September 2021

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

“…Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfill it.” ~Colossians 4:17 As we enter into September and the beginning of the Reverend Ed Kelaher era, we

are filled with anticipation, high hopes and thanksgiving. We are thankful that

our prayers were answered and that the Holy Spirit has brought to us a Godly man

and his lovely wife, who will lead us through the next phase of our collective

history.

September 19th will certainly be a ‘Red Letter’ day for Grace Church. As a parish we have performed very well

during this 7-month transition period and there are many people to thank. In no specific order, a special

thanks goes out to the following: Co- Chairs: Staley Nance & Kathie Goodman and the complete Liturgy &

Worship Committee, our Lay Leaders and Lectors, our organist: Joan Clodfelter, our AV staff: David Jones,

John Taylor & Russ Johnson, Canon Earnest Graham, and our visiting priests who have provided us with

Eucharistic services to keep us connected and centered in Christ. Everyone has performed faithfully and

helped to hold us together.

As we approach Ed & Patty’s first weekend with us, we have planned a welcoming reception in the courtyard

after the 10:30 service. Now, the COVID/Delta resurgence has placed a shadow over our plans. We are

anxiously tracking the Diocese bulletins as they update COVID protocols and attendance restrictions. All of

this information will be passed along to the parish via Grace Notes and telephone contact if needed. Let’s

sincerely hope we will be able to provide a grand celebration, but in the interest of our collective health, we

will do the right thing for our mutual best interest.

Lastly, we would like to share some really great news. Cornel Zimmer Organ Builders has given us a quote for

construction of a new organ and console. The cost can be covered through settlement of the Habitat sale of

Grace Place along with funds from the organ fund. The vestry has voted to go forward with contract signing

and Zimmer will begin construction in first quarter of 2022. They have committed that we will only be

without an organ for one week max and the new instrument will be installed and playable by Easter. Note: if

you run into Joan Clodfelter and she looks like a “5-year-old at Christmas”, you will understand.

Blessing and Peace to you all!

Tommy Black, Sr. Warden Pam Harvey, Jr. Warden

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 COVID-19: 10:00 a.m. on Facebook

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—September 2021

Vestry Update

The Vestry’s August meeting was pushed back until Tuesday, August 24th so that Goins Accounting firm could complete our financial review. It was held via Zoom due to the increase in COVID/Delta infections. At 7:00 PM all members were logged on and Rev. Ed Kelaher was able to join us. Tommy welcomed Rev. Ed and after a moment to center ourselves, Tommy opened with a prayer.

The first order of business was to review and amend the minutes from the July meeting. With no amendments/corrections, the minutes were accepted and approved.

Treasurer, Miles Cleckley gave the Treasurer’s Report and review of the July financials. Our cash position is in good shape and Miles stated “we are blessed with cash”. He noted that our Utility expenses were above YTD budget and he was going to review our bills to determine what is causing the fluctuation. Miles also reported that Jeff Goins Accounting firm had completed our Financial Review for 2020. After examination and review, the committee accepted the report and proposed a recommendation that the vestry to submit it to the Diocese. In other matters, our PPP loan has been forgiven and it was suggested that we should apply it to salaries. The Commission reports had previously been submitted and after a brief discussion were approved. Of note: the Sacristy refurbishment project is ongoing, plant trimming recommended for the courtyard and Christian Formation recommended switching to 10:30 a.m. schedule on September 12th.

Junior Warden, Pam Harvey reported that she is researching an online donation software called Push Pay. She also reported that more details were to come regarding the Realm E-Giving implementation.

Senior Warden, Tommy Black reported:

Letter of Agreement with Rev. Kelaher is official and filed Habitat hopes to sign contracts with their family

mid-September Zimmer Organ Builders has submitted their quote

for a replacement organ @ $90,400 and after discussion, the vestry approved signing their contract The Vestry accepted Finance & Administration

recommendation to pay for the new organ from Habitat House settlement ($85,000 & $7,264 from Organ fund) or from the General Fund depending on market conditions. Columbarium plaque was to be installed Thursday

On other matters, there was a discussion regarding the need for AV broadcast team backup. Wes Allred was to request Russ Johnson’s assistance and commitment fill that void. A brief conversation regarding flags in the sanctuary was tabled.

Reverend Kelaher complemented the vestry for our deliberations and commitment to do the right thing for Grace Church and how he was looking forward to working with us. With no further business, Tommy thanked the Vestry for their efforts and then closed with a prayer.

Tommy Black, Sr. Warden

Arts Academy Change

Due to the rising number of COVID cases and the effects of the Delta variant, Arts Academy at Grace Commission is choosing to postpone beginning the Lexington Youth Chorus so that we can continue to

prioritize the health and safety of our singers. We look forward to making music with this new ensemble but feel that it is in everybody's best interest to wait until we can do it safely.

