October 2019

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

“The point is: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 ~ The term “quid pro quo” has become quite fashionable of late. It may not be T-shirt worthy, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw someone wearing one making

that proclamation. After all, “you do this for me and I’ll do this for you” is the way of “this age” (Luke 16:1-13). Where we need to be careful is applying this worldly system over the way of the kingdom of God. In computer-ease, these are incompatible operating systems; they don’t speak the same language, and therefore they won’t work together. Unfortunately, there are folks who continue to try. They drop a few dollars in the collection plate (or give “seeds of faith” to they’re favorite TV preacher) with the mindset that God will give them a blessing in return; and following that logic through Paul’s teaching above, the more they give the bigger the blessing they’ll get back in return. It’s an absurd thought: that one can leverage God to act in one’s favor, particularly by giving God what is God’s in the first place. And if these “prosperity” seekers of the gospel read a little deeper they’d figure out that the blessing is subjective, not objective – it comes from within, not without. In context, Paul is taking up a collection from the province churches to give aid and relief to the church in Jerusalem going through very hard times. The Corinthians seem reluctant to contribute. Paul holds up before them the example of the folks in the Macedonian church who were “eager” to donate, “begging us earnestly,” Paul says, “for the privilege of sharing in this ministry … “ The Macedonians were so filled with joy by the knowledge of grace, and the salvation received from God in Christ, their cup overflowed “to the saints“ in Jerusalem. The more they could give, the more joyful they became, and the more joyful they became, the more they wanted to give. And the Macedonian’s saw their offering as an expression of joy and praise set before our gracious and generous Lord. If there was a “quid pro quo” it was in the discovery that generosity cultivates thankfulness and joy in the giver, as well as those who receive the gift. And who couldn’t use more thankfulness and joy, right? Until next time, when once again we gather ‘round The Master’s bench, I bid you peace. Fr. Alton +

“At the Master’s Bench” by The Rev. M. Alton Plummer Grace Episcopal Church 419 S. Main Street Lexington, NC 27292-3234 336.249.7211 phone 336.249.8711 fax gracechurch@lexcominc.net

www.gracechurchlexington.org or http://grace-lexington.dionc.org/ Sunday Services Rite 1 - 9:00 a.m., in the Chapel Rite 2 - 11:00 a.m., in the Church 9:45 a.m., Sunday School Summer - 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel

mailto:gracechurch@lexcominc.nethttp://grace-lexington.dionc.org/http://grace-lexington.dionc.org/

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We will be collecting bags of Halloween candy for the annual Halloween Trunk or Treat thrown by the uptown churches. If you are able to donate any bags of candy, you can drop them off at the church office

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Gratitude for October

In the month of October, our gratitude is directed towards the Social Concerns Commission of Grace Church. This commission was established several years ago as a response to the growing needs in our community and to provide an outlet to help fulfill those needs. Many programs and projects have been supported by this group over the years including the Grace Girls after-school group,

the Grace Food Ministries, and Meals on Wheels. Members of the commission include Sandy Reynolds, Bob Husted, Mary Bolstad, Gayle Burke, Robin Sink, Mary Matthews, and Patricia Wardle. Interestingly, several of these members joined the commission as the Vestry Liaison and chose to remain a part of the group. Currently the Social Concerns commission is not working on a specific project but

would welcome input from the church as to ways they can support a church program or community program in need. As with all commissions, members who feel led to help are welcome to join the commission at any time. If you know of community needs or would like to become more involved with Social Concerns, please contact the church office or Sandy Reynolds.

A Correction from Last Month

Last month's information about the Children's School at Grace had a few pieces of misinformation. Ruth Miller did not come to the church with Ruth Raker, but actually Martha Ellen Smith came to the church to teach for several

years. (Ruth Miller was Martha Ellen's mother). After teaching for a couple of years, Martha Ellen left the preschool until she had her son. Two years later, Ruth Raker retired and Lynn Mack took over. Also, please note that Fran

Moore and Patsy Miller should have been included in the list of teachers who have worked at The Children's School. Thank you to Martha Ellen for correcting this information!

From the Treasurer

On behalf of the vestry of Grace Church, we would like to remind you that our budget is in need of your attention. If you have not kept up with your pledge payments, please do so soon. Quarterly statements

will be mailed out in early October so you can see what is left on your pledge. Thank you!

~ Miles Cleckley, Treasurer

Dr. Conforti Lecture and Workshop

You are invited to join Dr. Michael Conforti to explore Archetypal Patterns in Our Lives:

What They Are and Why They Are Important.

In Friday night’s lecture, we will look at the presence of psyche and archetypes in the patterns of our unique life, the ways in which we might sense an intimation of their meaning, of their calling, and what they entrust to us.

In Saturday’s workshop we will speak about the ability to recognize the patterns of individual and collective life. Through illustrations from clinical practice, to stories from literature and cinema, we will together observe the patterns emerging within the inner and outer worlds and ways to sense the archetypal meaning of each.

