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News of the Mission & Ministry of R. E. Lee Memorial Church
The Lexington Parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
FEBRUARY 2015
Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting will be Sunday, Feb. 8 at 9:15 in the Parish Hall.
The 2015 budget will be presented,
along with an update on our stewardship
effort. Adult Sunday School classes will
not meet.
Vestry Update
Congratulations to Jim Farrar, our
new Senior Warden, and John Burleson, Junior Warden.
Taizé Eucharist
The second-Sunday Taizé contemplative
Eucharist will be February 8 at 5 p.m.
Join us for this service of Scripture,
prayer, music, and Communion.
Fourth Sunday Breakfast, Forum
Join us on Feb. 22 for breakfast beginning at 8:45. Cost is $3, adults; $1, children, followed by Sunday School for all
ages, including the 4th Sunday Forum.
Shrove Tuesday
February 17
Pancake Supper and No-Talent-Is-Too-Small Talent Show
Supper 5:30; Talent Show 6:30
Come hungry, leave entertained!
If you have a talent you’d like to share, contact Sharon Massie.
Ash Wednesday, February 18
Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
7, 12:20 p.m. and 6 p.m.
3:30 p.m., Children’s Ash Wednesday Service
Lenten Morning Prayer
Beginning Thursday, Feb. 19, a lay-led service of Morning Prayer will be offered at
8:30, Monday through Friday, during Lent. Contact Sharon Massie, if you are interested in leading one or more of these services.
Lenten Series begins Wednesday, Feb. 25
6:00 Catered Dinner ($6 adults, $15 family max)
Make reservations with the Parish Office (angie@releechurch.org) by noon Tuesday prior
6:30-7:30 Lenten Programs, all ages
WANTED
A few good men...and women!
We need a few more volunteers for our
Thursday afternoon commitment to the
RARA Food Pantry. It involves standing
for two hours and helping clients select
food, get their carts to their cars and
the carts back into the Food Pantry.
Each volunteer usually works only one
Thursday afternoon a month—from
2:15 to 4:30. If this mission appeals to
you, please contact Elizabeth Harralson
at ejharralson@comcast.net. We need
substitutes as well as people who are
willing to commit to one Thursday afternoon a month. Thanks for considering it.
Youth at Council packed and delivered 220 lunches, 250 bags of toiletry items,
socks and underwear to homeless shelters in Roanoke. Shown (l to r from top)
are Grace Sailer, Maggie Lawrence, Adam Webster, Brendan Lynch, (bottom)
Martha Orr, Megan Oliver, Mary Katherine Lawrence, Sophie Brown, and Caroline Webster.
Polar Plunge 4
to benefit Stop Hunger Now
Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Crittenden pool
Are you brave enough to take the plunge to fight
world hunger? We need volunteers willing to get
pledges and then brave the February waters of the
Crittenden pool to raise money to support a Stop
Hunger Now packaging event at R. E. Lee Church in
April. For every dollar we raise we can pack four dehydrated, high-protein, and
highly nutritious meals that will be used to support development programs and to
save lives in developing countries around the world. Last year, we raised over
$2,100! You have to have a minimum of $100 in pledges to take the plunge. Come
on in…the water‘s fine…brrrrrrr. There will be a fire and plenty of hot beverages
once you’ve taken the plunge!
Contact Sharon (sharon@releechurch.org) or Megan Oliver
(megan.oliver.2740@gmail.com) for more information.
From The Crittendens
Dear R. E. Lee Family,
Tom and I wish gratefully to acknowledge your expressions of sympathy, concern and encouragement. For the past
year you have kindly cared for us
through cards, meals, phone calls, visits
and support. We appreciate your
thoughtfulness.
Sincerely,
Christi
Sabbath in the Suburbs
February 20, 6 to 8 at The Websters
5 Grouse Run Road
Dinner and Book study for parents.
Pizza and childcare for children
at the church.
Most families today have a frenetic existence—a relentless list of work, errands,
carpool, dishes, email, bills. Families face
a choice: continue the same frantic pace
or fight back with a radically different
way of being. Join us as we explore how
to commit to a practice of Sabbathkeeping with families of all shapes and
sizes.
The book is available in the
Parish office for $16.
E-readers can find it at Amazon.com.
4th & 5th graders—You’re invited to join us on Sunday, Feb. 8 after the 10:30 service until 1:00 for our Club 45 meeting. We’ll have lunch and participate in a missionminded activity. Questions? Talk to Sharon Massie!
Sunday Mornings
at 9:15
Wonderful Wednesdays
3:30 to 4:30
Godly Play
ages three through 1st grade
Classes for Children & Youth
3rd floor, Parish House
(Godly Play will not meet during Lent)
St. Francis Choir
Second grade & up
Questions?
