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Grace Episcopal Church
123 W Washington Street, Lexington, VA
Seeking, Serving, Loving Together
| Parish News For the week of Sunday, October 2, 2022 | |
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Welcome to Grace Episcopal Church! Please click the link below if you are new to our church and would like to have more information about our Parish life!
Welcome Card
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Dear Friends,
This Sunday we begin our fall stewardship campaign More Than Enough. Stewardship is all that we do with all that we have once we say we believe. So stewardship begins with faith in God who provides for all of us and who calls us to abundant life. The More Than Enough campaign focuses on that small part of our stewardship that relates to our financial support for Grace, Lexington in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia.
What amount you give to the Grace is a private decision. Whatever you give will be gratefully received and faithfully used to support God's work through this parish.
We are encouraged to remember first and foremost to give in thanks for the relationship of mutual service, the way of love made known to us in Jesus and represented in Holy Communion. Secondly, we are encouraged to give proportionally to our annual income. While the standard proportion is the tithe, it is not necessary to give 10% of annual income. The principle of proportionality means that as your means increase your giving to God's work through the church increases. 10% of annual income is aspirational for most of us. (The average proportion given to the church is around 2-3% of annual income.) We are encouraged to move toward 10% when income allows a way of life beyond the necessities. And the third principle of faithful giving is "off the top" or "first fruits". This means giving to the church as a primary consideration in your personal budget rather than as a secondary consideration or after thought. When we make giving a primary consideration then faith has gained a primary role in our lives.
These three stewardship principles - give in thanks, give proportionally, give off the top reflect and honor our faith in the One who blesses us with all that he has and calls us into the way of love.
The disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. In response Jesus tells a parable about a master who serves his slaves after his slaves return from their work. This parable suggests faith, or trust as it can also be translated, is relational and takes the form of mutual, reciprocal service. Faith is grounded in the character of God who provides for and serves us. In turn we serve God by showing forth our thanks and praise "not only with our lips, but in our lives." This mutual service is the way of love. As is how we contribute our wisdom and what work we perform for the upbuilding of God's mission of reconciliation.
The Church is a communion of people who are supporting one another in keeping our promises to God in thanks for God's promises to us. And wherever, whenever we practice this faith we find abundant life.
Tuck
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All Services Indoors this Sunday! | |
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Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is seeking new members. Please consider joining this important ministry. Each team is “on duty” one week per month. The ministry is to care for the altar, altar linens and altar vessels. The teams prepare the altar each week for the 3 Sunday services and clean up after the services. They also set up for special services like baptisms, weddings and funerals. The Altar Guild will team up with the Flower Guild at Christmas and Easter to decorate the church with flowers and candles. It is joyful work to the Glory of God.
The Altar Guild considers their work as a grateful service to God for His love for us and His many blessings. If you would like to join a team, please email Lisa McGuire or call the parish office 540-463-4981.
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Worship Services
17th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, October 2
Holy Eucharist
8 am
In-Person & ZOOM
Christianity & Culture 9:15 am
Parish Hall & ZOOM
Holy Eucharist
10:30 am
In-Person & YouTube
Evening Prayer
5 pm
In-person
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Morning Prayer
Monday - Friday
8:30 am, Chancel
In-Person and ZOOM
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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; for the people of Trinity, Boonsboro and their rector, the Rev. Gail Goldsmith. Please pray for The Presiding Bishop Michael Curry who has Covid.
Pray for Lynda DeMaria, Peter Fyfe, Lucy Moise, Glen Jones, Don Ellis, Alice Furgerson, Julie Jennings, Sally Capets, Mary & Scott Hudgins, Helen Head, Kaleb (grandson of Pat & Keith Gibson), Sue Ellen Booth and Lynn Morris Butler (cousins of Melanie Griffis), Elisabeth Dhillon, (daughter of Hugh and Ann Henderson), Elizabeth Shields, Samuel Pech, Diana Kenney, Sarah Cumming, Dot Fogo, Dawn Saunders (friend of Judy Schram), Bev Wirtz, Walter Joly, Jeff Mason, Polly Lawrence, Sharon Meister (friend of Virginia Cooke), Bob Glidden, Sue Denson, Catharine Gaylard, David Wade, George Johnson (brother of Liz Moss), Gloria June Perry, Ken Hershbell, Kathy Warn (sister-in-law of Margaret Haberman), David Passmore, Charles Plageman, Bill Kozak, all those suffering the effects of Hurricane Ian.
Prayers of Thanksgiving for Rymma and Volodymyr, Davyd, Liliia and Oleksandr Odemchuk and for Olha, Andrii, Ivan, and Anastasiia Stryzhyboroda.
