On Acorns, Hazelnuts, Harvests, and Love
~Martha Burford
Words from a Saint: “He showed me a little thing the size of a hazelnut, in the palm of my hand, and it was as round as a ball. I looked at it with my mind’s eye and I thought, ‘What can this be?’And the answer came, ‘It is all that is made.’ I marvelled that is could last, for I thought it might have crumbled to nothing, it was so small. And, the answer came into my mind, ‘It lasts and ever shall because God loves it.’ And all things have being through the love of God.” ~Revelations of Divine Love, Julian of Norwich
From Joshua McLaughlin, Manager of the Augusta Nursery where the trees are grown: "THANK YOU, Members of Grace who collected white oak acorns, red oak acorns, chinquapin acorns, walnuts, buckeyes, sycamore seeds, and more."
All of these were delivered to the Virginia Department of Forestry tree farm in Crimora last week.
It was so “meet and right” to collect and share these tiny vessels—promises of new life, so small and so everlasting, with a place that will nurture them for future generations. One has only to look out at the oak, redbud, pine, walnut, and myriad other Virginia trees to know “God loves them.”
During one Sunday as we celebrated the Season of Creation, this was part of our liturgy:
A Reading from the Babylonian Talmud, Taanit 23a (Planting for the next generation)
The Talmud is the textual record of generations of rabbinic debate about law, philosophy, and biblical interpretation, compiled between the 3rd and 8th centuries and structured as commentary on the Mishnah with stories interwoven. Honi HaMe'agel (“Honi the circledrawer”) was a tanna or Jewish scholar of the 1st century BCE, the scholars from whose teachings the Mishnah was derived.
While the sage, Honi, was walking along a road, he saw a man planting a carob tree. Honi asked him, “How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?” “Seventy years,” replied the man. Honi then asked, “Are you so healthy a man that you expect to live that length of time and eat its fruit?” The man answered, “I found a fruitful world because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise I am planting for my children.”
For over 100 years, The Department of Forestry has been, in the mindset of the planting man whom Honi questions, growing seedlings for Virginia landowners, and for the last 60 years they have researched best trees for our region. The seedlings are from one to three years old and are sold at cost (think $3.00). In their cooperative work with Virginia State Nurseries and the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program at North Carolina State University, their goal is to supply the best families of trees possible. Check out their website: https://buyvatrees.com/
What a wondrous thing that we sent so many seeds to be part of future harvests. Harvests are not to be taken for granted. Bishop Steven Charleston, a member of the Choctaw Tribe, reminds us:
Harvest season makes me think of the families around the world for whom a plentiful harvest may be a distant dream. That is true for people far away and close at hand. Scarcity and abundance are concepts, but they are also symbols for human need and human response. They reveal so many ways to share what we have.
Thank you, Grace, for taking time to walk, collect, and share the abundance. And, yes, we’ll do it again next year!
Gratefully,
Martha
Blue Ridge Outdoor School - When entering the church driveway, please be aware that the children are in the churchyard in the morning from 8:45–9:00 a.m.and in the afternoon from approximately 2:50 p.m.–3:15 p.m. There may be a cone in the driveway to prevent cars from coming in to quickly; you may still park in the lot. Thank you!
Worship Services | Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost | Proper 24 | Sunday, October 20
Holy Eucharist Rt 1 | 8 a.m. | In Person and Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In Person and Zoom
Frank Settle will present materials available from Richard Rohr and introduce speaker Sam Settle, who grew up in Lexington. After graduating from UVA he served in Peace Corps in Thailand. After three years he was ordained as a Buddhist monk and remained in Thailand for five years. For 10 years until 2020, he was the Director of the Prison Phoenix Trust, a charity in the UK offering meditation and yoga to people in prison of all faiths and none. He now lives and works at Braziers Park, an intentional community in the south of England, and is attending Processwork, a school in London, to become a facilitator and psychotherapist.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
RenewalWorks is a ministry of Forward Movement; both are committed to reinvigorating the church and strengthening disciples. It is all part of an exploration of spiritual growth, offered with love and hope for The Episcopal Church.