Contact Sharon Massie
or Ted Bickish
First Fridays
Lectionary Class
Library
This class discusses the readings for
the day—collect and scriptures—as
they apply to our life and work and to
our worship. Led by Doug & Libby
Cumming.
Christianity & Culture
Feb. 6, 6 to 8
Crafts and activities for the kids! Time
off for the parents! No charge, but a
donation for the RARA Food Pantry is
appreciated. This event is open to the
community.
To reserve a place for your child,
contact Sharon Massie by February 5.
Property Signage
Pursuant to the Mutual Ministry Review,
the Property Committee was tasked with
developing and placing interior directional signage at key locations in the
church and Parish House. Six months
ago we put up temporary signs and requested/encouraged feedback. We have
received a number of comments and will
be incorporating those changes to the
interior signs. The current signs will be
replaced with new signs this winter. If
anyone has any additional comments on
the signs, please contact a Property
Committee member or send an email to
burlesoneng@gmail.com with your comment. Please provide your comments by
February 28.
in the Parish Hall
Feb. 1
English Settings of Funeral
Sentences (Tim Gaylard)
Feb. 8
No Class, Annual Meeting
Feb. 15
The South, Slavery, & Religion (Holt Merchant)
Thank You, Gordon!
New liquid wax Eucharistic candles for the
altar have been given to the church in
honor of Gordon Woodcock for his efforts
in helping to maintain our facility. Gordon
is tireless in his service to the Lord, and
we are grateful for all that he does.
Spotlight on Mission: Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts
Scout Sunday, February 8
Our church is honored to sponsor
Boy Scout Troop 29 and Cub Scout
Pack 29,
which
meet
weekly in
our facility.
Our sponsorship
includes
the use of
a room
and financial contributions from our Annual Budget
through the Christian Outreach Committee. I recently met with the Troop’s
adult leadership, including Scoutmaster
Preston Evans and Troop 29 Committee Chairman James “Sam” King who
provided much of the following information, beyond the quoted excerpts
from Colonel George Mercer Brooke,
Jr.’s excellent book General Lee’s
Church (©1984; published by The
News Gazette).
In the chapter about The Rev.
Churchill Gibson, Rector from 19171928, we read, “The Rector’s interest
in youth extended to the Boy Scouts,
as he was the scoutmaster of a troop
that met every week.” In the chapter
about The Rev. John Fletcher, Rector
from 1960-64, we read, “Beebe [M. R.
Beebe, chairman of the BSA’s Natural
Bridge District, in making a request to
the Vestry to sponsor a Cub Scout
Pack] explained that sponsorship
meant furnishing a meeting place, an
institutional representative to act as
liaison between the Pack and the
church and members of the Pack committee who, among other things,
would be responsible for finding den
mothers.” In February 1964 the Vestry
approved the proposal of Charles
Harer that the church sponsor the
newly formed Boy Scout Troop 29. In
1984, Colonel Brooke wrote, “Generally
the pack has flourished, but the troop
has operated fitfully.”
However, the 2015/2016 scouting
year will be the 27th consecutive year
for Troop 29 under R.E. Lee Church.
While the troop’s roots are older than
27 years, since 1989, we have consecutively chartered a successful
Scouting program producing over 60
Eagle Scouts under the direction of
nine different Scoutmasters along with
many supporting adult registered BSA
Leaders. Through research at Stonewall Jackson Area Council (SJAC) in
Waynesboro, we have produced a
spreadsheet with names of our Eagle
Scouts and Scoutmasters. It is posted
on the Christian Outreach bulletin
board located at the side entrance to
the Parish House.
Our own Gerry Locher has a wealth
of knowledge for the history of Troop
29 and Pack 29 as he was the Charter
Organizational Representative for
many years and his son Wynn is a
Troop 29 Eagle Scout (June 27, 1997).
Currently Troop 29 has 19 registered Scouts, with Preston Evans serving as the Scoutmaster. Cub Scout
Pack 29 has 34 registered cubs, with
Michael Gantert as Cubmaster. The
Troop’s annual budget is approximately $2,500 not counting registrations and activity fees which are paid
by the Scout families. The primary
means of raising funds are selling popcorn and mulching yards, which raise
about 60 percent of their budget. The
remainder is raised through contributions and donations from local community organizations and our church.
Troop 29 is in need of additional
and replacement tents, to include
some camping equipment. The Troop
Quartermaster has an itemized and
prioritized list of equipment needs,
which is around $2,500. Likewise the
Troop would like to add additional
shelving and cabinets in the existing
Scout room (adjacent to the Parish
Hall), estimated to cost $350. Labor
would be provided by the Scouts and
families of Troop 29).