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 3

Christian Education

Christian Formation is tentatively scheduled to begin on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 at 9:30 a.m.. Adult Forum will gather in the Undercroft, Children K-5 will meet in the Parish Hall (old preschool), and Rite 13 will gather upstairs in the Education building. J2A will meet at the Riggans' that evening. Masks will be required for everyone and we ask that adults socially distance themselves. **Please know that all of this is subject to change with the rising COVID-19 numbers in our county! We should be able to move forward with Adult Forum unless the Diocese tells us otherwise. We will monitor the situation to see if it is safe for children to gather. Continue to read Grace Notes each week and check your email for the most up to date information.**

J2A Needs Old Photos

The J2A is working on a project for the bicentennial celebration next year and would appreciate any old photos from church gatherings—especially Pisgah, choir, pancake supper, and Sunday School (where the folks are identified). Please feel free to email them to the office or Cathy Riggan. You can also bring them by the church office to be scanned. Please contact Cathy Riggan or the church office with any questions.

Adkins, Mark Parishioner Alexander, Chris Friend Alexander, Cora Friend Amon, Amanda Rick Mack’s sister Asebes, Ella B & W MacKinstry’s granddaughter Biesecker, Scott Beth Burke’s brother Brandon, Alice & family Friends Brown, Baylee Parishioner Burke, Gayle Parishioner Burke, Will Parishioner Cain, Andrea Friend Cappell, Stella Parishioner Cinque, Russell Friend Cleckley, Lynne Parishioner Clodfelter, Becky Joan’s daughter-in-law Curia, Morgan Former Parishioner Dixon, Barbara Friend Eller, Suzanne Jane Grime’s Sister-in-law Frye, Mark Friend Gallen, Aubrie Friend Garland, Shana Friend Gaskins, Marlon Friend Gibson, Susan Friend Gray, Holly Friend Grimes, Jane Parishioner Hanna, George K. Everhart’s brother Hanson, Sally Parishioner Hare, Rob Penny Taylor’s brother Harris, Kristen Friend Hinkle, Nance Talmadge’s sister-in-law Hodges, Chris & Mike Parishioner Huff, Jon Friend Layfield, Lindsay Friend Lee, Cara 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 Sink, Robin Parishioner Smith, Amy Burkhart Art’s daughter Smith, Dan Griff Parishioner Smith, Martha Ellen Parishioner Snyder, Louise Cathy Riggans’ mother Surratt, Clarice & Henry Former Parishioners

Prayer List

Page 4 The GraceVine—September 2021

Sep 2 Hilary Bowers

Sep 5 Linda Cox

Sep 6 Karl Bolstad

Sep 7 Beth Burke

Sep 7 Todd Parker

Sep 8 Jane Grimes

Sep 9 Vickie Johnson

Sep 9 Trinity Sheets

Sep 10 Lynn Meeks

Sep 13 Will Miller

Sep 15 Bud Hargrave

Sep 16 Pat Black

Sep 16 Doug Hartzog

Sep 17 Mike Bralkowski

Sep 19 Natalee Mitcham

Sep 29 Cooper Petruzzi

September Birthdays

2021 YEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIALS Through July

Budgeted to-date $172,550

Actual Income $173,500

Actual Expenses $133,089

Tilley, Robin Frances Garner’s niece Touchton, Jackie B. MacKinstry’s sister Underwood, Toni Friend Watson, Kathy Friend Welch, Frances Suzy Sheets’ mother Weller, Courtney Friend Williams, Flynn B & B Gilleland’s grandson Young, Charlotte Carolyn Wolfe’s sister

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 5

New Donation Requests for Area Agencies

During the month of September, Grace Church is collecting dishwashing detergent for Family Services of Davidson County—Hattie Lee Burgess Home. If this is something you would be interested in contributing to, please bring your items to church on Sunday and leave in the Narthex basket, or drop them off at the church office. Vestry member Robin Sink will be delivering the items to the agency at the end of the month. October will bring a different item for another agency so please watch the Grace Notes and GraceVine on a regular basis.

If you know of an agency in need of any items, please feel free to contact Robin Sink or the church office. We would like to spotlight new non-profit organizations and try to “share the wealth” around the city/county. The link below will take you to the website for the Hattie Lee Burgess Home, part of Family Services. https://www.fsdc.org/hattie-burgess

September Ministries Schedule

Sept 5

Sept 12 Sept 19 Sept 26 Oct 3

Service Leader

Kathie Goodman Fr. Jim Bernacki Fr. Ed Kelaher Fr. Ed Kelaher Fr. Ed Kelaher

Lector/ Intercessor

Lynn Meeks NEEDED Kathie Goodman NEEDED Sally Dodd

Acolyte n/a Erik Petruzzi Sidney Briggs Kate Inabinett

Ushers Richard Wolfe Tommy Black Joe Wallace Bill Gilleland

Doug Hartzog Barry Wardle

Sims Riggan Wes Allred

Flowers Grace Church

Altar Guild Sandra Husted, Mary Matthews, Pat Plummer, Sandy Reynolds, Marlene Jones

Vestry Person of the Month: Robin Sink

September 2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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10:30 am Holy Eucharist Service with

Rev. Jim Bernacki

Rite-13 Service

Church Office Closed 6:00 pm UC Food Ministries

Meeting

5:30 pm Finance Comm.

Meeting

7:00 pm Vestry Meeting

Remember, if you will be conducting a meeting at Grace Church, you need to contact the church office to reserve a space! Email or

call Maureen at (336) 249-7211—gracechurch@lexcominc.net

Welcome Fr. Ed Kelaher!

10:30 am Holy Eucharist Service in the

church