Book Study begins next week!

For the past few weeks, the Adult Forum has been reading The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion Is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian, by Brian McLaren.  There has been a lot of enthusiasm about his message, and, for the next few weeks the Rector is offering a second group for all who are interested in being part of this discussion, including the current Grace Vestry.  The first meeting will be Monday, July 31, at 5:00 pm and will last no more than one hour.  Please let Alice know of your interest so she can order enough books ($13 each, also available on Kindle). 

Positions to be filled at Diocesan Convention

Have you ever considered serving our church by offering to serve on a Diocesan committee?  Our next Diocesan Convention is scheduled for November 10-11 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Louisville, and new members for the following committees will be elected: Trustees & Council, Standing Committee, Trustees of the Bishop Dudley Memorial Trust, Trustees of the University of the South, Disciplinary Board for Ecclesiastical Discipline, and Representative to the Christ Church Cathedral Chapter. Contact the Rector for more information.  Nominations are due September 8.   

Clarification 

There seems to be some misunderstanding about recent expenditures.  To my knowledge, no money has been spent out of Capital Campaign funds that has not been approved by the Space Utilization Committee and the Grace Vestry.  Larry Campbell is the only person writing checks out of that account, and I am certain that he watches every penny.  (BTW, the roofers started their work today!)  

I was asked by the yard-workers to get someone to finish up several jobs, especially around the Memorial Garden.  Half of the cost of that was paid with extra money left over from the Easter flowers (which is how we had used it in the past) and the other was paid out of the Garden line in the Grace budget.  The work that was done was officially approved by the Master Gardeners, after the fact due to timing issues with Rudy Acosta who did the work. Some of the work was done on a weekend, so he used his own judgment.  No one talked with him specifically about the planting around the cross, but several people have commented that it looks a lot better.  

The book of Vestry minutes was inadvertently left in a not-highly-visible place, and it has now been moved to the top of the bookshelf at the entrance to the cloister from Judy's office.  Vestry meetings are open for church members to observe, and we would be glad to send copies of minutes to those who request them.  

I would appreciate your asking me for information whenever you have concerns.  Perhaps some anxiety could be allayed.    

This is a wonderful time in the life of the church, and we need to remember all the good things that are going on.  (ASN)   

Prayer Group

Starts Wednesday, August 2, at 11:00 am, and will last about 45 minutes, in time for the Wednesday Eucharist.  If you would like to explore ways to enhance your prayer life and feel supported by others in your spiritual life, please come and join us, probably in the chancel of the church.    

Alzheimer's Walk

The coordinator for the "Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's" has made a plea for churches to develop "teams" to participate in this year's walk on September 23.  Please join with us in supporting this effort!  More information and sign-up sheets forthcoming.  

Do you know this person?

The church is in possession of cremains of Ann Clair Smith.  In her will, she left instructions that half of her ashes be interred at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, where she apparently lived, and that the other half be scattered in the Memorial Garden at Grace Hopkinsville.  We can simply scatter the ashes, but I thought it would be a compassionate gesture to see if someone among us might remember her and that we could make the scattering a little more personal.  There doesn't appear to be a listing in the Parish Register.  On the death certificate, her parents are listed as Howard Smith and Pauline Lacy.  Thanks for any help you can give me.  (ASN) 

Sunday Liturgy

For the past few weeks, on Sunday morning, we have been using a "new" (actually not very new) form of the Eucharistic prayer.  It was published in a book entitled Enriching Our Worship I, produced by the Standing Commission on Liturgy in 1997.  Sometimes after saying and hearing the same words over and over for years, we may stop thinking about what they mean. Please listen to the differences in words between the "old" and the "new" and think about the significance of the differences.  One of the changes that I particularly like is the use of the phrase "Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people."  I like it because it more accurately reflects the way most of us look at scripture, i.e., we seek to hear and interpret what scripture is saying to us in our current day and current circumstances.  Think about it.  

Sacred Space Worship (Update)

During the months of June, July, and August, we are having special worship opportunities that we are calling "Sacred Space Worship."  These services will be twice a month--once on Saturday at 6:00 pm and once on Sunday at 6:00 pm.  Some will be in All Saints parish hall and some at the labyrinth--partially dependent on the weather!  Also, on Sunday, August 20, the day before the solar eclipse, we will have our service at the labyrinth at 5:00 pm.  Hopefully some visitors who are in town for the eclipse will join us. (That service will be designed to be ecumenical and interfaith.)

