Life With Grace | October 31
- Grace Episcopal Church
- 12 minutes ago
- 9 min read
Dear friends,
This Sunday we celebrate All Saints and All Souls Days. The Gospel shows us Jesus coming down onto a level plain to heal all who come to him, to declare God's blessing to the poor, God's warning to the rich, and to offer instruction about the way to live in God's kingdom.
While God sends Jesus down to us, the kingdom isn't delivered in the same way that healing is delivered. The blessings, warnings, and instruction of Jesus remind us that our choices and actions have consequences.
Christ is indeed present in all situations of life calling for the decision of faith, calling for us to pay attention and accept and respond to the love of God and its consequences, especially through the offering of our lives in service of God's love through service of our neighbor.
But until the world is fully transformed into the Kingdom, the lives of God's pilgrim people need the support of a community of believers to renew and deepen our personal commitment. We need the liturgy and sacraments of the church, and we need each other, to help us meet the needs of life which we believe is God's gift, but in which we are continually being distracted and tempted. We are tempted to go it alone. But we can't.
I am grateful that by God's grace, I am surrounded and supported by this communion of love and prayer, a fellowship that includes the living, the dead, and the yet to come.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind
All Saints’ Necrology
(Saints who have died in the past year)
Harlan Beckley, Joan M. Boyd, J. Thompson Brown, Barton Dick, Ernest Edgar, Peter Fyfe, Sharon Gillen-Davis, Sis Harcus, Helen Head, Jackson Hershbell, Polly Lawrence, Otis Mead, Tom Strickland, Marguerite Old, Harry Wheeler
All Souls’ Remembrances for those we love and see no longer:
Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
David Burford, Jeanne and Henry Eichelberger, Charles Denson, Helen Denson, Stephen Lee Denson, Robert Glidden, Farris Hotchkiss, Sue Jennings, George Jennings, Charles and Bessie Kilbourne, Glen Lemmer, Jack Lemmer, Lorraine Lemmer, Elizabeth Locher, James McGuire, Michelle McGuire, Barbara Ostrander, Chip Schram, Francis Silvia, Marc Silvia, Homer D. Stout, Thelma Hetherington Stout, Max and Betty Tracy, Nancy Walker, and In loving memory of our special saints: family and friends that have gone before us.
Worship Services | All Saints' Day | Proper 26 | Sunday, November Second
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In-Person and on Zoom
November 2 - The “Saints” of the Pentateuch - Anne Grizzle - The Saints of God are all who love and serve God from long ago and including ourselves. On this All Saints’ Sunday, Anne will present and lead a discussion of the saints from the Pentateuch and how we can honor and be inspired by them. As you come, consider which people you most admire, such as Noah, Abraham, David, Joshua, and Moses.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Sessions
November 9 - The Episcopal Church Past and Present - Mary Kostel (Chancellor of the Episcopal Church USA) - How is our beloved Episcopal Church structured, and how does that reflect our origins in the American Revolution? How has the structure changed over time, and is it working today? How do we exercise authority in a way that as we commit in our Baptismal Covenant, “respects the dignity of every human being”?
November 16 - Impact of the Pentateuch on the Old & New Testament - Rich Warkowski - Rich will focus on portrayals of Jesus in the Pentateuch (atonement, priesthood, liturgy, etc. For example, in Genesis 3:15, after the Fall of Adam & Eve, God gives the first promise and gentle “hint” of a rescue by another Adam (Jesus) that is to come. That tiny kernel of information (revelations) is characteristic of Divine Progressive Revelation.
November 23 - Introduction of Vestry Candidates: please meet four candidates for Vestry- Lori Apgar, Patrick Hugg, Maggie Leventis, David Partlett. If you would like to present yourself as a candidate or nominate another communicant in good standing, please contact the Clerk of the Vestry, Lisa McGuire. Nominations for Vestry are open until immediately prior to voting at the Annual Meeting December 7.
November 30 - First Sunday of Advent - Thanksgiving Weekend Chrismons - Joanne Robblee
December 7 - Annual Meeting - Tuck, Bishop
December 14 - Christmas – Messiah - Tim Gaylard - Tim is back to share more about the selected pieces of music and meaning of Handel’s glorious Messiah as we prepare during Advent for the coming of Christ.
