Join us for a Choral Evensong at Grace Church this Sunday, January 28, at 4:00 PM. Sung at the close of day in Cathedrals and churches all over the world, Choral Evensong focuses on the ancient practice of singing evening prayers. The congregation listens, joins in the hymns, and adds their own prayers to those of the choir.
This program is part of the Grace Church Friends of Music 2023-2024 series. The Grace Church parish choir will offer several evensongs over the coming liturgical seasons in preparation for their residency at Cathedral Church of St. Peter in Exeter, England from August 5-11, 2024.
All ballots for the 2024 vestry election must be returned by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, January 31. We will announce the four new vestry members at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 4. The eight nominees are: Sue Bowron, Kimberley Boyd, Chip Branch, Steve Carlson, Nan Carvell, Ashley Dillingham, Cheryl Kelley, and Gary Lawrence. The deadline to return ballots is noon on Wednesday, January 31. Please see your newsletter to learn more about the candidates and get election details and links.
As we look toward the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 4 at 9:30 AM, I want to offer a space for anyone to come on Sunday, January 28 during the Forum time with any questions you may have.
If you have wondered how something “works” in the parish, if you have any question about the budget, or a committee, or any aspect of the parish’s life, feel free to come and share this time.
I will be available in the Parish Hall at 9:30 AM, and I welcome your visit! These questions may help me further prepare my comments for the Annual Meeting as well.
Blessings,
Stuart
All parishioners are encouraged to attend the Annual Parish Meeting of Grace Episcopal Church on Sunday, February 4. Join us in the parish hall from 9:30 – 10:30 AM to hear key reports of parish business and enjoy a continental breakfast.
The youth of Grace cordially invite all to the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in the parish hall from 6:00 – 7:30 PM on Tuesday, February 13. The youth will be setting up, welcoming, serving, and cleaning up afterwards and a team of adults has volunteered to do the cooking. This annual fundraiser helps support our youth program, so tips will be welcomed and much appreciated!
Reservations are required. Cost is: free for children age 5 and under, $5 for children and youth age 6-18, and $10 for adults. Submit the online form no later than Thursday, February 8 to reserve your place (and so we have a count prior to purchasing supplies).
There is no nursery offered during the pancake supper – the whole family is invited!
So, join us for this party with plenty of butter and fat and sugar before you put it all away on Wednesday morning to begin your Lenten devotion.
On Saturday, March 9 we will gather for a retreat, The Power of Presence: Nurturing a Community of Compassion in Challenging Times. This retreat will feature interfaith leaders from the community, incredible art, poetry, music, and reflections on the power of presence within a community seeking to nurture peace. River Guerguerian, a world-renowned percussionist from Asheville, will lead an experiential workshop. Also, we will write prayers and messages of peace on fabric that will then be gathered into a quilt to embody our intentions of fostering community compassion. You are invited to share this time together, as we continue to listen for that common heartbeat that unites us all.
Our ladies who have been doing flowery deliveries each Tuesday morning for many years are considering retiring! If you enjoy bringing some good cheer and a smile to people, this might be the ministry for you. Deliveries are made to senior living facilities in the area. We currently have about 25 recipients and follow a weekly schedule, taking about 6 arrangements each week. If you are interested in becoming a “Grace Flower Girl” please contact the parish office at 770-536-0126.
Stuart and Cynthia invite you to spend Lent with them this year, in a special Sunday Forum beginning February 11, exploring Walter Brueggemann’s seminal book The Prophetic Imagination. As Brueggemann says in the book, his thesis is: “This task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.”
We encourage you to purchase a copy of the 40th anniversary edition of the book as we delve deeper together during this Lenten season to discern God’s presence in the lessons of our tradition, our history, and our present world.
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
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