Grace Episcopal Church invites you and your pets to a Blessing of Animals this Sunday, October 1, at 4:00 PM. Pets/domestic animals of all shapes and sizes are welcome, but please provide the appropriate restraint for any animal you bring.
Weather permitting, we will gather for the service on the Brenau lawn. Owners are responsible for pet waste. In the event of rain, simply drive through the Grace Church covered driveway along Boulevard to receive a blessing!
Those who attend are invited to bring a donation for the Humane Society. Their wish list can be found on their website.
If you post a photo of your pet being blessed on social media, please tag @gecgainesville or send a copy of the photo to Jennifer Williams for us to post. We love sharing cute pet photos every year!
The Monday morning Bible study will take a break on October 2. Please plan to join us in the conference room at 10:30 AM on October 9!
There will be a gathering in the Parish Hall on October 4 at 5:30 PM to learn more about Foyers. Bring a snack and beverage to share. Email Caryl Rinker if you plan to attend or have questions about Foyers.
Have you been at Grace for a while? Then sign up for Foyers and get to know new faces. Just started coming to Grace? Then get acquainted with those who know and love the church.
Fall/winter Foyers groups are forming now. Foyers groups consist of small groups of adults who meet in one another’s homes for a meal and fellowship.
If you are interested in joining, sign up online no later than October 6.
Sign Up for FoyersAs uncertainties grow and anxieties wound, how do we recognize God’s wellspring of care for us? How do we listen with hope? How can we ask, “Give me that living water?”
As we reflect on our practice of prayer, how is God’s Love offering us refuge? When and why are we intentional about where we find refuge? What nurtures a deeper sense of resilience in our daily lives?
Welcome! Come join the Rev. Bobbi Patterson, PhD, and the Rev. Stuart Higginbotham, DMin for a short retreat on Saturday, October 7 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM VIA ZOOM. Share space for prayer, silence, and reflection. Listen to the yearnings of your heart.
Poetry, meditation, and guiding questions will be offered as we discover and name our struggles and hopes in the midst of life’s gifts and graces.
There is no cost for this space; we only ask that you register to receive the Zoom link.
RegisterOur experience during Covid continues to teach me many things about how we can be more intentional as a Christian community. One area that I need to pay more attention to is how we can more intentionally welcome those who are new to the parish’s life. I remember once when my grandmother (who is Missionary Baptist) asked me after a service, “Stuart, how does anyone join your church?” Since we don’t have formal times on Sundays when people walk down and present themselves, it can be difficult to actually recognize people who are new. Of course the clergy, staff, and vestry know who people are, but this joy should be shared more by the entire parish!
To that end, The Episcopal Church actually offers a special prayer that we can use during the Sunday liturgy to more formally recognize those who are new, making a point to celebrate their presence in the community. We will share this prayer time on Sunday, October 22!
So, here’s what I need: I’m inviting anyone who has joined the community since 2020 to let me know if you want to share in this. I will gather a list of names that we will read during the prayers, but if you want to be present at that point, I would welcome you to join me down front for a special blessing. Just email me and let me know that you want to be present, and I’ll know to look for you.
(Also, don’t forget about the special Sunday forum that I’m leading for those who are new. It’s never too late to share in that.)
I think this will be a wonderful way to celebrate the Spirit’s work among us, and I will be working to do these prayers each fall from now on.
Many blessings,
Stuart
The women of Grace Church will enjoy a weekend of rejoicing, reflection, and renewal January 12-14, 2024 at the Montreat Retreat and Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina.
The Rev. Mary R. Hemmer will again be our keynote speaker and the theme is “The Life You Choose.” What could I do? What should I do? What do I want? How do I choose? Tackle these questions and more as we weigh the coulds, shoulds, and wants of your life, empowering you to make more informed choices.
Full details and the registration form can be found on our website. Sign up by October 13 to ensure your spot!
Information & RegistrationEach year, the parish community makes a commitment to live into God’s call for our lives, and we embody this participation in our operating budget.
Our stewardship theme this year is “Together, we are Grace.” It invites us to reflect on how we understand our connection with one another as the Body of Christ in this particular place.
Pledge cards have been mailed to member households and are available at the church. You also have the option to submit your pledge for 2024 online at the link below.
Make Your PledgeChristian Education classes for children, youth, and adults will meet from 9:30 – 10:30 AM.
Children
older 3s – K: room 109
1st, 2nd & 3rd grade: room 111
4th & 5th grade: room 126
Youth
6th – 12th grade: room 115
We ask that children and youth participating in classes, programs, and events have a registration form on file.
Adults
Our Life in the Light of God: parish hall more information
Parenting with Grace: conference room
Most of the interior of The Grace Center is open, but at present is only accessible via the connector corridor from the main campus. Doors are blocked for entry, and should only be used for exit in the event of an emergency. Some parking is still 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.
The “front desk” of the parish office is currently located in the greeting area. If you visit the office during normal hours (Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) please come to the St. Francis Garden doors. If no one is there to let you in call 770-536-0126. 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.
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
This post highlights events and news of the parish. For full news, we invite you to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter.