January 2021

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

From the Rector - The Rev. M. Alton Plummer

“… they set out; and there ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped at the place where the child was … they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother; … they knelt down and paid him homage … opening their treasure chests, offering him gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And [then]… they left for own country by another road.” Matthew 2:1-12.

We are just days away from the “Feast of the Epiphany” – the revelation of Emmanuel, God with us, as manifested in the child, Jesus, wrapped in his mother’s

arms. Not an infant laying in a manger; no lowing cattle, no shepherds (that’s all Luke’s story). Nope, the incarnation of God’s love for us is revealed to us in the image of a mother holding her child.

This is what we’re to see. Not a star. The star, like a spotlight piercing the night sky over the opening of a department store or car dealership, is just. the mechanism used to get our attention and draw us in. Its light shines on what is most important, the deep tender bond existing between The Madonna and her Child, as a sacrament of the deeper bond between God and us.

The wise men who followed the star’s light, came looking for a king. They found two, but only one of them was worthy of “homage,” – their oath of allegiance. Only one moved them to kneel down and open their treasure chests. Only one of their royal encounters was transformative; moved them to leave “for their own country by a different road.”

The story of the three kings is a love story – or more – a story about how the power of love, imaged in Mary and Jesus, is greater than the love of power (embodied by that crafty, insecure King, Herod). The wisemen’s story also foreshadows at the beginning, how the gospel ends; the power of God’s love overthrowing the power of death, and how we, believing in Christ, are diverted from dying estranged from God in our sins, are brought home to God and life in the Kingdom. In Christ, God provides us with “another road.” And unexpected road.

As I write, it occurs to me, this is also a story of seeking and encountering God in places we least expect. The wisemen from the East went to a royal palace in Jerusalem first, but the one they sought was found in a commoner’s dwelling five miles down the road in Bethlehem. Again, where love reigns, there is where all who seek get found.

This year we can’t gather to worship and remember the story as we usually do. For many in our parish community, the Feast of Light Service of Epiphany is their favorite service of the year. The service itself will be missed. But, the Spirit of the story is there to be lived by us, always.

Like the wisemen, I too will soon leave “by a different road.” Borrowing a little from the Gospel according to Walt Disney, I make this wish upon the star as I go: May every home … and every heart … that kneels in the light of Epiphany become a place for the revelation of God’s love to lead all those who seek it home.

“To God, whose power working within us can do more than we can ask, or even imagine, I bid you peace. Fr. A+

Grace Episcopal Church 419 S. Main Street Lexington, NC 27292-3234 336.249.7211 phone 336.249.8711 fax gracechurch@lexcominc.net or

gracechurchlexington@gmail.com

https://gracelexingtonnc.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

Page 2

Clergy Transition Update

The GraceVine—January 2021

Following notice to the congregation and vestry from Father Alton on his plan to retire from parish ministry, Diocesan Bishop Samuel Rodman and Canon Catherine Massey, Canon for Transition and Pastoral Ministry held a Zoom meeting with Lay Vestry Members on November 30, 2020. Informational materials were provided by Canon Massey.

The purpose of Bishop Rodman and Canon Massey’s meeting covered several areas:

the vestry’s thoughts on how we and the parish were doing,

extensive discussion on three Clergy Transition Process Options, and

the celebration of Father Alton’s five years of ministry with Grace Church.

Since the initial meeting, I have had follow up conversations with Canon Massey, The Reverend Canon Earnest Graham, our Regional Canon on how

to approach our task. I have also spoken with each lay vestry member about which options and approach would best suit us as a parish.

On December 17, 2020, a Zoom meeting was held with the lay vestry members to explore which transition option each member was leaning and to discuss several ideas to honor Father Alton’s ministry. We arrived at a consensus on a transition option and ways to honor Father Alton.

We plan to meet early January with Canon Massey via Zoom to present our ideas and get her feedback. A follow up communique will be sent to parishioners, announcing our transition plans which include seeking input from the congregation.

I thank you for your support and ask for your prayers as we endeavor to do the right thing for God, serving our mission and ministry together at Grace Church.

