Dear Friends,
Daffodils are blooming! And I bet you they will keep blooming through any snow we get this weekend. ...
Daffodils are the joyful symbol of resilience, hope chosen by the Daffodil Project to remember and honor the 1.5 million children who perished in the holocaust.
Lent is a journey of renewal. Renewal of joy and hope in the power of the resurrection. Lent is a journey of perseverance. Perseverance in proclaiming God's unconditional love for the world not only with our lips, but through our lives. Not only on warm days, but also on cold and stormy ones. Remember what Jesus did for us by coming to be with us, not only for the good times but also in hardship and loss. Enduring all manner of temptation, self-denial, rejection, suffering, and death he prepared a place in the human heart for the Holy Spirit so that we could live always in the power of his love.
Remembering children everywhere who are suffering because of injustice, indifference, or cruelty - in Turkey, Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, Haiti, Rockbridge County, and Lexington, let us persevere in hope and joy, building healthy and nurturing communities, striving to love our neighbors, even our enemies. Like daffodils - proclaiming their hope and joy to everyone year after year because they are fed and rooted in the life giving mercy and compassion of the living God.
With Gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind, Rector, Grace Episcopal Lexington
During Lent, as always, the Grace Labyrinth is available. To learn more about the use of Labyrinths as a prayer practice please visit the information on our website.
Worship Services | First Sunday in Lent | Sunday, February 26
Holy Eucharist | 8 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity and Culture | 9:15 a.m.
Parish Hall & Zoom | Renewal of Faith, Confirmation
Holy Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.
In-Person & YouTube
Bible Study | 4 p.m.
In-Person | Welles Room | Gospel of Matthew
Holden Evensong | 5 p.m.
In-Person | No Registration Required
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.
In-Person & Zoom
Lent Madness | Wednesdays in March 6:45 p.m.
Paws to Connect is Back!
We had a fantastic first-week-back at Paws to Connect! Join us this week on Grace's steps from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday!
We're on Twitter!
To stay in the loop with all things Grace Episcopal, give us a follow on our new Twitter! While you're at it, check out our other socials too.
Upcoming Music Events (No Registration Required)
This weekend's Drum Circle is postponed; new date to be announced.
Confirmation Preparation
Anyone interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation of Faith please contact Tuck or Samson. Meeting are held in the library after the 10:30 a.m. service.
Lent Madness
The goals of this contest are fun and reflecting on how we are inspired and challenged by some exemplars of Christian discipleship. Please invite friends to participate and come to the presentations and debates.
Please subscribe for the Lent Madness emails which will allow you to vote for each contest.
Presentations will take place on Wednesday nights in March starting at 6:45 p.m. On Wednesdays in March those who wish may gather for abbreviated Evening prayer at 6 p.m. Anne Sauder will serve a Soup and Bread supper at 6:20 p.m. and our presentations will begin at 6:45 p.m. We plan to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.
Prayer List
Please pray for the wider Church and intercessions requested by our Congregants: The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas. Pray for the people of St. Luke’s, Hot Springs and their Rector, The Rev. Harrison Heidel. Pray for Robbie and Brendon (friends of the Brooke family), Michael Murphy, John Thomas, Timmy, Katie (daughter-in-law of Connie Bryant), Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin (friends of the Gibsons), Caroline Parcell, Alice Parcell, Stanard, Rebecca, and Caroline (family of Mary Price), Gloria June Perry (mother of Michael Perry), Glen Jones (friend of the Riethmillers), Darlene Travis (sister of Don Ellis), Patricia Brown Boyer (sister of Madison Brown), Alice Furgerson, Dolly Shumate (friend of the Lewis’), Laura Wieman (friend of the Hotchkiss’), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, David Passmore, David Sorrells, Crystal Iosco and John Penn (granddaughter and son of Ellie & George Penn) and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died.
