June 2020

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

We are coming to the “reopening phase” of the COVID-19 crisis. The discussion of reopening must be tempered by the facts: we are still experiencing a pandemic. Yes, parts of the country, i.e.: New York/New Jersey are beginning to flatten the COVID case lines, but other areas are still going up. Cases in Davidson County, as of this morning, are still going up, as more people are tested. And, as we’ve been told, it is unsure whether this will drop as we go deeper into summer, or that we won’t suffer a dramatic rise in cases – an aggressive second wave – as we move into the fall season. Therefore, as we go forward we do so “tentatively” – slowly – with our eyes and ears open and with multiple contingency plans in place.

It is impossible to lay every contingency out here, and frankly, it is also overwhelming. When I was in the ordination process, looking at the check list for all I needed to do to be considered for ordination – years of work ahead – a wise, then-deacon-now-a-priest, Paul Gaston, said to me, “Alton, don’t worry about the list, just worry about the next thing on the list. The journey can only be made one step at a time.”

STAGE TWO: TURNING THE CORNER: Tentatively beginning on July 1*

PHI: Rates of cases, hospitalizations and deaths are declining. Testing and tracing are available. Sufficient PPE is available.

Church offices may reopen in spaces large enough for physical distancing to be maintained, with the requirement that proper sanitation measures be strictly adhered to and enforced, and with proper ventilation.

Small indoor church worship may restart in spaces large enough for 6 feet of physical distance to be maintained between people from different households. The total number of people present should not exceed 25, including the worship leadership team.

Outdoor worship for 35 people—with physical distancing—may take place.

Virtual worship will still be necessary in all congregations to accommodate vulnerable populations and larger worshiping communities.

If Holy Eucharist is celebrated in this stage, restrictive practices will remain in place. Governance and program committees, Bible studies and formation groups of 15 or fewer people might consider meeting in person while wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing, or they may continue to gather online.

Churches continue to follow health and safety protocols, including using masks at all gatherings, posting signs indicating symptoms, urging people to stay home and seek medical attention if they have symptoms, and recommending prescreening at home.

Pastoral care visits to those in high-risk categories for contracting the virus remains restricted, as do pastoral care visits by clergy and lay visitors in high-risk categories.

In-person Vacation Bible School is not a good idea this year, and mission trips are inadvisable.

Care for the most vulnerable, engagement with those assessing the societal impact of the pandemic and advocacy for justice continue.

“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

Page 2 The GraceVine—June 2020

From the Rector (continued from page 1)

Churches perform next-level assessments of the pandemic’s impact on members of the congregation and community, forecast necessary long-term adjustments of ministry initiatives and explore collaborative partnerships.

All levels of church leadership need to lead with knowledge and information to help our people cope with the changing nature of the phased community approach our health leaders will be taking.

There are additional guidelines for Stage Two that, with all the guidelines for all stages, can be viewed at https://www.episdionc.org/uploads/images/a-time-of-challenge-and-change-may-20-2020-edition_698.pdf I encourage everyone to download and/or print a copy of the document and read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” it thoroughly so that we can work together going forward. However, here are some of those details: “It is appropriate to record worship from inside your church while maintaining appropriate physical distancing (6 feet or more) and for all people to wear masks, regardless of their distance from each other. This includes the preacher when there is anyone other than a camera operator standing at least 20 feet away present. However, masks are not required for any portions of the service prerecorded at home, and the preacher may remove the mask to preach while prerecording in the worship space under the same guidelines outlined for Stage 1. All sung music should be prerecorded at home. Congregational singing and choir singing are strictly prohibited. Wind instruments are also strictly prohibited. All choir rehearsals, whether traditional choirs or bell choirs, are suspended. Organists and pianists may participate in live worship services. They may also accompany a soloist during a prerecorded segment of music, if the organist wears a mask and remains 20 feet from the soloist. After the filming is concluded, no one else may enter the recording space for 30 minutes in order to give any droplets time to dissipate. People should enter the building staying 6 feet apart from anyone not from their own household. Ushers should help guide physical distancing. People should sign in and, if required by government and health authorities, have their temperature taken. People should bring their own mask and wear it. Churches will provide masks for anyone who does not have one. People should be encouraged to bring their own Book of Common Prayer to church. Physical contact is not permitted during the passing of the peace. Alternative greetings, maintaining physical distance, are encouraged. If outdoor worship is offered, including the use of a tent, please continue to follow the guidelines outlined in this document, including mask-wearing and physical distancing. Making plans for drive-in worship may require extensive planning and diminish your capacity to prepare for in-person worship. Drive-in worship services are therefore not allowed.” As we said, there is more … much more. They are all available comprehensively in PDF at the linked above. We’ll be taking all of this very seriously. The Diocese is looking for our plan and what we as a parish are able and willing to do to meet these by June 15th. Even if that means that we need more time to meet the guidelines and choose to