Pray for those who have died, especially The Rev. Melissa Hays-Smith and Donald Passmore (twin brother of David Passmore).
Pray for an end to violence and for those fleeing Ukraine, and we also pray for Episcopal Relief & Development and other ecumenical agencies working to respond to the current crisis.
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TODAY - First Sunday Lunch! After the 10:30 service in the Parish Hall!
Come enjoy a bowl of Chili (Bourbon Chili, White Chicken Chili, and Veggie Chili) with toppings, corn bread, rolls, and a cake welcoming W&L parents! Many thanks to Susan Lawrence for her continuing love of ministering to us through her wonderful talent of cooking!
| Church Calendar - click below | |
Mark your Calendars
Cabaret!
Saturday, October 15
The Cabaret has been moved due to inclement weather. Please RSVP
Liz Moss and come listen to great music. Don't miss out on this fun party & fellowship!
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Join us Sunday at 5pm for Evening Prayer. Evening Prayer includes Psalm, Readings, and Prayers according to the Book of Common Prayer. The Service will run about 25 minutes. | |
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Table Fellowship Groups are Forming Now!
Table fellowship groups are forming for the
2022-2023 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. The table fellowship groups are around 8 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 Ruth Smith
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October 10 is Indigenous Peoples Day
It is an honor to have the Monacan Nation in our Diocese and we want to continue and strengthen our relationship with our Native American siblings.
As we in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia continue our mission of Becoming Beloved Community, we invite the use of the prayers provided below on Sunday, October 9 in your liturgy. These prayers can also be used at other times.
Along with the prayers, we are providing resources to help parishes learn more about the Monacan Nation and Native American Spirituality.
Peace and Blessings,
The Rev. Marisa Sifontes
Diocesan Missioner for Becoming Beloved Community
The Rev. Dr. Nina Salmon
Chair, BBC Guiding Team
Gathering Prayer from A Disciple’s Prayer Book from The Episcopal Church’s Office of Indigenous Ministries (said in unison)
Creator, we give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the center of this sacred circle through which all of creation is related. You show us the way to live a generous and compassionate life. Give us your strength to live together with respect and commitment as we grow in your spirit, for you are God, now and forever. Amen.
A Prayer for Healing and Hope from In the Spirit of the Circle (said in unison)
O Great Spirit, God of all people, every tribe and nation through whom all people are related; Call us to the kinship of all your people. Grant us vision to see through the lens our Baptismal Covenant, the brokenness of the past; Help us to listen to you and to one another, in order to heal the wounds of the present; And, give us courage, patience and wisdom to work together for healing, and hope with all your people, now and in the future. Mend the hoop of our hearts and let us liven justice and peace, through Jesus Christ, the One who comes to all people that we might live in dignity.
Amen.
Links to Websites
Monacan Nation Website
The official website of the Monacan Nation.
A Disciple's Prayer Book
The Episcopal Prayer Book from the Office of Indigenous Ministries
First Nations Version
First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament
Old Turtle
Children's Book Recommendation
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On Sunday, Oct. 9, Grace Church will celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis. Many stories surrounding Francis's life demonstrate that Saint Francis was a great lover of God’s creation. In celebrating Saint Francis’ ministry and teachings, Fr. Tuck will bless the animals during the 8am and 10:30 am liturgies of the day and from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the courtyard. All are welcome! “All God’s critters’ got a place in the choir!” | | | |
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Campus Ministry Updates:
What's all the buzz and barking in Grace's courtyard? It's Paws to Connect! Students and locals flocked to the courtyard to pet and play with the dogs. The Paws to Connect brigade frequently heard, "Oh, I miss my dog(s) so much! Thank you for sharing!" Some students reflected on how much they need these little breaks in their intense routines. Homemade banana bread and Grace swag were a big hit, as well, but mostly it was the stories shared and tails wagged. One person said, "You can feel the community building going on here. The dogs are ministering!" For that matter, members of Grace learned new things about each other, as well as about students. Join us in the Courtyard Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:30-1:30--indeed, Paws-pause to connect! #mission
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MISSION AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE OF
THE GADSDEN TRUST
The mission of the Gadsden Committee “is to disburse funds (from the Gadsden Trust) to enable the spread of the Christian Gospel and to alleviate human suffering”—Gadsden guidelines. At its September 13, 2022, meeting, the Gadsden Committee approved two grants: $5,000 to the Boys’ Home of Virginia for the purchase of four desktop computers to enable students to run two programs that are required components of the AutoCAD course in the trades program; and $10,000 to the Virginia Haiti Collaborative for the support of the 24 teachers who instruct 350 students at St. Marc’s School in Cerca-la-Source, Haiti.