Tommy Black, Senior Warden

Stewardship Campaign Update

On behalf of the Vestry, thanks for all parishioners who have responded to the request for completed pledge cards for the 2021 Stewardship Campaign. Your generosity and commitment is very much appreciated. We have received responses of approximately 2/3’s of the mailing and had 18 parishioners who increased their pledge for 2021 and 6 respondents with decreases. We sincerely understand the impact Covid-19 has

had on everyone, but we would like to close the campaign by January 15th so that we can begin preparing a fiscal budget for the coming year. We want to be able to continue our missions and various outreach programs, but need to see what financial support we will have. If you have lost your pledge card, please notify the office. If you have not returned you pledge card, please complete it and drop it in the mail. Tommy Black, Sr. Warden

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 3

The Vestry held our December meeting on Tuesday, December 15th at 7:00PM via Zoom. All members were present and Alton opened with a prayer. The Treasurer’s Report was given by Miles Cleckley, who noted that our Operating Account was $28,505.56 overdrawn temporarily, pending a transfer of undeposited funds that will bring us back into balance YTD. He also reported that our PPP loan forgiveness application had been accepted by our bank, First National Bank, and was being submitted to the SBA for final approval. The Treasurer’s Report was approved. The Minutes for November were reviewed and approved. The Commission Reports were previously submitted via email and after discussion were approved. Senior Warden, Tommy Black reported the following:

The closing date for the sale of Grace Place is

Vestry Update

scheduled for January 20, 2021 Stewardship Campaign - From 106 pledge cards

sent, 58 had been received totaling $202,150 A proposal to update our telephone system was

tabled by the Finance & Administration pending more investigation

The Rector’s Report was presented by Fr. Alton:

On 12/20, Bishop Rodman will celebrate Advent IV, confirm 3 and receive 2 into the parish

Christmastide Services will be livestreamed; there will not be a traditional Epiphany Service

Held A/V and camera training with Pam Harvey and David Jones on 12/10

No change on Covid-19 restrictions After some moments of reflection, Fr. Alton closed the meeting with prayer. Our next meeting via Zoom is scheduled for January 19th at 7PM. Tommy Black, Senior Warden

Adkins, Mark Parishioner Alexander, Chris Friend Alexander, Cora Friend Allgood, Bobby John Taylor’s Brother-in-law Amon, Amanda Rick Mack’s sister Asebes, Ella B & W MacKinstry’s granddaughter Beck Barbara Parishioner Brandon, Alice & family Friends Brown, Baylee Parishioner Cain, Andrea Friend Cinque, Russell Friend Cleckley, Lynne Parishioner Curia, Morgan Former Parishioner Dixon, Barbara Friend Dresser, Johanna Pam Harvey’s cousin Eller, Suzanne Jane Grime’s Sister-in-law Gallen, Aubrie Friend Garland, Shana Friend Garner, Frances Parishioner Gaskins, Marlon Friend Gibson, Susan Friend Greer, Jan Friend Grimes, Jane Parishioner Hanna, George K. Everhart’s brother Hanson, Sally Parishioner Hare, Rob Penny Taylor’s brother Harris, Kristen Friend Harvey, Elizabeth Pam’s Daughter Hinkle, Nance Talmadge’s sister-in-law Hodges, Chris & Mike Parishioner Holmes, Will M. Parker’s great nephew Huff, Jon Friend Hutchins, Nancy Friend Johnson, Brinkley Friend King, Anne Former Parishioner Layfield, Lindsay Friend Lowery, Michael Friend Mack, Lynn Parishioner May, Carol Parishioner Melomo, Nicholas Max & Peggy Walser’s grandson Michael, Molly Talmadge’s cousin Mitchell, Roan Friend Morgan, O’Lema Friend Nelson, Kathie & Scott Friend Onorato, Page Parishioner Parsley, Lynn Friend Plott, Gabby Friend Reynolds, Bob Friend Rojas, Jacklynn M&L Cleckley’s granddaughter Sheets, Suzy Parishioner Silversides, Talmadge Parishioner Smith, Amy Burkhart Art’s daughter Smith, Dan Griff Parishioner Smith, Martha Ellen Parishioner Sullivan, Sean Friend