Again, Troop 29 and Pack 29 appreciate all the support that the church
provides and they look forward to being with us at the 10:30 service on
Scout Sunday, February 8.
—Jerry Nay, Scout Liaison
Parish Committees in Ministry: Worship
The Worship Committee advises the Rector in planning and implementing meaningful worship experiences for the parish. Members serve as liaisons to the groups who support and sustain worship, i.e. ushers, readers and chalicists, acolytes, musicians and the
Altar Guild. In bi-monthly meetings, clergy and laity work together in mutual ministry, prayerfully reviewing the seasons and special
feast days of the church year and assisting the Rector in planning worship to reflect them. Meetings always begin with a review of
the services since the last meeting allowing members to suggest what worked well or what might need adjustment. Attention is
given to both the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services, to the 5 p.m. service (including the monthly Taizé service), and to other special services throughout the year. Lively discussions of liturgical style and other expressions that make worship meaningful animate committee meetings.
The committee also attends to matters of order and security during worship time. Recent activities of the committee include a
series of training and review sessions for lay readers and workshops to train ushers to use the newly purchased defibrillator and to
review security matters relevant to worship time. The Worship Committee also stays informed of long-term planning issues, e.g.,
planning for a new organ.
The work of the Worship Committee relies greatly on feedback from the “people in the pews” and encourages parishioners to be
in touch with one of the committee members or the Rector with questions or suggestions for enhancing our worship experience.
Current members of the committee in addition to the Rector (Tom Crittenden) and church staff (Sharon Massie and Ted Bickish)
are: Susan Cross, Virginia Dabney, Amy Holston, Tracey Riley, Tom Vinson, and Jim Farrar (Vestry Liaison).
—Alexandra Brown, chair
2014—A Banner Year for United Thank Offering
Mission: Put coins into the Blue Box with thanksgiving, prayer, and generosity.
Take blessings out of the box for grants extending the church’s faithfulness
to God’s mission...Our change changes lives.
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” This old adage came alive for the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia in 2014, and the
timing could not have been better. To receive not just one but two United Thank Offering grants the very year of UTO’s 125th Anniversary calls not just for celebration but, more to the point, for thanksgiving. Among the daily blessings we observe when we put
coins into our Blue Boxes is the wondrous way through generosity that blessings are returned to the thankful.
The story of the two grants blessing our diocese is one of perseverance. In 2013 when a grant application for the Rockbridge Area
Health Center’s innovative dental program for impoverished school children submitted by our parish was rejected, we did not give up.
Encouraged by our own Dena Lee, secretary of the Board, members of the Vestry and the Christian Outreach Committee went back to
work and re-submitted a proposal with assurance that the project to purchase mobile dental equipment for the center’s van complied
fully with UTO’s focus and criteria, and the grant of $41,239 was awarded in full.
The unanticipated second grant was made possible by the UTO Board’s decision to set aside $125,000 from ingathering funds for a
grant award to one diocese in each province. DIOSWVA’s proposal for renovations to the kitchen of Grace House on the Mountain was
selected for Province III’s Bishop Award of $12,500.
The story of the United Thank Offering is also one of perseverance. It began humbly when women were asked to help increase the
church’s funds for mission and grew with the introduction of the Blue Box for offerings inspired by thankfulness for God’s blessings.
Over the past century UTO has grown into a major arm of mission that annually provides grants meeting human needs nationwide
and abroad. In 2014 UTO grants of $1,525,407 were awarded to 40 recipients for projects confronting violence and poverty and promoting peace and reconciliation in our troubled world.
As we enter a New Year with thanksgiving, let us keep the United Thank Offering in our daily lives and be thankful the Diocese of
Southwestern Virginia is one of three dioceses in the Commonwealth that lead the nation in support of this time-tested spiritual tradition for mission. By December 31, 2014, DIOSWVA had received $25,750 offerings from at least 34 of our parishes, large and small,
through either one or two ingatherings during the year of UTO’s milestone anniversary. Every cent will combine with offerings from all
other dioceses to fund grants in 2015. And sometimes those blessings come back home.
—Julia Littlefield, UTO Coordinator, DIOSWVA
Wubah Honored
Our own Daniel A. Wubah, provost of
Washington and Lee University, has been
named a fellow of
the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS
fellows are elected
by the association's
membership in
honor of their scientifically or socially
distinguished efforts to advance science
or its applications. Wubah is only the
second Washington and Lee educator to
be elected. Congratulations, Daniel!
