Stewardship Campaign for 2017

We're having a quick-turn-around Stewardship Campaign in preparation for 2017.  The Campaign officially began on November 6 and will end on November 27.  By now, you have probably received two letters concerning the Campaign--one from Edwin White and Polly Stokes, co-Chairs, and one from our Rector, including a pledge card.  Please consider the messages in both letters deeply and make your commitment to help support the mission and ministry--and facilities--of Grace Church.  We have an important ministry in Western Kentucky, and it takes everyone's support to make it happen.  We need financial support, but we also need your time and talent. Let Emma Nanney know if you would like to work with Altar Guild.  Let Malcolm Blane know if you would like to be a Sunday server or reader.  Let Wayne Eastham know if you would like to sing in the choir or participate in church music.  Let Joyce Cornett if you would like to help with the children's program.  Let Mark Richard know if you would like to help with Missions.  Let Polly Stokes know if you would like to help with Parish Life, especially the various hospitality ministries.  Let Charlie Ross or Lannie Ross or Polly Stokes know if you would like to volunteer with GraceWorks.  Let Tweetie White know if you would like to help with Kindergarten Board or activities.  Let Alice Nichols know if you would like to be more involved in various Spiritual Formation ministries or if you would like to help in the church office.  The opportunities to participate and serve are endless!  

Report on GraceWorks 

It's been a busy month at GraceWorks.  Our website is up and running, and we have received and filled a number of orders!  Surprised?  We are thrilled! We have several projects in process--including some commission work.  We participated in the Fall Festival at Trinity Episcopal in Clarksville and may have set a new record for one-day sales!  

On November 11-12, GraceWorks will be exhibiting at the Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Kentucky, being hosted by Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville.  This is opportunity to let the rest of the Diocese know what we at Grace are up to and to market our products for their use and enjoyment.  

It's Christmas shopping time again, and our new card designs are on display, beginning with the exhibit at Convention.  Also, new gifts ideas.  Plan to support GraceWorks this holiday season!

Invitation from Alice

Please join me for an annual Christmas Open House at my home on Sunday, December 11, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm!  This event has been great fun for me the past few years, and I hope all of you can come.  Mark your calendars now--they will fill up quickly!  See you at 2250 South Main Street!

Bishop White Coming to Visit

Bishop White will be with us on Sunday, November 20, and will preach and celebrate the Eucharist.  This is an opportunity for confirmations and reaffirmations of baptismal vows, so please let Alice know if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity.  It is always a great joy to have our Bishop with us and to be inspired by his messages.  Please make it a point to be at church on the 20th!  

All Saints Service at the Chapel at Riverside Cemetery

Grace Church and First United Methodist Church joined together in hosting a Service of Remembrance on All Saints Day, Tuesday, November 1.  This was a meditative service including prayers, poetry, and music and a time for specific remembrances of those we have lost who have gone before us.  It was a beautiful sunny day in a perfect setting for this event--well-attended and an important time for all who joined us.  

Thanksgiving Service with Ministerial Association

Grace Church will be hosting the annual Thanksgiving service sponsored by the Christian County Ministerial Association on Thursday, November 17 at 7:00 pm. Carolyn Self, Board Chair of Grace and Mercy Ministries, will be speaking, along with one of the residents at Grace and Mercy.  The Grace Church Choir will participate and lead the music, and Joanna Mack, Executive Director at Grace and Mercy, will make a vocal solo offering.  The plate offerings gathered at the service will be contributed to Grace and Mercy Ministries--a residential treatment program for women who are in the criminal justice system with offenses related to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.  

Good Shepherd program for children

The Fall season of the Good Shepherd program for children started last Sunday at 9:00 am.  With the assistance our Music Director Wayne Eastham, we are developing a Good Shepherd Choir which will participate periodically in the Sunday morning Eucharist!  Robin Ferguson has worked tirelessly to fully equip Level II, for children seven and older, which is now occupying the office formerly used by Benjamin Hart.  Tom Price, Amanda McClure and Polly Stokes are working with Level I--children through age 6--and Robin Ferguson and Joyce Cornett are working with Level II.  Robin and Joyce have begun Level I training and are working with the Rector in planning lessons for the Level II children.  Please bring your children or grandchildren to join with us.  We are also recruiting more volunteers.  (Update: The Good Shepherd choir participated in the Sunday service for the Feast of All Saints on November 6.  Fabulous!)