Prayer List

Page 4 The GraceVine—January 2021

Jan 1 Belvie Gilleland

Jan 1 Glenn Wyatt

Jan 2 Baxter Ingram

Jan 2 Marisa Jones

Jan 4 Mike Wagner

Jan 9 Penny Taylor

Jan 11 Shawn Hodge

Jan 11 Cameron Miller

Jan 12 Will Burke

Jan 14 Pam Alley

Jan 16 Rhonda Bralkowski

Jan 16 Jön-Eric Thomas

Jan 18 Ed Timberlake

Jan 21 Miles Cleckley

Jan 22 Virginia McDonald

Jan 24 Fred Adkins

Jan 25 Mary-Cameron Welborn

Jan 26 Bebe Briggs

Jan 29 Rachel Ingram

Jan 30 Richard Wolfe

January Birthdays

Surratt, Clarice & Henry Former Parishioners Tilley, Robin Frances Garner’s niece Touchton, Jackie B. MacKinstry’s sister Underwood, Toni Friend Welch, Frances Suzy Sheets’ mother Weller, Courtney Friend Whetmore, Susan Friend Whitehurst, Bill Friend Williams, Flynn B & B Gilleland’s grandson Young, Charlotte Carolyn Wolfe’s sister

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 5

Christian Formation in December

Children's Formation will continue to meet through Zoom on Wednesday evenings. We will look at the Banquet of Simon during the month of January. We will meet at 5:30 on January 13, 20, and 27. The Zoom link can be found in the Grace Notes each week.

Rite 13 and J2A will be sent more information from their leaders. Rite 13 will continue to attend the Diocesan-wide youth zoom meetings.

Adult Formation will return to a focus on Becoming Beloved Community. More information from the Diocese is included below. Debby Irving, author of Waking Up White, will be the speaker at the first Webinar on January 11. You must register to attend. Link for Website: https://www.episdionc.org/blog/rjrc-announces-anti-racism-programming-for-winter-2020-21/

Registration is now open for the events shared below. "The Journey to Racial Equity: A Three-Part Series" consists of two webinars and a 21-day challenge. The schedule for the first round:

Part 1: Jan. 11, "An Evening with Debby Irving," 7p.m. (webinar)

Part 2: Jan. 17 - Feb. 6, 21-Day Habit Building Challenge

Part 3: Feb. 9, "An Evening with the Rev. Dr. William Barber, II," 7p.m. (webinar)

Register for the webinars (you will need to register for each; the link for the Part Two 21-day challenge will be sent to those who register):

Part 1: "An Evening with Debby Irving," Jan. 11 at 7p.m. Part 3: "An Evening with the Rev. Dr. William Barber, II," Feb. 9 at 7p.m.

The Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee (RJRC) presents a webinar by author Debby Irving in the first of a three-part anti-racism series. On Monday, January 11, at 7 pm, Irving, the well-known author of Waking Up White, will lead a webinar exploring her story of waking up to discover the racial divide in our nation. Register.

The second part of the series, the 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge, begins on Sunday, January 17. The challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege and leadership. Participants will receive daily challenges, such as reading an article, listening to a podcast or reflecting on personal experience.

Participation in an activity like this helps us to discover how racial and social injustice impact our communities, to connect with one another, and to identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. This is an exciting opportunity to dive deep into racial equity and social justice. To help participants reflect on what they discover, on January 17, 24 and 31, at the conclusion of each of each week of the challenge, the RJRC will host an hour-long Zoom conversation to connect with one another on the topics covered in the previous week and ways they affect our communities and even our churches. Details and registration are forthcoming.

The third part of the series will take place on February 9 at 7p.m., when the Bishop’s Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee will host a webinar featuring the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, the president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach. An author, preacher and professor, he is the chief architect of the “Forward Together Moral Movement.” A powerful preacher and ardent activist, Barber will speak about the theology of justice and the effects of racism in our communities. Register.

RJRC Announces Anti-Racism Programming for Winter 2021

January 2021

Alton’s last service at Grace

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

27 28 29 30 31 1 2

3 4

5 6 7

8 9

10 11

12

13 14 15 16

17 18

19

20 21

22 23

24

31

25 26 27 28 29 30

Church Office Closed 5:30 pm Finance Comm.

Meeting

7:00 pm Vestry Meeting

Church Office Closed

Grace Church Scholarship

The Grace Episcopal Church Endowment Trust scholarship application is available online for download! To access, go to the church website at gracelexingtonnc.org and scroll to the bottom of the home page. There will be a link to the application that you are able to print. The applications are due back to Grace Church by March 1, 2021.

2020 YEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIALS through November

Budgeted to-date $293,820

Actual Income $230,507

Actual Expenses $279,771