Grace Episcopal Church The Plains, Virginia

Grace Episcopal Church
The Plains, Virginia
Parish Profile



Table of Contents

3 Welcome to Grace Church
4 Our Mission
4 Grace at a Glance
5 Demographics
6 Our History
7 How We Worship
8 Music
9 Pastoral Care
9 Christian Formation
10 Little Graces Preschool and Kindergarten
11 Fellowship
12 Outreach
13 Finance
14 Buildings and Grounds
15 What We Seek in a Priest
16 Challenges and Opportunities
17 Contact Information

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

2

Welcome to Grace Church

Welcome to the community of Grace Church at this time of renewal and
transformation. Today we are prayerfully preparing to call a new leader who
will walk with us on the journey into an exciting future, a deeper relationship to
and new ways of serving God.
Our nine member Search Committee was commissioned to undertake a
standard search for a Rector. Through a parish self-study and a series of
small group meetings, much discernment and prayer throughout the interim-
time work, we began to understand ourselves better and the realities of our
life together, to identify our strengths and the areas in which we should
develop and grow, to acknowledge and be challenged by our weaknesses and
to turn those challenges into opportunities. Through this process we began
to see the characteristics we would look for in a Rector. We discovered that
Grace Church is in a transition zone between a pastoral and program size
parish, a category calling for a leader with specific skills in congregational
development. We began to explore changes in structure, developing a
new committee and commission system and we undertook a successful
recommitment campaign. This is a new and exciting beginning. Because we
recognize that the work, newly begun, can only be accomplished over a long
period, the Search Committee and the Vestry with the support of the Diocese
made a decision to seek a Priest-in-Charge to join us in this new approach to
our life at Grace. This change in process, the more narrowed search, has not
diminished our desire for a long term mutual ministry.
We hope and pray for a leader who not only has the skills needed at this
time, but also the ability to balance these ministries with a deep and abiding
spirituality. For we desire to be fed so that we might feed our neighbors, so
that we might be the people God intends us to be. Please review our profile and
prayerfully consider if God may be calling you to ministry at Grace Church.
Sincerely,
Barbara B. Merchant
Search Committee Chair

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

3

Our Mission

Grace Episcopal Church is a place of spiritual growth and refreshment:
a community of faith where the word and sacraments of Jesus Christ are
shared with love. As a community we share with others the blessings we have
received, using our gifts and talents to minister to the spiritual and social
needs of our neighbors near and far. In all we do, we celebrate with great joy
the unconditional embrace of Christ’s love, making an effort to remove any
barriers that separate the people of God from one another.

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

Grace at a Glance

General
• Location: The Plains, VA
• Diocese/Region: Diocese of Virginia, Region XIII
• Parish: Whittle
• Founded: 1855

2010 Parochial Report
• Baptisms: Five
• Confirmations/Receptions: Nine
• Marriages: Seven
• Burials: Six
• Sunday Services of HE: 135
• Weekday Services of HE: 54
• Private Eucharist: 50
• Average Sunday Attendance: 173
• Sunday School Enrollment: 35

Clergy and Staff
• Interim Rector
• Administrative Assistant
• Sexton
• Organist/Choirmaster
• Secretary

Governance
• Board of Trustees: Three
• Vestry: 12 serving 3 year staggered terms
• Board of Little
Georgetown Foundation
(cemetery and chapel): 14
• Board of Little
Graces Preschool: 14

Communication
• Sunday announcements with take home bulletin inserts
• Website: www.gracetheplains.org
• Via e-mail: E-vine (weekly); E-bulletin(special); E-passages(births/deaths)

