A Note from the Rector

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the changing of the seasons, the cooler weather, the back to school buzz. When I was young, I couldn't wait for back to school shopping...pencils and erasers, bright colored 3-ring binders, packs of loose leaf paper, and, of course, a new lunchbox.

Each new school year marked a new beginning, a new routine, and new opportunities. I feel that same sense of excitement at Grace. Just as classrooms are filled with anticipation this time of year, the same is true for a new season at church. Every fall brings new ideas, lots of excitement, and hopes for our future.

As you read this newsletter, you will get a sense of that anticipation. We are growing! There are new faces at worship every week. Children are bringing renewed joy into the sanctuary. Folks are getting involved and getting to know one another. Beautiful music flows out of our doors and the Spirit is absolutely among us!

Let the fall buzz inspire you to get involved in the coming months. Try something new at Grace. Introduce yourself to someone you do not know. Invite a friend to attend church with you. Commit to our fall prayer practice. Simply come and enjoy worshiping and singing and sharing the love of God.

There is so much to look forward to this fall. May the joy of Grace fill your hearts and homes. We are so glad you are here!

Grace and Peace,

Emily+

Contemplative Holy Eucharist - 8:30 am

(a modified worship service with fewer readings, meditative music

and communion)

Cookies and Coffee - 9:15 am

(Fellowship time between services with a special focus on building community especially for young families)

Holy Eucharist Service with Children's Chapel- 10:00 am

This service will also be live streamed.

(Children's Chapel will take place in the Parish Hall or outside weather permitting. Children will leave before the Gospel reading and return for communion with their families.)

Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall - 11:00 am

The Grace Church Choir is recruiting!

You've heard our awesome choir and you have seen the joy they bring to our worship service. We invite you to be a part of this special ministry. No auditions are required. The only requirement is a desire to sing. If you don't read music, it's not a problem!

We have workshops and a cantata/pageant planned for the Fall/Winter! We rehearse every Sunday at 9:00 am in the Parish Hall and sing at 10:00 am. On occasion, we may also rehearse after worship. The Grace Church is full of joy as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Please consider joining us! If you have any questions, contact Michael Ross at mkrmusic@gmail.com or (804) 247-4106 (text is fine). 

COMMUNITY OF HOPE

Our pastoral care program called Community of Hope (COH) consists of trained lay people who are equipped to provide pastoral care to the church and community.  If you or someone you know would benefit from this ministry, please contact one of the Co-Chairs, Martha O'Donnell or Susan Brett.

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY

Do you like to plan or help host special events? The Hospitality Ministry helps with coffee hour, the church picnic, the Annual Meeting and other special events at Grace. We welcome newcomers, support holiday celebrations, and other church gatherings. This year, we are looking for coordinators to prepare cookies and coffee for fellowship between services. This is a new ministry to encourage our young families to build community with one another and to provide a time for our kids to be together. Interested in helping us care for one another thru hospitality? Contact Megan Howerton for more information.

MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE 

EVERY 2ND SUNDAY

Please bring non-perishable items to the Parish Hall to support GoochlandCares Food Pantry. Suggested items include canned meat, canned vegetables and fruits, rice, pasta, soup, peanut butter, breakfast items and baking ingredients.

STOCKING THE GOOCHLANDCARES FOOD PANTRY

Join other members as we support GoochlandCares the 4th Monday each month from 8:45 am to 12 Noon.

WORSHIP, LEARN, CARE: MINISTRY BULLETIN

Once again, we will be distributing the Worship, Learn, Care Ministry Bulletin at the Fall Potluck on September 8th. You will be able to see all the ways you can get connected and how to sign up so you can grow your faith and seek ways to serve God and one another.

Can't make the potluck and don't want to wait to see what is available? Email Cindy at gracechurch2955@gmail.com and she will drop one in the mail to you.

CHILDREN'S CHAPEL: WEAVING GOD'S PROMISES

One of the most critical needs for the fall is recruiting and training 4 to 6 adults to lead our new Children's Chapel. Please note that a prepared curriculum based upon the lectionary readings will be provided. All leaders will need to complete a short Diocesan training and background check. Children's Chapel will take place during the 10am worship service each week. Children will leave before the Gospel reading and return for communion with their families. If you are interested in teaching, please reach out to Emily at emilydunevant@gmail.com.

