eGrace
Grace Episcopal Church
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
News for August 28, 2015
Fifth Sunday Food Drive for Aaron McNeil House 

This Sunday, August 30, will be the fifth Sunday in August and our next in-gathering of food for the food pantry at Aaron McNeil House.  The greatest unmet demand continues to be peanut butter, so, if you're thinking about what to bring, think no further.  Of course, other contributions would be appreciated as well.    
Book Study/God and the Gay Christian  

We will be having a three-session book study, led by Benjamin and Alice, on the first three Thursdays in September (3, 10, 17) at 6:00 pm, featuring a book published in 2014 by Matthew Vines entitled God and the Gay Christian: the Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships.  With the recent Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality and the General Convention's decisions to approve marriage liturgies that are inclusive of same-sex couples and to direct all Bishops and Dioceses to provide for the marriage of same-sex couples, surely there are many of us who feel a need to have more information, especially about what holy scripture actually says with regard to homosexuality and how our church leaders have come to such momentous decisions that seem to run counter to the positions of other churches and other Christians around us.  In her comment on Vines' book, popular Christian writer Rachel Held Evans says, "This book is a game changer . . . Every page is brought to life by the author's clear love for Scripture and deep, persistent faith."  This group is open to people both inside and outside Grace Church.  If you would like for Alice to order a book for you, please send her an email at [email protected].  
Unity Service of Music 

The Christian County Ministerial Association is sponsoring and Grace Church is hosting a Unity Service of Music on Sunday, August 30 at 6:00 pm.  Several other churches--including several choirs-- will be joining with us for a worship service including songs, prayers and readings.  Hopefully this initial service will develop into a regular fifth Sunday event--an acknowledgment, reminder and celebration of our unity in Christ.  Please join us.
Pictorial Directory 

Some of us were looking at our last church pictorial directory recently and realized that it's been a long, long time since we have had a new one. Therefore, we have contacted Lifetouch and scheduled portrait sittings for October 27 and 28, 2 pm to 9 pm.  Mark you calendars now!  More information soon.  Good timing for Christmas giving!
Increasing Church Security

At our most recent Vestry meeting, we discussed the necessity of being more diligent about the security of the church and the safety of all those who come through our doors on Sundays and throughout the week--especially our children.  We need to keep doors and gates locked, except when there is a particular reason not to do so for short periods of time. We're sorry for any inconvenience and we hope that those of you who are in and out frequently will join with us in making sure that doors are securely closed and locked.  We can supply keys as needed.  Thank you!
Stewardship 

The Vestry has engaged the services of Ms. Keith Stroud to spend a weekend with us in October to educate us in more effectively approaching stewardship in the church--whether that involves an annual pledge drive or a capitol campaign or a legacy society/endowment-building effort.  Keith was formerly with Kirby-Smith Associates and, while there, developed a program that is called "Life as a Steward."  At this point, we are looking for members of Grace who might be interested in and willing to participate in the weekend with Keith, which will be October 9-11.  This group would then provide some leadership in decision-making and following through with steps toward putting Grace Church on a more stable financial footing moving forward.  This is important work for God, for our church, and for the community beyond our church.  Please prayerfully discern what your involvement will be, and let our Treasurer (Bill Nichol) or our Senior Warden (Charlie Ross) know if you are willing to serve in this effort.  
Save the Date! 

On Sunday, September 27, at 6:00 pm, we will have our annual Picnic at the Labyrinth, supporting GraceWorks.  Much more information to follow. People are still talking about how much fun was had at this event in 2014!
GraceWorks Update

Look for the GraceWorks booth at the upcoming Salute Saturday on August 29 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm in downtown Hopkinsville.  Volunteer in advance, helping to make the products; volunteer at the event, manning the booth; or shop and support the ministry of GraceWorks and enjoy beautiful candles, cards and jewelry made by parishioners and GraceWorks first employee.
Pilgrimage to Bolivia 

Mark Richard is leading a pilgrimage to the Amistad Mission in Bolivia in early 2016.  Please consider making this trip-of-a-lifetime.  Amistad, which is supported by a number of churches in the United States, provides a loving home to abandoned, abused, and orphaned children. There will be an informational meeting soon with more details, but, don't hesitate to contact Mark with your questions.  
Education for Ministry

