GRACE NOTES
Grace Episcopal Church September 2020
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A NOTE FROM THE RECTOR...
It's a been tough few months to say the least. We have all experienced the difficulties of dealing with COVID-19. From social distancing, to job insecurity, to online schooling, we are all learning new ways to live. However, I hope you are also finding a few unexpected joys along the way. We are not guaranteed that life will always be easy. Some days are harder than we feel we can handle. But, no matter what, we have one another and we have our faith to get us through.
One of the ways we are working to spread some sunshine to all of you is our new addition to Grace Church! Please join with me in welcoming Tucker Rigsby to our church family.
Our new little guy is named after the Tucker and Rigsby families in honor of the many years they have loved and cared for this congregation. Many of you had the honor of knowing Gloria and GG. They were always ready to welcome folks into our church with love and kindness. Tucker Rigsby has big shoes to fill as he goes to work greeting visitors and sharing their same sweet spirit of unconditional love with our community.
If you would like to meet Tucker Rigsby, give us a call. He would love to have a front porch visit with you. He's great at puppy kisses and never turns down a chance to snuggle up in your lap. We hope to see you soon!
Emily
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Please note that during this time of COVID
we will be following the schedule below.
Sunday Service Schedule
10:00 am Outside Worship
(bring your own chair and a mask is required)
11:00 am Facebook Live Worship
We will conclude outdoor services and move back to online only services in November once the weather is too cool to gather comfortably outside.
GOOD NEWS!
We have been given permission by the Bishop to share a modified communion service starting on Sunday, September 13th!
Community Prayer Service Continues
Second Friday of every month at Noon on Facebook Live
If you are comfortable with technology and would like to serve as a virtual reader starting in November, please contact Cindy at gracechurch2955@gmail.com.
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Although we will continue with our monthly prayer service the third Tuesday at Noon on Facebook Live in September and October, we are creating time for deeper reflection in November.
We will host an Outdoor Worship Service (weather permitting) at Noon on Election Day, November 3rd, following our social distancing guidelines. All are welcome.
On November 4th, we will set up prayer stations outdoors for anyone who would like to have a quiet space to reflect and pray.
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We are planning a Youth Sunday on September 20th. We will have both outdoor worship at 10 am and a FB Live service at 11 am. Youth may participate in one or both of the services depending on your family’s comfort level during this time of social distancing. Encourage your youth to get involved in one of the following ways...
- Preach (9th graders and above). We can have more than one reflection. Each reflection should be at least 3-5 minutes in length.
- Read (any age). You may choose to read scripture or another part of the liturgy.
- Music (any age). We welcome your musical talents. In person, you may use non-wind instruments. On-line anything is possible!
- Prayers (any age). You may choose to write your own prayer or select one of your favorites.
- Poetry or other reading (any age). You may choose to read something that is meaningful to you.
Let Emily know if your youth would like to participate in the 10 am or 11 am or BOTH services. Please respond NO LATER than September 6th with a commitment to participate. We will set up a Zoom meeting with our youth to fully plan the service.
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Our Fall Study begins Thursday, September 17th at 10:00 am on Zoom! This fall we will read a selection of writings from a number of powerful black theologian voices. Each week, you will be provided a reading from a book that has had a profound impact on my life. I hope each will be as meaningful for you as we continue our path toward Becoming Beloved Community. And, don't forget, we will also continue our monthly BBC dialogues on Sunday September 27, October 25, November 22, and December 20.
You do not need to purchase the focus books for our fall study. Select chapters will be provided. Learn more about each theologian by clicking on their name below.
Week 1
Womanist Ethics and the Cultural Production of Evil
Week 2
Prophesy Deliverance! An Afro-American Revolutionary Christianity
Week 3
Disruptive Christian Ethics: When Racism and Women's Lives Matter
Week 4
The Cross and the Lynching Tree
Week 5
The Black Christ
Week 6
Wrap Up Discussion / Bringing it all Together
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We continue to stay creative during this unique time with how we can serve. If you are looking for ways to safely connect, here are a few suggestions...
Grace Church Memorial Garden Weeding and Pruning
Reader on Sundays for Outside Worship and Facebook Live (email Emily if interested)
Stock the fridge for Winter with soups and meals for our most vulnerable
Help deliver muffins 2 times a month to members of Grace (email Cindy if you can help)
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DRUM ROLL PLEASE!
Please join us for an exciting, new activity for all ages. We will have a meditative drumming circle at 5 pm on October 10th in front of the church. Drumming is one of the oldest forms of meditation on the planet. It relieves stress and brings people together as each person unites their own rhythm with those around them.
The Rev. John Burruss of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, AL, writes, “Doesn’t this describe the life of Church? People learning how to be in sync with one another. While we might each have our own beats, we try to work together to make a beautiful song of love, justice, and hope for the universe. Ultimately, we try to make our song in sync with the Holy One we name as Christ. Being a person in a faith community is about learning to hear the beat and join in.”
We will focus on gratitude with a short reading or poem. George Crafts will tell a folktale about gratitude and then we will have some drumming time. We will close with another poem or reading. You do not need to have any drumming experience. If you have a hand drum or rattle, please bring it. There will be instruments available if you don’t have one. We will wear masks, sit on chairs, socially distant, and will provide hand sanitizer.
All ages are welcome!
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Men's Group
Grace Men's Group has continued to meet virtually during the summer months, which we have taken off in the past. The virtual meetings are held via Zoom at 7:30 pm on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Meetings normally last one-and-a half hours or less.
For those new to the parish, the group's mission statement is:
Grace Men's Group provides a means for the men of Grace Church to meet regularly for fellowship, spiritual development, mutual encouragement and support, mentoring, outreach, and service.
If you are interested in attending please contact Martin Rodgers at (804) 241-3040. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!
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Women's Group: Friends for the Journey
Wednesday's at noon via Zoom (new time) starting September 9th.
We hope you’ll join us this month as we gather together online once again. Our desire for these particular times together is to connect, to share, to learn, and to be strengthened by knowing we’re together on this journey.
Our theme for September is the lovely quote from Ram Dass, “We are all just walking each other home.” We’ll take time each week to share our answers to questions like:
- If we came to pick you up for the meeting today, where would we find you? If you answer, “In my garden,” we might ask, “And are you cutting flowers or pulling weeds?” (Figuratively, speaking!)
- “Have you found an unexpected companion walking with you this week?”
- “Have you seen any helpful guidepost along the way?” If a quote, scripture, or line from a book, maybe you will share it with the group.
Elaine Taylor has offered to start us off this fall as facilitator of our online meeting. We hope you’ll join us as you are able.
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Community Prayer Service
September 11, October 9, November 13 , December 11
12 Noon on Facebook Live
Youth Sunday
Sunday, September 20
10:00 am Worship Outside and 11:00 am FB Live Service
Thursday Fall Study
September 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22
10:00 am on Zoom
OTHER DATES
Men's Group
First and Third Thursdays
7:00 pm
Women's Group
Every Wednesday on Zoom
12noon (NEW TIME)
Blessings of the Animals
Sunday, October 4
10:00 am Outdoor Service
Reflection and Drumming Service
Saturday, October 10
5:00 pm Outdoor Gathering
One Together Pledge Commitment Sunday
Sunday, October 25
Blessing of the Hounds with Deep Run Hunt Club
Saturday, November 7
10:00 am at Fullstream Farm
Advent Begins
Sunday, November 29
For a copy of the full calendar including times,
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Grace Episcopal Church
2955 River Road West
Goochland VA 23063
804-556-3051
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