Dear Friends,
This Sunday we rightly extol the mercy of God. In the gospel we hear Jesus teach as he continues to hold a child in the midst of the circle of disciples. Amazingly, this child represents God the Father, the one who sent Jesus. His teaching requires harsh consequences for those who fail to honor the vulnerable. These harsh teachings seem to depict an unmerciful and punitive Father. But we have to remember that these harsh consequences are directed toward those who fail to honor and protect the child, the vulnerable, the least of those among us.
The Season of Creation, which concludes this Sunday, has drawn our attention to the needs of creatures, both human and non-human, endangered by the environmental crisis. It is not accidental that homelessness is accelerating among people in our country at the same time as natural disasters are increasing and the stock market is reaching new heights. We have designed our economy around maximizing shareholder profits, not concerns for the vulnerable. We have made 3000 square foot homes on two acre lots, like the one I inhabit, a normal desire. Hundreds of thousands of people in our country can't afford to survive my normal desire. It is not their moral failing. It is mine. I have bought into a system that displaces people and other creatures and blames them for a failure to adapt. Perhaps that sounds harsh.
As Pope Francis says in Laudato Si' we need an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, (like the child in the arms of Jesus) and at the same time protecting nature.
We know how to do these things. But perhaps we will not do them until we can figure out how to maximize profits and grow property values. Â
The challenges that face us are spiritual. They are values based. Whose profit are we centering? We have to emulate the saints of our tradition rather than envy the neighbor who has more than we do. We have to be willing to cut ourselves off from indulgences we have grown accustomed to think of as necessities. We have to rediscover the salt, the flavor of life, that we each already have in ourselves and be at peace with one another. We have to follow the way Jesus embodies among us, the mercy of God that centers the child rather than the self-centered disciples.
May God help us.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind (he/him) Recotr | Grace Episcopal Church
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 | Blessing of the Animals| Sunday, September 29
Holy Eucharist Rt 1 | 8 a.m. | In Person and Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m. | In Person and Zoom
Sunday, September 29 - Catherine Siegel - Roots and Shoots
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Session
Beginning in October and continuing up to Lent, Christianity and Culture will feature a series of explorations of essential Christian beliefs and practices. The first of these, "Who is God?" will explore our beliefs about God as we encounter Him in scripture, hymn, and creed.
October 6, Anne Hansen will present "Knowing God: Trusting through a glass darkly."
October 13, Martha Burford will discuss knowing God through our hymns.
October 20, Tuck will discuss what we proclaim about God in our creeds.
Read this Episcopal News Service article on last week's call with St Marc's School in Haiti.
Holy Eucharist Rt II | 10:30 a.m. | In-Person and on YouTube
Due to inclement weather, this Sunday's 10:30 a.m. Season of Creation service will be held inside.Â
Don't forget it is Blessing of the Animals this Sunday at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services. Bring your pets to church! We will also bless stuffed animals!Â
Graceful Play | During 10:30 a.m. Service
Graceful Play is a program for early childhood and early elementary children. Graceful Play blends curriculum elements from Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Marjorie Connolly and Melanie Griffis will offer Graceful Play during the 10:30 service on 9/29 (there will also be dates in Oct/Nov/Dec). They will lead children out during the hymn before the gospel lesson and bring them back at the Peace. Email Marjorie Connolly with questions.
Women's Bible Study | 3:30 p.m.
The Women's Bible Study is changing their time to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays
The Season of Creation
We will be using the "Season of Creation" liturgy throughout September.
9/29 - 8 a.m. indoors/10:30 a.m. indoors - Blessing of the Animals
The celebration of this Season began in 1989 when Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I established September 1 as a Day of Prayer for Creation for the Orthodox Church. The World Council of Churches extended the celebration to October 4th, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. The yearly themes, logos, and other resources are provided by the ecumenical organization to which we belong as members of the Anglican Communion. The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, Bishop of California, represents the Episcopal Church on the steering committee. More information and resources for various activities and events outside of the primary Sunday morning worship service may be found on the website.
The theme for 2024 is To Hope and Act with Creation. In the letter of Paul the apostle to the Romans, the biblical image pictures the Earth as a Mother, groaning as in childbirth (Rom 8:22). Francis of Assisi understood this when he referred to the Earth as our sister and our mother in his Canticle of Creatures. The times we live in show that we are not relating to the Earth as a gift from our Creator, but rather as a resource to be used. And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life springs forth.
