Life With Grace | October 9
Come to the Banquet!
Last Sunday’s 10:30 service was quite the feast! One reason was its being W&L Parents’ Weekend, and we’ve had such great attendance of students and cadets this fall, many of whom brought their families along. Our own new children’s choir led the congregation in singing a hymn, thanks to their conductors Melanie Griffis and two of our choral scholars, May Nash and Tatum Wylie. Between services, Drew Sorber made some fascinating observations on Islam and democracy. I could go on, but you get an idea of the menu we savored.
In the sermon I mentioned the importance of quiet times. This Sunday will probably be more of one of those, but none the less valuable. Drew will again be leading the 9:15 class (a change in schedule), this time on how we can use ideas and models from monastic traditions to deepen our engagement in our society and democracy—an intriguing mélange from a master teacher. Sunday evening will be our first 5 p.m. “contemplative service” of the year, a time for prayer, meditation, and healing as well as communion, when God might be experienced, as Elijah did, in the (relative) silence.
These all relate to the parable of the banquet, our Gospel lesson of the day, in which Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a king who prepares a marriage feast to which, for no good reason, none of the invited guests come. So he opens his doors to all; and they come, “both good and bad.” One, though, appears without wearing his wedding duds, and gets seriously thrown out: What’s with that?
Come hear about that on Sunday…but, as an old song goes, “it doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you are there.”
The Reverend David Cox | Associate Priest
Changes in the Parish House: The “new” temporary offices for Lisa and Tuck are now located in the Brooke Room in the undercroft of the church, joining Martha in that space. We ask for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate this period of construction. If you have pastoral needs, please reach out to Lisa or by calling the office. The parking lot will not be available during the week or on Sundays. They have put up fencing behind the Parish House and the area between the two buildings has to be kept open for a fire lane. Please do not pull into the lot.
Worship Services | Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost | October 11
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Christianity & Culture - October 11, We have a change in the program for this week: We will have a presentation by Drew Sorber. We will take some of the themes we discussed last week from the early development of Islam and explore their place in Christian monastic traditions, and explore how we can use these ideas and models to deepen our engagement in our democracy and society.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Classes
Christianity & Culture - October 18, TBD
Christianity & Culture - October 25, Religion of the Founding Fathers, David Cox, Christian discipleship in democracy
Christianity & Culture - November 1, All Saints’ Day, Parish Site History, Catharine Burns, A history of the land of Gace church and Parish house
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | YouTube and In-Person
Celtic Contemplative Service with Healing Prayers and Music | 5 p.m. | In-Person
This Sunday the Nursery is available at both services.
Adults and older youth trained in Safe Church are needed to assist in the nursery from 9 a.m.–noon. We can pay $15/hour. Volunteers are also welcome. Please contact James Keane for more information and to offer assistance.
During the month of October, the Parish Office will be closed on Fridays. We will be having a lot of construction vehicles and there will be no place for the volunteers to park. Lisa will have access to email and phone messages so if you have a need you can always get in touch with her. Tuck will be back in November. Thank you for your continued support.
Tech Support Needed at 8 a.m. Service
We are looking for someone to start the Zoom and let people into the service at our 8 a.m. service. We have one person who can do it, but they are not there for every service. We are searching for a couple more folks who would be willing and we can schedule them monthly.
Thank you for your help! Training is available!
Morning Prayer | Monday – Friday | 8:30 a.m.
Zoom and In-Person
Phase 2 Renovation Update
K&L has started working in the Parish House. Asbestos abatement is scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 12. The parish house is off limits to everybody except the contractors. If someone does go in, that is a violation of protocol which could lead to reporting to EPA and/or fines. Our Clerk of the Works cannot emphasize enough the need to stay out of the building.
To reach the restroom, you can use the stairs located behind the organ. If you have any problems with mobility, it would be best to take the elevator to the ground floor, walk across the driveway, and enter through the greenish gray door at the far end of the undercroft. Directional signage will point parishioners and visitors to the bathroom location in the undercroft. We ask for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate this period of construction.