Sunday, October 27 RenewalWorks workshop: Your Personal Spiritual Journey
Sunday, November 3 RenewalWorks workshop: Spiritual Beliefs and Practices
Sunday, November 10 RenewalWorks workshop: Building an Intentional Small Groups Ministry
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Women's Bible Study | 3:30 p.m.
The Women's Bible Study is changing their time to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays
Chili Cook-Off
First Sunday Lunch, November 3. We will have Bach, Baptism and Beans! Come to church to hear a cantata (a beautiful music composition), welcome the newly baptized and eat chili! Don’t forget to let Lisa know if you would like make a pot of chili for the cook-off. We will vote on our favorites and there will be prizes!
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
All Saints’ Remembrances
Below are listed the names of people who have been in our prayers for the departed since All Saints’ Day passed. 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 1, please email Lisa with your request.
Eloise Adams
Molly Brown
Mary Stuart Gilliam
Henry Hibbs Hawke
Rob Minor
Granville Alexander Moore
Steve Robbins
Jamie Smith
Don Taebel
Nancy Walker
Walk in Love Stewardship Campaign
Thank you to everyone who has already pledged to the Walk in Love pledge campaign to fund the 2025 operating budget of Grace Episcopal Church. Every pledge helps us with our planning for the year to come. We will list the names of those who have made a pledge every week, as well as the total pledged to date. Our goal is between 120-130 pledges totaling $540,000. To date we have received pledges from 17 households totaling $59,840.
Thanks to our contributing households thus far:
CC & John Arpin, Delea & Tuck Bowerfind, Martha Burford, Betsy & Buddy Carter, Marjorie & David Connolly, Carol & Lynwood Dent, Cary & Will Edgar, Matt Fogo & Kevin Manning, Patrick France, Lisa & Patrick McGuire, Susan Mead, Drusie & John Milford, Jeanne & David Passmore, Michael Perry, Joanne & Paul Robblee, Ruth & Jimbo Smith, Connor Wolfe
If you are new to pledging and would like guidance here are three basic guidelines:
Pledge something. You are a valuable member of the body of Christ. Most of your contribution to Christ's work is through the works of love you do for others every day in your work and personal life. You also share in the responsibility for maintaining and operating our facilities and ministries. Some members give $1/week, some give $400/week. Some give nothing. Whatever you commit and fulfill will be gratefully received and faithfully used for God's mission through Grace. Whether you give something or not, you are a beloved member of the parish and the body of Christ.
Consider pledging proportionally. As your income or net worth change, continue to give proportionally. For example - you can base your giving on a proportion of your gross annual income. Or if you have a positive net worth, you might consider basing your giving on a proportion of your net worth.
Consider tithing your income or net worth. Traditionally, tithing is ten percent of gross household income. Muslims have a different standard that you might consider. They give 2.4% of their gross positive net worth. If they have zero or negative net worth, they are not expected to give anything except time and talent.
Feasibility Study
On October 1 you received an email from feasibilitystudycoordinator@gmail.com entitled Grace Episcopal Church Feasibility Study. It may have landed in a non-priority mailbox. This is the invitation to participate in the 17-question survey related to the parish house renovation. The survey includes the complete case statement attached to this email. Of 212 surveys, 55 households have completed. The survey remains open until October 28. Please take a moment to search your inboxes for this email, follow the link that opens the case statement and survey, and complete the Survey. Your response to the feasibility study survey is sent directly from our fundraising consultant and remains confidential. Your email will not be shared with anyone except for this purpose. Thank you for participating.
Diocesan Update on Hurricane Helene
Many of you have been praying for all those affected by the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, in much of the southeast, especially in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Please continue your thoughts and prayers. I wanted to let you know that most of the high water in this diocese occurred in the Abingdon Convocation and some areas of the New River Convocation.
