October 2020

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

I write to you on 22 September, the day reserved by the Episcopal Church for a “lesser feast” in memory and honor of The Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, Bishop of Ohio and Illinois, 1852.

Aside from my being from Ohio … having been ordained in Ohio … having preached and served at the altars of parish churches Bishop Chase planted and served in Ohio … having attended the seminary (Bexley Hall) that he established in Ohio … on the campus of Kenyon College which he also established … the bishop

and I walked the same ground in my hometown of Albany, NY and the surrounding area along the Hudson Valley. Further still, he was born in Cornish, New Hampshire in 1775, not far from the family farm of my seventh and sixth generation back grandfathers, Able, and his son, Captain Able Plummer who were both honored patriots of the Revolutionary War.

My fifth generation back grandfather, The Rev. Able, son of Captain Able (we Plummers are historically unoriginal), left New Hampshire as a pioneer to settle the great wilderness of Western New York, where he planted and pastored both a family and a church. His descendant, I left home in the Hudson Valley to re-settle in Western New York, then again in Ohio, and now here in North Carolina as the Rector of an Episcopal Church.

My point with all this is Philander Chase, from the time he was a very young man, was man on the move; as the collect for his feast day states, he was blessed with a “pioneering spirit, and [a] zeal [for] opening new frontiers for the ministry of [God’s holy] church.” And as my own family history shows, he was not alone.

The Bishop and my ancestors were molded in the image of the patriarch, Abraham, who took his wife Sarah and his nephew, Lot, and left their home in Ur (Babylon) settle in an unknown and strange place that God would show them. They walked by faith, not sight. They traveled in hope, as they also lived, and worked … as strangers in a strange land … letting that hope be the force behind the transformation of those places of strangeness in which they settled into “home.”

We are all ancestors of such people, and kindred to someone who came before, who risked much to be the pioneers and midwives to the birth to a new way of being, and to us. The literal definition of the noun, Exodus is, “a going out; a departure or emigration, usually of a large number of people.” I wouldn’t call the moment we’re called to a “new” exodus, but a call to take our place in the on-going movement of God’s salvation history. In his time of pandemic and great cultural change, we are now the ones being called, like Abraham, like Bishop Chase, like our ancestors and people who came before, to lead the way into a new place and way of being for the Church – by the grace of God, the witness of the Gospel, and the continual presence of Christ in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Until next time, when once again we gather ‘round The Master’s Bench, I bid you peace. Fr. A+

“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 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

Adkins, Mark Parishioner Alexander, Chris Friend Alexander, Cora Friend Amon, Amanda Rick Mack’s sister Asebes, Ella B & W MacKinstry’s granddaughter Bauguss, Dean Friend Beck Barbara Parishioner Brown, Baylee Parishioner Cain, Andrea Friend Caudle, Karen Friend Cinque, Russell Friend Cleckley, Lynne Parishioner Curia, Morgan Former Parishioner Dixon, Barbara Friend Dresser, Johanna Pam Harvey’s cousin Egan, Mike Parishioner Gallen, Aubrie Friend Garland, Shana Friend Garner, Frances Parishioner Gaskins, Marlon Friend Gibson, Susan Friend Grimes, Jane Parishioner Hanna, George K. Everhart’s brother Hare, Rob Penny Taylor’s brother Harris, Kristen Friend 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 Keaton, Jonah Friend Keesler, Tom Barbara Presnell’s brother-in-law 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 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 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

Prayer List

Page 2 The GraceVine—October 2020

Oct 2 John Burke

Oct 2 Rachel Dilley

Oct 4 Nancy Hartzog

Oct 4 Jay Williams

Oct 6 Bill Gilleland

Oct 8 Kristie Miller

Oct 10 Deirdre Philpott

Oct 10 Donna Byrd Wyatt

Oct 11 Anne Rives

Oct 14 Rick Mack

Oct 15 Lou Adkins

Oct 16 Nancy Phillips

Oct 19 Elizabeth Inabinett

Oct 19 Sarah Smith

Oct 23 Tucker Sheets

Oct 24 Robin Petruzzi

Oct 25 Scott Hoffmann

Oct 31 Pam Harvey

Oct 31 Sandy Reynolds

October Birthdays

Vestry Update

The Vestry held our September meeting on Tuesday the September 15th at 7:00 pm via Zoom. With all members present, the meeting was opened with meditation and a prayer.

Since our bookkeeper, Kelly Zalinsky, had resigned, we did not have closed financials for the month of August. Treasurer, Miles Cleckley reported that our deficit (approx. $37K) was still an issue but that our cash position was okay, and that costs were still below year-to-date budget. Interviews were held and an offer was made to a talented candidate to replace Kelly, and she accepted. Cindy Key has been working diligently to bring our books up to date. At our next meeting, we will have two months of financials to review. Our annual Diocese Financial Review was submitted on September 1st.