On the Calendar at Phoebe Needles
Diocesan Retreat Center at Calloway
Antiques Roadshow
February 10 at 10 a.m.
Antiques Roadshow with Will Farmer & Bob Miller.
Cost is $10 per member and $18 for non-member and includes lunch. Register by
February 6 by responding to this email, calling the center at 540-483-1518 or by
visiting our website www.phoebeneedles.org and registering through Paypal.
Did We Really Come by Pullman Car?
February 14 at 10 a.m.
Led by The Rev. Scott West
Rector, Christ Church, Blacksburg
Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch. Please register as soon as possible by
calling the Center at 540-483-1518 or visiting www.phoebeneedles.org.
Share Your Thoughts
Suggestion cards are available in the pews and the suggestion box is in the Narthex if you wish to make a suggestion or comment.
The staff and Vestry look forward to regular communication in person, by phone or email, or with a card in the box.
Serving in February
For the RARA
Food Pantry
Food for this month:
READERS & CHALICISTS
Canned Tuna
Feb. 1
8:00
Hank Humphreys, Sarah Lanford, John Milford, Lu Dooley, Rob Apgar
10:30
Emma Burleson, Doug Ayer, Bob deMaria, Buster Lewis, Mary Doyle
Feb. 8
8:00
10:30
Daniel Wubah, Judith Wubah, Holt Merchant, Alex Retzloff,
Jeanne Eichelberger
Gabi Eastwood, Taylor Monfort-Eaton, Farris Hotchkiss, George Brooke,
Punky Dod
Feb. 15
8:00
John Milford, Lu Dooley, Penny Henneman, Alex Retzloff, Sharon Massie
10:30
Clara Pickett, Holly Pickett, Elizabeth Harralson, Marcy Orr, Melissa Cox
Leave your bags under the
table outside the Library.
Thursday Pantry Schedule
Feb. 5
Farris & Judy Hotchkiss
Toni Brown, Marlys Craun
Feb. 12
John & Elizabeth Harralson,
Barton Dick, Jennifer Alphin
Feb. 19
John Dinkel, Bettie Cadden,
Bill Luton, Sarah Burleson,
Mary Doyle
Feb. 26
Ed Craun, Claudia Ellis,
Clara Belle Weatherman,
Jane Brooke
Feb. 22
8:00
Rob Apgar, William McCorkle, Jeanne Eichelberger, Hank Humphreys,
Lu Dooley
10:30
Harrison Crittenden, Dennis Cross, Alex Brown, James Keane, Shay Peters
ACOLYTES
ALTAR GUILD
C, crucifer; T, torch bearer; B, banner; G, gospeller
Feb. 1
Feb. 1
8:00
Josh Henson
10:30 Elizabeth Grist, Mary Wilson
Grist, Becca Russell, Samantha
Russell
Feb. 8
Feb. 8
8:00
Carrie Connelly
10:30 Katherine Bowles, Alden Masten,
Emily Hellwig, Molly Hellwig
Feb. 15
8:00
Laura Stearns, MJ Mayerchak,
Paula Hunter, Alice Moore,
Peggy Riethmiller, Mary
Webster
Feb. 22
Jane Brooke, Judy Glick, Sarah
Burleson, Emma Burleson,
Heather McBrayer,
Gail Dickerson
10:30 Emma Burleson, Joe Harrison,
Jack Harrison
8:00
Joan Crawford,
Chris Howison, Tracey Riley,
Cecile West-Settle, Anne
Hansen, Molly Brown, Myra
Brush
Feb. 15
Harrison Branner
Feb. 22
Elizabeth Harralson,
Sharon Humphreys,
Nancy Walker, Kitty
Wainwright, Diana Kenney,
Julie Grover, Jennifer Alphin,
Elizabeth Branner
Harrison Crittenden
10:30 Caroline Webster,
Adam Webster, Grace Sailer,
Peter Sailer
Join us in service!
We welcome new readers and ushers, Contact the Parish Office if you’re interested in
serving! If you’d like to be a greeter, contact Tracey Riley.
USHERS
Feb. 1
Lynwood Dent, Farris
Hotchkiss, Jonathan Webster,
Wade Branner
Feb. 8
Don Ellis, Ed Craun, Bill Noell,
Tom Vinson
Feb. 15
Frank Settle, Anna Crockett,
Bob Glidden, Roger Crockett
Feb. 22
Jim Farrar, Bill Stearns,
John Burleson, Lynda deMaria
GREETERS
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
1
8
15
22
Steve & Susan Lawrence
Alex & Sophie Brown
Anne Lamont & Julia Grossman
Carol Muir & Barbara Yewell
PLATE COUNT
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
1
8
15
22
Megan Hess
Megan Hess
Susan Cross
Mary Doyle
Schedule Conflict?