4

Demographics

Grace Episcopal Church is located in The Plains, Virginia, an incorporated
town of 250 people in Fauquier County. The Plains, best known for its lush,
rolling landscape and equestrian traditions, is located approximately one
hour west of Washington, DC, and about half hour from the Shenandoah
Mountains. An historic church on this site has been a part of the community
for more than 150 years.
There are approximately 61,000 people within a ten mile radius, which has
seen growth of 89% since 1990. Continued 20 % growth is expected between
2010 and 2015. The lifestyle of the population in the surrounding area is
described as primarily affluent (66%) and Middle American (26%). Sixty-four
percent has a college degree or higher. (Source: Percept, Census Bureau)
Responses to a parish survey indicate that 35% of Grace Church
congregants have worshipped as part of our community for over 10 years
and 70% have been Episcopalian 10 years or more. Most of the survey
respondents attend church every Sunday, and our members generally
travel 15 miles or more to church. While the regional population includes
many children and young adults, the majority of those who responded to
our survey are 40-69 years old.
Median household income in the ten mile area surrounding Grace is
approximately $122,000 and housing costs are relatively high due to larger
tracts of land found in this rural setting. Though the recent downturn in the
economy has caused turmoil for many local families, jobs associated with the
Federal Government have buffered the area in some measure: Fauquier’s
jobless rate is 4.9% compared to a nationwide 10%. Given the large number
of jobs in and near Washington, DC, many people commute significant
distances. While the non-Anglo population in the area is only 17%, diversity
is increasing with Asians projected to be the fastest growing group between
2010 and 2015.
Though there are no public schools in The Plains, a variety of good public and
Independent schools are located in the surrounding area. A Pre-K through
12 independent school lies just outside the town limits. The nearest public
elementary and junior high schools are located near Marshall, VA, 5 miles
west, with the nearest high school in Warrenton, VA, 12 miles south.

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

Diocese of Virginia
Grace Church is a member of the Diocese of Virginia which encompasses 38
counties in central, northern and northwestern Virginia and has more than
80,000 members with 434 clergy. It consists of 181 congregations, six church
schools, two Diocesan centers and six Diocesan homes. Please see the Diocese
of Virginia’s website at http://www.thediocese.net for additional information.

270

Leesburg Gaithersburg

15 Chantilly 495
Middleburg Manassas Arlington
50
95 Washington DC
The Plains
66 Alexandria

17 29
Warrenton

5

Our History

Grace Church was founded in 1855, as the Right Reverend William Meade,
Bishop of Virginia, consecrated the original white frame structure “to the
worship of the ever-adorable Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” Originally
one of three churches in Piedmont Parish, Grace shared a rector for many
years with Trinity, Marshall, and Emmanuel, Delaplane. After the Civil War
which ravaged and defaced the churches of Piedmont Parish, Grace Church
became part of the newly formed Whittle Parish.
Troubles in the late nineteenth century came from within, when the Rector,
the Reverend James Grammer, D.D., refused communion to leading
members of the congregation who were said to indulge in dancing, gaming,
and other “unsuitable” practices. Consequently, the Church of Our Savior
was established at Little Georgetown, in which a small group worshipped
for a number of years. In 1966 Grace Church assumed responsibility for the
upkeep and acquired the adjacent cemetery, managed since 1992 by the Little
Georgetown Foundation.
The early twentieth century was a period of healing and renewal. A great
impetus for growth came from the remarkable vision of the Rector, the
Reverend Edmund Lee Woodward, who spearheaded the construction of
the present stone structure, to be a “symbol of the centrality of Christ in the
midst of the whole community.” The church and parish hall were constructed
of local stone given as free-will offerings and hauled from neighboring
farms. The church, an excellent example of 13th century rural English Gothic
architecture, was consecrated June 28, 1918.
Upon the church’s 150th Anniversary, extensive interviews were conducted
to honor the memories of our beloved Rectors. In the last decade of the
twentieth century under the leadership of the Reverend Zachary Fleetwood,
the congregation grew and planning began for much needed office and
Sunday school space, as well as room for the expanding programs of the
church. The construction of the new addition occurred during the tenure of
the Reverend Caroline Parkinson. During this time, plans were made to open
a preschool as a service to the community and to ensure that the new space
would be used during the week. Little Graces Preschool celebrated its 10th
Anniversary in 2011. Under the spiritual guidance of Reverend Parkinson, the
church’s outreach programs were expanded, church partnerships established

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

in Scotland and Navajoland, educational opportunities, such as EfM, were
offered, lay involvement in the Diocese increased, and the church continued
its long standing tradition of seminarian field training through Virginia
Theological Seminary. The Reverend Parkinson retired in 2010.
Today, as since its inception, Grace Church remains open and responsive
to the needs of the community, honoring the traditions of the past while
working toward the goals of the future.