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 3

Arts Academy at Grace

In this time of pandemic, this outreach ministry of Grace Episcopal Church continues its mission in our community. At the current time, only online lessons are being offered. A couple of our teachers have even had online recitals for students and parents during the month of May! We continue offering a guitar class to residents of the American Children’s Home on a weekly basis (also online at this point). We were fortunate recently to receive a grant from Arts Davidson County to help cover some of our operating expenses. This was an additional funding beyond their usual support of our camps and scholarship programs. We continue to get support from the North Carolina Arts Council, the Rotary Club, Charity League of Lexington, and many individuals to help provide scholarship assistance to at-risk youth. The Arts Academy Commission has decided to cancel our summer Arts Discovery Camps for this summer, and we hope to resume those in the summer of 2021. These camps have served over 850 children since the summer of 2006. and we look forward to the day we can offer the camps again. The current health crisis does not offer us a safe way to have those this year. Our hope is that we can resume our after-school art programs in Lexington City Schools when schools reopen. We have continued to serve at-risk children

through these programs for many years in both visual arts and violin lessons. We appreciate the support of church members in providing this ongoing ministry. We will be glad when we can return to the classroom buildings at the church for in-person classes. For now though, we will continue to offer the arts in the best ways we can. The arts offer such support to both children and adults at any time but especially in this time in which we are living. Bonnie Duckworth, Director Arts Academy Commission Walter Beeker - Vestry Liaison Laurie Briggs - Treasurer Lisa Childress James Daugherty Stevie Hedrick Nancy Mack Richard Michaels Barbara Presnell Susan Terrell Joe Wallace—Chairperson

NOT reopen by the July 1st date. As you may have heard from other sources, there is no on-off switch for this situation. We will do what needs to be done to protect the people of this parish and the community that we serve to the best of our ability, “loving our neighbors as ourselves.” The way forward will not be easy. There will be continued challenges. But with God’s help, we will lovingly overcome them. Until next time, when again we’ll gather ‘round The Master’s Bench, I bid you peace. Fr. Alton +.

From the Rector (continued from page 2)

2020 Graduates

Page 4 The GraceVine—June 2020

Alison Clodfelter is graduating from Thomas Jefferson Medical University in Philadelphia with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. John Clodfelter will graduate from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Parents are Ben and Linda Clodfelter, and proud grandmother is Joan!

Samantha Pate, is graduating from

Page High School in Greensboro, NC

and will be attending UNC Asheville in

the fall. Danielle Moore is graduating

from Virginia Tech Cum Laude in Crim-

inology and Human Development. Pat

Plummer is the proud grandmother of

both!

Sydney Parker graduated Magna Cum Laude from NC State University with a degree in Fashion Textile Design. She is the daughter of Todd and Marjorie Parker.

Rachel Louise Dilley graduated from North Carolina State University with a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering. She currently works for i2m in Raleigh as an Industrial Engineer and plans to stay in the Raleigh area. She is the daughter of Linda & Lindsay Dilley.

Kyleigh Briggs is graduating from Apex Friendship High School in Apex, NC. She will be attending Appalachian State University with a Fine Arts Major in the Fall. Her parents are Kyle and Allison Briggs and her grandparents are Sally and the late Towers Dodd.

