Life With Grace | September 11
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. The Parish House will still be open for meetings until mid-September. 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.
Worship Services | Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost | September 13
This Sunday, September 13, there will only be one service at 10:30 a.m. We will be celebrating the Feast of Marc Nikkel. The Rev. Susan Bentley will be the preacher, The Rev. Anne Grizzle will celebrate. Anna Billias will be our guest musician.
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
September 13: Marc Nikkel & CATE (Children Aspiring to Education) —
Celebrating the passion embodied by Marc Nikkel for educating South Sudanese
youth and now pursued by Grace Church through CATE, this session will shine a
light on the education journey of several South Sudanese and Haitians who will
be present. Proceeding withQ & A's led by MJ Mayerchak, we will learn about the
complexity of their journeys and their incredible motivation and ultimately how our
faith based activity helps others from those countries. An added attraction: The South Sudanese women will share homemade savory sambusa and sweet basta.
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Classes
September 20: Christian Discipleship and Democracy — Patrick Hugg — An introduction based on the work of Cross Purposes by Jonathan Rauch
September 27: bell hooks — Sarah Moyer — Christian discipleship in democracy
October 4: Democracy in Islam — Drew Sorber — Christian Discipleship in democracy
October 11: Strategic Planning Episcopal Church — Rebecca Wilson
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | YouTube and In-Person
The nursery is available during our 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.
About the Rev. Dr. Marc Nikkel (1950-2000)
The Rev. Dr. Marc Nikkel was an Episcopal priest, teacher, artist, and missionary who always believed he received as much as he gave to these endeavors. Born into a Mennonite family which included missionaries in Africa, he attended Fuller Theological Seminary in California, and eventually was drawn to Anglicanism and the Episcopal Church. When he went to Sudan in 1981, he became deeply enamored with the place and its people. While teaching at Bishop Gwynne Theological College in Sudan, he met our own Diocesan Bishop Heath Light at a conference. Bishop Light facilitated the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia's sponsorship of Marc towards his ordination. Marc Nikkel studied at General Theological Seminary in New York before Bishop Light ordained him as a deacon in Lynchburg; he was later ordained a priest by bishops in Sudan.
Marc Nikkel maintained close ties to our Diocese, and on at least one occasion visited our Lexington parish to talk about his work among the Sudanese. He explained that the youth in Sudan considered education the most valuable gift they could receive and were willing to do without food, clothes or shelter to obtain it. A member of our parish was so impressed that he made a substantial gift to our church to be used for the education of these Sudanese youth, which began a 40-year commitment from this parish towards education of youth and priests from southern Sudan (now South Sudan). Marc Nikkel sponsored a number of Sudanese students himself, one of whom named James Baak, spoke at our parish on this day ten years ago, and has now gone on to become a bishop in South Sudan. Another, Bartholomayo Bol Deng, also visited many times, preached, and was ordained in the U.S. before returning to South Sudan to teach. A collection of Marc’s letters written from Sudan titled Why Haven’t You Left? will be available in the church library when it reopens; it offers more insight into his work and the highs and lows–including abduction and 150-mile trek as captive–of his time in Sudan, and with Sudanese refugees in Kenya. Upon his release from captivity and subsequent forced exile from his beloved Sudan, he earned a doctorate at Edinburgh University, writing his dissertation on Christian spirituality among Sudan's Dinka tribal members.
Marc Nikkel's untimely death from cancer in 2000 ended his own mission on earth, but sparked a fire in many of us. Our parish first focused its attention on assisting South Sudanese seminarians and on the Marc Nikkel School created in his memory. Later, Grace supported South Sudanese children living at Hope House International in Kenya, a residence for refugee children going to more promising schools than South Sudan could offer. When one of the Hope House graduates recently started Kelly Academy of Hope in South Sudan, our parish became a key supporter. Marc Nikkel's spirit is alive and well in the work our parish does through CATE (Children Aspiring to Education), not only in South Sudan, but in Haiti, too. Thanks to the Rev. Dr. Marc Nikkel for more than 40 years of inspiration! Now, with continued prayers and donations from today's parishioners, we hope to keep his dream going for generations to come!
WHY ARE YOU GETTING A HIBISCUS FLOWER ON THE FEAST OF MARC NIKKEL?
The hibiscus flower–"choublak" or "rose kayenn" in Haiti and “karkadé” in South Sudan—is considered a national symbol of resilience in those two nations. So, it is a PERFECT representation of the "Children of Grace” we serve in both countries! Yes, indeed: Grace Episcopal Church is blessed to help educate over 600 children through its Children Aspiring to Education (CATE) initiative! In the spirit of the Rev. Marc Nikkel, who was an educator himself and also sponsored children to go to school, Grace Episcopal Church funds two schools and a residence that support Haitian and South Sudanese children attaining an education they would not otherwise have access to.
