GRACE NOTES
LENTEN EDITION
Grace Episcopal Church                             February 2020
Green chicks and carrots in boxes with shadow on white background

A Note from our Rector...

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to travel to Taize, a monastic community in southern France. Each time I visited I would stay 5 or 6 days immersed in the community's cycle of daily living. What I found was a simplicity that my soul had been craving.

This simplicity grew out of the daily cycle of prayer, fellowship over meals, bible study, and work. It grew out of the connection between people from all over the world coming together in a single expression of Christian identity. We sang in one another’s languages. We took communion together. We talked and laughed and cried. We sat in silence with one another. At Taize, the strength of community is palpable even though the accommodations were nothing to write home about. We never had a chair to sit in; instead we sat on the floor or on benches. My back hurt a lot. Our meals were sparse; often a simple bowl of peas and carrots with bread and cheese. I was convinced I needed more food. Our showers were lukewarm and we had to press a button every 30 seconds to keep the water running. It made me grumpy. The weather was rainy and damp. I was cold.

But, here is the point. We always had what we needed. We had shelter and food. We had water and a place to rest. Truly, we were never in need but we did have to shift our expectations. At Taize, you can’t rely on your typical comforts of home, but you really don’t need them. The beauty of the people and the common exploration of our Christian faith provided all of the comfort that we needed. When my time there was over, I didn’t want to leave.  I had come to truly appreciate those bowls of peas and carrots.

As we enter into Lent, I encourage you to reflect on the peas and carrots of your life. What simple practices can you come back to? What is essential to your wholeness? What can you let go of that has been distracting you from what truly matters? My prayer for you is that you will find exactly what you need.

Emily
WORSHIP
SPECIAL SERVICES

Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 26th
12 Noon

Palm Sunday Services
Sunday, April 5th
9:00am & 11:00 am
Brunch after the 11:00 am Service
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 9th
7:00 pm

Good Friday Stations of the Cross
Friday, April 10th
Noon

Easter Services
Sunday, April 12th
6:30 am (Sunrise Easter Vigil)
11:00 am 

LISTEN
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BISHOP CURRY'S LENTEN MESSAGE

Please take a moment to listen to Bishop Curry's Lenten message for 2020 and consider how you might pray for our communities, our nation, and our world during Lent.

EAT
HELP US KICK OFF LENT

Join us Tuesday, February 25th for our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at 5:30 pm. We will come together to feast on pancakes and other goodies in preparation for the Lenten Season that starts the next day on Ash Wednesday. The best part is you don't have to cook dinner!
GROW
FOR ADULTS

WEEKLY LENTEN LUNCH SERIES: Life Transformed - The Way of Love in Lent
Every Thursday starting February 27th
11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Parish Hall

The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, you are invited to walk with Jesus and into the experience of a transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings from the depths of salvation history to the fullness of redemption. Each Thursday we will send out links to help prepare you for the next week's discussion. We will begin each gathering with communion and lunch. A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated. Please RSVP to gracechurch2955@gmail.com.

Learn more here: Introduction Video

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOK

Living the Way of Love , a Lenten Devotional designed to follow Bishop Curry's 7 spiritual practices is available to purchase for $10. This is great companion to our Lenten Lunch Series or simply to help guide you through your day to day Lenten observance. Copies will be available at the Shrove Tuesday Dinner or in the church office.

LENTEN BOOK CLUB & RECTOR'S FORUM
Sunday, March15th at 9:45am
Parish Hall
and/or
Wednesday mornings at 8:30am during Lent
Wake Up with Grace breakfast; Courthouse Market

During this Lenten Season, join us as we read together Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner and discover the blessings of developing your own spiritual practice. We are providing two opportunities to participate. On Sunday, March 15th we will discuss the entire book at our Rector's Forum. Or, you can join us every Wednesday morning for fellowship and conversation where we will touch on a different spiritual practice each week during the Lenten season. Please purchase you own book.

"After her conversion from Orthodox Judaism to Christianity, Lauren Winner found that her life was indelibly marked by the rich traditions and spiritual practices of Judaism. She set out to discover how she could incorporate some of these practices into her new faith. Winner presents eleven Jewish spiritual practices that can transform the way Christians view the world and God."

FOR YOUTH

LENT FOR KIDS
at home activity

Help your kids engage in their own Lenten practice this year! Follow along each day with suggested activities that reflect the seven Ways of Love. After you complete each activity, cut it off of the page and begin connecting each strip together as the days go by into a Lenten Chain! This is a wonderful way for families to discuss important practices of prayer, worship and living out our faith in our every day lives. You can print your own copy at the link below. We will also have copies available in the Narthex.

Click here for your copy: Lent for Kids

HOT CHOCOLATE HOUR
Sunday, March15th at 9:45am
Youth Room

Participating in a spiritual practice is just as important for kids as it is for adults. During our time together, we will discover some new ways to live our faith as a young person. And, we will work on a special art project for our new youth room!

Don't forget to invite a friend to any of our Lenten events. Everyone is welcome!
REFLECT
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Can't join us for the Lenten Lunch Series? Take a look at these other Lenten offerings to help guide your reflection as you journey to Easter.



(scroll down the page to find the list of Lenten Bible studies)

And, a little Lenten fun for our basketball fans...

SING
COME JOIN THE CHOIR
DURING LENT

The choir is busy preparing some lovely music for the Lenten season and Easter. We are always looking for new members. So, if you love to sing, please join us. We are rehearsing on Sundays in the choir room at 10 am and then after the 11 am Sunday Service. You do not need to read music. This is a great opportunity to sing in fellowship with the choir. 
OPEN MIC NIGHT
IS COMING UP

Mark your calendar! We will be hosting a winter Open Mic Night on Saturday, March 21st at 6:30 pm. This is a chance to share your talents in an informal coffee shop setting. Let Dee Kysor know at deevmom@comcast.net if you would like to participate! Bring your friends and neighbors. We promise you will have a good time!
SERVE
We have lots of opportunities to serve during Holy Week. Check out the sign up genius link to see all the ways you can participate:


Questions? Email Cindy at gracechurch2955@gmail.com.
REMEMBER
EASTER LILY DEDICATIONS
AND MEMORIALS

Help us decorate the church with an Easter Lily in honor or in memorium of the people who hold a special place in your life. Orders are due no later than April 1 . Lilies are $15 each. Order forms will be available in the Narthex and can be placed in Cindy's mailbox outside of the church office.
Grace Episcopal Church
2955 River Road West
Goochland VA 23063
804-556-3051