April 2020

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

“Well, hope you are.” The short, quickly delivered response that took my Yankee ears by surprise when I first moved to my new hometown of Lexington, NC. When I say, “quickly delivered” I mean it: “WellHopeYouAre.” The common response to my --“Good morning. How are you?” -- at the Church door on Sunday morning; so quick it took me a while to hear, not just what was being said, but why it was being said.

I’m no stranger to North Carolina and some of its dialects. I’ve spent a lot of time on the southeastern coast for the better part of fifteen years, but I’d never before

heard, “WellHopeYouAre.” After living in NC for five years, I’ve come to believe that it’s a uniquely Lexington/Davidson County “thing.”

Up North we’d say, “Well. And you?” in polite society, but among our own (blue collar) folk just, “Good. ’You?” (it’s cold up there, so we work on an economy of words to keep ourselves warm). Then get to business.

Here, in the South the niceties are more strictly observed. Connections must be made and relationships established before one can “get to business.” Without trying to be cliché, there is great import placed on inquiring, “how’s your mama?” before one gets “to business.”

What I’ve come to believe is that “WellHopeYouAre” serves as a short-hand for keeping the niceties, without commitment to a longer conversation about “mama.” We’ve connected … looked to our relationship by expressing care for one another … now, let’s get to business. At the Church door, at the grocery checkout while you’re unloading your “buggy” (to us Yankees it’s “a cart”), or just passing on the street, “WellHopeYouAre” seems to be the Lexingtonian way of saying, “Good. An’You?” and moving on quickly to other things. That is, until recently.

With the social distancing of Covid-19, I’ve heard “WellHopeYouAre” being said differently; slower, with more emphasis on the hope for the other’s health. Almost prayer-like.

Yes, it could be a prayer with a subtext like, “Lord, I hope you’re well (with me standing here with you). Or (and I like to think it’s more of this) it could be a prayer of realization that comes from being forced apart … that we are connected … that we are in relationship to one another; a positive expression of care and (dare I say it) love for our fellow beings. “I’m well. I hope that you are, and will continue to be, well too.”

If there’s anything good that could come out of this extraordinary time we find ourselves in, I pray that it is this: That do not return to that place where we can stand so close together, and yet be so divided -- by politics, economics, color, language, or culture. That Covid-19 teaches us that we are all vulnerable, and reliant on caring for each other’s welfare, and remember what it means to truly “love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Until next time, when once again we’ll gather ‘round the Masters Bench, I bid you peace. Fr. Alton +

“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

Apr 1 Krista Manning

Apr 1 Brittney Shaw

Apr 6 Mike Egan

Apr 7 Virginia Hartzog

Apr 7 Nancy Mack

Apr 8 Barbara Presnell

Apr 9 Kate Carey

Apr 10 Peggy Walser

Apr 11 Brent Welborn

Apr 12 Warren MacKinstry

Apr 12 Charlie Matthews

Apr 15 David Jones

Apr 15 Max Walser

Apr 16 Susan Branscomb

Apr 16 Bett Hargrave

Apr 18 Webb Russell

Apr 18 John Taylor

Apr 19 Pam Daniel

Apr 20 Annabell Wolfe

Apr 22 Debbie Egan

Apr 23 Cathy Riggan

Apr 25 Anna Hayes

Apr 25 Dakota Lamb

Apr 25 Olivia Manning

Apr 29 Andrew Dilley

Apr 29 Mal Grimes

Apr 30 Glenn Sheets

April Birthdays 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 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 Parishioner Smith, Martha Ellen Parishioner Surratt, Clarice & Henry Parishioners Taylor, Jeff John Taylor’s brother Tilley, Robin Frances Garner’s niece

Prayer List

Page 2 The GraceVine—April 2020

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 (continued)

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 3

Christian Formation

The month of April finds us quarantined to our homes with no Sunday School, Adult Forum, or worship services. That doesn't mean that we need to stop thinking about our Christian Formation.

For Adults, here is the Way of Love for Lent curriculum: https://episcopalchurch.org/life-transformed

For J2A, be on the lookout for instructions from Sims and Cathy about a writing project.

For Rite 13 and Children's Sunday School, you should have received a letter from one of the teachers asking you to write a letter to someone in the church. Please get those letters out as quickly as you can.

Also, with the cancellation of our Holy Week Festival and Easter Egg Hunt, we don't have much fun to look forward to together. Soooo....never fear!!! Children in 5th grade and younger need to be on the look out for a special care package! By Palm Sunday (April 4) you will receive some Easter stories and activities as well as an Easter Egg Hunt that you can do at home! Parents, PLEASE take pictures of any of the activities that you are able to complete with your kids during Holy Week and send them to Carrie Ingram. One of the highlights of the year for our older members is to come watch the children hunt for Easter Eggs, so instead, we will have to rely on pictures from you to share with them!

Getting to Know You

Greetings everyone! I hope you are all doing well and this email finds you healthy and safe! I wanted to let you know about a couple of things going on right now. Our Sunday School teachers have been writing letters to the children of Grace and asking them to write to members of our congregation who might appreciate a letter (and who would hopefully write them back!). We weren't sure what kind of response we'd get, but this is going really well and we are starting to create some Pen Pals while we are all quarantined to our homes. Since this has been so successful, we'd like to ask all of you to try to find people in the directory to whom you could drop a short note. As you saw in the Grace Notes, Hugo's daughter is asking for letters from the congregation to Hugo and his address is listed there. **Our challenge to you is for each household to send out 5 letters to parishioners asking questions to which those parishioners could respond. If we all do this, just think of the connections we could make!**

And don't just stop there! I'm sure there are people you could call who would love to hear your voice...maybe letter writing isn't your thing and you'd prefer to send an email or a quick text saying "Thinking of You." The point is, let's keep in contact with each other even though we can't physically be together! J2A members will be sending out letters soon, as well. If you receive a letter, PLEASE respond and keep the connections going! If you do not have a church directory, please email the church office and one can be sent to you electronically. Also, for those of you still interested in the Way of Love Lent curriculum that we had been using during Adult Forum, we have attached the link here: https://episcopalchurch.org/life-transformed Blessings to all of you! Carrie Ingram

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Pastor’s Pantry food Item of the Month: Cans of Vegetables / Fruit

Non-Food Item: Paper Towels

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

Pisgah

Planning is underway for the Grace Church Annual Pisgah Camping Trip to Cove Creek Group Campground in the Pisgah National Forest outside of Brevard, NC. The dates are Sunday, June 14 through Sunday, June 21. Grace Church parishioners have registration priority until April 26 and registration will end on May 31. The Registration Form and more information can be found under the Parish Traditions tab on the Grace Church website at https://grace-lexington.dionc.org/

This trip to the Cove Creek Primitive Campground began in 1969 as a way to celebrate the service of our

male acolytes. It has morphed over the years into a community family event. This is a "drive-in" facility and camping takes place in tents and small trailers. Activities include hiking, cycling, swimming in the creeks, multi-generational games in the meadow, community evening meals most nights, and meditating while sitting beside a stream. Primitive does mean no electricity or cell service, but pit toilets and fresh water well pumps are provided. If you have questions, contact Bill & Belvie Gilleland b2gilleland@gmail.com (336) 237-9229 or John Burke jrburke44@gmail.com (336) 337-2746