The Gadsden Committee meets four times a year (March, June, September, and December) to review grant requests and distribute available funds in the following areas: local needs and concerns; seminarians and continuing education of Diocesan clergy and ministers of our parish; third world needs; and Diocesan projects or programs. The fourth quarter 2022 Gadsden meeting is scheduled for December 13. Fourth quarter grant applications are due December 1, 2022. The Gadsden Trust grant request application can be found on the Grace website www.graceepiscopallexington.org
under the “More” and “Parish Ministries” tabs.
Current members of the Gadsden Committee appointed by the Vestry and Trustees are: Jane Brooke, Vestry appointed; Roger Crockett, Trustee appointed; Gail Dickerson, Trustee appointed; Carol Gosse, Vestry appointed; Bill McCorkle, Vestry member appointed by Vestry; Woody Sadler, Trustee appointed by Trustees; and Mary Wilson, Vestry appointed.
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The Community Table of Rockbridge Serves Every Monday its dine-in meals downstairs in the RARA Building, at 350 Spotswood Drive. The Community Table (TCT) is “a restaurant without a cashier” where “folks can enjoy nutritious meals in a comfortable and dignified atmosphere.” It is open to all, and patrons can make a donation of choice at the end of the meal. TCT is operated and staffed entirely by volunteers from the Lexington/Buena Vista/Rockbridge community.
What shall we do? BC (Before Covid), Grace Church had a team of volunteers who helped prepare food, set up tables, serve meals and clean up for the evening meal. And they ate the TCT meal together with the others who volunteered on the third Monday of every month. The different jobs go from 1-2:30 PM, 5:30-7 PM and: 7-8 PM.
Can we organize a team of 8-10 people? The team would be asked each month to sign up for a job. Sometimes a volunteer would have to opt out that month because of illness, absence, or a student might have an important test or paper due the next day. But usually, the team members could be counted on to sign up. The list would be turned in the preceding Thursday to the TCT coordinator, Jill Lund, who would make sure that she had enough volunteers for that next Monday.
Or can we choose individually for other jobs? TCT prepares meals for drive thru and, as of September 26, for dining in on all Monday evenings at the RARA building. Also in the same location, there is a Wednesday lunch and at the Fairfield Presbyterian Church, a Friday lunch.
Determining what Grace parishioners might want to do: TCT is a 501 (c)(3) organization which serves the Rockbridge area well. Learn more at www.communitytablerockbridge.org. Please let me know by October 4 if you are interested in having a Third Monday Team for TCT. Thank you!
—MJ Mayerchak, Former Grace Team Coordinator.
email: mjpmmchak@gmail.com; text or call: 540-460-3138
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Tuesday Men's Breakfast Group
7 am Tuesdays, members of Grace and neighbors from throughout the local community. Fantastic breakfast, great discussion of Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest."
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Stewardship Kickoff Cabaret Postponed to October 15!!!
Please RSVP: Liz Moss
540-223-1048
To enhance your evening--Chocolates, Roses and Photos
will be available for a donation—Please bring cash!
This is a social event to celebrate you! Come have fun with your fellow parishioners, listen to great musical performances by our choir members and friends, eat, drink and be merry! Please bring a snack to share and BYOB if you would like. We will have drink set ups and non-alcoholic beverages available.
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SAVE THE DATE
Best-selling author and fellow Episcopalian, Sally Hurme, will be the special guest at the October 16 Rector’s Forum. Sally is the author of Checklist for My Family: A Guide to My History, Financial Plans, and Final Wishes, published in association with AARP, from which Sally retired, and the American Bar Association. Sally will offer helpful and step-by-step guidance on issues to consider in getting your life in order and ensuring your family or representative knows your plans and wishes as you desire to take care of family, loved ones, favored institutions, and a personal legacy meaningful to you. It is never too early to plan. The latest edition is available for purchase through Amazon ahead of Sally’s visit, click the link below:
Sally Hurme books on Amazon
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Check out last Wednesday's News Gazette for the article about the Peace Wave with our very own Susan Mead and Luke Camp - Community Connection Dream Team! | |
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Vestry Minutes
Vestry Minutes are available on our website under the vestry tab.
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Happy Birthday
10/2 Donnie McBrayer, 10/4 Mary Katherine Lawrence, Anne Hansen, 10/8 Rob Minor, 10/9 Jerry Nay, Susan Denson, 10/11 Libby Cumming, Heather McBrayer, 10/12 Al Gordon, 10/15 Charlie Smith, 10/16 Sharon Swain, 10/20 Eloise Adams, Drusie Milford, 10/23 Claudia Ellis, 10/25 Lily Youngman, 10/26 Melissa Cox, 10/27 Connie Loughhead, 10/29 Jimbo Smith, 10/30 Steve Shultis, 10/31 Peggy Hays.
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