With the kick off of our Formation Year, we thought it might be a good time to refresh the parish about some key information with regard to prayer concerns, pastoral emergencies, and way-finding through the channels to make sure we know how best to minister to each of you.
Both Stuart and Cynthia have “Open Doors” and are always open to meetings with individuals, couples, or families. Mary is available for contact with youth and their families. For non-emergencies, both clergy are available for appointments Sunday through Thursday. Their Sabbath and family time is Friday and Saturday.
In emergency situations (sudden hospitalizations, injuries, etc.) both can be reached on their cell phones (Stuart: 404-788-9365; Cynthia: 703-888-7263). The most effective way to reach them is to text them. Please include your name in the text so that they know to whom they are responding.
Please do not assume that because you post something on Facebook about a pastoral or family situation that this information reaches the clergy. Some information does, of course, eventually make its way to them by this route, but generally too late for them to make a timely response. If you want clergy to know something, please make a point to reach out to them directly. Grace members can also use the link on the parish website to enter prayer requests for the Sunday bulletins, etc.
We are available to pray with individuals prior to surgery. When the surgery is at either Gainesville or Braselton hospitals, they can usually be present. When the surgery is to take place in Atlanta, the clergy will arrange to pray with persons at the church office or in their homes prior to them leaving town.
The clergy have access to funds to assist parishioners directly during a financial crisis. This assistance is strictly confidential and is handled on a case by case basis at the Rector’s discretion. If you have questions or needs around assistance, please reach out to us.
A group of parishioners has devoted themselves for decades to the ongoing ministry of intercessional prayer. When pastoral situations arise and the person involved asks specifically to be included in either the Prayers of the People (Sunday morning) or the longer term prayers of the community, a brief notice is distributed through an email list to those persons who have offered to intercede in prayer for specific situations. If you request to be included in the Prayers of the People, you have given permission for this information to be shared.
The best way to have prayers included in the prayers or the wider community is to let the clergy know.
The entire parish staff, lay and clergy, fully respect the privacy of all the parishioners. If you miss a few weeks, please know that unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume you are well. It is heartbreaking when someone “resurfaces” after an absence and we learn that they had been in the hospital or home ill and felt forgotten. A phone call or text can keep us all connected, and help us care for each other.
Please email Cynthia or Stuart with any further questions you may have.