The hibiscus flower is seen as a symbol of resilience because of the difficult environmental conditions it thrives in--hot, rugged climates that challenge its very survival. Much the same can be said of the people living in very tough times in South Sudan and Haiti. The flowers and the people are so strong, and emanate remarkable beauty, in the midst of drought and famine, violence and scarcity. Marc Nikkel saw this first-hand, when he lived and worked among the people in Sudan.
In both Haiti and South Sudan, the people use dried hibiscus flowers to make a delicious red tea that has health benefits; they offer the tea to welcome people to their homes and communities. The tea is naturally a bit sour, so it is likely to have lots of sugar added to make it sweet enough to drink! But let it be known: there is nothing sweeter than the smiles of children we serve in South Sudan and Haiti!
We are sending a hibiscus flower home with each of you because we want you to think of these children every day, include them in your prayers, and when you are able, donate to Grace's CATE initiative. Please put this beauty on your fridge or filing cabinet (or anywhere you see fit!) to bring the "Children of Grace” and CATE to mind. If you cannot keep your flower in your dorm or barracks, entrust it to someone who will keep the “Children of Grace” in their minds and hearts! May these children bloom brightly!
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
During Phase 2 of Grace’s renovation, the Parish House will be unavailable. Two restrooms are located in the undercroft, but only the restroom on the far side will be available. It may be reached using the stairs behind the organ. Those for whom stairs present a barrier may take the elevator to the ground floor, cross the driveway, and enter through the green-gray door at the far end of the undercroft. Directional signs will guide parishioners and visitors to the restroom.
Coffee hour following the 8 a.m. service will be held in the undercroft. After the 10:30 a.m. service, coffee hour will be held in the undercroft or, weather permitting, in the courtyard. Because the Parish Hall kitchen will be unavailable, only light refreshments will be offered.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate this season of construction. For pastoral needs, please contact Lisa McGuire or call the Parish Office at 540-463-4981.
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.
Letter from Gary Wall, newly accepted STEPS Returning Citizen
September 9, 2026
I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to introduce myself to Grace Episcopal Church and the community of Lexington with a letter. My name is Gary Wall, and I’ve been incarcerated in the VADOC for 32 plus years for a robbery I committed when I was 19 years old. I am a hardworking, self-educated, accomplished litigator in search of love, peace, and a chance to positively contribute to a community. As you can imagine, being incarcerated for that long has come with a lot of ups & downs but I will soon be given the chance to transition back into society with the help from the members of the STEPS program when I am released on March 9, 2027.
This program has accepted me, the human being, and given me a gift that can’t be purchased and a feeling I forgot existed. This acceptance has given me a sense of belonging that I will protect at all costs, because I refuse to squander this second chance. With a pledged commitment of giving back to this community with my hard work and my continuing to strive to being better than I once was, the possibilities are endless.
Overall, faith guides me and the values I have placed in myself, with this new community taking me in, only fortifies my will to succeed. So, I thank you gracious members of STEPS and look forward to becoming a part of society as a productive, contributing member.
Gary Wall #1133749 STEPS Team: Tuck Bowerfind (Rector), David Connolly, Anna Crockett (chair), Lynn Dent, Maurine Houser (Lex Pres liaison), Pat Mcquire, Steve Riethmiller, Frank Settle. Contact Anna Crockett at aennchen3@gmail.com or (540) 460-3254 for additional information.
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.
The choir will first sing during the liturgy on Sunday, October 4, as we celebrate the life of St. Francis, offering “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” The children will sing again on Sunday, November 1, for All Saints’ Day.
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.
Flower Donations
There are still Sundays available in October on the flower chart. If you would like to donate flowers in memory of or in thanksgiving for someone please sign up. The chart is located on the bridge next to the doorway to the elevator. The suggested donation is $75.00. When you put your name on the chart, please remember to let Lisa McGuire know your dedication.
Wine Tasting Fundraiser for C.A.T.E.
Join your Grace friends for a Wine Tasting & Silent Auction to benefit Children Aspiring to Education (CATE), Grace's ministry to children in Haiti and South Sudan. Saturday, September 19, 5–7 p.m. in the Grace Church undercroft. Main Street Purveyors will offer the wine tasting. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served.
$25.00 per person: pay at the door. Sign up to reserve your place.
Education for Ministry (EfM) Update
For the 2025-2026 academic year, Grace trialed a new one-year EfM program. It included study of the Old Testament, New Testament, church history and limited discussion of ethics and morality. It was a successful year with plans to offer an updated version beginning this September. Unfortunately, the updates needed to refresh the course were not available.
In place of offering the same content again, an alternate has been developed that will start on Tuesday, September 22 from 1–3 p.m. Content will include discussion of the Old Testament, New Testament, a comparison of theological beliefs of the Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion to other Christian denominations, and ethics and morality. New books have been identified with discussion of assigned readings as part of the program. Because registration with Sewanee will not be offered, the standard cost of $350 will not be charged. Participants will be responsible for purchasing the books needed. Breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter will be made. The class will conclude in late April 2027.