Registration: October 4th Friday night lecture $20.00 October 5th Saturday workshop

$25.00 —BOTH sessions $40.00—

Call 336-238-5125 or Email grogers@lexcominc.net Send check payable to:

Grace Episcopal Wilson Carter Fund 302 West 2nd Avenue Lexington, NC 27292

Friday , October 4, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Saturday, October 5, 2019 9:00 am – 11:30 am Grace Episcopal Church Undercroft

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J2A

J2A had a great Urban Adventure in Richmond, VA. The youth navigated their way around the city using a paper map and clues (and no GPS!)

We toured the Virginia Capitol, the Holocaust Museum, Hollywood Cemetery, and took a canal boat cruise on the James River. We attended Sunday morning services at St. John’s Episcopal Church where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech which helped inspire the

Revolutionary War. Our final stop included touring the Italian and Japanese gardens at Maymont. This was a great bonding activity for our youth and we appreciate the congregation’s support!

Upcoming events for J2A and Rite 13 include parking cars for the BBQ Festival on October 26th, and helping host the Halloween festivities with other uptown churches on October 27th. We will also begin taking Christmas tree orders at the end of the month.

Christian Formation

Children's Sunday School classes have explored many aspects of Noah's building of the ark, the animals on board, and the rainbow symbolizing God's promise. During October, we will wrap up with our Noah's Ark unit and then switch gears to the story of Isaac and Rebekah.

Adult Formation has focused the video series Traveling the Way of Love which takes one practice from the Way of Love and zooms in on how people across the country are practicing their faith. On October 6 we will

wrap up this series, but will visit the Way of Love again during Lent with a more personal experience. After the Feast of Grace, we will begin a series on Aging which starts with guest speaker Gail Rogers offering ideas of how to live a fuller life at an older age.

Please note that we will not have any Sunday School classes or Adult Formation on Sunday, October 13. That day is the Feast of Grace and we will gather after the 11:00 service for lunch in our newly revitalized outdoor space.

Guest Musicians

Several Grace Church members have approached me recently to comment favorably on the visiting musicians we have had during the Sunday service this past summer. As a result, a fund is being set up to receive donations which will provide honorariums for these instrumentalists and soloists.

If you enjoyed having these guests as much as I did, please consider making a contribution to this fund. You can send a check to the church office and write “Guest Musician Fund” in the memo line.

Thank you for expressing your appreciation and willingness to support these talented musicians.

~Joan Clodfelter

Oct 2 John Burke

Oct 2 Rachel Dilley

Oct 3 John Koonts

Oct 4 Nancy Hartzog

Oct 4 Jay Williams

Oct 6 Seth Miller

Oct 6 Bill Gilleland

Oct 8 Kristie Miller

Oct 10 Deirdre Philpott

Oct 10 Donna Byrd Wyatt

Oct 11 Anne Rives

Oct 13 Pat Plummer

Oct 14 Rick Mack

Oct 15 Lou Adkins

Oct 16 Nancy Phillips

Oct 19 Elizabeth Inabinett

Oct 20 Newsom Parker

Oct 23 Tucker Sheets

Oct 24 Robin Petruzzi

Oct 24 Marilyn Taylor

Oct 25 Scott Hoffmann

Oct 31 Sandy Reynolds

Oct 31 Pam Harvey

October Birthdays Adkins, Mark Parishioner Alexander, Chris Friend Alexander, Cora Friend Amon, Amanda Rick Mack’s sister Asebes, Ella B & W MacKinstry’s granddaughter Beck Barbara Parishioner Bralkowski, Mike & Rhonda Parishioners Brown, Baylee Parishioner Carter, Ned Friend Clark, Kathryn Friend Clifford, Anna Friend Curia, Morgan Former Parishioner Curry, Roger Friend Dixon, Barbara Friend Egan, Mike Parishioner Gallen, Aubrie Friend Garland, Shana Friend Gaskins, Marlon Friend Grimes, Jane Parishioner Hanna, George K. Everhart’s brother Hare, Rob Penny Taylor’s brother Harris, Carol Friend Harris, Kristen Friend Herring, Barbara Sue Friend Hodges, Chris & Mike Parishioner Howell, Betsy Friend Johnson, Brinkley Friend Keaton, Jonah Friend King, Anne Former Parishioner Lang, Sally Parishioner Long, B.A. Laurie Briggs’ father Mack, Lynn Parishioner Marshall, Angela Kathie Goodman’s cousin May, Carol Parishioner Michael, Molly Talmadge’s cousin Miller, Seth Parishioner Onorato, Page Parishioner Orren, Frank Friend Parsley, Lynn Friend Payne, Greg Friend Plott, Gabby Friend Reynolds, Bob Friend Rich, Benny & Joanne Friends Rojas, Jacklynn M&L Cleckley’s granddaughter Schweizer, Mark Friend Sheets, Suzy Parishioner Sills, Denise Friend Silversides, Talmadge Parishioner Smith, Martha Ellen Parishioner Taylor, Jack John Taylor’s father Taylor, Jeff John Taylor’s brother Tilley, Robin Frances Garner’s niece Touchton, Jackie B. MacKinstry’s sister Underwood, Toni Friend Welch, Frances Suzy Sheets’ mother Weller, Courtney Friend Whitehurst, Bill Friend Young, Charlotte Carolyn Wolfe’s sister

Prayer List

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The heat of late summer may make you wish for fall with its cool nights and sunny days. But we hope you’re thinking of spring and donating some flower bulbs to the church.

