job to do by God.
As we try to treat others, and ourselves, with the common and noble respect and kindness and love and justice that is due to God, we practice faith.
It is often surprising how rare, and how difficult it can be sometimes to remember our common humanity, and to treat every person with this leveling and ennobling respect.
This is the way our Lord shows us to bear witness to the kingdom of God even as we live amongst the kingdoms of this world.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind
Worship Services | Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost | Proper 24 | Sunday, October Nineteenth
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and on Zoom
Oct 19: Drew Sorber will share information about how writing systems were used to preserve the Bible. He will look into the development of the various scripts used in the early and medieval Biblical manuscripts.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
Oct. 26 Balaam and his Dilemma w/ Moabite King's Orders - Harvey Markowitz - At the beginning of Numbers 22, we are introduced to the Moabite King, Balak, who has just decided to commission the Aramean prophet Balaam to curse the wandering Hebrew people who will soon be amassing on his borders. Though a non-Hebrew, Balaam prays to Adonai to seek His approval for this undertaking. God’s response to the prophet’s request sets off a rich chain of events that has puzzled and intrigued Biblical theologians and historians for centuries. It is the goal of this presentation to identify some of these points of interest and the associated areas of contention.
November 2 - All Saints’ Day The “Saints” of the Pentateuch Anne Grizzle
November 9 - TBD - Mary Kostel (Chancellor)
November 16 - Impact of the Pentateuch on the Old & New Testament Rich Warkowski
November 23 - Introduction of Vestry Candidates
November 30 - First Sunday of Advent - Thanksgiving Weekend Chrismons - Joanne Robblee
December 7 - Annual Meeting - Tuck, Bishop
December 14 - Christmas – Messiah - Tim Gaylard
December 21 - TBD - Tuck
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
The nursery will be available for both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Women's Bible Study
Join us on Tuesdays from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Canterbury room for an ongoing series on Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
Seeking Volunteers
Looking for Volunteers to serve as Readers, Chalice Ministers, and to run the Zoom for the 8 a.m. service. Please let Lisa know if you would be willing to help or call the Parish Office. Thank you!
All Saints
If you would like to add the name of a departed loved one to be remembered in the bulletin for the feast day of All Saints’, Sunday, November 2, please email lisa@gracelexva.org with your request.
These are the names of saints we have from this past year: Peter Fyfe, Barton Dick, Sis Harcus, Jack Hershbell, Tom Strickland, Harry Wheeler, Helen Head, Otis Mead, Marguerite Old, Rachel Pattison, J. Thompson Brown, Polly Lawrence.
STEPS Apartment Available
The apartment we have secured for our S.T.E.P.S. returning citizens is ready to go! Unfortunately they will not be here until the end of the year. So we are offering short term rentals of the apartment and encouraging families of W&L and VMI students to take advantage of the central location and parking space of this sweet apartment. Please pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested - VMI & W&L Alum: please pass along to your class agents! Click on the link below for more information.
Two-bedroom Apartment Rental in Downtown Lexington
(as of October 2, available for W&L Parents Weekend and other dates until early-November)
Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Lexington, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom fully furnished apartment is the perfect place for your next visit to Lexington. The home is steps from Washington and Lee University, and a 10-minute walk to Virginia Military Institute (VMI). The apartment includes a spacious living/dining area and washer and dryer, in addition to an open kitchen with a refrigerator, oven/range, microwave and dishwasher. Parking for one vehicle is included. The large windows allow natural light to flood the rooms. This unit is a rare find, close to everything historic Lexington and its universities have to offer.
Pictures are posted here: STEPS apartment pictures
Daily, weekend and weekly rentals are offered until early November. The rate is $225-$300/night with a two-night minimum. Proceeds are used to support STEPS (Supporting Transitions by Engaging in Parolee Sponsorships), a year-long reentry program for Returning Citizens sponsored by Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington.
Contact STEPS Coordinator Anna Crockett at aennchen3@gmail.com for booking information.
The Saint John's Bible Returns
The Saint John's Bible volume the Pentateuch has arrived! Tuck has already placed it proudly in its rack in the front of the sanctuary. We are so excited to have this very special book "visiting" us until mid-December.
After the services, if anyone wants to come up and take a look at "Big John," as I lovingly call him, please do so. Sadly, there are only 8 illuminations in this book and most of them are in Genesis. If you want to look through the book, please remember to use the wipes that are there before you touch the pages. We hope to have a docent available to assist you.
Beginning September 14th and going to November 16th, a series of presentations that focus on different aspects of the Pentateuch will be offered during Christianity and Culture (9:15-10:15). Please know that everyone is invited to these sessions that follow a brief coffee hour that begins at 9:00.
Also, on Thursday afternoons in October and up until Thanksgiving, you are invited to bring groups or friends to view "Big John." Docents will be there to share information about the Bible and the illuminations. If you would like to have the Bible visit a group you belong to, please let Lisa or Tuck know. We are more than glad to share "Big John" and do a brief presentation with others in the community.