Phase 2 Timeline
Design Phase
Design – Architect 4/1 to 6/15
Construction Documents 8/13 to 9/4
Permits Review 9/8 to 9/21
Notice to Proceed 9/21 (expected date)
Submittal & Lead Times
9/8/2026 to 11/30
Split Units & DOAS
Plumbing Fixtures and piping
Panel Boards
Light Fixtures and wiring
Chair Lift
Doors and Hardware
Demolition
Construction Fencing and Signage 9/22 to 9/24
Asbestos Abatement 10/12 to 10/23
Selected Demolition 10 to 11/6
Shooing, Bracing & Steel 10 to 11/13
Demo Slab and Wall for Chair Lift 11/9 to 11/11
Concrete Work – Trench slab 11/12 to 11/18
Water & Sewer lines
Pour Concrete – Repair slab 11/17 TO 12/2
Mechanical & Electrical Phase
Electrical Rough-In 10/22 to 12/16
HVAC Piping (roof to rooms) 11/2 to 2/19
Plumbing – Bathrooms 11/19 to 12/30
Roof Curbs, Rails & Penetrations 2/22 to 3/5
Interior Finishes
Wall studs and Door Frames 2/3 to 12/17
Drywall 12/24 to 1/2
Coffered Ceiling 12/31 to 1/15
Paint Primer 1/7 to 1/13
Tile 1/8 to 1/14
Ceiling Grid 1/15 to1/21
Toilet Partitions & Accessories 1/29 to 2/10
Cabinets, Countertops, Doors & Hardware 2/2 to 2/15
Final Paint 2/25 to 3/1
Ceiling Tiles 3/2 to 3/3
Finish & Trim-out
Toilet Fixtures 1/15 to 1/28
Light Fixtures 1/22 to 1/28
Chair Lift 2/2 to 2/8
Grilles Register, & Diffusers 2/2 to 2/22
Plumbing Fixtures 2/9 to 2/15
Final Acceptance
Electrical Inspection 2/9 to 2/10
Mechanical Inspection 2/23 to 2/24
Building Final Inspection 3/4 to 3/5
Punchlist 3/9 to 3/15
Final Completion – DONE
3-15-2027
Easter
3-28-2027
Vestry Nominations
The Nominating Committee of the Vestry are seeking names of members interested in serving on the Vestry. According to the Canons of our Diocese of Southwestern Virginia,
“Only persons who are confirmed adult communicants of the parish in good standing, as defined in Canon 1.1 of the Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, for at least one year preceding the election shall be eligible for election as Vestry members.” Vestry members are elected to serve a 3-year term.. A weekend vestry retreat is usually held in February, and most vestry members attend at least 2 meetings per month (1 meetings related to the work of the vestry and 1 committee meeting).
Please contact a member of the Nominating Committee (Will Edgar, CC Arpin, Buddy Carter, or contact Lisa in the Parish Office to submit names for consideration.
Table Fellowship Groups
Fall is here and new table fellowship groups are being formed. We hope you’ll join us to meet new people, share a meal and build our Grace community.
Whether you choose Sunday brunch, lunch or dinner, in-home or out is up to you. Groups will be formed based on preferences. All are welcome, whether you’re single or a couple.
Signup by emailing Lisa before Sunday, November 1.
Children’s Choir
Children’s Choir will meet during Graceful Play, which takes place during the sermon, throughout the fall. Martha Burford and Melanie Griffis, joined by Music Scholars May Nash and Tatum Wiley, will lead the children in making a joyful noise.
Stay tuned for details about this year’s Christmas Pageant.
Sing with the Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is full of joy—and has room for new and returning singers and all who wish to make music at Grace. Rehearsals are held Thursdays from 7–8:30 p.m. in the undercroft and Sundays at 9:30 a.m., temporarily in the chancel.
The choir regularly sings at the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist and at monthly Evensongs beginning in October. Members also frequently sing at the 5 p.m. Second Sunday Celtic Service, which resumes in October.
If you are interested in singing only for the monthly afternoon services, or if you play an instrument and would like to share your gifts, please contact Martha Burford.
Music at Noon
Thursday, October 15 at noon | Lexington Presbyterian Church ‘Music at Noon’
William McCorkle, organ, Organ works of Johannes Brahms
Thursday, October 29 at noon | Lexington Presbyterian Church ‘Music at Noon’
William McCorkle, organ, Organ compositions inspired by the hymn ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’
Wind Works Program
The Chamber Music Society of Lexington will present a program of wind works from Northern Europe on Saturday, October 10th at 4:00 p.m. at Lexington Presbyterian Church. The concert will feature works by Crusell, Mendelssohn, Muczynski Milhaud, and Mozart. The concert is free and open to the public.
Rockbridge Pride 2026
Rockbridge Pride Virginia will host Rockbridge Pride on Saturday, October 17, from noon to 5 p.m. at Brewbaker Field Sports Complex, 198 Wallace St., Lexington.
This family-friendly community celebration will feature live entertainment, local vendors, food, and activities, bringing neighbors together to celebrate love, diversity, and community in Rockbridge.
Volunteers needed for the Neighborhood Grocery at RARA.
Each Thursday afternoon members of Grace, and their friends, staff the Neighborhood Grocery. We normally help between thirty and fifty clients with selecting food and loading groceries in their cars and with restocking shelves. Especially needed are strong backs to help put boxes of groceries in client’s cars. Volunteer shifts are from 2–4:30 p,m. You will be scheduled for one Thursday a month unless you wish to work more often. Please contact Kathy Hill for more information or to volunteer. kathrynchill1@gmail.com, 804-347-1967. Thank you for considering.
Food for Pets of RARA Clients
We are collecting 8- or 10-pound bags of dry food or packages of wet dog, puppy, cat, and kitten food for pets of RARA clients.
Any brand is welcome, but please choose regular diets.
Donations may be delivered inside the RARA Neighborhood Market at 350 Spotswood Drive, Lexington, during the following drop-off times:
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
If these times are not convenient, donations may also be dropped off at the parish office.
For questions, please email Susan Cross.
Clothes Closet at Christ Church
The Clothes Closet at Christ Church, Buena Vista, needs new men's briefs and boxer shorts and women's underwear - all sizes, men's collarless tee shirts in all sizes, men's shorts, jeans, pants sizes 30 to 36, and new or gently used men's socks. 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 a.m. until noon. You may drop your items off then. Alternately, you can bring your items to the Grace Episcopal 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 Rev. Sean Rowe. Pray today for the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Karin McPhail and for the people of Trinity, Moneta, their associate pastor the Rev. Janet Chisom, and their head pastor the Rev. Philip Bouknight. Pray for Brendon, Timmy, Laura Stearns, Lynda deMaria, Kent Wilson, Jerry Nay, Paula Cooper, Sharon Humphreys, Elizabeth Klein, Dot Fogo, Buddy Atkins, Dennis Coughlin, Gerry Locher, Mo Littlefield, Tena Clark, Shay Peters, Meg Moss, Steve Lawrence, Patricia Williams, Peggy Matheson, Gary Steinmiller (cousin of Darlene Keane), Virginia Cooke, Mike and Sue Ellen Jent, Jeff Mason, Katherine Greene, Lake Curry, Glen Jones, Nanalou Sauder, Susan Cross, Mimi Knight, Carol Gornto, Samantha Moran, Cathy Cocks, Pat Gibson, and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for the people living in war, pray for cessation of violence, and for reconciliation, and peace. Pray for those who have died.
In Thanksgiving for October Birthdays
10/9 Jerry Nay; Susan Denson
10/11 Heather McBrayer
10/12 Thomas Morrissey
10/16 Sharon Kurtz
10/19 Lori Apgar Rangel
10/20 Drusie Milford
10/23 Claudia Ellis
10/24 Sarah Centorino
10/26 Melissa Cox; Madelyn Stuart; Maggie Leventis
10/27 Connie Loughhead
10/30 Steve Shultis
10/31 Peggy Hays
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