July 2019

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

In a few days Kate and I will be traveling to Columbus, Ohio where on Sunday next I’ll be preaching and baptizing the infant son of a couple I married nine years ago.

It always sounds a little strange to say, “I married” them? It’d be more accurate to say, “I officiated over the ceremony when they gave themselves to each other in marriage, and pronounced in the eyes of the church and state they were validly married to each other.”

With most of the weddings I’ve officiated in my time as a priest, this more accurate description perfectly describes what transpired: I was present in my official capacity as a priest for the moment and when the moment was over I never heard from or saw the couples again. I’d send a card on their anniversary, and get no response, which I interpret as a sign that our time together through premarital counseling and preparation was viewed as simply transactional: “We needed you to do a job. Job done. Move along.”

I find this sad, as a wedding and the marriage it establishes is meant to express “the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church” – upholding the establishment of covenant relationships of on-going encouragement and support – not that of “sparrows sold two for a penny” (Matthew 29:10).

But then there are the couples like Kat and Jonathan who get it – and who give me, and all those around them, hope that God is present and working in the world. Their love for each other has created a “big tent” under which many people like myself have found friendship and family. There’s always enough room. Always a place set, a chair waiting at the table, and enough wine and food to share …with friends who care and listen – and carry each other in faith, and pull each other along in love.

It sounds idealistic. It sounds like a television show. It sounds to good to be true, but trust me it is true. As true as true gets.

It’s Church.

Until next time, when once again we’ll 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

Reading Between the Lines (formerly known as Bible Workbench), has decided to take a summer hiatus from study on Wednesday afternoons. However, we will be back in September and invite anyone interested to join us. New meeting times and days will definitely be considered if you are interested but cannot make it on Wednesdays. Please feel free to contact Sandra Husted if you have any questions.

Page 2 The GraceVine—July 2019

Gratitude for July

In the month of July, we will share our gratitude for the Arts Academy at Grace. During this month, you will hear music from one of our instructors during worship. We will also be hosting one of the annual Arts Discovery Camps from July 8-12, during which time you can volunteer to help or attend the closing program on Friday afternoon. The Arts Academy at Grace believes that the arts are for everyone and was established to address the growing desire and need to provide greater exposure to and participation in the arts. They

offer private lessons in visual arts, harp, violin, piano, and guitar. Scholarships are available to help those students who might not otherwise have the chance to experience arts instruction. If you'd like to find out more about the Arts Academy at Grace, you can look on our church website at www.grace-lexington.dionc.org

As we celebrate the arts and especially our Arts Academy this month, let us pray: For Church Musicians and Artists

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Stewardship Update

The financial statement at the end of May reveals that our books are in good shape year-to-date. Account balances, so far, are healthy and expenses are running slightly below budgeted projections. Pledges are coming in as anticipated, however, non-pledge & open plate contribu-tions have fallen behind. As we

go into the summer season, as folks go traveling off to the shore or the mountains, we anticipate from past experience, that our cash flow will slow further. We thank you for your loyal sup-port, faithfulness and generosity, and we hope everyone has a great summer. But please, re-

member to keep pace with your giving as the Church’s expenses will continue even as the “hazy, lazy days of Summer” carry you off to places of adventure and relief.

Gratefully yours,

Tommy Black, Senior Warden & Stewardship Chairman

Vestry Update

Our monthly meeting was held on June 18th. A quorum was established and the agenda was enacted. The following actions were taken:

Commission reports were accepted after review

The revised Vestry Covenant

was approved and signed by all

The Safety & Security Committee recommendations were debated and approved

An update on Grace Food Ministries was shared with the Vestry

Purchase of a replacement Ice Maker was approved for the Undercroft kitchen

The next meeting is scheduled for July 23rd. Tommy Black, Senior Warden

Youth News

Our teens will be busy this summer helping with renovations at Grace Place; we learned a lot about electrical wiring and look forward to drywall and painting! We are also excited about building Noah’s Ark as part of

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 3

Christian Formation

the playground renovations. Funds earned through BBQ Festival parking and Christmas tree sales will go towards purchasing building supplies. Our group of 7 teens have completed the Rite 13 curriculum and will transition to J2A this fall.

As part of that process, we will travel on an Urban Adventure in September. A new rite 13 class will begin in September under the leadership of Carrie and Allen Ingram. Sims and Cathy Riggan will continue to lead the J2A class.

Adult Forum needs you!!! We are looking for a few good people to volunteer to lead discussion during Adult Forum. All curriculum and materials will be provided, we just need people to hit "play" on the DVD and then ask the questions provided to go with that week's topic. We will be looking at many timely topics this coming Fall and are working hard this summer to gather meaningful materials to

share. We will combine video series with guest speakers and intergenerational activities to bring deeper meaning to our spiritual formation communi-ty. If you would like more information or would con-sider volunteering your time, please contact Carrie Ingram at carrieingram@gmail.com or (336)596-2810.

Acolyte Training

All acolytes, new and old, please save the date for Sunday, August 18! We will have training at church followed by a pool party

at Lexington Swim Club to show our gratitude for your service to Grace Church!! More details to follow…

FYI: There are three sizes of acolyte robes hanging in Fr. Alton’s closet for use during the summer in the chapel.