The Saint John's Bible Workshops
The Saint John's Bible - Children's Workshop, Saturday, October 18
In this Season of Creation, we invite children from ages 5-10 years to celebrate God’s Creation of our good earth in a children’s workshop on October 18 from 10am-12noon. We will hear the words of the Creation from The Saint John's Bible and see the illuminated illustration, then create our own tributes to the earth, sea, and sky, and all that has been given to us. Special attention will be given to God's gift of animals through a reflection on the work and ministry of St. Francis. We invite the children to bring their stuffies for a special blessing at the end of the workshop. Parents are invited to stay and participate as well, with or without their stuffies. Refreshments will be served.
Questions: Contact Phyllis Hugg (pjhugg2017@gmail.com)
The Saint John's Bible - The Committee for Illuminations and Texts, Saturday, October 25
This workshop shares fascinating information about this amazing 21st century Bible. During the development of The Saint John’s Bible, the Committee for Illuminations and Texts provided informed, extensive, and valuable information to the illuminators. Learn about this process and participate in an exercise that replicates this process in creating an illumination for Noah’s Ark & the Flood.
This workshop will be held in the Undercroft (beneath the sanctuary) of Grace Episcopal Church and will begin at 9:30 and go to 11:00. There will be a coffee hour prior to the presentation. This workshop is open to anyone in the community who would like to attend.
Questions: Contact Joanne Robblee (770-714-6206 or joannerobblee@gmail.com)
Paws to Connect
We are back! Join us on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the patio. Bring your furry friends and connect with students.
5 p.m. Community Services
We are elated to invite you and your friends to our 5 p.m. Community Services. All are welcome.
October 26: Evensong Celebrating the Feast of Alfred the Great
November 9: Celtic Contemplative Eucharist
November 23: Evensong on Christ the King Sunday
December 14: Contemplative Service of Light in the Darkness
Note: There will be no 5 p.m. Service on December 28.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Project Horizon is dedicated to eradicating domestic, sexual and dating violence through education, advocacy, empowerment of survivors, and by being a sanctuary for victims.
Warning signs to look for in a victim:
o Social isolation: cancels plans, misses work, church
o Increased anxiety, stress, or depression
o Changes in behaviors
o Disinterest in hobbies, interests, joys
o Hides, minimizes or excuses injuries or bruises
National statistics
o In the U.S., 1 in 2 women and 2 in 5 men report experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime. (Break the cycle)
Project Horizon services in 2024-25
o 2,682 Hotline calls
o 2,094 nights of emergency shelter
o 815 nights of transitional housing
o 593 counseling & advocacy clients
Ways to Help:
o Learn more by scheduling a presentation for your congregation with Project Horizon
o Volunteer as an individual or as a group
o Donate money or goods. Contact us to learn about our current needs
o Share information & resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact us:
24 hr. HOTLINE: 540-463-2594
Facebook: Project Horizon
Instagram: projecthorizon120
Fall Shred Event
Saturday, November 1 from 8am to Noon at the Maury River Middle School, 600 Waddell Street. You may bring up to 5 boxes of paper (any color), file folders (any color). Benefitting Rockbridge SPCA. Bring a donation of canned pet food!
Rockbridge County High School's ESL Program
Ruth Brunner is grateful for the amazing support of the ESL program at Rockbridge County High School. Six Grace parishioners accepted the call to tutor ESL students. Anne Hershbell, Gini Jardim, Dave O'Connor, Steve Riethmiller, Judy Schram and Sharon Kurtz are providing one on one help to students with their classwork or reading in English. Contact Ruth at ruth_brunner@rockbridge.k12.va.us or 540-460-5555, if you want to learn more about tutoring.
Thanks to all who donated hygiene products, snacks and prizes. The ESL students were invited to take whichever hygiene products they could use. The toothbrushes were a big hit.
The ESL Program received donations of 320 individual snacks and 144 bottles of water. They are being used for students who need food during the school day or are staying after school for tutoring.
The prizes will be distributed on October 31 when the ESL students take a field trip to the Jackson House Museum and our very own Grace Church. The field trip will culminate in the Parish Hall with a celebration. Students will pick out prizes for grades, attendance and other achievements. Thanks for spurring these ESL students on in their successes!