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 3

Christian Formation in October

Children's Formation meets each Wednesday evening at 5:00 on Zoom. Parents receive a Zoom link on Wednesday afternoon. In the month of September, the children learned the parable of The Sower. In October we will move to the story of Jesus and The Storm. Our second unit does not require any packet pick up. There will be a cooking show in this unit and the recipe will be sent out if your children want to try to make their own at home!

During October Rite 13 will meet in person at church on October 11 at 5:15 and on Zoom October 18 at 5:15. Please send Carrie Ingram the email address that you would prefer for your child to use for Zoom if you have not done so already!

J2A will meet with the Riggans on October 11 and will work to build a chicken coop for a Habitat family on October 18. Please watch your email for more details!

Adult Formation continues to happen in small groups. No new groups are being formed during the month of October. If you have a book study you would like to lead or ideas for the months of November and December, please send them to Carrie Ingram. Thank you to Barbara Presnell, Marilyn Taylor, David Inabinett, and Bright Carter for facilitating our current groups.

From the Rector

On Tuesday Bishop Sam Rodman upgraded the Stage of the Diocesan Reopening Plan from where we’ve bee currently holding at Stage 1b, to Stage 2 as of October 1st.

What does this mean? When we are cleared to resume indoor worship (conditionally).

What are the conditions? A maximum of twenty-five people in attendance for each service (all clergy, ushers, Lectors, musicians and other worship team members are included within this number).

All attendees will wear masks – and sit by household group in pre-marked, “socially distanced” pews.

Admittance to worship is by reservation via “Sign-up Genius” before Sunday, via a link made available in your weekly Grace Notes-- First-come-first-serve. Because of this we ask that if you attend one week, that you do not attend or wait to see if there’s space for the following week, thereby giving all members an opportunity to attend a worship service.

Attendees must print-off bulletins at home and bring them, or a personal prayer book, to the service. (Bulletins and Prayer Books cannot be provided). As no singing is allowed, there will be no Hymnals will be provided or necessary.

Attendees are to follow all no-touch protocols for

“Passing the peace,” presenting alms and other offerings, and receiving Communion (bread only).

Should we decide that more than one Sunday service is necessary, Services held in the same worship space must be scheduled at six (6) hour intervals (i.e.: 11-12 AM, and not again until 6-7 PM).

Services in the Chapel will not be offered at this time for lack proper air exchange/ventilation and social distancing.

In the event that the infection rate for Davidson County rises above six percent (6%), public worship will again be suspended. (at this writing we stand at 5.4%).

When will we start? In coordination with our Sexton, John Taylor, the Liturgy & Worship Will be preparing the nave of the main Church, cleaning, training worship team personnel , and learning the new live stream system. Our hope is to hold our first indoor service, a Eucharist, 10 AM Sunday October 18th (as long as the infection rates for our county stay below 6%). We will keep you posted as we go forward.

Until then, Sunday day worship will remain Morning Prayer via Facebook Live from the Chapel (10 AM).

The Live streaming of all services will continue.

October 2020

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

Non-Food Item: Toilet Tissue

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

Undercroft Activities

Commons Room Activities

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6:00 pm UC Food Ministries

Meeting

5:30 pm Finance Comm.

Meeting

7:00 pm Vestry Meeting

Commission Reports had been submitted electronically before the meeting and brief discussions were held to clarify matters. All commissions were up to date and meeting their commitments to the Parish.

Fr. Alton reported: 1) an outdoor service would take place on Sunday, 9/27 - following COVID protocols ; 2) the Diocese was hopeful to move to Phase II, if infection rates continue to decline.

Tommy reported: 1) an offer to purchase Grace Place was in progress; 2) Tarheel Basement Systems made final inspection of the undercroft system.

Pam reported: 1) Wendy Rusnak had been hired as custodian & will work with John Taylor; 2) Cooking With Grace cookbook is nearing completion

Vestry Update (continued from page 2)

Other: 1) All vestry members were encouraged to continue making parish calls and member contacts;

2) Blanche Poole was given “going away” retirement gifts for her years of service

3) A Zoom Stewardship Webinar would be hosted by Canon Earnest Graham on 9/16 – Tommy and Pam to attend

4) Vestryman, Walter Beeker suggested a study committee be formed to evaluate future usage of the Parish Hall. First meeting – Tuesday, September 29

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2 BCP pg. 78

~Tommy Black, Senior Warden