6

How We Worship

Worship at Grace Church is centered in the Eucharist and the Book of Common
Prayer. As we gather at God’s table, we experience God’s faithfulness to us and
to the world. We value our liturgy in all its forms, enriched by inspiring music.
We have two Sunday services of Holy Eucharist (HE): 8:00 am, a quiet,
reflective service, HE, Rite I; 10:00 am a service for all ages with choir, HE,
Rite II. Each Tuesday morning a Eucharist is celebrated. Evening Prayer and
Evensong are scheduled occasionally.
Lay participation in the worship services offers the opportunity for adults
and young people to learn more about the various liturgies, to live into
Christ’s call to servant ministry and to grow spiritually. Our acolyte program
offers this opportunity to children of all ages. At present we have 14 acolytes
who are scheduled to assist in many ways, such as, crucifer, torch bearer,
receiving alms. Our 20 licensed Lay Eucharistic Ministers are scheduled on
a rotating basis to lead the congregation in prayer, read the lessons assigned
for the day, and administer the Chalice. The 13 members of the Altar guild
prepare the chancel and sanctuary for all Sunday and weekday services,
including baptisms, funerals and weddings. The newly formed Flower Guild is
responsible for the flowers on the Altar and the ornamentation of the church
appropriate to the liturgical season.
We celebrate the year with special services, such as:

• Ash Wednesday with imposition of ashes and Eucharist
• Weekly Lenten/Advent services and suppers
• Palm Sunday with a courtyard procession with palms and reading of

Matthew’s Passion Gospel
• Maundy Thursday with Agape meal and foot-washing followed by HE

and stripping of the Altar
• Good Friday Holy Silence noon until 3:00 pm; 4:00 pm Family service;

7:00 pm Meditation on the Passion
• Easter Vigil with sung liturgy and Festival Eucharist
• St. Francis’ Day Blessing of the Animals
• All Saints’ Day at The Church of Our Savior, Little Georgetown
• Candlelight Lessons and Carols with choir and instruments
• Christmas Eve 4pm Family service and Nativity Pageant; 7:00 pm and

10:30 pm services

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

• New Year’s Eve Celtic Eucharist
• Annual February Evensong with special choral and instrumental music
• Celtic worship; worship from the New Zealand Prayer Book, or Scottish

Prayer Book

7

Music

Noted for its remarkable music ministry, Grace Church has established a
tradition of outstanding Organists/Choir Directors, a well- trained Adult Choir
to lead worship, and a ground breaking Concert Series. The quality and culture
of music at Grace were noted in all surveys and small group meetings.
The 26 member adult choir rehearses on Sundays before and after the 10:00
service and provides leadership at that service and for special services and
events. The choir is composed of 23 volunteers from the congregation and
3 paid section leaders/soloists. Paid brass ensemble members augment
Christmas, Easter, and other special services. The choir repertoire ranges
from complex six-part choral/organ works of classical and contemporary
compositions, to voice only Plainchant and spirituals. Services can include
music from the 1982 Hymnal, Carols for Choirs, the Wonder, Love and Praise
collection, and pieces from the 350 compositions in the music library. The choir
has an established calendar that includes: A candlelight service of Lessons
and Carols; Christmas Eve Midnight Mass; Choral Evensong services; Ash
Wednesday Evening; Good Friday Meditation on the Passion of Christ; Easter
Vigil. The Munster Meade Music Fund provides for special music.
The Angel and St. Cecilia choirs for children ages 3 through 8 are currently
under reorganization.
The principal musical instrument for worship is the 17 rank Moeller pipe organ,
installed in 1969, refurbished and revoiced in 1993. The music program also
uses pianos in the church and parish hall.
The current Organist/Choir Director, Mr. Eric Dombrowski, received a
Master of Music: Organ Performance degree from Indiana University Jacobs
School of Music.
The Grace Church Concert Series which was initiated in 1997 and is funded
by the Mars Music Concert Endowment has provided 52 exceptional concerts
and performances including: The Vienna Boys Choir; The New Orleans
Preservation Hall Jazz Band; Nathan Gunn; and Chanticleer, as well as groups
from the Kennedy Center and metropolitan area Gospel choirs. Each concert is
followed by a gala reception with an opportunity to meet and greet the artists.

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

The Choir Director also provides music ministry and education through special
programs and “The Pub Ministry Hymn Sing” at a local pub.

8

Pastoral Care

As a caring and compassionate community we strive to meet the needs of our
fellow parishioners. Historically, this ministry of care has been provided by a
member of the clergy; however, through the parish discernment process we
affirmed the belief that because pastoral care, ministering to one another, is
a task for the whole Christian community, it is a high priority for laity as well
as clergy. We feel that responding to the needs of members of our community,
both inside and outside our walls, enables us to live into our Baptismal vows.
Consequently, the Pastoral Care Commission was formed in 2010; this group
coordinates continuing as well as one-time care-giving needs, by maintaining a
list of volunteers who provide lay pastoral support by their help with telephone
calls, home and hospital visits, transportation, flower delivery, food ministries,
celebrating the birth of new babies, and other special needs. This commission
works closely with the clergy.