If you're interested in participating or need additional information, please contact James Keane (jrklexva@msn.com).
Parish Secretary Needed — Part-Time (15 hours a week)
St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church (2339 Grandin Road SW in Roanoke, Virginia) is seeking a warm, organized, and detail-oriented Parish Secretary to join our parish office on a part-time basis. Working under the direction of the Curate-in-Charge, The Reverend Jake Webb, you'll be the friendly voice and face of the parish office — answering phones, managing the parish email account, and serving as a welcoming presence to everyone who calls or visits. You'll also handle the steady rhythm of office life: preparing weekly bulletins and the church e-newsletter, maintaining the parish calendar and directory, keeping the website up to date, and supporting the Music Director, Bookkeeper, Treasurer, and other lay leaders as needed.
The ideal candidate brings at least three years of clerical experience, including at least one year as an administrative assistant or office manager, along with strong Microsoft Office skills and comfort learning new church-specific software. Just as important are the softer skills: clear, courteous communication; sound judgment and discretion with sensitive parish information; and the collaborative spirit to work well with clergy, staff, and volunteers. Candidates must be willing to pass a criminal background check and complete Safe Church training as a condition of employment.
This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, values community, and wants their work to support a vibrant parish life. Hours and schedule will be set in consultation with the curate. If you're a self-starter who takes pride in getting the details right and making people feel welcome, we'd love to hear from you — please send your resume and a brief cover letter to Beth Bond, Senior Warden of St. Elizabeth’s.
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 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. 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.
ConnectionsPlus
Join Tasha Walsh, Executive Director of ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice, for an informative Dementia Friends Talk on Thursday, September 24, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Randolph Street United Methodist Church, 118 S. Randolph St., Lexington.
The session will cover common signs and symptoms of dementia, communication techniques, caregiver support strategies, and practical ways to support loved ones living with dementia. A Q&A will follow.
Presented by the Rockbridge Racial Equity Coalition. See the attached flyer for additional information.
Upcoming Documentary Producer Visit
Frederick Murphy has traveled throughout the South for his documentary work and takes his findings to universities and communities all over the region and beyond. His "Indelible Appalachians" was shown at our library in 2025; he will be here in person to introduce us to more of his work on Sept. 29, see below:
Documentary producer Frederick Murphy will present his work "Echoes of the Forks of Cypress," a study in intergenerational racial trauma and the healing process, in two public screenings and discussions on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Lexington. His visit is sponsored by the DeLaney Center of Washington & Lee University.
The events:
Tuesday 9/29 at 8 to 9 a.m., DeLaney Reading Club Breakfast at the Gin Hotel 1st floor banquet hall, and
Noon- 2 pm DeLaney Dialogues at W&L's Watson Galleries.
Mr. Murphy will show excerpts from the documentary, filmed at a former plantation site in northern Alabama. Both events are free and open to the public. The community is invited to come, enjoy a buffet, watch, listen and offer their own perspectives on this important topic.
Mr. Murphy traces part of his own lineage to the area where the filming was done. Based in Charlotte, NC, he has also produced a documentary, "Indelible Appalachians," that features black voices from the Appalachians, dispelling the notion that African Americans were not and are not a vibrant part of the Appalachian community to which we all belong. That work is also definitely of interest.
His work and more information are available on the platform and website historybeforeus.com.
Information on the DeLaney Center is available on the wlu.edu website.
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. Pray today for the students and staff of Stuart Hall and their Head of School, Jason Coady. Pray for God’s blessing on the peacemaking labor of Anthony Poggo, former bishop of the South Sudanese diocese of Kajo-Kejil and now serving as Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Ezekiel Kondo, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, and Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. 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, Michelle Mackie, Gary Steinmiller (cousin of Darlene Keane), Virginia Cooke, Melanie Griffis, Mike and Sue Ellen Jent, Jeff Mason, Katherine Greene, Melissa Wooding, Lake Curry, Glen Jones, 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, Ann Savage Nay.
In Thanksgiving for September Birthdays
9/11 Ham Smith, Mary Etta Randolph
9/16 Tucker Bowerfind
9/18 Judy Hotchkiss, Carolyn Kuper
9/19 Julia Littlefield, Nanalou Sauder, Frank Settle
9/20 Keith Gibson, Spencer Tucker, Drew Sorber, Phyllis Hugg
9/21 Chris Howison, Barbara Luton, Austra Burr
9/22 Ann Nay, Elizabeth Oliver
9/24 Graham Centorino
9/25 Darlene Keane
9/26 Page Donkle
9/28 Winifred Hart
9/29 John Maasch
9/30 Mo Littlefield, Lynda DeMaria
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