The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Compline via Zoom was one of Grace Church’s very first virtual offerings when the pandemic began in March of 2020. Since then, a small but faithful group has been meeting every weeknight to end their day with prayer and a little fellowship. Starting this week, our Compline Zoom service will move from every weekday to Thursdays only.
If every weeknight didn’t quite fit your schedule, perhaps once a week will! Please join us at 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 22.
It feels like we are moving more and more–however cautiously–toward a typical Sunday morning worship pattern. While we are still watching the potential for an increase in cases, and while we still are dedicated to wearing masks and physically distancing, being able to worship together in the nave is deeply meaningful for us all. Sacred spaces matter.
After talking with the vestry and vergers, I’ve decided to suspend the 9:30 AM outdoor service at the end of April. The mornings will be getting warmer and there is no shade there, and we have no optional plan for rain. It has been a meaningful option, and I am grateful that we could share it together. Our last outdoor service will be on Sunday, April 25, the Sunday before I leave for my sabbatical.
Please remember to continue registering for both the 8:15 and 10:45 AM services, and we will continue monitoring the potential for including more folks at each service–as well as different musical options. While I am away on sabbatical, I am sure that the staff and vestry will be able to adjust anything that is needed.
In addition, freeing the 9:30 AM space gives us the option for occasional formation opportunities as well.
Fr. Stuart+
The Bible study facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Park will take a break on April 19 and return on April 26 at 5:30 PM. We are meeting on Zoom to explore four Biblical texts, their accompanying history of Jewish and Christian scholarship of commentary, and to understand how personal stories of faith are composed.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings or the Daily Office from the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer. Copies of the booklet for May/June/July are now available and can be picked up in the bin at the front doors to the church office. If you would like a copy mailed to you, email your address to Jess Voyles. Please specify if you would like a regular or large print edition. Quantities are limited, we only have 10 copies of each version.
The meditation is also posted online every day of the year for you to consider and discuss, and available as a daily email, podcast, or via smartphone app at the Forward Movement website.
Grace Church typically honors all graduates from high school, college, and graduate school each spring. Our annual recognition bulletin will be provided as a printable .pdf document link in the May 23 issue of our email newsletter. Graduates will also be recognized in a virtual presentation during the 8:15 and 10:45 AM worship services on May 23.
If you will graduate (or have a child graduating) this spring/summer, please submit the online information form at the link below on or before Monday, May 10.
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