After taking a year off, we are planning to re-start our Education for Ministry (EFM) group in September.  EFM is a program administered through the School of Theology at the University of the South at Sewanee.  It is a four-year program covering study of Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Theology, Ethics, and Interfaith Relations, but commitment to participate in the program is made one year at a time.  The purpose of EFM depends on the individual student, and many graduates begin with a simple desire to learn more about the Bible and Christianity.  However, the larger purpose is to provide participants with information and skills to serve through the church in various ministries.  The materials used are ones often found in college and graduate level classes.  Participants usually find their experience to be personally enriching.  For more information, please go to 
"http://efm.sewanee.edu/about-efm/about-efm" on the internet.  Alice Nichols and Mark Richard will be the co-mentors for this group, and either can answer any questions you might have.   There will be an information session on Sunday, August 30, at 11:45 am in the Gaither Room.  
 

Grace School Support

 

Grace Church provides significant support to Grace School, and we can all contribute to that support in three ways:

1. If you shop at Kroger, designate Grace Kindergarten as the recipient of credits accrued from all your purchases.  This does not interfere in any way with your own points earned toward savings on gasoline.  You can make your designation online at "kroger.com" or at the customer service counter at Kroger.  If you need assistance, talk with Tom Schmidt, Treasurer of the Kindergarten Board of Directors.

2.  Save any "Boxtops for Education" that may be on many grocery products that you regularly purchase.  There is a container on the table across from the sacristy where you may deposit your box top decals.

3.  When you have a birthday, consider giving a dollar for each year of your life as a gift to Grace School, as an offering of thanksgiving for all the blessings of your life.  Thank you!

Book of Common Prayer

 

We have recently purchased a few copies of the BCP which are especially suitable for gift-giving.  They are smaller than the ones we use in church, have an attractive binding, and are available for sale through the church office for $30.  

Directory Update

 

We will soon be doing an update to the parish directory.  If any of your information has changed or if you are aware of other information that needs to be updated, please pass it on to our Parish Administrator, Ruth Rock. Her email address is [email protected]. Thank you!
Dates to Remember

Sunday, August 30--9:00 am--Adult Forum
Sunday, August 30--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite I
Sunday, August 30--6:00 pm--Unity Service of Music
Wednesday, September 2--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayers
Thursday, September 3--6:00 pm--Book Study/ God and the Gay Christian
Sunday, September 6--9:00 am--Adult Forum
Sunday, September 6--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II
Monday, September 7--Labor Day Holiday--Parish Office closed
Tuesday, September 8--5:00 pm--Kindergarten Open House and Cook-Out
Wednesday, September 9--Grace Kindergarten and Pre-School begins!
Wednesday, September 9--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayers
Thursday, September 10--6:00 pm--Book Study/ God and the Gay Christian
Sunday, September 13--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Catechesis!
Sunday, September 13--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II
Tuesday, September 15--3:00 pm--Kindergarten Board
Wednesday, September 16--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayers
Thursday, September 17--6:00 pm--Book Study/ God and the Gay Christian
Sunday, September 20--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Catechesis
Sunday, September 20--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II
Sunday, September 20--6:00 pm--Feed Your Spirit
Wednesday, September 23--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayers
Sunday, September 27--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Catechesis
Sunday, September 27--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite I
Sunday, September 27--6:00 pm--Picnic at the Labyrinth for GraceWorks
Have you remembered Grace Church in your will?

We are working on starting a legacy society for Grace which will be called the George P. Giddinge Society--named for the first Rector at this church--as a step toward securing the future of our parish, especially our wonderful buildings and grounds.  All who include the church in their wills will automatically become members of this honorary group and names will be placed on a permanent plaque, probably in the narthex.  If you have already made this important decision and taken the steps necessary to insure that your wishes are carried out, please make our Treasurer, Bill Nichol, aware.  Thank you so much for your loving dedication to Grace Church, for all it has meant to so many people and for all that our ministry can continue to mean to the City of Hopkinsville.   
Quote from Archbishop William Temple

"The church is the only organization whose primary purpose is for the benefit of people who are not members."  Think about it.  

Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.


Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.