Grace Notes

The Newsletter of Grace Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 18, Casanova, Virginia 20139 (540) 788-4419 July/August 2010

RECTOR’S REFLECTIONS

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 bit 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. In our Adult Education class this year we have been studying the Book of Romans. Ihave 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

Vestry Highlights June 14 2010

The Jr. Warden reported that he is working with ARMI getting Redlands ready for new rental prospects.

The Sr. Warden presented a proposal from St. Andrew’s Catholic Church regarding interest in renting Grace Church for their service on Sundays.

Fr. Jim will be away July 3-10 in SC on a mission trip. The Rev. Lee Moore will be the priest for the July 4^th Sunday service.

Barbara Jacobs presented the updated directories. There was a discussion about further plans for the community yard sale on June 26^th.

Doris Pearson is doing well after her recent knee replacement and is now in rehab at Overlook.

The Vestry approved having St. Andrew’s Catholic Church rent Grace Church for their 11 AM service on Sundays at $650 per month. The Sr. Warden will contact them for coordination.

A grant request will be submitted to the Region 13 Mission Grant Committee to help pay for pension fund payments.

Greg McLeod will be organizing another “Open Mic” night for July 23.

The next Vestry meeting will be Aug. 9^th.

Barbara A. Gouldthorpe

Open Mic Night”

Our first “Open Mic” Night was very well attended for the short notice we gave. The next night of “Open Mic” will be Friday July 23 from 7 – 9 PM at the Parish Hall. We are hoping to attract even more folks who would like to perform on our stage so tell your friends who play an instrument and/or sing and have them join us. And tell your other friends so they can come listen. Coffee and other beverages plus light snack food will be provided at no charge.

TREASURER’S REPORT

MAY, 2010

Income for the month of May was $10,372.52, which included $337.00 from the pancake breakfast (budget $11,325.00). Expenses totaled $11,962.46 (budget $11,325.00), resulting in a deficit for the month of $1,589.94. Our income for the first 5 months of the year was $65,356.34 (budget $56,625.00) and disbursements were $65,650.65 (budget $56,625.00); deficit for the year $294.31

At the end of May the following bills were due and unpaid:

Fr. Jim’s Pension Plan Premiums $1551.56

(1 months in arrears)

Please continue to pray for Grace Church that it will grow spiritually, financially and numerically. If anyone has any questions regarding this report or any financial matter, please feel free to contact me. Judy Ball, Treasurer

July 2010 * = Birthday #Anniversary

SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
				1 *Jonathan Cirillo	2	3 *Ricky Perreault
4 Worship 9:00 INDEPEN-DENCE DAY	5	6 Fr. Jim Away	7 11:00 AM Senior Center #Jim & Dale Cirillo	8 Ruritan Dinner 7:30	9	10
11 Worship 9:00	12 *Pat Warren	13	14 11:00 AM Senior Center	15	16	17
18 Worship 9:00	19	20	21 11:00 AM Senior Center	22	23 *Tommy Perreault	24
25 Worship 9:00	26	27 *Judy Shipe *Greg Huddleston	29 11:00 AM Senior Center *Mary McIntire *Dora Borland	29 *Barbara Jacobs	30	31 *Jack Perry

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

7/1 Jonathan Cirillo

7/3 Ricky Perreault

7/12 Pat Warren

7/23 Tommy Perreault

7/26 Judy Shipe &

Greg Huddleston

7/28 Mary McIntire &

Dora Borland

7/29 Barbara Jacobs

7/31 Jack Perry

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

7/7 Jim & Dale Cirillo

August 2010

*Birthday # Anniversary

SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
1	2	3 #Ancel & Melba Hendrix	4 Senior Center 11:00 a.m. *Ken Martin	5	6	7 *Joshua Warren #Art & Sue Payne
8 Worship 9:00	9	10	11 11:00AM Senior Center *Jeanette Cerv	12	13 *Emily Jacobs	14 *Martha Graham
15 Worship 9:00 Grace Notes deadline *Mildred Riddell	16 7:00 Vestry Meeting *Mary Neal	17 *Jeffery Shipe	18 11:00 AM Senior Center	19	20 *Doris Pearson	21
22 Worship 9:00	23	24	25 Senior Center 11:00 a.m.	26	27	28 *Dale Cirillo *Conway Shipe #Conway & Judy Shipe
29 Worship 9:00	30	31 *Nathan Butler *Ancel Hendrix			28	29

