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 bapzing the infant son of a couple I married nine years ago. It always sounds a lile 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 me as a priest, this more accurate descripon 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 me together through premarital counseling and preparaon was viewed as simply transaconal: “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 relaonships of on-going encouragement and support – not that of “sparrows sold two for a penny” (Mahew 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 waing 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 idealisc. 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. Unl next me, 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 [email protected]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 aſternoons. However, we will be back in September and invite anyone interested to join us. New meeng mes 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 quesons.
6
Embed
Grace Episcopal Church The GraceVine - Amazon S3...July 2019 Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine In a few days Kate and I will be traveling to olumbus, Ohio where
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
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 [email protected]
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.
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
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 [email protected] 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.
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