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

Christian Formation

Christian Education and Formation are lifelong pursuits which enable us
to grow in knowledge, service and love of God. Grace Church is committed
to providing education that is stimulating and challenging, nurturing our
faith as we continue on our spiritual journey. At Grace there are programs
for all ages.
Sunday morning care for our infants and toddlers is provided by a paid
attendant during the Sunday school and worship hours. Preschool through
3rd grade participate in the Godly Play curriculum and the Sunday Papers.
Grades 4-6 use the Episcopal Church’s Lesson Plans That Work. Youth
(grades 7-12) gather to play games, to discuss the Gospel lesson and how
it applies to their lives. The Youth Group meets every four to six weeks for
special activities, such as pizza and bowling, serving Community Lunch,
nursing home visits. Youth confirmation classes are offered annually, as is
Vacation Bible School; a mission trip to Navajoland, semiannually.
For adults on Sunday mornings we have a forum, a place where either
presentations or discussions cover issues that help us explore how we live
our faith in today’s world.
Additional Christian formation activities include: Advent/Lent Series,
Adult Confirmation and Inquirers’ Classes, Life @ Grace, TnT (20’s and
30’s) Gathering, Tuesday Bible Study/Book Discussion, EfM, EfM Alumni,
Men’s Bible Study, and a Women’s Retreat. The role these small groups
play in the building of community was emphasized in the parish survey.
The desire for more comprehensive programs for our young people was
emphasized in information gathered for this profile. Attracting and
meeting the needs of young families is one of our greatest challenges.

9

Little Graces Preschool and Kinder

Founded in 2001 as a ministry of Grace Church, Little Graces Preschool
and Kindergarten serves 112 students today with nine classes offering a
2-Day Enrichment Program, 3-Day Preschool, 5-Day Pre-Kindergarten and
a 5-Day Kindergarten (added 2005.) The primary focus is to create a life-
long love of learning by fostering the emotional, social, creative, physical,
intellectual and spiritual growth of children. The hallmark of Little Graces
has become the LAMB program: Language, Arts, Music and Beyond
through which we provide scholarship aid and specialized instruction in
a breadth of subjects, such as sign language, interactive storytelling and
creative movement--all opportunities essential to the development of a
happy, challenged and well-rounded student in a nourishing Christian
environment. Our Rector has been an active presence in the Preschool
and its activities. Weekly Chapel with songs and stories is led by the
Rector and/or the Director. Led by a Board of Directors, 60% of whom
are parishioners, the Preschool is self-sustaining with a balanced budget
and has a LAMB Fund reserve of approximately $85,000. The identified
challenges facing Little Graces and Grace church are creative use of shared
space and enhanced communication.

“Where we are graced with friendship and love”

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

rgarten

10

Fellowship

At Grace we value the many opportunities intentionally, as well as accidentally,
available for friendly interaction. The large parish hall adjacent to the nave
of the church is well-suited for group activities, and is used regularly by
church members and the preschool. Every Sunday after each service there is a
coffee hour with light food and beverages. Coffee hour is expanded to a grand
reception for special events, such as the Bishop’s visitation and Easter. Children
especially enjoy the Easter reception, with a hunt for candy-filled eggs hidden
throughout the churchyard.
Several times a year, coffee hour becomes an all-parish luncheon after a
combined service. The food varies from catered to pot-luck. We use these
special occasions to celebrate Vacation Bible School, Homecoming, special
events, or sometimes “just because.”
Each May, Grace hosts the Piedmont Regional Art Show and Sale. The event
kicks off on Friday night with a gala reception that includes the artists. The
artists’ work, available for purchase, is displayed for three days. Many church
volunteers work to make this fund-raiser possible. Grace’s other grand
fellowship events follow the concerts held several times a year. After each
concert we open the doors to the community and host a reception. Food and
themes vary, with a particularly memorable event being a chocolate-themed
extravaganza generously provided by a parishioner.
Other fellowship activities include an Advent pot-luck dinner and wreath-
making event, weekly Advent and Lenten suppers, Maundy Thursday dinner,
Thanksgiving dinner for the church and local community, an autumn evening
chili-cook-off, monthly summer grill nights in the churchyard, and monthly
men’s Saturday breakfasts…all opportunities for members, visitors, and friends
to be together in a social setting.