But how about thinking of spring and donating some flower bulbs to the church?

We’ll continue to add narcissus - daffodils, paperwhites, jonquils - and tulips, with your help. They were gorgeous this past spring and we’d like to add even more color to the front of the buildings.

Please bring any bulbs to the church office by October 10. A planting day will be organized as the weather cools. Thank you in advance for your help in adding spring color to our church campus.

October Ministries Schedule

Oct 6 Oct 13 Feast of Grace

Oct 20 Oct 27 Nov 3

Lector 9:00 11:00

Philip Matthews Russ Johnson

Walter Beeker Steve Harvey

Mary Matthews Tere Wagner

Sally Dodd Penny Taylor

Walter Beeker Karl Bolstad

LEM Karl Bolstad Tommy Black

Kathie Goodman Miles Cleckley

Pat Plummer Linda Cox

Mary Matthews Fran Moore

Pat Plummer Barbara Presnell

Intercessor Kathy Johnson Robin Petruzzi Joe Wallace Belvie Gilleland Penny Taylor

Acolytes Erik Petruzzi Cooper Petruzzi Charlie Manning

Kate Inabinett Ward Inabinett Anderson Carter

Sidney Briggs Hadley Briggs Jack Briggs

Lyndon Briggs Rachel Ingram Ruby Ingram

Will Burke Ford Ingram Fisher Welborn

Ushers Ed Huneycutt Richard Wolfe

Tommy Black Barry Wardle

Bill Gilleland Art Burkhart

Sims Riggan John Burke

Doug Hartzog Ed Huneycutt

Greeters Barbara Presnell Penny Taylor Rite-13 Sandra Husted Barbara Presnell

Nursery Kristi Allred Robin Petruzzi Cameron Miller Shannon Jones Carolyn Wolfe

Social Hour Mary Bolstad (another assistant needed)

n/a Sheets family Penny Taylor Staley Nance

Cathy & Sims Riggan

Flowers Barbara Beck Max & Peggy Walser

OPEN—NEEDED Chris & Mike Hodges OPEN—NEEDED

Altar Guild: Sandra Husted, Catherine Hoffmann, Mary Matthews, Pat Plummer, Sandy Reynolds, Marlene Jones

Crisis Ministry Meal — October—Karl & Mary Bolstad, Pam Harvey, Deirdre Philpott November—Carol Jordan, Kathy Johnson, Diane Huneycutt (Jeri Burkhart) December—J2A / Rite-13 January—John & Beth Burke, Penny & John Taylor (Emily & Heather Shaw)

Vestry Person of the Month: Evelyn Harris

Pastor’s Pantry Food of the Month: October—Canned Pasta (Ravioli, Spaghetti, etc.) Toilet Tissue November—Dry Pasta/Pasta Sauce Toothbrush/Toothpaste December—Canned Meat (chicken, ham, beef) Paper Towels January—Macaroni & Cheese/Ramen Bar Soap February—Cans of Soup Toilet Tissue January—Macaroni & Cheese Bar Soap

*If you are unable to serve on the assigned Sunday, please secure a substitute and notify the church office by Wednesday noon prior to the Sunday you are assigned.

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CR = Commons Room CL1 = Classroom 1, 1st floor CL4 = Classroom 4, 2nd floor Chr = Choir Room UC = Undercroft CL2 = Classroom 2, 1st floor CL5 = Classroom 5, 2nd floor Nsy = Nursery Room CS = Children’s School CL3 = Classroom 3, 2nd floor CL6 = Classroom 6, 2nd floor CH = Church CP = Chapel

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7:00 pm UC Dav. Cty. Dem. Women

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

Pastor’s Pantry food Item of the Month: Canned Pasta (Ravioli, Spaghetts, etc.)

Non-Food Item: Toilet Tissue

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

6:00 pm UC Food Ministries

Meeting 7:15 Choir Practice

Undercroft Activities

Commons Room Activities

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

7:00 pm—CR Preschool Discern-ment Committee

Meeting

6:00 pm—CR Finance Comm.

Meeting

7:00 pm—CR Vestry Meeting

3:00 pm on the playground

7:15 Choir Practice

7:15 Choir Practice

7:15 Choir Practice

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon 7:15 Choir Practice

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