Join us as we continue exploring our community partners with Grace parish. This week our focus is on community services to children. We will hear from Sisu (formerly Challenged Child and Friends), YMCA, and The Children’s Center for Hope and Healing.
If you are new to the Grace community or you have been here your whole life, you may not be familiar with these organizations so please join us in the parish hall at 9:30 AM on August 13 and learn what we are doing to help children in the Gainesville area.
Children’s Chapel at Grace typically follows the academic calendar and will resume this Sunday, August 13! Younger children, ages 3 (by September 1) through kindergarten, are invited to participate.
Children begin the 10:45 AM service in the Nave with their families before being blessed and released to their own space in the narthex of our historic chapel. Using music and Montessori-style lessons, children learn about our liturgical cycle, explore the elements of worship, and learn basic Bible stories. The children rejoin their families in the main service at the Peace.
Please note there is no Children’s Chapel on September 3.
The noon service on Wednesday, August 16 will be Noonday Prayer. Join us in the chapel!
The Eucharist at Lanier Village Estates will move from August 16 to Wednesday, August 23.
The Rev. Dr. Nonnemaker will hold Orientation and Registration for children and youth on Sunday, August 20 at 9:30 AM. Come meet the teachers, see the classrooms, and get registered for the formation year!
We’ll officially kick off the new program year on Sunday, September 10! Christian Education classes for children (Godly Play and Whirl), youth (EYC@GEC), and adults (Forum and Parenting with Grace) will meet from 9:30 – 10:30 AM.
A weekday Bible Study with the Rev. Dr. Park will begin on Monday, September 18 at 10:30 AM. Using a variety of different lenses and resources, we will explore our sacred texts.
Most of the interior of The Grace Center should remain open during construction, but will only be accessible via the connector corridor from the main campus. All exterior doors will be blocked for entry. Some parking may still be available in the lot next to the Grace Center, but you will need to walk down the sidewalk and enter the building through the St. Francis Garden.
Parish Office
The “front desk” of the parish office will move into the greeting area during some phases of Grace Center renovations. If you need to visit the office please enter the building through the St. Francis Garden. If you are stopping by to see a certain staff member we recommend calling ahead, as there may be days when the majority of the staff are working remotely. Unless otherwise noted, the front desk in the greeting area will be open Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Our next Bicentennial Story has been published! Pat Salter originally came to Grace because her son and his family were attending for a short time. Drawn to the liturgy and the beautiful music she later returned. Her hope for Grace in our next 100 years is that we continue to be a warm and welcoming church, embracing all who walk through the door.
ALL members of the parish are invited to add their stories to our collection, whether you’ve been here 30 years or 30 days! Email Cynthia to learn more.
Our directed food drive continues until the end of August! We are collecting:
Donations can be left in the lower foyer on Sundays or brought to the parish office Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Thank you!
During the month of August, we are collecting school supplies to be donated to White Sulphur Elementary School. Suggested items are: #2 pencils, spiral notebooks, glue sticks, blunt tip metal scissors, Crayola crayons, washable markers, wide rule filler paper, pocket folders with brads, highlighters, zip lock bags, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, index cards, and boxes of facial tissue.
In addition, there is a need for disposable pull-up style undergarments to fit 6-8 year old children.
A wagon for donations is located in the lower greeting area near the columbarium, or you may take them to the church office. Thank you!
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
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