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

11

Outreach

Prior to the appointment of an assistant rector in 2002, most of the outreach
at Grace was cash and/or material donations with very little direct contact
with the recipients. Since then the emphasis has been on a shared clergy/
lay ministry, matching talent with need. While the volunteer role has at
times been concentrated among too few, other ministries have successfully
spread the work load. As a result of our self-study, we have learned that some
programs have become more successful than anticipated, while others should
be discontinued.
Outreach has grown and there is clearly a strong passion within Grace for
making a difference in peoples’ lives. While the survey rankings do not put
outreach as a top priority, views expressed in the small group meetings identify
it as an important ministry, especially to the local community. There is a desire
to involve more young people in church activities, as well as strengthen ties
with the preschool; outreach offers that opportunity. Presently, we are serving
the needs of the community though eight ministries:
Second Hand Graces: Donations of various items to be distributed
by volunteers to families in the community in cooperation with several
local churches.
Community Lunch: 2010 marked the sixth year of the monthly Community
Lunch, which brings together parishioners and the local community to build
relationships and understanding. Food is prepared and served by various
groups in the church and community. The very popular November lunch
continues to be held on Thanksgiving Day.
Giving Tree: Decorating the church’s Christmas tree are hundreds of Youth
Group made origami cranes which contain Christmas wishes of area residents,
identified through Fauquier County Social Services. Parishioners and preschool
families choose cranes and fulfill the wishes. The wrapped gifts are distributed
by members of the parish on Christmas Eve.
Grace Food Pantry: Several times a week local families replenish their food
supplies from donations made by the congregation and local food stores. A
recently donated refrigerator/freezer enables us to provide fresh and frozen
food to pantry recipients.

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

Wood Ministry: The Men’s Group harvests fallen trees, providing firewood
for those in the community who heat with wood. Proceeds from wood sold go to
the clergy discretionary fund.
Navajoland Mission Trip: Parishioners participate in a mission trip to
Good Shepherd Mission, Ft. Defiance, AZ. Mission representatives visited
Grace in 2010.
Fauquier County Food Distribution Coalition: FCFDC provides a
uniform system of food distribution and a forum for communication among the
food pantries. Grace is a member.
Partnership for Community Resources: This group includes public
agencies and churches which coordinate multiple social services, e.g., Grace
contributes to the School Back Pack Drive annually.

12

Finance

Grace Church is very fortunate to be unencumbered by mortage debt, yet we
do face some significant financial challenges. For many years Grace has been
between a “pastoral” size church (<150 ASA) and a “program” size (200-350
ASA.) As our staffing and budget grew to the program size, our pledging/plate
revenues did not keep pace. Thus a decision was made to use an unrestricted
fund to cover the shortfall in revenue in hopes that the growth would continue
and result in increased revenue; this has not happened. The pledges are
about 10% less this year than last in these recessionary and interim times,
but we have realized that pledges up or down 10% cannot drive the budget.
A courageous vestry said that they would begin a recommitment of time,
talent and treasure in 2011, making the congregation aware that the use of the
unrestricted fund to keep our vision of moving from a pastoral to program size
parish has come to an end. We see this budget challenge as an opportunity
to further define who we are as a church, empowering us, individually and
collectively, to know that the good works and mission of Grace Church are
supported by the people working together.

Five Year Summary

Year Pledge Units Total Pledged Average Pledge Plate Offering ASA
2006 129 $262,453 $2035 $65,307 210
2007 129 $300,000 $2379 $77,842 210
2008 147 $324,670 $2224 $73,313 233
2009 141 $298,329 $2128 $142,310* 196
2010 147 $340,504 $2316 $48,075 173

*includes special gift of $50,000

2010 presented Grace with both unexpected and expected financial challenges
with the retirement of our Rector and the calling of an Interim, a difficult
winter of snow, ice and cold, as well as the continued economic downturn.
Even so, it was a year of generosity by those who made contributions to the
church, whether through a weekly offering, pledged giving, or special programs.

The 2010 operating budget as approved by the Vestry had a projected deficit
of $30,553. Pledge and plate offerings realized were $61,490 less than
budgeted. Total operating expenses exceeded the expected by $35,097.

