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R E Lee Memorial Episcopal Church
Parish News
September 2017
Late Edition
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Sundays
Holy Eucharist
8am and 10:30am
Taize' Eucharist, 2nd Sunday at 5 pm
5 pm Holy Eucharist resumes on September 17
Choral Evensong
Sunday, September 24, 5 pm
Sunday, September 17, 2017, The Feast of Marc Nikkel
The Feast of Marc Nikkel will be observed on Sunday, September 17 to remember his life and work with the Sudanese and to celebrate this parish's link to Sudanese and South Sudanese in their homeland and here in Roanoke. The Rev. Marc Nikkel was ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Viginia so that he could better teach and relate as missionary to the people of the former Sudan. He visited our parish several times to share his view of the developing Christian community of the 1980s and 90s when the Sudanese were suffering through the second phase of a long civil war begun soon after they gained independence from Britain in 1953. Marc was deeply touched by their spirituality, especially as expressed in poetry, art and music.
His life work is well captured in a collection of his letters from Sudan, called
"Why Haven't You Left Yet?" Copies of this beautiful collection can be borrowed from our parish library. Fr. Marc was also a sensitive artist. One of his drawings about Sudan, which hangs in the bridge between the church and the parish hall, depicts the Nativity with armed SPLA soldiers and Muslims attending the baby Jesus.
On September 17, the children's Christian Education classes will be instructed by Dr. Susan Mead, about her 2016 teaching experience in South Sudan. In the Adult Christian Education hour, Joe Crittenden will give a slide show about his recent two-year tour with the Peace Corps in Cameroon Africa. Following the 10:30 service, there will be an opportunity to talk with members of the Sudan Mission Group, including Dr. Mead, about their current work and to shop at the Sudanese Women's craft table. It will also be possible to meet and talk with members of the Sudanese and South Sudanese Community from Roanoke. Also present will be the Chair of the Mission Group at the Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Sandra Whitt, who has worked tirelessly for the past 15 years as advocate and teacher for the Sudanese and South Sudanese people there.
MJ Mayerchak for the Sudan Mission Group of R. E. Lee Memorial Church
Christian Education
Classes resume will on September 24
, 3rd Floor, Parish House, 9:15,
Classes will be offered for children, youth and adults.
We will study
The Path, Forward Movements latest curriculum offering.
In The Path passages from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible are knit together with scenic views, points of interest, trail crossings, and YOU ARE HERE bits of narrative information. It is the Bible in an amazing 360-degree panorama. The Path is a way to help us to dig deeper in the Bible and hopefully be transformed by the journey. The Path is available for $12.00. Please email
Sharon if you would like a copy.
Weekday The Path classes for adults will begin in October.
Christianity and Culture will resume on September 17
Christianity and Culture will kick off with Joe Crittenden discussing his Peace Corps service in Cameroon, Africa. Artwork by a Cameroon artist will be available for sale to benefit the artist healthcare cost.
September 24
"What's new at RARA? What can you do to help RARA help our Community?
The Christian Outreach Committee of our parish is organizing several events this Fall to highlight the wonderful work of the Rockbridge Area Relief Association which is currently expanding its scope and finding new resources to assist community members in need.
Coming to Christianity and Culture in October
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 will adapt his course at Southern Virginia University on the Reformation Era for six Sundays this fall during the education hour in the parish hall. Tentative schedule:
October 1:
The Medieval Background
October 8:
What Luther Wrought
October 15:
Swiss Protestantism: Zwingli, Calvin, and their followers
October 29:
Radical Reformation: Anabaptists
November 5:
Roman Catholic Rejuvenation
November 12: The English Reformation (with a nod to America)
Parish News
Table Fellowship Groups are Forming Now!
There's still time to join a table fellowship group for the
2017 - 2018 season. Groups meet for a meal about once a month.
You can meet for brunch, lunch, dinner in homes, restaurants or anywhere you can imagine. Groups are 8 to 10 people and are always a source of good food and fellowship.
