Dear Friends,
Spiritual growth, growth in love with God and our neighbors, enriches our lives. Spiritual growth happens when we invest in the way of love - spending time learning, praying, worshipping, going, blessing and also resting with and in God.
As Lent approaches beginning with Ash Wednesday, February 22, I hope you will consider spending some additional, intentional time walking with and proclaiming Jesus the Word of God in whom we live and grow in love. Here are some special offerings you might consider:
The Diocese will be offering a six part online gathering entitled Our Lenten Journey - Companions Along the Way Tuesday nights at 7 starting February 28.
Here at Grace on every Wednesday evening of March we will host prayers at 6PM, supper at 6:15PM, and Lent Madness 6:45-7:30PM. Please register for Lent Madness and join us.
Anyone interested in preparing for Confirmation or Renewal of Faith should contact Samson or me. We will have a first meeting Sunday February 19 after the 10:30 service from noon-1pm in the Welles Library.
You might also consider joining a regular on-going spiritual growth group at Grace, or starting a new one. Every Tuesday at 7AM a group of men gathers in person and on-line for breakfast and discussion. Every Sunday at 4PM there is a gathering for Bible study in the Welles Library. Every weekday at 8:30AM there is Morning Prayer in person in the Church and on-line. Every Sunday at 9:15AM Christianity and Culture meetings in Lent will focus on listening to and discerning God's call to us.
God has opened the wellspring of the Spirit for us. But God won't make us drink. We are each responsible for devoting some time and effort to pay attention to and walk with God.
With gratitude,
Tuck Bowerfind, Rector, Grace Episcopal Lexington
Worship Services | Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany | Sunday, February 5
Holy Eucharist | 8AM
In-Person & Zoom
Christianity and Culture| 9:15AM
Parish Hall & Zoom
Holy Eucharist | 10:30AM
In-Person & YouTube
First Sunday Lunch
Following the 10:30AM service, pasta will be served. Help with set up and clean up is greatly appreciated!
Evening Prayer | 5PM
In-Person
Morning Prayer | Monday–Friday 8:30 AM
In-Person & Zoom
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.
Christianity and Culture | 9:15AM Sunday Forums
February 5 | Delegates to Diocesan Convention will share their observations about what happened at Diocesan Convention.
February 12 | We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 9:15AM Eucharist followed by 10:30AM Town Hall meeting with Architect Neal Roseberry to continue our discussion about what Grace Church will look like in 25 years and how our buildings might support that vision.
February 19 | Last Epiphany Intro to Lent Madness – Listening to Spiritual stories of our ancestors in the Faith Augustine v Hippolytus, Florence v Nicolaus, Olga v Bertha, Scholastica v R Hooker, Monica v Joanna, Dorothy v Enmegahbowh
Upcoming Music Events
Thank you to all who joined us for Evensong this past Sunday. Your presence made the worship experience even more special. We hope you will join us for our upcoming music events!
Drum Circle | Saturday, February 25 4PM
Community Sing | Sunday, February 19th 5PM
Holden Evensong | Sunday, February 26 5PM
Music Scholars of Grace Recognized
Levi Lebsack and Annie Thomas, former and current Music Scholars at Grace, are recognized for their outstanding achievements in The Columns. Their connection to Grace is also noted.
Let's Dance Concert
3PM Wilson Concert Hall, W&L | Students and faculty from the piano studios at Washington and Lee will present a concert entitled “Let’s Dance,” presenting a rich assortment of pieces for solo or duo pianists, with hall works inspired by dance. Grace Church will be represented in the program by Annie Thomas (our choral scholar) and William McCorkle.
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.
There will be a prize for anyone who correctly picks the Faithful Four and the 2023 Golden Halo winner before Ash Wednesday. (I have heard that Captain Phillips will be trying to get the VMI community to rally behind Jonathan Daniels.) On February 19 at Christianity and Culture we will introduce the contest with the first six presentations. Other presentations will take place on Wednesday nights in March starting at 6:45PM. On Wednesdays in March those who wish may gather for abbreviated Evening prayer at 6PM. Anne Sauder will serve a Soup and Bread supper at 6:20PM and our presentations will begin at 6:45PM. We plan to adjourn at 7:30PM.
Souper Bowl
Join Campus Kitchen for a soup-tasting event benefitting the Campus Kitchen Backpack Program. Enjoy soups from local restaurants and caterers, and listen to W&L acapella groups. All ticket sales will go directly to provide breakfast, lunch and snack items to area children on free and reduced lunch programs.
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 Stras Memorial and their Priest-in-Charge, The Rev. John Church.
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’), Reed Wilcox (president of SVU), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, David Passmore, and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died.
Paws to Connect is Back!
We will be on the courtyard with our pups on February 14, 2023. Come by and tell us about your holidays and pet the dogs!
Absalom Jones Fund
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites people of all backgrounds and faiths to support the hope-filled, life-impacting work of two historically Black institutions of higher education through donations and dedicated offerings on the Feast of Absalom Jones—the first Black priest ordained by the church—observed Feb. 13.
Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Voorhees University in Denmark, South Carolina, were founded after the Civil War to create educational opportunities for formerly enslaved people. They provide a liberal arts education to thousands of students, as well as offer robust campus ministries to help form young adults as followers of Jesus and his way of love.
“Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are essential engines of justice, equity, and social mobility,” Curry said. “They provide high-quality education to students whose backgrounds and experiences may not have prepared them well for college success. They nurture talent that may have otherwise been discouraged by obstacles.”
Donations to the HBCUs (divided equally between the two) help support scholarships and financial aid for students in need as well as funding for quality facilities, faculty recruitment and retention, and the development of religious life on campus. Voorhees and Saint Augustine’s are seeking to build strong programs in STEM fields and the health sciences as they overcome the financial pressures created by COVID-19.
Supporting HBCUs is an investment in the ministry of reconciliation and building a better future for all, Curry said. “As much as we give to these institutions, they give back to our world many times over,” he said.
CIEE Foreign Exchange Student Presentations
Travel to exotic lands and hear about school, life, and culture in different countries.
Lexington Presbyterian Church
Feburary 6th 5:15PM: Ukraine, Nigeria, and Spain Westfel Room (Use Randolph Street Entrance)
February 11th 2PM: Germany, Latvia, and South Korea Brady Chapel (Use Main Street Murray Hall Entrance)
Students will provide traditional foods from their countries for refreshments. The community is invited and there is no charge. Call or email Cindy Miller at 464-3110 / 817-8851 or for more information.
The Rockbridge Choral Society
presents The Rockbridge Chamber Singers
with Chamber Orchestra and Soloists William McCorkle, director
The Origin Ensemble
Kyle Nielsen, director
Music of Bach and Handel
Sunday February 12 at 3PM,
Lexington Presbyterian Church
Advance tickets on-line: $12.50 / $35 family or
At the door: $15 / $40 family
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.
In Thanksgiving for February Birthdays
2/12 Rowan Moles
2/15 Rick Pollard
2/17 Keith Prince
2/19 Rose Hein
2/21 Steve Riethmiller
2/23 Beverly Tucker, Graham Hess
2/24 Holt Merchant
2/25 Jeanne Passmore
2/27 Joseph Henson
2/28 Caitie Carrington
2/28 Erin Carrington
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.