Rector's Note

Don't know if you are like me or not, but I always seem to think that summer is going to be a time of slowing down and having a little more opportunity for relaxation.  Funny how that slowing down never materializes--especially this time around.  We have had a constant flurry of activity at Grace.  In retrospect, it's like the lightning strike in June set us off in a new direction that made everything else just a little more complicated--to something as simple as having to walk up another flight of steps to be able to retrieve anything we printed--since the old printer blew out.  Hopefully all that is coming to a halt next week when our new printer-copier is installed in the main office.  The whole process of recovery from the strike has ironically given us the opportunity to upgrade various equipment, e.g., the telephone system, that we wouldn't have upgraded otherwise--and has even resulted in some financial savings for the church.  Hmmm--something "mysterious" may be going on!

This week's unplanned chaos had to do with emptying out the office adjacent to the atrium occupied by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd so we could expand the program into that space.  Of course that meant that everything in that office was piled into my office!  As of today the chaos is at least "organized chaos,"  and, for that, I am grateful.  

I hope everyone saw the great article in the Kentucky New Era last Saturday about our recent labyrinth walk and Celtic worship service.  Just one of the ways that we are trying to get out the word that we are a different kind of church--that we don't have and don't expect to have all the answers to ultimate matters but that we are people on a journey who welcome everyone else to join with us--and we mean everyone!--in our seeking and questioning, and in our celebration of God's love for all creation.  

Mark your calendars for the Fall schedule change!  On September 8, Adult Forum and Catechesis for children will be at 9:00 am and the Holy Eucharist will be at 10:15 am.  Adult Forum is reading and discussing Take This Bread--a delightfully irreverent memoir by Sara Miles about her discovery of and progress along the Christian journey.  Come join us.  

Peace and Blessings, Alice+

Kindergarten Update

The Pre-School and Kindergarten have been full of activity this week as parents and children have come in for interviews with their new teachers. Quite an exciting time!  We're having an orientation for parents Tuesday night to give them information about the church and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd--and to enlist their involvement in fund-raising.  Say some prayers for our teachers and children as they embark on the new school year--and for Debbie and Phillip as they continue to do all the extra work involved in making this transition.      

Via Media

On Wednesday, September 4, at 6:00 pm we will begin a six-week educational series for people who are preparing for confirmation, for those who would like more information about the Episcopal Church, and for those who want to participate and lend support.  We will be using the DVD-enhanced program entitled "Via Media"--the term adopted by Queen Elizabeth I to describe the Anglican faith.  We are people of the "Middle Way."  We believe that we can hold together a broad spectrum of belief within one faith community--we can share "communion"--literally and metaphorically--with those with whom we disagree.  The group will meet in the Gaither Room, and all are welcome.        

Grace/Carnegie Tutoring Program

(We're running this notice one more time because we could still use extra help with administrative tasks related to the program.  This is a good way to become more familiar without making a commitment to the actual tutoring or substituting.  Come and join us!)

The schedule for our Grace Church/Carnegie Library Tutoring program is now in place, and will begin on Thursday, 12 September, with a Staff Orientation Session in All Saints at 3:00 pm.  Ron Gager, the MLK program coordinator, will speak briefly--and provide an overview for our tutors, subs and tutoring staff.  All are invited to attend to learn more about the program.  

Our weekly sessions begin on Thursday, 19 September, in All Saints at 3:00 pm.  Tutoring will initially be offered to four students (grades 3 through 5). These one-on-one sessions require--in addition to the four tutors, a sub for each tutor, plus a staff of three--bringing the total number of adults involved to eleven.   

Four of these positions are still open, and provide an excellent opportunity for YOU to be a part of this new, exciting and potentially fruitful avenue of outreach to the youth of Hopkinsville and Christian County.

If you would like to be a part of this innovative groundbreaking program, please contact Jim Coursey at 270-719-9462.  

Kroger Gift Cards

We have earned almost $1000 for the Kindergarten Scholarship Fund in the past four months by using our Kroger Gift Cards.  Please help us to take full advantage of this great opportunity.  If you haven't purchased a card for $5 or if you aren't quite sure how to use your card, please contact Tom Schmidt!