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

During the year the vestry authorized withdrawal of $95,000 from the
unrestricted fund in order to meet expenses. This is a pattern we had followed
for the past several years.
Rising to this challenge, the vestry reduced expenses and initiated a
“Recommitment Campaign” to close the 2011 projected deficit, as well as
offering the congregation the opportunity to recommit to the mission of Grace
Church. The congregation responded with gifts and pledges, small and large,
totaling more than $107,000.”

Budget for 2011 $ 457,330 $ 624,180
Revenues $ 8,000
$ 158,850 $ 647,831
Tithes and Offerings $ - $ (23,651)
Rent & Investment Income
Designated Support $ 155,252
Endowment Fund (Nov. Distribution) $ 240,222
Total Revenues $ 111,467
Expenses $ 65,450
Administrative $ 67,940
Ministry Expenses
Music and Worship
Mission and Outreach
Property
Total Expenses
Net Total

The church’s major asset is its buildings and grounds, furniture and fixtures
including a custom built organ, for a total value of $4.18 million. We are
fortunate to have endowment funds of $ 923, 167.

13

Buildings and Grounds

Grace Church is situated on one and one-half acres in the town of The Plains.
Consecrated in 1918, the present stone church with its massive bell tower and
low sloping slate roof appears to have been in this lovely, shaded setting for
centuries. To this day it serves as a focal point for The Plains. The church’s bell
tower serves as an unambiguous reminder of the steadfast, abiding presence
of God. The gathering of the people for worship is proclaimed by the tower’s
bell. The architecture reflects our Anglican heritage and the lovely stained
glass windows tell the story of Christ’s Incarnation, life, ministry, passion
and resurrection. The Te Deum Window rises above the stone altar and oak
reredos at the ecclesiastical east end of the church, proclaiming a great hymn
of praise and thanksgiving. Most of the stained glass windows have recently
been restored with the remaining work scheduled. A 17 rank Moeller pipe
organ was installed in 1969 and updated with a new console in the early
1990’s. The sanctuary seats approximately 300, and the choir 23.
The annex to the church, built at the same time and of the same local stone,
houses the parish hall with stage, a kitchen, vesting room, library and
lavatories. The basement contains a vesting room with an adjoining lavatory,
three storage rooms, and a mechanical / electrical room. A feature unique in
the Diocese of Virginia is the baptismal pool located under the floor of the
church vestibule which connects the church to the parish hall annex.
The 2001 addition to the existing buildings was also built of local stone and
provided much needed space for church offices, Sunday school, choir, and
a preschool. This building contains an elevator and is ADA compliant. The
three sections of the complex form a harmonious whole. Beautiful grounds,
a playground, a circa 1910 groomsmen’s house (now storage), and adequate
parking round out the campus.
Building systems have been upgraded periodically, with extensive work
to mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems occurring in the 1990’s.
Most noticeable is the lighting system serving the sanctuary, which is fully
dimmable and features programmable pre-sets. Additional work remains to be
done in the parish hall.
The former Rectory, also in the town of The Plains, is presently undergoing
reconstruction and will be used to provide much needed affordable housing

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

to area residents. The church’s cemetery on six acres at Little Georgetown is
approximately four miles east of The Plains. The Church of Our Savior sits
at the entrance to the cemetery; both are managed by the Little Georgetown
Foundation established by the Grace Church Vestry in 1992.

14

What We Seek in a Priest

Response to our self-study clearly identified what we seek in our next Priest:
• One who will help us grow in faith through inspiring and thought-
provoking sermons, spiritual guidance, and education-- a spiritual guide.
• One who has a strong sense of liturgy and values the role of music
in worship.
• One who values authentic and trusting relationships.
• One who will lead us in meeting the challenging goals of attracting young
families, revitalizing our youth program, and developing a Christian
Formation program for all ages.
• One who will lead us in developing and empowering servant leaders in all
areas of ministry.
• One who will help us deepen our commitment to stewardship: Financial,
Time and Talents, so that Grace Church has the resources to fulfill its
mission; Care of the physical plant and for all of God’s creation.
• One who will join our church family in preserving and broadening our
culture of inclusiveness and strong sense of community.
• One who will lead us into a future worthy of the valued traditions of
our past.