Our Table Fellowship groups are a great way to meet newcomers, old timers and those in between and build community at our church. If you would like to join a group, please contact Tom Gosse.
([email protected])
EfM class to begin Tuesday, September 19
We invite you to consider a new adventure this fall by enrolling in Education for Ministry. For nine months we meet weekly with others sharing our spiritual journeys. We practice theological reflection together, thus becoming skilled in hearing God's voice through the milieu of a loving community. This powerful course is open to anyone, but especially lay persons seeking a deeper experience of God.
EfM is a four-year program to which you commit one year at a time. The goal of EfM is to learn to think theologically. By examining one's beliefs and relationship to culture and the tradition of Christian faith, participants explore what it means to be effective ministers in the world. In embracing the belief that each of us can make manifest the love of Christ, participants discover that ministry is at hand wherever they turn. For more information please contact Don Ellis ( [email protected]) or James Keane ([email protected])
Godly Play
Godly Play will begin on a new day,
Tuesday, September 19, 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.
Wednesday, September 27, 5:30- 6:30, Our One Word, Library
Our One Word ladies group meets monthly here at R E Lee Church. Please join us for an hour of simple food, drink and conversation. We will focus on one significant word and explore if that word has or has not been at work in our lives that week. Our past words have been community, tenderness, vunerability and
wonder. Bring a friend!
Hurricane Relief
Episcopal Relief & Development urges prayers for communities along the US Gulf Coast dealing with the impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Please donate to the Hurricane Harvey and Irma Response Fund and visit the organization's website for more information about relief and recovery efforts.
http://www.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-harvey-response
Stewardship Campaign
Our Stewardship campaign starts in the fall. If you are interested
Vestry Elections
Vestry Elections will be held Sunday, October 15.
Four Vestry members will be elected for a 3 year term. One vestry member will be elected for a 2 year term to fill the unexpired term of Anne Hansen.
A candidate for Vestry must be an adult confirmed communicant of the Parish 18 years of age or older, who has made a current pledge to the church and has been a regular worshiper here for at least 12 months.
If you wish to nominate someone for the vestry please get their permission to be nominated and fill out a nomination form in the office by October 1. Nominees must provide a headshot and short biography of their church experiences and why they wish to serve on the vestry by October 1.
Students have returned to both VMI and W&L. Volunteers are needed to chaperone on Sunday afternoon from noon until 4 pm for students who chose to stay with us and use the Canterbury Room after the 10:30 am service. I will be soliciting commitments for both but ask you to prayerfully consider supporting our college ministry this year. Please get in touch with me if you have questions about what is required. Thank you.
The Campbell Labels for Education program has been phased out.
We still collect Box Tops for Education!
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.
Rockbridge Area Outreach, Peace and Justice Events
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.
The first event is scheduled for
Lexington, VA | September 13, 2017 | 5:30-7:00pm
Lylburn Downing Middle School (LDMS) Cafeteria
Save the date for future events:
Roanoke, VA | October 25, 2017 | 6:00-7:30pm
Northwest Community Center
Wytheville, VA | November 8, 2017 | 6:00-7:30pm
Room TBA, Wytheville Community College
WHAT IS BOYS HOME?
Boys Home of Virginia invites you to an informational meeting in the conference room at R E Lee Memorial Episcopal Church in Lexington on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Have you ever wondered about the mission of Boys Home and the ministry that takes place there? Have you considered becoming involved? Representatives from Boys Home will be present to share with you and answer questions. There will be refreshments and door prizes. All are welcome-bring a friend! We look forward to seeing you there!
Coming to the Table, September 15, 7 to 8:30 pm, Lylburn Downing Community Center
A n introductory meeting of Coming to the Table (C.T.T.T.) will take place on Friday, September 15 at Lylburn Downing Community Center, 300 Diamond Street, Lexington. C.T.T.T. operates on the simple yet profound dream: The building of authentic and accountable relationships- based on commitment to truth and justice - and dedicated to the deep sharing of, and listening to, the stories of the people we often see as "the other" will lead to healing deep historic wounds, and perhaps even, reconciliation.