SUPPORT THE 2025 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

The theme of this year's Stewardship Campaign is taken from Matthew 25:35, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” This scripture reference offers the opportunity for each of us to focus on the ways we have served one another by being a welcoming community to all.

Be on the lookout for more information in September as we explore personal stories on how we have been welcomed and in return, how we serve by offering open doors and open hearts!

LEARN WITH US

DEEPENING YOUR PRAYER PRACTICE

This fall, Emily invites you to join her as she continues her sabbatical practice of silence and prayer that centers around her commitment to slowing down and being with God. For most of us, when we think about dedicating time in our day to being with God, sitting in silence, or praying on a regular basis, it sounds like a great idea. We know we should do it. We know we need to do it. But, do we do it?

If you would like to develop a deeper dedication to prayer and silence, this fall is a perfect opportunity to do just that. Here is what you need to know:

Step 1 

Pick ONE of the four options provided to be your practice for the fall. 

Why do you have four options? Because it’s important that you are honest with yourself about the time you have and what will work best for your individual life. Choose what you know you can do! 

Step 2 

Sign up to be a part of our fall retreat cycle. 

We will meet three times between September and November. Each retreat will be 3 hours from 10am to 1pm and will include an hour and a half of silence in nature followed by lunch and discussion afterwards. 

Step 3 

Dedicate a space in your home for your daily practice. 

Put away distractions. Turn off electronics (even your phone!). Make a cup of tea. Light a candle. Have your Bible, prayer book, or journal with you. 

Important Dates: 

September 1 Retreat Sign Up Deadline 

Please send an email to Emily at emilydunevant@gmail.com to 

participate in the three silent retreat days. When you register, 

please indicate which prayer option you will follow this fall. 

September 7 Opening Retreat @ Rocky Branch Farm (Emily and Dwayne’s barn) 

October 12 Mid-way Retreat @ Rocky Branch Farm 

November 16 Closing Retreat @ Grace Church, Goochland 

More details outlining this journey are provided in the attached flyer. Please note there is a September 1 deadline to sign up. If you have any questions, contact Emily at emilydunevant@gmail.com.

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INQUIRER'S CLASS

Are you ready to learn more about our church? Whether you are interested in membership at Grace or simply would like to learn more about what it means to be an Episcopalian, you are invited to participate in our upcoming Inquirer's Class.

We will gather on 3 consecutive Sundays at 11:00 am in Emily's Office: October 13, 20 and 27.

Please RSVP no later than October 7 to emilydunevant@gmail.com if you would like to participate. We will provide you with the book Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers to help guide our time together.

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MEN'S GROUP

The Men’s Group provides a means for the men of Grace Church and the wider community to meet regularly for fellowship, spiritual development, mutual encouragement and support, mentoring and outreach. The group will be gearing up for the fall. Contact Martin Rodgers at 1947c120@gmail.com for more details.

CONNECT WITH US

Open Mic Night is October 19 at 6:30 pm.

Come and join us in the Parish Hall for an entertaining evening of music, songs, stories, and poems. You are welcome to share your talents or just sit back with a glass of wine and listen. There is no cover charge but we ask folks to bring some food or drinks to share.

2024 FALL CALENDAR

Deepening Your Prayer Practice Retreats

Saturday, September 7, October 12, and November 16

Fall Kickoff and Potluck

Sunday, September 8 at 11:00 am 

150th Anniversary Brainstorming and Coffee

Sunday, September 15 at 11:00 am

(Join our 150th co-chairs and share your ideas about ways we can celebrate this milestone in the life of Grace)

Worship Leader Training

Sunday, September 22 at 11:00 am

in the Sanctuary

(Learn more about how to usher, lector, or be a chalice bearer)

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, September 29 at 10:00 am

Outside in front of the church

Inquirer's Class

Sunday October 13, 20 and 27 at 11:00 am

Parish Hall

Open Mic Night

Saturday, October 19 at 6:30 pm

Parish Hall

Blessing of the Hounds with Deep Run Hunt Club

Saturday, October 26 at 10:00 am

Full Stream Farm

Diocesan Annual Convention

November 7 - 9 in Fredericksburg

Commitment Sunday:

A time to bless our financial pledges for 2025

Sunday, November 10

Advent Begins and Advent Breakfast

Sunday, December 1