July 3 Fred McIntyre

July 3 Dottie Burkhart

July 4 Blake Inabinett

July 5 Allen Ingram

July 6 Frances Garner

July 8 Bright Carter

July 9 Renee Kaley

July 10 Curtis Hodge

July 11 Miles Stoner

July 12 Merritt Carter

July 12 Grayson Carter

July 14 Philip Matthews

July 15 Dan Smith

July 17 Allen Robertson

July 18 Sally Dodd

July 19 Marlene Jones

July 23 Anderson Carter

July 25 Julia Kepley

July 26 Lisa Timberlake

July 29 Mike Hodges

July 30 Ed Jordan

July 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 Burkhart, Dottie Parishioner Burkhart-Smith, Amy Art’s daughter Callicutt, Abbie Friend Carter, Ned Friend Chace, Mildred Kathie Goodman’s cousin Clark, Kathryn Friend Clifford, Anna Friend Cranston, Betty Friend Curia, Morgan Former Parishioner Dixon, Barbara Friend Egan, Mike Parishioner Everhart, Katherine Parishioner Gallen, Aubrie Friend Garland, Shana Friend Grimes, Jane Parishioner Hanna, George K. Everhart’s brother Hare, Rob Penny Taylor’s brother Harris, Carol Friend Harris, Kristen Friend Hodges, Chris & Mike Parishioner Howell, Betsy Friend Johnson, Brinkley Friend Kesler, Jimmie Friend King, Anne Former Parishioner Krueger, Maria Friend 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 O’Shea, Mike & Fran Glenn’s father & step-mother Parsley, Lynn Friend Plott, Gabby Friend Reynolds, Bob Friend Rich, Benny & Joanne Friends Rojas, Jacklynn M&L Cleckley’s granddaughter Sheets, Suzy Parishioner Sills, Denise Friend Silversides, Talmadge Parishioner Sink, Robin Parishioner Smith, Martha Ellen Parishioner Stokes, Ellie Kate Friend Taylor, Jack John Taylor’s father Tesh, Ashur Friend Tilley, Robin Frances Garner’s niece Underwood, Toni Friend Welch, Frances Suzy Sheets’ mother Weller, Courtney Friend Whitehurst, Bill Friend Young, Charlotte Carolyn Wolfe’s sister

Prayer List

Page 4 The GraceVine—July 2019

Rite 1 Rite 2

June 23, July 7, 21,

August 4, 18, Sept. 1

June 16, 30, July 14,

28, August 11, 25

July Ministries Schedule

July 7 July 14 July 21 July 28 Aug 4 Aug 11

Lector 9:00 11:00

10:00 Walter Beeker

Penny Taylor Sally Dodd Lynn Meeks Mary Matthews Mary Bolstad

LEM NEEDED Karl Bolstad Pat Plummer Kathie Goodman NEEDED Mary Matthews

Intercessor Penny Taylor Kathy Johnson Robin Petruzzi Diane Huneycutt Joe Wallace Belvie Gilleland

Acolytes Kate Inabinett Rachel Ingram Virginia McDonald Cooper Petruzzi Lyndon Briggs Ward Inabinett

Ushers Bill Gilleland Art Burkhart John Burke Sims Riggan Ed Huneycutt Joe Wallace

Greeters Ed & Diane Huneycutt

Sandra Husted Patricia Wardle Barbara Presnell Penny Taylor Ed & Diane Huneycutt

Nursery Jennie McDonald

Elizabeth Inabinett

Penny Taylor Krista Manning Kristi Allred Cameron Miller

Social Hour NEEDED Robin & Mark Petruzzi

Pam & Steve Harvey

Frances Garner Mary Bolstad

Penny Taylor Susan Terrell

Staley & Jim Nance

Flowers Lynn Meeks Pam & Steve Harvey

NEEDED Robin & Glenn Sink

NEEDED Daughters of Mary Linder

Altar Guild: Page Onorato, Frances Garner, Pam Harvey, Carol Jordan, Renee Kaley, Peggy Walser, Mimi Duquette

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: Belinda MacKinstry

Pastor’s Pantry Food of the Month: July—Grits / Boxes of cereal Toothbrush/Toothpaste

August—Instant Mashed Potatoes Paper Towels September—Dry Beans / Rice Bar Soap October—Canned Pasta (Ravioli, Spaghetti, etc.) Toilet Tissue November—Dry Pasta/Pasta Sauce Toothbrush/Toothpaste December—Canned Meat (chicken, ham, beef) Paper Towels

*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.

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 5

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

July 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 1

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28 29 30 31 1 2 3

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

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

Pastor’s Pantry food Item of the Month: “Grits / Boxes of Cereal”

Non-Food Item: Toothbrush/Toothpaste

Church Office Closed

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

6:00 pm UC Food Ministries

Meeting

Undercroft Activities

Commons Room Activities

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

11:00 am UC—Food Pantry

11:00 am UC—Food Pantry

11:00 am UC—Food Pantry

11:00 am UC—Food Pantry

6:00 pm—CR Finance Comm.

Meeting

7:00 pm—CR Vestry Meeting

Rite 2

Rite 2

Rite 1

Arts Discovery Camp at Grace Church

Arts Discovery Camp at the American Children’s Home

Rite 1