Education for Ministry

EFM is drawing to a close for this academic year, and we are accepting registrations for new participants. EFM is a program created by and administrated through the University of the South at Sewanee.  Thousands of (mostly) Episcopalians all over the world are EFM graduates, and our own Kip Cameron will join their ranks in a few weeks!  EFM is a four-year program, but participants commit to one year at a time. The first year covers the Old Testament, second year the New Testament, third year Church History, and fourth year Theology, Ethics, and Interfaith Relations.  The group meets weekly for 2 to 2 1/2 hours and has reading assignments to complete between meetings.  If you think you might be interested, please let Alice know.  The yearly cost is $375, which covers materials and administrative costs.  Think about it!  We would like to be able to re-register our group in July.

Glass Recyclers

When you put your glass to be recycled in the bin across 5th St., near the Red House, please make sure it is in a bag or container that makes it possible for the recyclers to remove it to carry it away!  It is impossible to reach glass that is loose.  Thank you for your recycling efforts and for honoring this request.    

What's up with the straw bales? (with update)

You may have noticed that there are some straw bales placed across 5th St., in the open space behind the Red House.  They are in the process of being composted, the first of many steps toward eventually creating a community garden in that area.  You will be hearing more soon, including how you can help.  This recent activity has begun as a result of conversation in the Adult Forum about the necessity of churches becoming more concerned about care of creation.   (Update:  We now have a cross-design created with the additional straw bales that were contributed.  Look and see!)     

Looking forward to Fall

Wayne and Alice are planning to start Wednesday Nights at Grace this Fall, most importantly because we want to have a children's choir and Wayne needs a time to work with them.  Also this would be an opportunity to offer Spiritual Formation for those of us, who are a bit older,  in a time frame other than Sundays at 9:00 am.  More info will be  forthcoming.        

Report on GraceWorks (Another Update)

Busy times!  We're working on ideas and designs for items related to the upcoming Solar Eclipse. With a projection of having 50,000+ visitors for the event, we will definitely have the opportunity to sell lots of our merchandise.  Several commission jobs are in the making, and we are quickly adding on part-time employees.  Our ministry is growing! (Eclipse bracelets and earrings are in production--you will want one, or more!  T-shirt designs are complete, and we will be selling them in various venues--you will want one of those, too.)

We are now vendors at the Farmer's Market!  Two of our employees staffed our booth last Saturday.  By being vendors for the season, we get some fringe benefits.  One, we can sell our products at the Salute Saturday festival before the eclipse without paying extra or having to keep our booth open full-time.  Two, we can participate in the Christmas market,  also  without paying extra. (Another Update: Various updates in Great Solar Eclipse T-shirts are rolling off the screen--different colors, a larger array of sizes. One you are sure to love and love the fit!  We're also producing new soaps with popular oils and popular fragrances.)

Our website is up and running and taking orders.  Check it out at www.gracedoeswork.org !  

Dates to Remember  

Wednesday, July 26--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers

Sunday, July 30--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 30--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist

Monday, July 31--1:00 pm--GraceWorks Group

Monday, July 31--5:00 pm-- The Great Spiritual Migration book study

Wednesday, August 2--11:00 am--Prayer Group

Wednesday, August 2--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers

Saturday, August 5--6:00 pm--Sacred Space worship

Sunday, August 6--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, August 6--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist

Monday, August 7--Book study

Tuesday, August 8--Four Rivers Deanery at Grace

Wednesday, August 9--9:00 am--Cool Spots for Hot Tots

Wednesday, August 9--11:00 am--Prayer Group

Wednesday, August 9--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers

Sunday, August 13--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, August 13--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist  

All Sorts and Conditions

Those in our parish family in need of God's healing: Jim Coursey, Susan Valentini, Helen Marshall, Lou Stea, Bill Nichol, Bryson Alexander, Virginia Nelson, Lannie Ross

Those who are deployed: Devin Tyrrell, Dillan Tyrrell, Sam Richardson

Mission Statement for Grace Church

  

       Our mission is to embody the compassion and mercy of Christ; to be fully welcoming and inclusive; to be a community characterized by acceptance, generosity, peace, and reconciliation; and to be witnesses in word and action to God's abundant and indiscriminate love and to Christ's transformative power.  We recognize that we need to be part of a community of faith in order to fully live out our baptismal vows, that we cannot fulfill them completely on our own.  Together, we strive to continually be transformed into disciples--following in the path of Jesus and doing God's work in the world.