Page Title

The Gracevine

Grace Episcopal Church

Whittle Parish

P. O. Box 32

The Plains, Virginia 20198

(540) 253-5177

Text Box: People of Grace Church Clergy: The Rev. Caroline Smith Parkinson, Ext 1 caroline@gracechurch.net Vestry: Sue Smith - Treasurer Barbara Merchant - Senior Warden Meg Dalton Dallas Wolfe Wendy Ault Robert Dryden Catherine Delaney Susan Leslie-Fraser Alan Caudill Juilanne Clifford Thomas H. Valk Teresa Whitticar Becki Ryder, Registrar Staff: Sam Carabetta, Organist/ Choirmaster samueljc@starpower.net Clif Stroud, Assistant Organist Anne Michael Breeden, St. Cecilia Choir Director Michelle Adzima, Preschool Director littlegraces@gracechurch.net Vicky Griffith, Parish Administrator Ext. 2: Vicky@gracechurch.net Belinda Durney, Administrative Assistant to the Rector; Ext. 3: Belinda@gracechurch.net Sue Carter, Sexton The Episcopal Church welcomes you.

Text Box: Presiding Bishop's Lenten message Keeping a holy Lent: prayer, fasting, almsgiving By Katharine Jefferts Schori, February 05, 2008 The Church gradually took on the discipline of Lent in solidarity with those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil. That preparation work has traditionally been summarized as prayer and study, fasting, and almsgiving. Today we might remember the origins of Lent, take in our traditional understandings, and use these 40 days plus Sundays to prepare to renew our own baptismal vows. This ancient understanding of prayer, study, fasting, and almsgiving shapes the lives we lead. Each of us is baptized into a life of relationship with God (prayer), relationship with self on behalf of others (fasting), and relationship with all the rest of creation (almsgiving). Lent brings a regular opportunity to tune up our Christian life and relationships. What happens when you take your car in for a tune-up? Most of us no longer do that work ourselves, because the computers in our vehicles are usually beyond our reach. They are not, however, beyond the ken of those with appropriate skill, training, and tools. The spiritual life of a Christian can also benefit from the assistance of technicians (trained practitioners) -- priests, spiritual directors, confessors, a Cursillo reunion, or 12-step group. The opportunity to review the functioning of spark plugs, change the oil, test the cylinder compression, and rotate, fill, and maybe even replace the tires keeps our cars running. The same kind of attention to one's spiritual life can yield better gas mileage (focused energy for effective living) and effective transportation (how do I get from where I start to my destination?). Reviewing the rules of the road can make the trip much more pleasant for us and others (the early followers of Jesus actually called their practice "the road" or "the way"). We human vehicles need an effective connection to the source of life, guidance and directions (prayer and study), regular maintenance (fasting), and effective ways to connect with the world (almsgiving). This Lent could be an opportunity to learn new ways of praying, or what the apostles teach, or what Jesus says about money. It could also be a time to take on a new prayer discipline -- maybe practicing seeing the image of God in every person on the street, or being grateful for the hidden blessings of the parts of creation that challenge us (gray days, viruses, mosquitoes -- I'm still working on mosquitoes!). We might practice compassion for the coworker who drives us crazy (and perhaps seek help in learning more effective ways to relate). (Cont. on pg. 2)

Calendar	6
Grace Notes	3
Serving Schedule	7
Little Graces	8
Outreach	5