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Grace Episcopal Church
Parish News
November 2017
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Sundays
Holy Eucharist
8am and 10:30am
5 pm Holy Eucharist (November 5 only)
Taizé Eucharist, November 12, 5 pm
The second-Sunday Taizé contemplative Eucharist is a service of scripture, prayer, music, and communion.
Choral Evensong
Sunday, November 26, 5 pm
Community Thanksgiving Service
Wednesday, November 23, 7 pm, Lexington Presbyterian Church
Christian Education
Classes for Children,
3rd Floor, Parish House, 9:15
Youth, Sweet Treats, 9:30
The Youth are trying something new. They are joining youth from Good Shepherd and gathering at Sweet Treats on Sundays from 9:30 - 10:10 to discuss
Peace & Justice. Peace and Justice is a curriculum from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Topics include Conflict, Fairness, Injustice, Ethics, Materialism, Environmental Issues, Apathy and Making a Difference. This class is be taught by Holly Pickett and Susan Cross.
Christianity and Culture
, Parish Hall, 9:15
THE REFORMATION ERA
Rarely does a major world-changing movement have a specific start date. The Reformation does, and, this October 31, we observe its 500th anniversary. What swept western Europe starting in 1517 altered the way we think about God, about religion, and about life in countless aspects, profoundly altering the directions of Christianity, reinvigorating or spawning new expressions of faith including our own.
The Reverend David Cox has adapted his course at Southern Virginia University on the Reformation Era for six Sundays this fall during the education hour in the parish hall.
November 5:
Roman Catholic Rejuvenation
November 12: The English Reformation (with a nod to America)
Parish News
Our rector, the Rev. Tom Crittenden has stepped down from his position. His last Sunday will be All Saint's Sunday, November 5. Tom has faithfully served R. E. Lee Memorial (and now Grace Episcopal) Church for over 10 years. Please keep Tom and his family in your prayers.
Worship services will be covered by supply priests and emergency pastoral needs will be met by Rev.James Hubbard until early 2018.
November 12 Rev. Canon Mark Furlow
November 19 Rev. Canon Jonathan Harris
November 26 Rev. James Hubbard
Our ACTS teams will be more important than ever in our
Actively
Caring
Through
Sharing to our church family during this transition period. If you would like to be a part of this important ministry please contact Sharon or Gail Dick (
[email protected] )
Grace Episcopal Church
A resolution to restore the name of the church was presented at the regularly scheduled Vestry meeting on September 18, 2017. Our historic Episcopal church where Robert E. Lee served as senior warden from 1865 until his death in 1870 has replaced its name, R.E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church, with the name it had in Lee's day. Our parish name has been restored to its original name - Grace Episcopal Church.
The vote followed more than two years of discussion and debate in our parish about whether to change the name. The Vestry is exploring meaningful and significant ways to continue to honor Lee.
Godly Play
Godly Play meets on Tuesdays, from 3:45 - 4:30. Godly Play provides a time and a space for children to engage with God and with the story of God's people in the Bible. A Godly Play session includes a time to gather in a circle with music and singing, a time to listen to a story, a time of wondering, and a time for children to respond to the story through art or creative play. Godly Play is for children ages 3 to 7
.
Stewardship Campaign Update - Being Called
Our campaign is underway with a targeted wrap-up before Thanksgiving so that the Finance Committee can develop and propose to the Vestry in December a projected budget for 2018. Our committee asks that you prayerfully consider your pledge to our Church and, if possible, either place the pledge card in the offering plate on Sunday or mail the card to the financial secretary. Your participation and your pledge can enable the work of our church within the Rockbridge Community, the Dioceses of Southwest Virginia, and the wider world. Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
Bazaar this Saturday!
Don't miss the ECW Annual Bazaar this Saturday, November 4,
in both the parish hall and the undercroft,
from 1 - 5 p.m.
It is a great place to find unique Christmas gifts (Fabrications), yummy food (Country Kitchen and Frozen Foods), collectibles, art, and other treasures (Treasure Trove and Silent Auction), and beautiful baubles (Jewelry).
Enjoy wine, soft drinks and hors d'oeuvres donated by local restaurants from 3:30-5 while listening to music from Doug Cumming and Friends and socializing.
Last year proceeds of $8,000 were distributed to local, state, and world causes. Please come to support this enjoyable and worthwhile event.
Fall UTO Ingathering - November 12
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church has delivered a supportive and timely message on behalf of the United Thank Offering as we look forward to the Fall Ingathering. In it he cites UTO's 125th anniversary in 2014 and announces this year's September celebration of the birth of Julia Chester Emery 165 years ago, he says, "through educational opportunities and programs that highlight the good and important work of the United Thank Offering."
As most of us know, the history of UTO goes back even further. Julia's older sister Mary Abbott Emery preceded her as the National Secretary of the Women's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions of the Domestic and Foreign Society, and two younger sisters, Susan Lavinia and Margaret Theresa Emery, joined the Women's Auxiliary staff. A decade or so later in 1889 the first United Offering funded missions in Alaska and Japan, and by the end of WWI the name was changed to the United Thank Offering.
