News for December 13-19
Drive Through Journey to Bethlehem
Due to rising COVID-19 cases in the community, and in consultation with our medical advisory team, Grace Church has decided to cancel all in-person gatherings for the time being.
For the safety of the families performing, this unfortunately includes cancelling the drive through pageant scheduled for December 19. Families will be recording their scenes separately, to be included as part of our 4:00 PM Christmas Eve Zoom service.
On Saturday, December 19 from 4:00 – 5:00 PM, come celebrate the story of Christ’s birth together as a community, 2020 style. Viewers will be able to experience the Journey to Bethlehem one step at a time in a drive-through pageant around Grace’s campus. Families from Grace will tell “scenes” in the story from Luke’s Gospel as viewers drive along the path.
Officer Tommy will be on hand to help direct traffic, but please follow this route to avoid traffic congestion and confusion:
In the event of rain, the pageant will be pre-recorded and premiered during the Zoom Christmas Eve worship.
Draw a Nativity
Grace Church invites all children and youth (12th grade and younger) to submit original artwork depicting the nativity that we can share in various ways during services and on our Facebook page during the Christmas season. Please use colored pencils, paint, crayons, pencil, or markers to draw a nativity scene on an 8.5×11 piece of paper. Don’t forget to include your name and age/or grade!
Submit artwork by this Sunday, December 13: give it to Cheryl Kelley during Christian Formation on Sunday, put it in the box located by the red doors of the Grace Center facing Brenau Avenue, or scan (at 300 dpi or higher and saved as a .jpeg image or .pdf file) and email it to Jennifer Williams.
Vestry Nominating Committee Meeting
The Vestry Nominating Committee will meet Sunday, December 13 at 5:00 PM on Zoom. (link can be found in your newsletter) All meetings of the nominating committee are open to all members of the parish. If you are interested in running, or nominating someone, for an open vestry position please sign into the Zoom meeting and make that known to the committee. You may also email vestry nominations to Charles Kelley or Patrick O’Rouke.
Edgar Otero to be Ordained to the Diaconate
Edgar Otero-Ruiz will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons at the Cathedral of St. Philip at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 19. Due to safety protocols, in-person attendance is limited to the altar party and those being ordained. The service will be livestreamed so that family and friends can attend virtually. Click image to enlarge the invitation. Please offer your prayers and support for Edgar by joining the livestream at this link!
Christmas Flowers & Greenery
Beautiful flowers and greenery enhance our celebration of The Nativity of Our Lord at Grace Church, and you can help make that celebration special. Contributions to our Christmas flower and greenery fund may be made in thanksgiving for or in memory of loved ones, friends and family. Notice of your donation will be included in the worship bulletin on Christmas Eve.
If you would like to make an offering, please submit both the online form and your donation on or before Sunday, December 13.
Grace Family Christmas Tree
Several years ago we began a tradition of decorating a Grace Family Tree in the parish hall. This year’s tree will be put up in the nave so that we may enjoy seeing it during our livestreamed worship services.
If you are new to Grace, or simply haven’t yet contributed an ornament, please bring one by the church and put it in the box located by the red doors of the Grace Center facing Brenau Avenue. Make sure to write your name, and perhaps the year, somewhere on the ornament or on a ribbon attached to the ornament. At the end of the season, ornaments are stored at Grace to be put back on next year. Don’t miss this chance to leave a small Christmas legacy at Grace.
The 61st Sewanee Festival of Lessons and Carols
Each year, a highlight of life at the University of the South is the service of Lessons and Carols, a staple of Anglican worship and spirituality for a century. This year, the entire community at Sewanee worked to offer an incredible gift to us all in a digital version of the service. The University Choir and guest instrumentalists perform masked and distanced, and members of the University community read the traditional prayers and lessons, telling the Christmas story of comfort, hope, and God dwelling with us. As you take the time to watch it, you’ll also see a glimpse of campus life, with dear friends whose friendship and counsel I value so deeply. The Grace community’s heart should sing for joy when you see the Rev. Dr. Melissa Hartley who you supported here as a newly-ordained priest.
Sewanee is where I first learned about the richness of Anglican study, worship, music, chant, and prayer. It is a sacred space for me, and this year we can all share in it.
Blessings,
Stuart+
Formation for Families and Friends of All Ages
Don’t forget we are gathering outside on Sunday mornings following worship for a time of study, fellowship, and fun. Our intergenerational Sunday School is open to families and parishioners of all ages! We meet in the Grace Center parking lot from 10:10 – 11:00 AM. Children must be accompanied by a parent. Registration is required. Register at the button link below and bring a chair and your mask!
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