When asked to identify the most important qualities they would like to see in a
Priest, the adults responded:

• Approachable
• Caring and Compassionate
• Good Listener
• Relates to all ages
• Reverent and joyful in leading worship
• Inclusive
• Respectful of other points of view
Our youth responses indicate the importance of a Priest who:
• Relates to everyone on a personal level
• Has a good sense of humor
• Is easy to talk to
• Is an active presence in their activities
• Continues the children’s sermon

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

Grace Church is a community, a family made up of diverse human beings.
While we express divergent views on spiritual and social issues, we agree to
disagree without judgment and with respect for each other’s point of view. We
support and have strong ties to the Diocese of Virginia, and are firmly anchored
in the Episcopal Church, but do not wish to be a politically active parish.
Rather, call us to be the people God intended us to be, to be socially responsible
Christians. We hope that we are inviting and accepting, and care for all God’s
people. We want to truly love God and our neighbor and we seek a Priest who
will encourage us to be faithful to our Baptismal vows. We have a bright and
exciting future at Grace Church; we are looking for the person God is preparing
to lead us into that future.

Prayer for Grace Church Search
Dear God and Creator of us all

We ask that you visit each heart seeking to know your will
As we prayerfully search for the one you have chosen to be the

Shepherd of our hearts, spirits and souls
AMEN

15

Challenges and Opportunities

We are truly blessed at Grace church. We worship in a beautiful historic
building with exquisite stained glass windows telling the Gospel story. It is
God’s house and we are its stewards. We have had varied and challenging
opportunities for spiritual growth both from the pulpit and from education
programs. We are a caring and compassionate community that sees strength
in its diversity. We honor the dignity of the individual and celebrate the
unconditional love embodied in Christ. We value our sense of community and
its inclusiveness. At the same time we want to reach out in response to those
in need, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. We want to become more
effective in our ministry.
Through the parish self-study and work done during the interim period, we
have identified four specific challenges that we face, and opportunities that we
have to be more effective in our ministry.
Financial: The congregation is on a plateau between a pastoral and a
program size church. As such it is facing challenges in both membership
and finances, thus placing it on the edge of its comfort zone in terms of
ministerial and staff needs, mission, financial stewardship, and stewardship
of the physical plant. There has been a discrepancy between the number
who appreciate the scope of programs offered and the number who
pledge to support those programs. We have recently had a successful
Recommitment Campaign; however, in the long run, there is a need for
increased broad-based and regular financial support of the annual ministry
cycle at Grace.
Christian Formation: In the Parish self-study a majority of the participants
identified Christian Education as a high priority, while a majority also felt that
we need to do a better job in that area, especially for children and youth. Adult
programs, such as the Sunday Forum to explore our daily lives in relation to
Christian values, and small groups engaged in Bible Study, EfM, and spiritual
development, were considered effective and perhaps could be expanded.
Therefore, there is a need for the comprehensive implementation of Christian
formation for all ages, especially for children and youth. This will perhaps
necessitate the recruitment of a skilled lay employee to provide staff support for
this renewal and growth.

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

Lay Involvement: We have a small, but committed group of lay participants
in many areas of our parish life. Recognizing that we needed to expand this
group and organize it, we set up a new system of Parish Committees and
Commissions in late 2010 so that we would be more effective in all our parish
ministries. Some of these were existing groups that needed to be expanded;
many were new. This has resulted in an increasing number of people willing
to be involved. Nevertheless, this is just a start and we see that we need to
continue the intentional recruitment and development of a broader-based
pool of lay participants within our developing ministry areas, e.g., Parish Life,
Pastoral Care, Christian Formation, etc.
Staffing: In this period of self-examination in all areas of the church, we
have determined that there is a challenge to reorganize the structure of our
ministries and the leadership and support for them, always acknowledging that
lay leadership is essential to the work of the parish. Our Associate Rector has
recently been called to another parish. The Vestry has regretfully decided not to
fill the position at this time.
As a living organism, Grace Church is healthy and blessed. We are mindful of
the challenges facing us; strengthening our foundation will enable us to move
into the future with hopefulness and joy as we continue to do God’s work at
Grace Church. There is enthusiasm for moving ahead and a renewed interest in
doing the work to get us there. We are eager to find the person who will share
this ministry with us.

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Contact Information

We thank you for your interest in Grace Episcopal Church, The Plains,
and welcome your inquiries for further information. Please send a letter of
interest and your Office of Transition Ministry (OTM) portfolio and resume
via email to:
Barbara B. Merchant, Chair, Search Committee
Email: [email protected]
P.O. Box U, The Plains, VA 20198
Home: 540 364 2538
Cell: 540 212 3655

Grace Episcoal Church, Parish Profile

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