We are checking in with our parishes in those areas and none are reporting any damage to their facilities. Some lost power, but reports at this hour are that all power has been restored. There are still some cell service outages in the far southwest.
There are many trees down throughout the Grace House property. Luckily, none came into contact with any of the buildings on the campus. We are working with the staff to begin assessment and tree removal in the critical areas that might impede functioning. We will keep you updated on assessment and need. If you or your parish would like to contribute financially to relief work thatEpiscopal Relief & Development is doing in the most affected regions please click the button below.
Please let us know what assistance or resources we can assist you with as your parish addresses possible needs in your community.
I ask that you pray through this week and this coming Sunday for those who have died and their families; for those who are suffering and scared; and for all relief workers who are helping people around the clock. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Peace,
The Rt. Rev. Mark Allen Bourlakas
Lament for a Violent World
A service of Reflection and Prayer | Thursday, October 24, 2024, 6:30 p.m. | Lexington Presbyterian Church
ConnectionsPlus
Do you have your Ducks in a Row?
ConnectionsPlus is now offering a 6-session educational group in which the participants support each other through the process of gathering improatnt information such as health, property, finances, and final wishes to make things easier for those who must resolve our affairs.
Beginning Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 9:30 to 11:00 AM and meeting monthly for 6 months. Location: Kendal at Lexington, Sunnyside House, 160 Kendal Drive, Lexington.
For more information or to register, please contact our office at 540-463-1848 or info@connectionsplus.care Cost: $20 for materials. Space is limited.
Music Announcements
On November 3, the Choir, accompanied by string quartet and continuo will offer Cantata 196, "Der Herr denket an uns" ("The Lord is mindful of us") by J.S. Bach during the 10:30a.m. service. Quite possibly Bach's earliest surviving cantata, the Biblical texts celebrate the blessings of God and our gratitude in return. If you would like to listen to this beautiful piece beforehand, this link is to a fabulous performance of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNjAHgMMsFs
Save the date, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. for "Carry the Flame: The Robert Glidden Music Legacy." Concert conducted by Dr. André Thomas and Dr. Brandon Boyd, hosted by Grace Episcopal Church and featuring Rockbridge Youth Chorale, Choirs of Southern Virginia University, Washington and Lee, and Grace Episcopal Church, and other fabulous local musicians!
Greeter Team and Usher Team at Grace
Greeters take turns welcoming worshipers as they enter the churchyard to attend the service. They identify visiting guests, visitors, new members and extend a warm greeting. Greeter schedules are flexible to work with your availability. A great way to meet others at Grace. Contact Cecile West-Settle at West-SettleC@wlu.edu, 540-570-3256
Ushers help the service run smoothly by welcoming worshipers to the service and assisting them as needed. They distribute the service bulletin and help with the offering collection, communion and more. Schedules are flexible to work with your availability. Email or call Lisa McGuire at 540-463-4981.
Training provided, many benefits! Join TODAY
Fall Youth Event
We are excited to announce that this years, Fall Youth Event will be held at Boys Home of Virginia, located in beautiful Covington. Boys Home, an outreach ministry of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia provides a stable and supportive environment for young men who have faced significant adversities. You can read more about their mission and ministry here.
Several of these young men have attended our Youth@Convention for the past several years and we are excited to hold our fall event on their campus! This year, we will combine service and fun by beginning our day with a small project for Boys Home. After completing our service project, the afternoon will be filled with fun. With a gym, plenty of outdoor space, an indoor and outdoor chapel, dining hall and hiking nearby, the rest of our weekend will be jam packed with games and activities!
Register today for a weekend of service and community as we seek to worship, pray, play and serve! All middle and high school youth are invited to join.
Event Info
WHEN: Nov. 16-17, 2024
Check-in: Saturday, Nov. 16, between 9:30-10:00 a.m. (Please eat breakfast prior to arrival).
Check-out: Sunday, Nov. 17, at 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Boys Home of Virginia, 414 Boys Home Rd, Covington, VA 24426
WHO: 6th-12th graders & adult chaperones
COST: $75 (includes lodging, activities, lunch & dinner on Saturday, and breakfast & lunch on Sunday)
TRANSPORTATION: Parents will be responsible for Saturday drop-off and Sunday afternoon pick-up at Boys Home. (*Please see registration form if your child will be driving to the event separately.*)
An email will be sent out closer to the event if transportation by convocation is possible.
Paws to Connect
Paws to Connect is back and better than ever! Join us every Tuesday and Wednesday this semester from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the steps of Grace. Our pups can't wait to see you!
1946 Film Screening
In conjunction with Grace Episcopal Church, Lexington Presbyterian Church, Trinity United Methodist Church, Randolph Street United Methodist Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, W&L's Office of Inclusion and Engagement, W&L's Pride Center, and VMI's Chaplain's Office, Project Horizon is bringing the documentary film 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture to Lexington as a compliment to our community's Pride celebrations. (June is "Pride Month," but October is "LGBTQIA+ History Month.") This documentary film examines who, how, and potentially how the word "homosexual" first appeared in any translation of the Bible with the release of the Revised Standard Version in 1946 and what the repercussions of that translation decision have been. Here is a link to the official trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00QOkOE49qM The film will be shown in the parish hall at Grace Episcopal Church on Friday, October 25 at 7:00 pm with a panel discussion following the film.
The Clothes Closet
The Clothes Closet, run by our colleagues at Christ Episcopal Church, Buena Vista, could use some assistance, both with donations for their stock as well as volunteers to help run the operation from 9am till noon each first and third Saturday of the month. Christ Church initially established the closet, and volunteers from our church, as well as some funding provided by our Gadsden Trust, helped expand it into a more robust operation. It is open to all persons and is currently well stocked except for needing these items: children's coats, men's size small shirts and jeans, men's T-shirts of all sizes, bath towels, pots and pans, baking dishes, blankets, queen and full sheets, and women's purses. Please drop any donated items or financial contributions for the Clothes Closet at Christ Church when it’s open.
New Coffee Hour Schedule
The following team leaders will host Sunday morning coffee hours. Please thank our Coffee Hour team leaders!
October 20 team leaders are Drew Sorber, Madelyn Stuart, Connor Rothermel, and Rose Hein.
Team leaders would welcome assistance. Please contact team leaders directly if you are available to help!
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: Pray for Presiding Bishop Curry, for The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop-Elect. Pray for Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the people of St. Thomas, Christiansburg and their rector, The Rev. Mark Frazier. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, John Perry, Glen Jones, Jack Hershbell, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Polly Lawrence, Betty Cadden, Jeff Mason, Joe Irby, Kent Wilson, Diana Kenney, Jerry & Ann Nay, Paula Cooper, Penny & Ned Henneman, Barbara Bova, Shelby, Sharon Humphreys, Nancy Mastin, Elizabeth Klein, Cullen Bahr (friend of Drusie Milford), Mary Etta Randolph, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Barb Ostrander (cousin of John Milford), Grace, Sue Hill, Frances Harcus, Glenn & Christine Szarzynski, Palmer Stickley and his family, Mercedes Aravena-Echaurren, Helen Moore, Patricia Williams, Christy Panko, Kitty Farrar, Justin, Rodrigo, Wes O’Dell and family, Peggy DePasquale, Nick Penn, Danny Anson (friend of Pat & Keith Gibson), Bill Cannon, Sandy Harcus, Peter Fyfe, 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 the communities that are suffering the effects of Hurricane Helene & Milton. Pray for those who have died.
In Thanksgiving for October Birthdays
10/19 Lori Apgar, Harry Wheeler
10/20 Drusie Milford
10/23 Claudia Ellis
10/24 Sarah Centorino
10/26 Melissa Cox
10/27 Connie Loughhead
10/29 Jimbo Smith
10/30 Steve Shultis
10/31 Peggy Hays
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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