June 2018

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

Yesterday was a full day at Grace Church, a day for transitions ranging from one end of the spectrum to the other.

First, we came for a funeral, in which we celebrated before God the life and passing of a much beloved “Lady of Grace.” Then, later in the afternoon, we returned for another kind of a graduation celebration, as seven students from The Children’s School moved on to Kindergarten. One generation finishes their race,

as another generation, barely out of the blocks, readies themselves for the next big stride in theirs.

The day reminded me once again of the fluidity of church life, and how this naturally fluid state is constantly pushing against our need for church to be a constant – a place that we can go away from and then return to find people and things just as they always have been.

Science has a term for this: “Stasis.” It is not always a desirable state. Stasis is “the slowing or stoppage of the normal flow of bodily fluid … such as a slowing of the current of circulating blood … a state of static balance or equilibrium (read as stagnation) … a state or period of stability during which little or no evolutionary change occurs.

In other words, rather than creating an environment of ease, stasis, is more apt to contribute to disease within the body. So, to keep your heart and blood flowing normally requires a healthy diet, plus some sort of regular exercise or activity that challenges the body’s tendency to be at rest.

For the people who are the Body of Christ, a healthy diet might include but is not limited to the regular reading and meditating upon Holy Scripture and other spiritual writings, combined with (as the Baptismal Covenant states) ‘continuing in the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, in the break of bread, and in the prayers.’ In other words, making worship, studying together and supporting one anther a priority.

Exercise, also a group activity, then could be seen as acts of service, of charity and stewardship, with giving becoming a spiritual discipline aimed at developing a generous and loving spirit that reflects the love and grace we have received from God in Christ – a life and spirit formed by gratitude and thankfulness.

As I said, these are group activities, but it takes the dedication of each individual within the body to participate and contribute to the healthy flow of Grace church’s life to keep it working. God the Father created us – God the Son redeemed us – God the Holy Spirit sustains us. May we respond faithfully to what we continually receive from God, that the body of Grace Church may continue to grow healthy and live.

Until next time, when again we gather ‘round the Master’s Bench,

I bid you peace. Fr. Alton +

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

“At the Master’s Bench” by The Rev. M. Alton Plummer

June 5 Benjamin McDonald

June 5 Chandler Allred

June 8 Wes Allred

June 18 Fran Moore

June 18 Ford Ingram

June 22 Catherine Hoffmann

June 22 Mike Johnson

June 23 Baylee Brown

June 27 Carolyn Wolfe

June 30 Joan Clodfelter

June 30 Josey Parker

June Birthdays Adkins, Mark Parishioner Alexander, Cora Friend Alexander, Teresa Carol Jordan’s step-sister Amon, Amanda Rick Mack’s sister Armstrong, Jamie First Methodist Pastor Asebes, Ella B & W MacKinstry’s granddaughter Brown, Baylee Parishioner Burkhart, Dottie Parishioner Burkhart, Jerry Parishioner Burkhart-Smith, Amy Art’s daughter Burr, Chris Former Parishioner Callicutt, Abbie Friend Cooper, Richard Friend Curia, Morgan Former Parishioner Egan, Mike Parishioner Garland, Shana Friend Garner, Frances Parishioner Graves, Elizabeth Friend Hanna, George K. Everhart’s brother Hare, Rob Penny Taylor’s brother Harris, Kristen Friend Hodges, Chris Parishioner Hodges, Mike Parishioner Kepley, Evelyn Lynne Cleckley’s mother King, Anne Former Parishioner Koonts, Sydnie Friend Lang, Sally Parishioner Mack, Lynn Parishioner May, Carol & Bert Parishioners Mewborne, Elizabeth Friend Michael, Molly Talmadge’s cousin Miller, Seth Parishioner Onorato, Page Parishioner O’Shea, Mike & Fran Glenn’s father & step-mother Orren, Frank Friend Plott, Gabby Friend Ratton, Tom Friend Reynolds, Bob Friend Rojas, Jacklynn M&L Cleckley’s granddaughter Shearin, Lillian Friend Sheets, Suzy Parishioner Silversides, Talmadge Parishioner Smith, Martha Ellen Parishioner Stokes, Ellie Kate Friend Tilley, Robin David Garner’s niece Underwood, Toni Friend Welch, Frances Suzy Sheets’ mother Whitehurst, Bill Friend Williams, Jay Parishioner Witt, Elizabeth Friend Young, Charlotte Carolyn Wolfe’s sister While Traveling—Julia Klass and Cameron Klass

Prayer List

Page 2 The GraceVine—June 2018

June Ministries Schedule

June 3 Outdoor Service

June 10 Summer Schedule

June 17 June 24 July 8 July 1

Lector 9:00 11:00

Philip Matthews n/a

10:00 Barry Wardle

Penny Taylor Ed Huneycutt Kristi Allred Pam Harvey

LEM n/a Mary Matthews Karl Bolstad Kathie Goodman Mary Matthews Clarice Surratt

Intercessor n/a Diane Huneycutt Robin Petruzzi Kristi Allred Belvie Gilleland Joe Wallace

Acolytes n/a Kate Inabinett Will Burke Sidney Briggs Erik Petruzzi Owen Miller

Ushers n/a Bill Gilleland John Burke

Richard Wolfe NEEDED

Joe Wallace Ed Huneycutt

Patrick Miller Henry Surratt

Doug Hartzog Jay Williams

Greeters n/a Sandra Husted Barbara Presnell Penny Taylor Patrick Miller Ed & Diane Huneycutt

Nursery n/a Robin Petruzzi Carolyn Wolfe Penny Taylor Mary-Cameron Welborn

Beth Burke

Social Hour n/a Robin & Mark Petruzzi

Welborn family Pam & Steve Harvey

Sims & Cathy Riggan

John & Beth Burke

Sunday Lunch Robin Sink Inabinett family Pam Alley Joe Wallace Marcia M and Don Patterson

Burke family

Flowers n/a OPEN—NEEDED Kathie Goodman Bert & Carol May Pam & Steve Harvey

Lynn Meeks

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

Crisis Ministry Meal — October—Karl & Mary Bolstad, Pam & Steve Harvey, Hugo Hodgin, Deirdre Philpott November—Carol Jordan, Kathy Johnson, Diane Huneycutt (Jeri Burkhart) December—Youth group / Cathy & Sims Riggan

Vestry Person of the Month: Roy McDonald

Grace Pantry Food of the Month: June—Hamburger Helper Toilet Tissue July—Grits / Boxes of Cereal Toothbrush/Toothpaste August—Instant Mashed Potatoes Paper Towels September—Dry Beans / Rice 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.

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 3

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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

June 2018

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

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

Food Pantry Item of the Month: “Hamburger Helper”

Non-Food Item: Toilet Tissue

5:30 pm CR AAG Board Mtg

1:00-2:30 CR BWB

1:00-2:30 CR BWB

3:00-8:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

1:00-2:30 CR BWB

2:00-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

5:30 pm CR Finance Comm. Mtg.

6:00 pm UC Food Ministries

Meeting

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

3:00-8:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

2:00-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

11:00-5:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

1:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

11:00-5:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

1:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

4:00 pm CR Social Concerns Mtg.

7:00 pm CR Vestry Mtg.

1:00-2:30 CR BWB

7:00 pm CH Arts Academy Piano Recital

10:00—CHAPEL

Pisgah Camping

Pisgah Camping