Will Hairston, co - founder, and Judith James, Shenandoah Valley leader will be here to introduce our community to C.T.T.T. This organization is spired by the Rev. Dr. martin Luther King, Jr.' Dream.
500th Anniversary of the Reformation
St. Patrick Catholic Church and Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church will host all downtown churches on Tuesday, September 19 at St. Patrick's. Mark your calendars now for a 5:30 pm Oktoberfest covered dish dinner and a 7:00 pm Liturgy of the Word.
Rockbridge Together for Peace, Peace Vigil, September 21
Rockbridge Together for Peace is adding our community to the many around the world that are celebrating the international Day of Peace on September 21, 2017. This day is globally recognized as the International Day of Peace. It was designated by unanimous UN resolution in 1981. All day organizations around Lexington will open their doors for an hour to hold the intention of peace all day long. In the afternoon we will host a peace play date for young ones with making peace flags and learning about conflict resolution through games and a peace path.
We will have an event with live music, a keynote speaker on non-violent communication, and the dedication of a peace tree and peace pole by the community at Richardson Park on Diamond Street, For more information please contact Karen Stanley, chair of Rockbridge Together for Peace committee
[email protected] 540-460-4958or visit their Facebook page.
Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer is read Monday - Friday at 8:30 in the church.
Men's Prayer Breakfast, Tuesdays
The men of our parish meet for breakfast and prayer at 7 a.m. each Tuesday. All are welcome.
Kendal Bible Study with the Rector and Eucharist
Thursdays, 10:00 am
Save the Date for the November Bazaar
The ECW Bazaar will be Saturday, November 4, from 1-5:oo p.m., with all the favorites: Country Kitchen, Treasure Trove, Frozen Foods/Casseroles, Fabrications, Jewelry, and the Silent Auction. Please begin to think about how you can participate toward a successful event, because all profits will go to outreach. This year, in cooperation with the Outreach Committee, there will be a special focus on RARA and how we can help with their mission in the community. Please begin to save items for Treasure Trove (Carol Dent), Silent Auction (Jane Brooke and Carole Elmore), and the Jewelry table (Julia Littlefield). If you knit, crochet, or sew, consider making items for Fabrications (Darlene Keane and Dot Fogo). We'll be contacting you later about donations of baked goods (Liz Moss and Diana Kenney) and frozen foods/casseroles (Erika Brooke, with Catherine Harcus and Cindy Mullen working on donations). We'll celebrate with music, food, and beverages as we end the event. Call Carol Dent, 462-2897, with any questions. The Bazaar involves everyone - don't miss it!
September Parish Birthdays
2
Katherine Bowles
Harrison Branner
3
Estella Crocker
Buster Lewis
Ella Sayre
4 Gail Dick
Richard Sessoms
5 Ned Henneman
6 Sue Ann Huger
7
John Burleson
Susan Cross
8
Michael Lawrence
9 Marlys Craun
Henry Eichelberger
11 Mary Etta Randolph
12 John Dinkel
18
Judy Hotchkiss
Carolyn Kuper
19
Julia Littlefield
Nanalou Sauder
Frank Settle
20
Keith Gibson
Kate Rhamey
Spencer Tucker
21
Chris Howison
Barbara Luton
22 Ann Nay
Elizabeth Oliver
Anne Wilson
24
Lori Frascati
25
Darlene Keane
27
Kathleen Ferguson
28 Myra Brush
Tim Harrison
Winifred Hart
30 Lynda deMaria
Bobby Goldsten
Mo Littlefield
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click here to view calendar
R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church welcomes W&L students and VMI cadets and VMI class 2018+3 to Lexington.
Christian Education began on September 10. Be on the lookout for the Sunday School #TheKindnessRocksProject this academic year! The parish choir was in choral residence at Wells Cathedral, Somerset, UK from July 24 to July 30.
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