In Thanksgiving for February and March Birthdays
2/24 Holt Merchant
2/25 Jeanne Passmore
2/27 Joseph Henson
2/28 Caitie Carrington
2/28 Erin Carrington
3/2 Katherine Greene
3/7 Woody Sadler
3/8 James Brown, Emma Brooke, Jonathan Webster, Carole Elmore
3/9 Anne F Grizzle, Susan Mead
3/10 Mary Price
3/11 Alice Furgerson, Daniel Mastin
3/14 Cindy Mullen
3/15 John Milford
3/16 Shay Peters, Catherine Harcus
3/17 Ed Craun, Bill Sayre, Pat McGuire
3/18 Elizabeth Knapp
3/19 Wade Branner, Cecile West-Settle
3/23 Polly Lawrence, Laura Stearns
3/24 Rose Gordon
3/26 AP Smith
3/27 Kathryn Hill
3/31 Will Edgar
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.
Black in Appalachia Pilgrimage
Join the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia April 28-30 for a pilgrimage to explore and learn about the roots of black history in the Appalachian Mountains. There is a limit of 15 spots for this trip, so please see the event details and registration button below.
Our Lenton Journey: Companions Along the Way
You're invited to Our Lenten Journey: Companions Along the Way, a six-week, online series on Tuesdays at 7PM from February 28 – April 4 sponsored by The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia.
Episcopal Church's Public Affairs Office Email List
Subscribe to the Episcopal Church’s Public Affairs Office’s email lists to receive the latest information about The Episcopal Church. “The Episcopal Church Press Release Digest” provides up-to-the-minute information about news, events, and resources from The Episcopal Church. The “Daily Scan” is a daily list of links to news stories in the mass media that highlight The Episcopal Church, Episcopal parishes and dioceses, and Episcopalians.
Donate to The Bishop’s Dollar Fund
This year during the season of Lent, Bishop Bourlakas extends his annual invitation to reflect on our discipleship in Jesus' name. As you walk the way of the cross through the forty days of Lent, we encourage generous support of The Bishop’s Dollar Fund to continue to address a variety of initiatives and needs throughout the diocese that would not be available through our annual program budget. You may send donations via the link below or mail a check to the Diocesan Office made payable to the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia with "Bishop's Dollar" in the memo line to: Attn: Bishop's Dollar Fund, PO Box 2279, Roanoke, VA 24009.
Community News
Joint Service at First Baptist Church
You are cordially invited to attend First Baptist Church as we welcome our Hispanic and Ukrainian Friends to our Community! The service will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 11AM. Our Guest Preacher will be Rev. Dr Tomas Mackey who hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina and is the current President, Baptist World Alliance. A complimentary Soul Food Lunch will be served immediately following the Morning Worship Service.
Festival of Faith | March 11-12, 2023
Lexington Presbyterian Church Featuring Guest Speaker/Facilitator, Rev. Aisha Brooks-Johnson, Executive Presbyter of Greater Atlanta ALL EVENTS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ALL AT LEX PRES (120 S. Main St., Lexington)
Saturday, March I1
5:30-8:00 PM - Dinner, Rev. Brooks-Johnson's Keynote Address, and Discussion (childcare provided)
Sunday, March I2
11:00 A.M. Worship (Rev. Brooks-Johnson preaching)
5:00 PM Youth Supper/Actvities with Rev. Brooks-Johnson (all students in Grades 6-12 welcome)
W&L's Equality Gala
The LGBTQ+ Equality Gala (formerly Virginia Colleges LGBTQ+ Equality Gala) is an annual charity event hosted at Washington and Lee University where we have food, music, dancing, and drag queens in order to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity and raise money for the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center in Staunton, VA. We would LOVE it if you would come to the event and celebrate with us on March 18 at 8 p.m. W&L will be celebrating their 11th year hosting this event.
Hosting Ukrainian Families
A humanitarian outreach effort organized by citizens of Lexington, Buena Visa, and Rockbridge County, we aim to pave the way for sponsoring temporary re-settlement of families who qualify for entry according to the laws of the United States.
The mission of Hosting Ukrainian Families is based upon love, compassion, and humanitarian concerns for families seeking to live in peace. Accordingly, a call is issued to each person joining in this effort to set aside all political, culturally divisive viewpoints, and all differences which may hinder or defeat these goals. To donate, click the link below.