Birthday Offerings

The Board of Grace School has taken over the blessed responsibility of sending out birthday cards to everyone on the church mailing list, and, along with that card, to suggest that we all consider giving a gift to the kindergarten scholarship fund equal to the number of years of life being celebrated. We always have more requests for scholarship aid than we are able to provide, and it's hard to have to say no.  Please help us say yes!    

Dates to Remember

Friday & Saturday, November 11 & 12--Convention of the Diocese of Kentucky,

 Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville

Sunday, November 13--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Good Shepherd program

Sunday, November 13--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II

Monday, November 14--5:30 pm--EFM

Tuesday, November 15--3:00 pm--Kindergarten Board

Tuesday, November 15--5:30 pm--Weird Church discussion group

Wednesday, November 16--12:10 pm--NO HOLY EUCHARIST (Rector at HCC)

Wednesday, November 16--5:30 pm--Evening Prayer and Vestry

Thursday, November 17--9:00 am--Grace School Thanksgiving program

Thursday, November 17--7:00 pm--Community Thanksgiving Service

Sunday, November 20--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Good Shepherd program

Sunday, November 20--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist and Confirmation (Bishop White)

Monday, November 21--5:30 pm--EFM

Tuesday-Wednesday, November 22-23--Rector Away

Wednesday, November 23--12:10 pm--NO HOLY EUCHARIST

Thursday-Friday, November 24-25--Parish office closed for Thanksgiving

Sunday, November 27--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Good Shepherd program

Sunday, November 27--10:15 am--Advent I Holy Eucharist Rite I

Monday, November 28--5:30 pm--EFM

Wednesday, November 30--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and healing prayers

Sunday, December 4--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Good Shepherd program

Sunday, December 4--10:15 am--Advent II Holy Eucharist Rite II

Monday, December 5--5:30 pm--EFM

Wednesday, December 7--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and healing prayers

Thursday, December 8--Amanda McClure's piano students in recital at Grace

Sunday, December 11--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Good Shepherd program

Sunday, December 11--10:15 am--Advent III Holy Eucharist Rite II

Sunday, December 11--12:00 noon to 2:00 pm--Open House (see above)

Monday, December 12--5:30 pm--EFM

Wednesday, December 14--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and healing prayers

Thursday, December 15--9:00 am--Grace School Christmas program

Sunday, December 18--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Good Shepherd program

Sunday, December 18--10:15 am--Advent IV Holy Eucharist Rite II

Sunday, December 18--Time TBA--Aaron McNeil Christmas party

Monday, December 19--5:30 pm--EFM

Wednesday, December 21--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and healing prayers

Saturday, December 24--4:00 pm--Holy Eucharist for Christmas Eve

Saturday, December 24--11:00 pm--Festive Holy Eucharist for Christmas Eve

Sunday, December 25--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist for Christmas Day

Monday-Tuesday, December 26-27--Parish Office closed

(Thoughts)

"We tend to reduce being human to acquiring knowledge, power and social status.  We have disregarded the heart, seeing it  only as a symbol of weakness, the centre of sentimentality and emotion, instead of as a powerhouse of love that can reorient us from our self-centeredness, revealing to us and to others the basic beauty of humanity, empowering us to grow . . . To have an open heart that lets the waters of compassion, of understanding, and forgiveness flow forth is a sign of a mature person.  Maybe once in our lives we will be fortunate enough to meet such a person, we will feel cleansed, affirmed; we will discover our secret name.  Then we too will walk towards greater freedom and let waters flow onto others, healing them and finding healing through them." (Jean Vanier, founder of the  l'Arche community)