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

Aug 4 Ken Martin

Aug 7 Joshua Warren

Aug 11 Jeanette Cerv

Aug 13 Emily Jacobs

Aug 14 Martha Graham

Aug 15 Mildred Riddell

Aug 16 Mary Neal

Aug 17 Jeffery Shipe

Aug 20 Doris Pearson

Aug 28 Dale Cirillo &

Conway Shipe

Aug 31 Nathan Butler &

Ancel Hendrix

APPY ANNIVERSARY TO:

Aug 3 Ancel & Melba Hendrix

Aug 7 Art & Sue Payne

Aug 28 Conway & Judy Shipe

Save the date of September 12 for the 3^rd Annual Casanova Community Picnic at Childs Field at 4 PM.

Grace Church Serving Schedule -- July/August 2010

Date	Svc	Day	Lessons		Lector	Acolyte	Altar	Coffee Hosts
Jul 4	HE 9:00	Pent 6	Psalm: 30 2 Kings 5:1-14	Galatians 6:1-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20	Judy Ball	Madell Day	Charlotte Perry	Barbara & Greg McLeod
Jul 11	HE 9:00	Pent 7	Psalm: 82 Amos 7:7-17	Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37	Ron Fahy	Carol Goshorn	Carol Goshorn	Sue Ballentine
Jul 18	HE 9:00	Pent 8	Psalm: 52 Amos 8:1-12	Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42	Pam Ruffner	Madell Day	Barbara Jacobs	Mary Neal & Diane Fahy
Jul 25	HE 9:00	Pent 9	Psalm: 85 Hosea 1:2-10	Collossians 2:6-19 Luke 1:1-13	-Dee Garrett	Carol Goshorn	Pam Ruffner	Mignonne Spellmeyer & Dee Garrett
Aug 1	HE 9:00	Pent 10	Psalm: 107:1-9, 43 Hosea 11:1-11	Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21	Betsy Anderson	Jack Perry	Mignonne Spell- meyer	Judy Ball & Barbara Whitbred
Aug 8	HE 9:00	Pent 11	Psalm: 50:1-8, 23-24 Isaiah 1:1, 10-20	Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40	B. Gould- thorpe	Madell Day	Betsy Anderson	Judy Shipe & Sharon Woodward
Aug 15	HE 9:00	Pent 12	Psalm: 80:1-2, 8-18 Isaiah 5:1-7	Hebrews 11:29—12:2 Luke 12:49-56	Linda Swann	Carol Goshorn	Carol Goshorn	Karen & Jimmy Walton
Aug 22	HE 9:00	Pent 13	Psalm: 71:1-6 Jeremiah 1:4-10	Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17	Judy Ball	Jack Perry	Charlotte Perry	Barbara & Greg McLeod
Aug 29	HE 9:00	Pent 14	Psalm: 81:1, 10-16 Jeremiah 2:4-13	Hebrews 1:1-8. 15-16 Luke 1:14:1, 7-14	Ron Fahy	Madell Day	Barbara Jacobs	Charlotte & Jack Perry
Sep 5	HE 9:00	Pent 15	Psalm: 139:1-5, 12-17 Jeremiah 18:1-11	Philemon 1-11 Luke 14:25-32	Judy Ball	Carol Goshorn	Mignonne Spell-meyer	Mary Neal & Diane Fahy

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Casanova, VA 20139

Permit No. 1

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Rev. James Cirillo, Rector

P.O. Box 18

Casanova, VA 20139

(540) 788-4419

Website: gracechurchcasanova.org

Services every Sunday at Grace Church on Route 602 in Casanova at 9:00 AM, followed by a coffee fellowship and Sunday School for all ages in the Family Center near the church.