If you’re not available on the Sunday
assigned, please find a substitute and
notify Angie Clark in the Parish Office.
On the Calendar for February
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
1 Epiphany 4
2
3
4
5
6
8, 10:30 Holy
Eucharist
9:15 Annual Mtg
5 Holy Eucharist
6 Property (CR)
7 Men’s Prayer
Breakfast
3:30 Godly Play
St. Francis Choir
10 Kendal Study
11:15 Kendal Communion
7:30 Parish Choir
6 First Friday (PH)
8 Epiphany 5
9
10
11
12
13
14
8, 10:30, Holy
Eucharist
9:15 Annual Meeting
11:45 Club 45
5 Taizé Eucharist
7 Outreach (CR)
7 Men’s Prayer
Breakfast
3:30 Godly Play
St. Francis Choir
10 Kendal Study
11:15 Kendal Communion
7:30 Parish Choir
20
21
6:30 EfM
4:30 Finance (CR)
5:30 Stewardship
(CR)
7
6:30 EfM
15 Epiphany Last
16
8, 10:30
Holy Eucharist
9:15 Sunday School
5 Holy Eucharist
Office Closed for
President’s Day
5 Vestry
17
Shrove Tuesday
7 Men’s Prayer
Breakfast
5:30 Supper
6 Talent Show
6:30 EfM
24
18
19
Ash Wednesday
8:30 Morning Prayer
7, 12:20, 6 Holy
10 Kendal Study
Eucharist & Imposi- 11:15 Kendal Comtion of Ashes
munion
3:30 Childen’s Ash 7:30 Parish Choir
Wednesday
8:30 Morning Prayer
6 Sabbath in the Suburbs (Websters)
3:30 St. Francis
Choir
22 Lent 1
23
25
8, 10:30
Holy Eucharist
8:45 Breakfast
9:15 Sunday School
2 Polar Bear Plunge
5 Holy Eucharist
8:30 Morning Prayer 8:30 Morning Prayer 8:30 Morning
Prayer
7 Men’s Prayer
3:30 St. Francis
Breakfast
Choir
6:30 EfM
6 Supper & Lenten
Series
26
27
8:30 Morning Prayer
10 Kendal Study
11:15 Kendal Communion
7:30 Parish Choir
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
The men of our parish meet each Tuesday at 7 in the Parish Hall. All are welcome!
When planning your meeting or event, be sure to
contact Angie Clark for room availability!
28
Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas
2
Clarinda Carrington
Rector: The Rev. Tom Crittenden
3
Sally Sessoms
Chaplain: James Keane
5
Nat Massie
Program Director: Sharon Massie
6
Sarah Crittenden
Director of Music: Ted Bickish
Administrative Assistant: Angie Clark
12 George Brooke
Bob Glick
Cross & Crown: Kay Horner
13 Betsy Houston
Treasurer: Michele Hentz
14 Paula Cooper
Financial Secretary: Anita Ramp
20 Harrison Crittenden
Sammy Eastwood
Sexton: Connie Bryant
Clergy Associates:
The
The
The
The
The
Rev.
Rev.
Rev.
Rev.
Rev.
Dr. R. David Cox
John A. Furgerson
Dr. Thomas V. Litzenburg
Dr. Jackson P. Hershbell
Dr. Bob Crewdson
21 Julia Hentz
Steve Riethmiller
Doug Roper
22 Nancy Dinkel
Shannon Huger
23 Graham Hess
Beverly Tucker
24 Holt Merchant
H
A
P
P
Y
27 Joseph Henson
28 Jennifer Alphin
Caitie Carrington
Erin Carrington
B
I
R
t
h
D
A
y
Vestry 2015
George Brooke
John Burleson, Junior Warden
Susan Cross
Doug Cumming
Carole Elmore
Jim Farrar, Senior Warden
Julia Grossman
Amy Holston
Diana Kenney
Elizabeth Knapp
Holt Merchant
Grigg Mullen
Godly Play, for children ages 3 through first grade,
teaches our youngest children about the Bible and worship.
Frank Settle
Don Whittington
Daniel Wubah
Michele Hentz, Treasurer
Anna Crockett, Clerk
Got News?
If you have news for the
March Cross & Crown,
please send it to Kay Horner
by Feb. 15.
We grateful for the talents of our Taizé musicians, (l to r),
Libby Cumming, Anne Lamont, and Doug Cumming.
www.releechurch.org
123 W. Washington St.
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 463-4981
office@releechurch.org
RELeeChurch
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