Parish News For the week of February 20, 2022

Music Notes

What a Musical March! In addition to each Sunday's mellifluous singing by choir and congregation, there are unique offerings on Saturdays throughout March. The first two offer exploration in Becoming Beloved Community and Connections. The third features Casavant Opus 3941 in a smorgasbord of organ repertoire. 

March 4-5: singing and reflecting with Dr. Brandon Boyd, who will also join us on Sunday, March 6 at 10:30. 

The Friday event, 5:30-6:30 focuses on "Turning" in the Way of Love. Music, Silence, Readings. Martha is looking for 6 readers to read poetry and prose (by the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Rita Dove, Pádraig Ó Tuama, John O'Donohue, and others). If you want to read contact her at martha@graceepiscopallexington.org. 

Saturday, March 5 details to come, but go ahead and ink in a 2 pm Music Offering/Concert "Unity."

Saturday, March 19: The Greater Richmond Children's Choir and Rockbridge Youth Chorale present a joint concert at Grace. Casavant Opus 3941 will play a part in the program of music focused on Creation and Care of Creation. GRCC commissioned Grace's Martha Burford to write a piece, and she was granted permission by the Jesse Stuart Foundation to set the poet laureate's "Call It God." Come hear it and all of their rich repertoire. 

Saturday, March 26: Dr. Christopher Reynolds, Director of Music and Organist at St. Paul's, Richmond, Virginia, and Rockbridge County native, will present a program of organ works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Parry, Franck, and others. 

These are all varied and unique offerings! I hope you will invite friends to join you and immerse yourselves in the connections and music.

In dulci jubilo,

Martha

Food Pantry Volunteers Needed

Every Thursday volunteers from Grace Episcopal staff the Food Pantry at Rockbridge Area Relief Association. Each week requires between four and six volunteers and thus a large number of willing hands are needed. Volunteers typically work one Thursday a month, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Duties include filling grocery carts with preselected items, loading food into clients cars and restocking Food Pantry shelves. While persons able to lift filled boxes of groceries are particularly needed; volunteers able to perform lighter tasks are also sought.  

Please consider volunteering for this long-time Grace ministry. For further information please contact Kathy Hill at 804-347-1967 or kathrynchill1@gmail.com

Meals for Richard Jones

Our Returning Citizen and newly confirmed parishioner, Richard Jones, recently had shoulder surgery and will be in recovery for the next month or two. The STEPS team has provided several meals until we could create a calendar for parishioners who may wish to sign up to provide a vegetarian or seafood lunch for Richard. The calendar link at https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/G4J2F6B provides details and sign-up opportunities for Monday and Thursday, beginning next week. Contact Anna Crockett at 460-3254 or aennchen3@gmail.com for additional information.  

the STEPS Team thank you in advance for your kindness.

Celebrating Black Voices In The Episcopal Church

Monday, February 28, 2022 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET

In celebration of Black History Month, we invite you to join us for an honest conversation with five Black leaders who serve The Episcopal Church. Collectively, their service to the Church spans more than 150 years and each of them continues to serve in ways that make a difference.

Hosted by the Church Pension Group’s (CPG) People of African Descent affinity group, we will explore the panel’s experiences and thoughts around Becoming Beloved Community; examine themes around social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and discuss the challenges and opportunities they see in a predominantly white Church.

We hope you can join us for this candid conversation.

Acolytes, Chalice Ministers, Greeters, Readers, Ushers and Altar Guild Members Needed!

Please contact Lisa (lisa@graceepiscopallexington.org) or Sharon (sharon@graceepiscopallexington.org) if you are able to acolyte, chalice, greet, read or usher once or twice a month.

Contact Jane Brooke (jlbrooke16@gmail.com) if you are interested in serving on the Altar Guild.

The Lexington Woman’s Club First Annual

Just Desserts

Sunday, February 27, 2022, from from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at the Horse Center

Click Here for more Information

Vestry Minutes

Vestry Minutes are available on our website under the vestry tab.

Happy Birthday

Clarinda Carrington (2/2), Nat Massie (2/5), Rick Pollard (2/15), Keith Prince (2/17), Steve Riethmiller (2/21), Beverly Tucker (2/23), Graham Hess (2/23), Holt Merchant (2/24), Jeanne Passmore (2/25), Joseph Henson (2/27), Caitie Carrington (2/28), Erin Carrington (2/28)