News for June 23, 2015

eGrace

Grace Episcopal Church

Hopkinsville, Kentucky

News for June 23, 2015

Invitation to Grace to Attend Prayer Vigil

We received an invitation this morning from Rev. Mitchell Fort to attend a Prayer Vigil tomorrow evening, June 24, beginning at 6:00 pm, for all those affected by the recent church shooting in Charleston, SC, and for healing and peace in our nation and around the world. The Vigil will be at Virginia Street Baptist Church--Grace's closest church neighbor. The doors will be open at 5:30 pm. All are welcome.

Welcome and Congratulations

A big welcome and/or congratulations to all who were confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church when Bishop White was with us on June 14--including Bill Bragg, Keely Doctorman, Jim Garnett, Eleanor Harris, Mary Ann Milligan, Mike Milligan, Dennis Netz, Gennie Netz, Meg Nichols, Tony Prim, Dianne Robertson, Taylor Stone, Steve Wade, and Danielle White. We are so happy to have all of you among us! May all of us be nurtured by our mutual Christian love as we continue on our journeys of faith.

Welcome, Wayne!

This coming Sunday, June 28, will be Wayne Eastham's first Sunday as Grace Church's Organist and Choir Director. We have a lot to look forward to with his musical leadership and spiritual friendship. Welcome!

Message from Steve and Connie

Dear Alice,

Words cannot express the many emotions we experienced Sunday for all that was done in honor of my retirement as Organist/Choirmaster at Grace Church. "Overwhelmed" would be one of the best descriptions, but this does not convey the great appreciation for all that took place. For the "Liturgy of Thanksgiving at the End of a Ministry"; the standing ovation from the congregation; the glorious reception for the Bishop, new members, and our retirement; the autographed Grace Works candles; the many kind words spoken to us at the reception; the unbelievably generous cash gift; and to all who made all of this possible we would like to expresses our deepest thanks and gratitude. Over the past thirty three years we have met many incredible people. We have made lifelong friends. We have served with dedicated, hard working priests. We have worked with talented, willing singers. We have come to love and appreciate the Episcopal Church. Though we were raised in other traditions, we know that the Episcopal Church is where we belong. As we enter the next stage of our lives, be assured that Grace Church Hopkinsville will always be home for us. You will all have a special place in our hearts.

Steve & Connie Wiggin

Season after Pentecost

Following Pentecost and Trinity Sunday, we enter that long period on our liturgical calendar that we call the Season after Pentecost--or "ordinary" time--which extends until the beginning of Advent. "Ordinary" refers to order--the ordering of the weeks between the preparation for and celebration of the most major events in the life of Jesus. During ordinary time we focus more on Jesus' life and teaching. This is Year B in our three-year lectionary cycle, which means that our gospel readings come primarily from Mark during this time between seasons. We have changed over to using Eucharistic Prayer C--as we have for the past few summers--and, since the congregation's responses are more extensive and less familiar in Prayer C, all the words are being printed in the service leaflet. Welcome to summer!

Cool Spots for Hot Tots

Last summer we scheduled three days close to the starting of school for preschoolers to come in for two hours and get a taste of what going to school at Grace would be like. This year, we decided to schedule earlier in the summer and hopefully draw in some newcomers who are undecided about making the commitment to preschool. The dates will be June 17, June 24, and July 1 (Wednesdays). Please let Joyce Cornett know of your interest in helping.

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!

School of Ministry

The Diocesan School of Ministry is now accepting applications for a new cohort of participants who would like to begin this two-year program in September. This program is designed for the education and formation of those called to the diaconate or to intentional lay ministry in the Church. There will also be an information day at All Saints Camp and Conference Center on Saturday, June 27, at 10:00 am until 2:00 pm for those interested in exploring this option in more depth. Much more information is available from the Rector.

Dates to Remember

Wednesday, June 24--NO HOLY EUCHARIST at 12:10 pm

Sunday, June 28--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, June 28--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II

Wednesday, July 1--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayers

Friday, July 3--HOLIDAY--Parish Office Closed

Sunday, July 5--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 5--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II

Wednesday, July 8--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayers

Wednesday, July 8--4:30 pm--GraceWorks Group

Sunday, July 12--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 12--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II

Wednesday, July 15--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayers

Wednesday, July 15--5:30 pm--Vestry

Sunday, July 19--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 19--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II

Sunday, July 19--6:00 pm--Feed Your Spirit

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 who primary purpose is for the benefit of people who are not members." Think about it.