Explore Grace Church

Short courses of a spiritual or theological nature, often offered during a special season of the Church year, such as Lent, Advent or in preparation for confirmation. Presentations may include film, lectures or discussion groups.

Newsletter offers selections to art, commentary, music and other creative endeavors, all linked to a specific Biblical passage or story. Content follows the readings and lessons of the church year. Email parishadminstrator@gracekeswick.org to sign up.

Members rotate leading discussions of books. The leader presents several choices for the group to select from, and may provide refreshments for the group. Discussions are lively, and a meeting typically runs from 7:00-8:30 pm. The group tries to alternate between fiction and nonfiction titles.

The Christmas pageant is presented during a Christmas Eve afternoon service, or at another time during the Christmas season.

Enjoy finger sandwiches, appetizers or sweets after the 11 am service at Grace Church, or after the 9 am service on 2nd Sundays at All Saints Chapel. Get to know fellow parishioners in a social setting in the parish hall.

Musical events are offered throughout the year on an irregular basis, and include organ concerts, choral singing, and performances of instrumental music by soloists and small groups.

The origin of the Grace Church Historic Farm Tour – “beyond the gates” can be traced back to March of 2009. This event has generated over $600,000 in 15 years to benefit local non-profit organizations. For more information, click below.

Groups of around eight parishioners (perhaps four couples, or eight singles) gather for a meal hosted by a team of two. Groups are formed early in the year and gather four (or more) times. Meeting places might be in members' homes, a restaurant, or some other public space. Group members decide how to operate (potluck? each team provides a complete meal for the rest?), and groups are shuffled once a year so that participants get to know each other better.

Grace's labyrinth will be part of the Re-Creation Spaces, designed to provide spiritual sustenance and a peaceful retreat for all. We plan construction of a 7 circuit labyrinth, set to begin in 2026. Access to this serene space will be available through the Memorial Garden or our Wooded Walk Trail.

Keswick Quilters are a small group of women from Grace church and the Keswick community who gather once a month to enjoy fellowship while working on quilts or knitting or other needlework. The quilts are given to new babies at Grace church and for comfort to parishioners undergoing difficult times. An additional project is the Patchwork of the Crosses quilt, being hand stitched by several members using the English paper piecing method. We meet the 2 nd Monday of each month, 9:30 to noon, in either the Parish Hall or Conference room at Grace Church. We welcome anyone who would like to join us for fellowship or help with projects. You may direct any questions to Eleanor Adams at Eleadams@iCloud .com or 434 972-2869.

Housed in the Robinson Room of the Parish Hall, the Grace library includes various Bible translations, group study guides, works of theology, comparative religion, prayers and personal spirituality, and local church histories. Items may be borrowed for 14 days, using the online library app.

Male parishioners and friends of Grace organize meals and social events for fellowship and service to the Grace Church community. They meet monthly for breakfast at a local restaurant where they socialize and make plans for various parish activities, such as spring cleaning of fallen limbs and mulching flower beds in the church yard or helping to set up for potluck dinners and special events at the church.

Play and Learning Spaces (PALS) began in 2017 when Grace Church reimagined the playground as a space where children could play, parents could gather and visit, and everyone could have a space to breathe, relax and connect. PALS includes a play house, swingset, wooden Ark, and picnic tables. The space is open to the community from dawn to dusk with the expectation that visitors will treat the facility with gentleness and respect.

Potluck suppers are typically held in the Parish Hall every few months. They often fall near a holiday or to celebrate a season of the church year, and are open to all in the community. Bring a dish and share a meal and company.

Grace's Re-Creation Spaces include a play and learning space,a series of nature trails and meadow, and a planned labyrinth. These areas are designed to provide spiritual sustenance and a peaceful retreat for all.

Salons are presented throughout the year and offer the parish and community the opportunity to see how the spirit affects creativity in all its forms.

Parishioners join the Rector and Christian Education director for a weekend at Shrine Mont Retreat Center in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Participants hike, fish, learn, play, and worship together. Shrine Mont is operated by the Diocese of Virginia, and offers a dining facility and sleeping accomodations in the Shenandoah Mountains.

Pack backpacks with food to support families in need, as identified by the Guidance Counselor at Stony Point Elementary School. Volunteers drop off backpacks at the school weekly for distribution to students by the school staff. Food obtained through Blue Ridge Food Bank.

Weekly newsletter is distributed by email to all parishioners and anyone who asks to be added to the mailing list. It includes information about upcoming services and special events, those on our prayer list, birthday and anniversary celebrations, and news from Vestry meetings.

Thursday Morning gathering of women for discussion, Bible study and explorations of theology and spirituality. The group typically spends several months discussing each book, a chapter at a time.