Renewing Grace Capital Campaign
Many thanks to everyone who has made a pledge or gift to the Renewing Grace Campaign:
Pam & Jim Adams
Lori Apgar
Cecilia & John Arpin
Laurent & Elizabeth Boetsch
Peter Bowerfind
Tucker & Delea Bowerfind
Jane Brooke
Alexandra Brown
Madison & Katharine Brown
Ruth Brunner
Martha Burford
Catharine & Walter Burns
LM & Elizabeth Carter
Jonathan Clawson
David & Marjorie Connolly
Virginia Cooke
R. David & Melissa Cox
Marlys & Ed Craun
Jay & Joan Crawford
Roger & Anna Crockett
Dennis & Susan Cross
Susan Denson
Lynwood & Carol Dent
Gail Dick
John & Gail Dickerson
Langston & Page Donkle
Lu & Ed Dooley
Jonathan Eastwood & Maria Nava
Cary & Will Edgar
Harrison Edgar
Donald & Claudia Ellis
Carole Elmore
James & Katharine Farrar
Matthew Fogo, Kevin Manning & Dot Fogo
Anzolette Pendleton Gadsden Trust
Timothy & Catharine Gaylard
Rene' Glidden
Rose Gordon
Thomas & Carol Gosse
Melanie Griffis
Julianne Grimes
David & Anne F Grizzle
Peter & Julia Grover
Margaret Haberman
Woody & Becky Hall
David & Anne Hansen
Sandy & Catherine Harcus
Winifred Hart
Heather & Hunter Hawley
Helen Head Estate
Anne Hershbell
Megan & Drew Hess
Harold & Kathryn Hill
Judy Hotchkiss
Chris & David Howison
Benjamin & Laurie Huger
Patrick & Phyllis Hugg
A.H. & Sharon Humphreys
Virginia Jardim
James & Darlene Keane
Suzanne Keen
Emily King & Diego Millan
Trudie Kirkland
Deborah & Bill Klein
William & Kathy Kozak
Raymond & Carolyn Kuper
Sharon & Frederick Kurtz
Greg & Janet Lemmer
A.W. “Buster” & Signe Lewis
Maurice & Julia Littlefield
Bill & Barbara Luton
Meg & Jeff Mason
Mary Jane Mayerchak
William McCorkle
Patrick & Lisa McGuire
Josephine McMurtry
John & Drusilla Milford
Susan Minor
Helen Moore
Elizabeth Moss
Grigg & Cindy Mullen
Ann & Jerry Nay
Elaine & Mark Nelson
Donna Noyes
David O'Connor & Linda Merrick
Anita Ogard & George Strickland (in honor of Tom & Paul Strickland)
Natalie & Wesley O’Dell
Elizabeth & Bill Oliver
David & Nan Partlett
David & Jeanne Passmore
The Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust
Eleanor Penn
Michael Perry
Henry Porter
Mary Etta Randolph
Steve & Peggy Riethmiller
Cynthia Robertson
Joanne & Paul Robblee
Martha & Donald Robey
Rose & Connor Rothermel
Woodson & Lori Sadler
Stephanie Sandberg & Doug Huber
William Sayre & Melissa Gladwell-Sayre
Judy Schram
Maurice Seaton
Frank Settle, Jr. & Cecile West-Settle
Thomas F. Shehan III
Marjorie Sherrill
Steve & Susan Shultis
Hampden & Aine Smith
James & Ruth Smith
Andrew & Katherine Squires
Stephen & Janice Straske
Paul Strickland
Eliza Stucki
Elizabeth Tracy
Spencer & Beverly Tucker
David Wade
Catherine Wainwright
Kent & Mary Wilson
Michael & Beverly Wirtz
A special thank you to our friends from AA, Project Horizon, and Sunrise Rotary for donating to our Renewing Grace Capital Campaign. Your generosity and friendship are a true blessing.
To learn more about the Renewing Grace campaign and its priorities, and to make a gift or pledge online, visit www.givingsites.com/renewinggrace/.
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 boy's summer clothing size 10, girl's winter clothing size 10-12, including jackets, forks, and some spoons. 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 today for the people of St. John’s, Glasgow. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Diana Kenney, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Ned Henneman, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Carl Pattison, Wes O’Dell and family, Virginia Poston (sister of Betsy Carter), Dot Fogo, David Austin (friend of the Keanes), Buddy Atkins, Rebecca Robblee (daughter-in-law of Joanne & Paul), Stan Driver, Chris Clayton Syrrist (cousin of David Sorrells), Glen Jones, Charlotte & Mike Murphy, Jean & Mike Walsh, Cullen Bahr, Lane Hewett, Susan Martin, Carolyn, Bill Gibson (brother of Keith Gibson), Nancy Hellwig, Dennis Coughlin, Harlan Beckley, Mike Haire, Chuck & Biddy Watson, Rob Fleming, Patricia Williams, Ed Craun, 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 Polly Lawrence.
In Thanksgiving for October and November Birthdays
10/19 Lori Apgar
10/20 Drusie Milford
10/23 Claudia Ellis
10/24 Sarah Centorino
10/26 Melissa Cox, Madelyn Stuart, Maggie Leventis
10/27 Connie Loughhead
10/29 Jimbo Smith
10/30 Steve Shultis
10/31 Peggy Hays
11/1 Frances Grist, Bettie Cadden
11/4 Peggy Riethmiller
11/6 Kitty Wainwright, Michael Perry
11/7 Pam Adams, Melanie Griffis
11/8 Evan Atkins, Grace Simcoe, Donna Noyes
11/10 Richard Jones
11/13 Doug Ayer, Julia Grover
11/14 Jim Farrar
11/15 Tim Price, Rene' Glidden
11/18 Alex Eastwood, Diana Harris
11/19 Steven Lawrence, Hank Humphreys, Langston Donkle
11/21 Tim Gaylard
11/23 Bill Kozak, Kristi Finnell
11/27 Anne Blanken, Avery Hess
11/29 Maurya Schweizer
11/30 Harry Warner
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