Dear Ones at Grace,

With this Summer issue of Grace Notes we approach that momentous day we celebrate in America called Independence Day. It’s a day of fun and food and fireworks as we celebrate the day when we declared our independence from the British. On that day the Continental Congress ratified the document drafted by Thomas Jefferson we know as the Declaration of Independence and copies were made and sent to all the colonies. The signing of it occurred a month later on August 2, 1776 with most of the members of the Continental Congress affixing their names to it, 56 signatures in all. For that act of independence and faith many of the signers paid dearly with the cost of their fortunes, their health and sometimes their lives. Here is a brief of info about some of them and what it cost them taken from an article by Thomas Ellsworth in the Atlantic Highlands Herald, Atlantic Highlands, NJ.

“Five signers were captured as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton, born of a wealthy family in Newington Plantation Virginia, was a wealthy planter and trader who saw his ships swept from the seas by the opposing Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags¼

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the opposing forces had taken over the Nelson home for their headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. His wife was jailed and died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife and children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more and were willing to pay a high price for something that would greatly benefit others and not just themselves. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: ‘For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.’ ”

This little history lesson reminds me of the price many paid for our freedom from a tyrannical government. As I have been reading through the Book of Romans recently I have been reminded of how much Paul’s treatise to the Romans covers sin and the wages of sin which is death and how Jesus made the supreme sacrifice to set others free from the bondage of sin and death. He did not do what he did for Himself at all, but only for the sake of others.

As wonderful as the gift of freedom bestowed upon us by a generation of men and women seeking independent governance is, it is only for a span of years in this world. What a gift Jesus gives us because His is an independence from death which lasts for all eternity. This does not mean that everything becomes easy in this life. Just as the war went on for nine years after the July 4^th declaration of 1776, there is still struggle in learning to live into the gift of grace which has been given as chapter 7 of Romans will attest. The difference is that we know that we already have the victory while they had to fight all along until it was won. So as we come to that great day of independence let us celebrate and remember who we are as Americans and on a higher plane, whose we are as new creations of the kingdom of heaven. God has richly blessed us in this nation– let us bless and praise Him fro both of our freedoms bestowed at a costly price. Jim

Abide in My Love

An Autumn Retreat on Anglican

Prayer Beads

Saturday, October 6^th,

9:00 AM to 2:00PM

Join us for a quiet day of reflection and contemplation. In John 15:9, Jesus calls us to abide in God’s love. Taking time apart from our daily routine renews the soul, allowing us to return to our lives refreshed.

We will learn about the meaning of Anglican prayer beads, each make our own set of beads, and how to use the beads. The use of prayer beads helps bring us into contemplative prayer – really thinking and being mindful of praying, of being in the presence of God – by use of the mind, body and spirit. The touching of the fingers on each bead is an aid in keeping our mind from wandering, and the rhythm of the prayers leads us more readily into stillness.

Connie Chintall will lead the retreat. The cost of the retreat is $25, which includes all materials to make one set of prayer beads and lunch.

Congratulations

Our congratulations to Brandon Dawson!. Brandon completed kindergarten through 12^th grade, graduating from Liberty High School, with perfect attendance.

Also congratulations on his fine accomplishments, and here’s hoping that hid future, in ways both large and small, will bring the things he has dreamed about and wanted most of all.

Ruritan Dinner

The next Ruritan Dinner will be on Thursday, July 12^th at 7:00 PM.

Your help is needed. Please call Madell Day (347-3086) or Doris Pearson (347-3404) for more information.

“Musings”

by Madell Day

An Offer Of Freedom

“Forgive and forget”, we hear people say. And “If you haven’t forgotten, you haven’t really forgiven.” Such sayings imply that it is easy to put behind us our own and other’s failures and misdeeds. In fact, letting go of the past is not easy and is often not an event but a process, one that takes time and prayer.

It is not simple, or even normal, to forget that we hurt others and are hurt by them. Amnesia and the various forms of dementia are illnesses precisely because the normal human brain remembers. But even though we may not forget, God offers us freedom from old pain and scars, and that freedom comes through forgiving.

Forgiveness is a freeing thing; but sometimes we hold back from accepting and offering it. We may feel that forgiving is the same as saying that what we or others have done does not matter. Actually, however, forgiving says the opposite. It does not minimize the seriousness of our actions, rather it begins with acknowledging the hurt we have inflicted or suffered at the hand of another.

Forgiveness says, “This behavior is wrong. It is unacceptable.” But forgiveness does not stop there. It also says we let go of the hurt and guilt. We leave the people and difficulty in God’s care, asking God to bring healing.

If we do not forgive, we remain tethered to what is behind us which means we are not free to give our full love and attention to the present. But Christ offers us help and hope. In Mark 8:23, Jesus touches the eyes of the blind man. The blind man’s experience reminds us that sometimes healing requires us to come to Christ, and that Christ welcomes ujs each time we do so. We come to Christ as many times as we need to in order to be free of self-condemnation or of the desire for revenge. When we no longer want or need to punish ourselves or others, when we can honestly ask for God’s help for all concerned, then we are free. Only then are we truly free.

The Small Parish Retreat

A U G U S T 5 - 8, 2 0 0 7

BIG Things Come in small Packages:

A Retreat for Small Parishes at Shrine Mont - in the Heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley

Have you ever wished your church could go on a parish retreat to Shrine Mont, but thought your church was too small? Think again and join us for a three-day “educational vacation” for clergy and lay people in small congregations of any denomination. Dr. Marilyn Johns, Project Manager of the Summer Collegium, a project in support of small congregations at Virginia Theological Seminary, will lead participants through discussions and experiences emphasizing the value of small churches. We will share ideas, resources, and stories with one another with the goal of gaining new energy and insight into the uniqueness and importance of the ministry of small congregations.

The retreat begins with 4 pm registration on Sunday, August 5 and ends after lunch on Wednesday, August 8. A separate program for children will be offered during adult program times. The general format of the retreat will be adult and children’s programs in the morning; afternoons free for rest, relaxation and play; and a variety of programs after dinner from workshops to dancing and hayrides.

Fees include room, board and all retreat expenses.

__Adults, double occupancy: $190.00/person

__Adults, single occupancy: $230.00/person

__Children ages 4-12: $90.00 person

__Commuters: $90.00/person (includes 3 meals per day)

__Family of 4 or more: $390.00

__Five or more registrations from the same church (but different families) save 10% on everyone’s fees!

Registration deadline is July 30, 2007. Deposits nonrefundable after this date.

Registration forms available in the Grace Church Parish Hall – let Jim know if you want to go

Questions: Contact Carolyn Chilton at cchilton@thediocese.net or 800-DIOCESE ext. 29

Scholarship assistance is available. Contact Jim at Grace or Carolyn Chilton.