December 21 - TBD - Tuck
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Today we have invited our Senior Saints to a lunch in the Parish Hall after the 10:30 a.m. service. We will resume First Sunday lunch in December, you can look forward to Brunswick stew!
The nursery will be available for both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.
Tell Out My Soul 2026 Stewardship Campaign
If you did not receive your pledge card at church, you should receive it by mail. Let Lisa know if you need one.
Thank you to everyone who has already pledged to the Tell Out My Soul stewardship campaign to fund the 2026 operating budget of Grace Episcopal Church. Every pledge helps us with our planning for the year to come. Our goal is between 120-130 pledges totaling $540,000. To date we have received pledges from 30 households totaling $163,071.
Tucker & Delea Bowerfind, Jane Brooke, Betsy & Buddy Carter, R. David & Melissa Cox ,Dennis & Susan Cross, Gail Dick, Ed & Lu Dooley, Will & Cary Edgar, Carole Elmore, Matthew Fogo & Kevin Manning, Rene' Glidden, Tom & Carol Gosse, Margaret Haberman, Catherine & Sandy Harcus, Benjamin & Laurie Huger, James & Darlene Keane, Sharon & Frederick Kurtz, Greg & Janet Lemmer, Pat & Lisa McGuire, Jo McMurtry, John & Drusie Milford, Su Minor, David & Jeanne Passmore, George & Eleanor Penn, Steve & Peggy Riethmiller, Cynthia Robertson, Martha & Don Robey, Woody & Lori Sadler, Jimbo & Ruth Smith, Paul Strickland
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!
Upcoming Music Events
SVU Chamber Singers present a concert of "Earth to Heaven: The Light Within" Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace. Directed by Dr. Benjamin Gaughran, the program will include works by Wilberg, Brahms, Palestine, Ešenvalds, and others.
Community Sing 5pm Sunday, November 16. Raising funds for Project Horizon in Honor of The International Day of Eliminating Violence Against Women. Sponsored by our Outreach Committee and led by our music minister, Martha Burford--also a practitioner in the organization Music That Makes Community--the event will focus on songs that embrace life, encourage empathy, stir hearts, call for healing, and lift hope. All free will donations will go to Project Horizon.
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.
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.
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.
CIEE Seeking Host Family
CIEE is looking for a permanent host family for Ruwaidah, from Bangladesh, for the remainder of the school year. She is now living with a temporary “Welcome Family” and attending Rockbridge County High School. Ruwaidah is friendly, respectful, and outgoing. She seems to make friends easily. Her interests are Model UN, debate, dance, science, reading and writing. She is currently on the school newspaper team and part of the school theater class. Ruwaidah enjoys volunteering and helping others. She has her own spending money and health insurance. If you would like to host or can recommend someone for hosting, please contact local coordinator, Cindy Miller, at (540) 817-8851 or cmiller24450@outlook.com. The link to the host family application is: https://beacon.ciee.org/signupsignin.
Volunteers Needed for Kriskindlmarkt!
The Clifton Forge School of the Arts is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help prepare for and run our 14th Annual German Christmas Market — Kriskindlmarkt!
Volunteer Days Include: Decorating in the garden and mill, Volunteer Training, & Event Info November 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th | 11:00am–5:00pm Kriskindlmarkt Event Volunteering November 21st | 1:00pm–8:00pm November 22nd | 9:00am–6:00pm
Be part of the magic that makes this beloved community event shine! Contact us with how you would like to help and feel free to show up during the Volunteer Days between November 2nd - 5th to chat with us directly! Contact Us: 540-679-9426 info@cfsota.org
Grief Support Group
This new support group meeting at Kendal, with a facilitator from Hospice/Caring Plus is open to the whole community.
It meets every 4th Wednesday at 3 pm, normally in Sunnyside, but this month in the Borden Conference Room.
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!
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 for Presiding Bishop The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray today for the people of St. Thomas, Christiansburg and their rector, the Rev. Mark Frazier. 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, Mike Haire, Chuck & Biddy Watson, Rob Fleming, Patricia Williams, Ed Craun, Richard Hay (nephew of the Partlett’s), Patty Irving Sensabaugh, 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 been affected by Hurricane Melissa. Pray for those who have died.
In Thanksgiving for October and November Birthdays
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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