January 12-18 at Grace

Date Posted: January 10, 2025

Vestry Election

Online voting for the 2025 vestry election is open and we will announce the four new vestry members at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 2. The eight nominees are: Jim Bradley, Jo Brewer, Bob Byrne, Darlene Hauserman, Gary Lawrence, Raymond Smith, Jason Voyles, and Jeff Whalen. You can learn more about them and find a link to the ballot in the January 12 issue of the parish newsletter.

Paper ballots will be available at church on Sunday mornings or in the parish office Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Please note that the office is closed on Monday, January 20.

All ballots must be returned by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, January 28.

Grace Men Sing

Grace Men Sing will provide music for the 10:45 AM service on Sunday, January 19. We are singing the spiritual “Behold That Star”. We would love to have every man out there with a voice to join us!

All you have to do is attend at least two of the three rehearsals scheduled:

Sunday, January 5 12:15-12:30 PM in the nave
Sunday, January 12 12:15-12:30 PM in the nave
Wednesday, January 15 7-7:30 PM in the choir room

We look forward to having you a part of this sing. If you have questions, please ask Lynn Swanson.

Christian Education

CE classes meet from 9:30 – 10:30 AM most Sundays until May 4. Exceptions are January 19, February 16, April 6, April 13, and April 20.

Welcome to the Soul Work Book Club!

As part of The Center for Prayer and Spiritual Practice at Grace, our intentional space for deep soul and wisdom work, I want to invite you to participate in a monthly book club! Our conversations will focus on the deep work of the soul, how we make meaning in the world. I have paid close attention to conversations with many in the parish–from all age groups–and it is clear that we are all yearning for a space for authentic conversations.

The book club will begin meeting on Zoom, to make it easier for anyone to participate. We will meet on the fourth Sunday of each month, at 7 PM (after dinner time, etc.) Our first session will be on Sunday, February 23. Look for the zoom link in the calendar section of the February 23 newsletter (emailed on February 21)!

To get us started, I want to invite you to begin reading John Philip Newell’s new book: The Great Search: Turning to Earth & Soul in the Quest for Healing & Home. This incredible book focuses on the lives of nine great souls, across religious traditions and time, whose lives embody the search for meaning and hope that we all strive for. In his book, you will meet scientists, poets, mystics, teachers, great souls whose lives bear witness to the potential within each one of us. Each of their stories offers a door for us all to explore our own gifts and strengths.

The Center for Prayer and Spiritual Practice will offer several opportunities for practice and prayer this year, including a Saturday retreat on April 5 with Brian Sellers Petersen that will focus on creation spirituality. Keep your eyes peeled for additional spaces in May and beyond!

I hope you’ll consider sharing in this space. More and more, I think it is time to go deep and pay attention to our spiritual lives, to invest in the care of our souls so that we live more faithfully in the world.

Blessings,
Stuart

Winter/Spring Foyer Groups Forming

Not sure what “foyers” is? Quite simply, foyers is an opportunity for those who participate to become better acquainted and enjoy each other’s company. Small groups of adults (typically 6-10 people, couples and singles welcome) meet in one another’s homes for a simple meal and fellowship. The group rotates homes until everyone in the group has had a chance to host.

Singles are always welcome to sign up for foyers! If you are interested, however, in possibly sharing hosting duties and expense with someone else, please contact Caryl Rinker. She is happy to put people in contact with one another to form “foyer partnerships.”