Bishop Curry, however, continues today: "I was in a country that had been in a civil war for a number of years; much had been destroyed, much of the landscape; the city where I was had been destroyed and was barely recognizable as an urban community. There was one building that stood among the rubble, and at the top of that building were the words "Peace House." I found out later that that building was built in the 1960s with funds from the United Thank Offering. That building is used to this day as a place where people who differ and disagree gather together for conversation and to work out their problems.
"The work of the United Thank Offering makes a difference around the world; it makes a difference here in the United States. It makes a difference because through the United Thank Offering, and our offerings to it, we can follow in the footsteps of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. God bless you, Julia Chester Emery, and God bless the United Thank Offering."
Stay tuned. Remember the Blue Box. May that "Peace House" in Africa inspire us here at Grace Episcopal Church.
In daily thanksgiving for God's many blessings,
Julia Littlefield, parish UTO coordinator
Lanford Mission Emergency Fund The Mission Emergency Fund was begun in this parish over 30 years ago to assist residents of Rockbridge County who seek financial support to meet rent, utility, food, medical, or temporary housing expenses. In late 2014 the name of the fund was changed to the Sarah Lanford Mission Emergency Fund to recognize and honor Sarah Lanford's long-time service and dedication to this ministry.
The emergencies that prompt requests for assistance are usually due to sudden illness, unexpected job loss, or other crisis situations. In the majority of cases, RARA (Rockbridge Area Relief Association) does the vetting to verify need and then contacts Grace Episcopal along with Lexington Presbyterian and St. Patrick's Roman Catholic churches to share with RARA in the financial support.
Through October 2017, Grace has received 178 requests for assistance, and the MEF has expended $12,703.16. The funding for this ministry in 2017 has come from Grace's Thanksgiving (2016), Christmas, and Easter offerings (41.5%) and pledges (58.5%).
As we approach Thanksgiving and reflect on all of the blessings and gifts in our lives, we ask you to consider a donation to the Lanford Mission Emergency Fund to assist those who are less fortunate. To make a gift in the form of a check, the check can be made out to Grace Episcopal Church with Lanford MEF noted on the memo line. The Christian Outreach Committee thanks you for your continued support of this long-time Grace Episcopal ministry.
Thomas Baugh Organ Recital, November 12
Lexington Presbyterian Church will present an organ recital by Thomas Baugh on Sunday, November 12 at 7 pm Director of Music of Christ Episcopal Church in Roanoke, where he has recently marked his 31st anniversary, Tom Baugh is known throughout this area as a brilliant organist and inspirational conductor. He holds close ties to this parish through his marriage to Jane Roth Baugh. The program on November 12 will include works by Mozart, Bach, Duruflé, and Hellmers. You are invited to attend.
Choir News
Junior Choir
The Junior Choir meets on Wednesday's from 3:45 - 4:45. Children ages 7 and up will learn to sing, read music, and understand music theory; older children and more advanced singers will have the opportunity take part in the new Part Choir. We are always looking for new members and the beginning of the year is great time to try it out! Please contact Ted Bickish
[email protected] or through the church office for more information.
Adult Choir
The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursdays, from 7:00-9:00. We are always looking for new members, and the beginning of the program year is a great time to try us out! For more information, please contact Ted Bickish.
In the Diocese
Pursuing the Beloved Community: A Continuing Conversation on Race
The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, in partnership with other faith communities and community organizations, is convening three community conversations across Southwestern Virginia entitled
Pursuing the Beloved Community: A Continuing Conversation on Race.
Each event will feature a presentation by Dr. Wornie Reed, Director of the Race and Social Policy Research Center and Professor of Sociology and Africana Studies at Virginia Tech. Following Dr. Reed's presentation, there will be question and answer time as well as informal discussion.
These events are being live-streamed and recorded. See
www.dioswva.org for more information
Wytheville, VA | November 8, 2017 | 6:00-7:30pm
St. John's Episcopal Church, Wytheville, VA.
Want to Know More About What's Going on in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia?
Men's Prayer Breakfast, Tuesdays
The men of our parish meet for breakfast and prayer at 7 a.m. each Tuesday. All are welcome.
November Birthdays
1 Margaret Branner
Bettie Cadden
Frances Grist
3 Craig Frascati
4 Tom Crittenden
Peggy Riethmiller
5 Grace Sailer
7 Pam Adams
Owen Gertz
Megan Oliver
8 Evan Atkins
Grace Simcoe
10 Ava Huger
11 Sarah Burleson
Daniel Carter
Annie Sadler
13 Doug Ayer
Julie Grover
14 Jim Farrar
15 Rene Glidden
Amy Holston
Tim Price
18 Frances Harcus
19 Eva Apgar
Hank Humphreys
David Jacobs
Steven Lawrence
21 Tim Gaylard
Ryan Holston
22 Will McClung
Jeanette McKeever
23 Angie Clark
24 Becca Russell
27 Anne Blanken
Jack Hershbell
Avery Hess
29 Robert Glidden
30 Brant Hellwig
Kate Hentz
Harry Warner
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click here to view calendar
Photos of beautiful Grace Episcopal in the fall, middle of the night MIQRA readers and Vesper service.
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