Dear Friends,
In Sunday's gospel we hear the story of a man born blind whose sight is restored by Jesus. Sadly, the leaders in that man's community felt their own authority and influence threatened by this man's healing. Instead of celebrating with this man and his family they cast him out of the community. Almost immediately, Jesus finds him and brings him into the community of his disciples. Which is the lead-in to his teaching about the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. ...
The message is clear. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, and takes his life up again, so that people like this blind man can be set free from communities that treat them as worthless and set them free for the beloved community of those who know the love of God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
As we move closer to Easter, Take time to be still in the knowledge of God's love for you. Give thanks for your place at God's table and among the disciples. May your life be a sign to someone else that opens their eyes and sets them free from a way of life that demeans them, and sets them free for the beloved community in which each child of God is known and valued by the Good Shepherd and by the members of his flock.
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 | Fourth Sunday in Lent | Sunday, March 19
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
Community Sing | 5 p.m.
In-Person | Randolph St United Methodist Church
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!
Paws to Connect is back and better than ever! 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.
Spring Clean Up
Flowers are blooming, leaves are beginning to appear, and it’s time to tidy up the courtyard garden and labyrinth for Spring.
Please join the Property Committee on Saturday, April 1st, at 8 a.m. to pick up sticks, weed, pull out Ivy, and apply mulch. We will finish before 12. Coffee and donuts will be served. Bring a rake and wheelbarrow if possible. It will be a fun morning and the garden will be ready for Palm Sunday and Easter. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Music Events (No Registration Required)
Songs unite our voices. We sing Songs for Peace, Songs for Healing, Songs for the Work of Justice.
Join CARE Rockbridge, Randolph St UMC, Grace Episcopal Church, and Music that Makes Community for a guided Community Sing! At 5 p.m. on March 19, we will gather at Randolph St UMC to sing Songs for Justice and Peace. All voices are welcome! We hope to see you there.
Friday, March 24: Messiaen: The concert is a Celebration of the work of the French composer Olivier Messiaen, whose works focus on the eternal and redemption, and who thought of music composition in terms of colors. The concert will include choral music, organ music, and Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time scored for clarinet, cello, piano, and violin. The program is open to the public, sponsored by Martha Burford and Mark Gallagher, and hosted by Grace Episcopal Church. A reception in the parish hall will follow.
Sunday, March 26: Choral Evensong
Sunday's evensong, March 26, 5pm, will celebrate the Feast of Bishop Charles Henry Brent and will feature music of guest musician Dr. Ryan Tibbetts, Herbert Howells, and Sarah MacDonald. Evensong is a beautiful service of worship in which congregation pray both by listening and singing. The choir offers most of the music, and the congregation is able to let the sung prayers wash over them. A reception in the parish hall follows the service, for time to welcome and connect.
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 today for the Lay Employees and Volunteers of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Pray for Brendon (friend of the Brooke family), Michael Murphy, John Thomas, Timmy, Rick Alexander, Bradley Fairchild and Karen Junkin (friends of the Gibsons), 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), Dolly Shumate & Betty Gale Anderson (friends of the Lewis’), Carolyn Glenn (friend of Judy Schram), Jack Hershbell, Crystal Iosco and John Penn (granddaughter and son of Ellie & George Penn), Mary & George Kostel, Laura Stearns, Carl & Rachel Pattison, Diana Kenney, Tom Strickland, Worth & Katie Burnes (friends of the Smiths), Amelia Dull, Jan Ashworth, Barb, Stephen Bassett (brother of Lynda DeMaria) and those we name aloud or in our hearts. Pray for those who have died, especially Alice Furgerson.
In Thanksgiving for March Birthdays
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 Lenten 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.
Walking Tour of Rockbridge Women's History
Opening Remarks and Exhibits at the RHS Museum
Sunday, March 26, 2 p.m. FREE
The 90-min guided tour will stop at several historic sites in downtown Lexington. Presenters spotlight notable local women, across the 20th century, who made lasting
impacts on education and civic leadership. A reception with historic displays will follow.
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.
Rockbridge Area Cleanup
Saturday, April 22, 9-12, Grace participates in the Rockbridge Area Cleanup! Place to be announced. Please email Martha about how excited you are to participate. The Creation Care Committee will have jackets and bags ready AND provide lunch after!
Strength for the Journey Retreat
If you or someone you care for has faced cancer or some other difficult disease, experienced loss through death, divorce or other stressor or hardship, we invite you to this special weekend. The retreat is open to women of all ages and stages of life, functioning in all sorts of roles - as patients and caregivers, young and old, career women and homemakers. Invite a friend to come share the experience.
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.