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For Creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, groaning as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only Creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Selection from Romans 8:19-25
Season of Creation Call to Action! Grace can be part of the NUT AND ACORN COLLECTION success story! The Virginia Department of Forestry is collecting nuts and acorns, nurturing them to seedlings, and planting for the future! And, yes! Walnuts are much needed! Just collect the nuts or acorns--label what kind they are. If you don't know, put a leaf of the tree from which the nuts/acorns dropped. Please bring in paper or burlap bags or baskets or bowls-no plastic. Don't mix nuts or acorns. Bring them to church by Monday, Oct. 7, and Martha Burford will deliver them to the DOF before the Oct. 15 deadline. DOF call for action
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Music Announcements
Grace Episcopal Church offers Choral Evensong celebrating the Feast of Michael and All Angels, Sunday, September 29, 5pm. The service lasts approximately 45 minutes and offers music, scripture, and prayers. Featured composers are Joanna Forbes L'Estrange, June Nixon, Alice Parker, and S.S. Wesley. All are welcome to the service and reception that follows. For details contact Martha Burford martha@gracelexva.org
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, 7pm for "Carry the Flame: The Bob 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!
First Fridays for Kids! Grace Episcopal Church hosts First Friday for Kids Friday, October 4, 5 -7 pm. While parents enjoy the galleries and more of First Fridays Downtown, Grace Episcopal, just down the hill at 123 W. Washington Street, offers Art and Music on the Grace Episcopal Church Courtyard. Origami, drumming, singing, and other art projects will be led by teachers, who are certified in Safe Church Education. For details contact Martha Burford martha@gracelexva.org
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:Â 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.
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WHERE:Â Boys Home of Virginia, 414 Boys Home Rd, Covington, VA 24426
WHO:Â 6th-12th graders & adult chaperones
COST:Â $75 (includes lodging, activities, lunch & dinner on Saturday, and breakfast & lunch on Sunday)Â
TRANSPORTATION:Â 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.
Dining Groups
We are excited to invite you to join our Church Dining Groups—a delightful opportunity to build connections, share meals, and grow in fellowship with one another.  Whether you choose Sunday brunch, lunch or dinner, in-home, out or a combination is up to you! Please contact Drusie Milford or Ruth Smith at 910-409-9325 to join a group (and indicate your preferential meeting time). All are welcome! Deadline for signup is October 1st.
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!
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.
Unmasking Racism in Anti-Racism Education
Youth Ministry with Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown | September 18 - October 2 | 12 - 1:30 p.m. Eastern 3 Sessions I Zoom
New Coffee Hour Schedule
The following team leaders will host Sunday morning coffee hours. Please thank our Coffee Hour team leaders!
September 29 team leaders are Ruth Smith and Chris Young
October 6 team leaders are Cecile West-Settle and Elizabeth Boetsch
October 13 team leaders are Lynn Dent and Bill Kozak
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!
The Wall that Heals Program
As you know, The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center. It will be at the Jackson River Sports Complex in Covington, from October 3rd – October 6th, and will be open 24 hours a day. It is free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
We are relieved this event has been well funded – we have successfully raised enough to support bringingThe Wall That Heals to our area and to cover needs for supporting the event while it is here. We appreciate your willingness to support this unique opportunity. We are now seeking help spreading the word about The Wall That Heals as we continue to move forward. We would love if you could help spread the word.
The Wall That Heals will be escorted through downtown Lexington on October 1st. We hope our community will come out to cheer as the truck is escorted through downtown Lexington. If you know any community members, schools, or organizations, or church groups that may be interested in a tour, or who would like to volunteer for this event, check out the following website for schedules, contacts and opportunities available:
Project Horizon Seeking Volunteers
There will be a training session in October. If you are interested call and get your name on the list for the training session. Project Horizon desires empathetic, thoughtful, and motivated volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to help us accomplish our mission of eradicating domestic, sexual, and dating violence through empowerment of survivors, and by being a sanctuary for victims. We need your help to provide these vital services as Rockbridge County’s only domestic violence shelter and hotline.
Project Horizon was founded in 1982 by a group of women sitting around a kitchen table. Today, we provide a 24-hour crisis hotline, free counseling services, an emergency shelter for victims, outreach to underrepresented communities, and educational programming for kindergarten through college-aged students. Â
Volunteers play an integral role in Project Horizon’s mission by answering hotline calls, providing office support, interacting with shelter residents, working with employees on specific projects, such as translation or art projects, and assisting staff with events.
For information about volunteering and to sign up for our next training, contact volunteer coordinator Janice Burguieres at 540-463-7861or jburguieres@rockbridge.net.
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 today for the members of the Commission on Ministry and their chair, The Rev. Susan E. Bentley. 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, Jane Drewry (sister-in-law of Ruth Smith), 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, 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.
In Thanksgiving for September and October Birthdays
9/28Â Â Â Winifred Hart
9/30Â Â Â Mo Littlefield, Lynda Bassett-DeMaria
10/2    Donnie McBrayer
10/4    Mary Katherine Lawrence, Anne Hansen
10/5    Marguerite Old
10/6    Christine Szarzynski
10/8    Elizabeth Shields
10/9    Jerry Nay, Susan Denson
10/11   Heather McBrayer
10/16   Sharon Kurtz
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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