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 5

Dear Grace Family, We have been honored to have been a part of The Children’s School of Grace Episcopal Church over these several last years. The physical mission of the preschool may be closed, however, the legacy will live on through past and present graduates. We appreciate and thank all of you for your support throughout our tenure. We leave with love in our hearts for Grace and a knowing that we have made a difference in the lives of the children we taught. Love,

Martha Williams Karen Carrickhoff

Carolyn Wolfe

Thank You

Tucker Sheets graduated from The Children’s School and will be attending Southwood Elementary in the fall. Proud parents and grandparents are Logan and Leslie Sheets and Glenn and Suzy Sheets

The Children’s School 2020 Graduates: Tucker Sheets

Seraphina Byers Cleat Wilson

Ki Kepley Graham Kiral Andy Varner Lyda Hawn

Ollie Leonard Wyatt Ragsdale

2020 Preschool Graduates

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 Cain, Andrea Friend Cinque, Russell Friend Cleckley, Lynne Parishioner Curia, Morgan Former Parishioner Dixon, Barbara Friend Dresser, Johanna Friend 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 Hutchins, Nancy Friend Johnson, Brinkley Friend Keaton, Jonah Friend King, Anne Former Parishioner Lang, Sally 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 Miller, Seth Parishioner Mitchell, Roan Friend Morgan, O’Lema Friend Onorato, Page Parishioner Parsley, Lynn Friend Plott, Gabby Friend Presnell, Edwin Barbara’s brother Reynolds, Bob Friend Rojas, Jacklynn M&L Cleckley’s granddaughter Sheets, Suzy Parishioner Sills, Denise Friend Silversides, Talmadge Parishioner Smith, Amy Burkhart Art’s daughter Smith, Dan Griff Parishioner Smith, Martha Ellen Parishioner Snyder, Louise Cathy Riggan’s mother Surratt, Clarice & Henry Parishioners Tilley, Robin Frances Garner’s niece Touchton, Jackie B. MacKinstry’s sister Underwood, Toni Friend Welch, Frances Suzy Sheets’ mother Weller, Courtney Friend Whitehurst, Bill Friend Young, Charlotte Carolyn Wolfe’s sister

Prayer List

Page 6 The GraceVine—June 2020

June 1 Benjamin McDonald

June 5 Chandler Allred

June 8 Wes Allred

June 18 Ford Ingram

June 18 Fran Moore

June 22 Catherine Hoffmann

June 22 Mike Johnson

June 23 Baylee Brown

June 27 Emily Roels

June 27 Carolyn Wolfe

June 30 Joan Clodfelter

June 30 Josey Parker

June Birthdays

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 7

Buildings & Maintenance

Since we haven’t been holding Sunday Services lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may not have seen the latest enhancements around the church grounds. John Taylor, the church’s new Sexton, has been busy at work overseeing projects, performing repairs, and “sprucing” up the grounds. A few of the recent projects have been:

Remove flat roofing from above mechanical room/Kitchen Undercroft and install railing for back door entrance

Fresh mulch put in beds around the Main Street parking lot

Placed potted hibiscus plants in the bishop’s walk (which John donated)

Removed dead bushes in front of church and planted grass (you can now see the whole church)

Installed landscaping lights around the chapel

Added lighting in the bell tower

Upgraded Main Street parking lot lights

John has also been coordinating with the contractors to complete the revitalization of the Grace Church Reflective Garden Columbarium. A new vinyl pergola will soon be installed to complete the project.

The waterproofing job has been completed in the Undercroft, so now the task is to putting it all back together. The sheetrock was repaired on the columns of that wall and the painting has begun for the entire Undercroft.

John will soon be taking over all of the lawn maintenance around the campus. Because of this, we are in need of a few items. If you have any of these items around your tool shed that you do not need anymore, please consider donating them to the church:

Push Mower ▪ Wheelbarrow ▪ Spade shovel ▪ Leak rake ▪ Pitchfork ▪ Backpack blower

(A vacuum cleaner for the Undercroft entrance ways would also be appreciated.)

June 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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Pastor’s Pantry food Item of the Month: “Hamburger Helper”

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

Vestry Notes

In the absence of our regular face-to-face vestry meeting, a Zoom meeting was held on Tuesday, May 19. Financials were discussed and we spent the majority of our time discussing the diocesan guidelines for reopening strategies. Plans are being made to comply with these guidelines (please refer to this month’s Master’s Bench by Fr. Alton). We also discussed our concerns over physically not being together Sunday to Sunday. Therefore, the Vestry decided to divide the directory up to contact parishioners just to maintain a connection with everyone as you are dearly missed.

On physical matters, the undercroft project is nearing completion New tiles will be set and repainting has begun. As previously mentioned in this newsletter, John Taylor will be assuming the lawn maintenance which will produce a budgetary savings. Referring back to financials, it was noted that receipts of tithes have fallen behind and it is recommended that you review your year-to-date payments and remit accordingly.