Life With Grace | September 4
- Grace Episcopal Church
- 2 minutes ago
- 8 min read
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 | Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost | September 6
Holy Eucharist Rt I | 8 a.m. | Zoom and In-Person
Next 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 6: Renewing Grace Transition Plan — Don Robey
Upcoming Christianity and Culture Classes
September 13: Marc Nikkel & CATE (Children Aspiring to Education) — Susan Mead & MJ Mayerchek – Celebrating the passion embodied by Marc Nikkel for educating South Sudanese youth, this session will highlight parishioners' efforts to carry on his legacy, particularly at Hope House International and the Kelly Academy of Hope.
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.
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.
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.
New Rats
We have a new group of Rats joining us on Sunday. The number may change, but as of last Sunday we have 13 Rats attending services. Three of the Rats have already been adopted, leaving 10 (possibly more) who are looking for a haven away from the Institute on Sundays. If you are willing, we like adopting families to take 2 Rats; it makes things a little more comfortable for the Rats.
If you are interested, please contact Pat McGuire via email or speak with James Keane. We’re hoping to have the Rats adopted by Sept 6.
Thank you considering adoption.
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).
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.
Tutors Needed
Tutors are needed for the Youth Literacy Program coordinated by the Rockbridge Regional Library.
The Youth Literacy Program provides volunteer tutors for students in Lexington and Rockbridge County elementary schools who are struggling with reading. Tutors meet one-on-one with a student once a week after school during the school year. Last year, 60 tutors provided 1,000 tutoring sessions.
No experience is necessary—we will provide training. Tutors should be available one afternoon a week during after-school hours, either 2:30–3 p.m. or 3–4 p.m.
If you are interested, attend an information meeting at the Lexington Library on August 31, anytime between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., or contact Lenna Ojure, Youth Literacy Program Coordinator, at lojure@rrlib.net or 540-600-5133.
Training for new tutors is scheduled for September 10, 14, and 17, from 5:15–6:30 p.m. After completing the three sessions, tutors are ready to begin. If you cannot attend those dates, the coordinator can work with you individually.
Make a difference in a child’s reading journey by becoming a literacy tutor.
ESOL Snack Request
The English as a Second Language (ESOL) program at Rockbridge County High School needs individually wrapped snacks for ESOL students, such as granola bars, protein bars, cheese crackers, peanut butter crackers, beef jerky. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. You may leave them in the Parish Office. Thank you!
Art Exhibit
Janie Sussenbach will exhibit mixed-media artwork at 18 West Gallery on Washington Street in Lexington throughout September and October. An opening reception will be held on September 4 during First Friday.
All are welcome to stop by and see the exhibition.
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 people of Christ, Pocahontas.
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 & Ann 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, Sid, Allison Williams, Biddy & Chuck Watson, Sue Denson, Michelle Mackie, Gary Steinmiller (cousin of Darlene Keane), Virginia Cooke, Melanie Griffis, Mike and Sue Ellen Jent, Jeff Mason, Lizzie Scott, Carole Elmore, 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.
In Thanksgiving for September Birthdays
9/4 Gail Dick
9/7 Susan Cross
9/8 Delea Bowerfind, Cecilia Arpin
9/9 Marlys Craun
9/10 Frederick Kurtz, Ted Judt
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 (Susan Mead’s client)
9/30 Mo Littlefield, Lynda DeMaria
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