CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMING TO A CLOSE!

After a whirlwind of activity for two months, Pete Rauchenstein, our Capital Campaign consultant went back home to Ohio yesterday!  He has finished his work us, but we haven't finished our work.  As of yesterday, we had pledges in the amount of $717,415, from 50 pledgers.  We know that additional pledges are on the way, and we also know that there are some church members who have not yet been contacted.  If you haven't been contacted and want to make sure that you are, please let Malcolm Blane know.  This has been a great campaign, and we are more than pleased with the results thus far.  Many, many thanks!!  We will be having a "blessing of the pledges" on Sunday, May 21, during the Holy Eucharist.  

Request from 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?

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.      

SAVE THE DATE!

On Sunday evening, May 21, at 6:00 pm, Jon Johnson, currently organist at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, will be performing an organ concert at Grace.  Please start spreading the word and inviting friends and family.  This is guaranteed to be a wonderful event!  

Grace Youth and Family Council Update

April 10         Child Abuse Prevention - Pinwheel Planting at the Labyrinth (Pinwheels spun beautifully in the wind, and just came down for this year.)

April 14       Good  Friday  Cross Walk with our Rector  & The Christian County Ministerial Association  ( 10:00 ) (Very meaningful event for all.)

April 16       Joining with Grace in the Annual Easter Egg Hunt (Joyce & Jamie)  (Fun, fun, fun!)

May 7           Scavenger Hunt with Robin ( 12:00 ) (Has been moved to Burdoc Farms!)

May 21        Peace Crane Making & Story Time with  Charlie Ross (Peace Crane Extraordinaire)

June 4         Making Blue Bird Houses with Joe Vance

June 17       Exploring The Gifts - Field Trip to Mammoth Cave with Joyce  ( 7:00 )

September 10     Going to a Pow Wow!  ( 12:00 )

We  want to extend a very special thanks to those outside our immediate circle whose willingness to lead, be present, and share to help make what we do are doing and aiming to do possible:  Joe Vance, Pam Vance, Rev. Alice Nichols, Mark Richard, Charlie Ross, Skyla Savoir, Tilley Warren, and Sheila Evans.  

If you are not scheduled for an activity, but are interested in sharing talents and leading, please contact Robin, Joyce, or Jamie.  We welcome you!   Let us walk in love; moving forward in directions that simultaneously support the principles of The Jesus Movement and honor the vows of our baptismal covenant; celebrating unity, diversity, working together for the good of our common life.   (Robin Ferguson)

Report on GraceWorks (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 are in production--you will want one, or more!  T-shirt design in process.)

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

Alice is on vacation

Alice is headed for the beach in North Carolina to enjoy some rest and recuperation, especially from Lent, Easter, and Capital Campaign!  Looking forward to some time alone to read and write and do centering prayer. Back for church on May 21.  Mark Richard will be leading Morning Prayer on May 7 and the Rev. Dr. Bill Brosend will supply on May 14.  Also, the Rev. Geoffrey Butcher will be officiating at the funeral on May 13.  If any emergencies arise, Alice can be reached to make connections for handling.     

Judy is on vacation, too

Judy will also be away the next two weeks.  She is going to Portugal!  In her absence, Luanne Zieman will be answering the phone and directing traffic--with help from Wayne! 

Dates to Remember  

Sunday, May 7--9:00 am--Good Shepherd and Adult Forum

Sunday, May 7--10:15 am--Morning Prayer Rite II

Sunday, May 7--12:00 noon--Scavenger Hunt at Burdoc Farms (Youth and Family Council)

Monday, May 8--NO EFM

Tuesday, May 9--3:00 pm--Kindergarten Board

Wednesday, May 10--NO HOLY EUCHARIST

Thursday, May 11--5:30 pm--Kindergarten Graduation

Sunday, May 14--9:00 am--Good Shepherd and Adult Forum

Sunday, May 14--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II

Monday, May 15--NO EFM

Wednesday, May 17--NO HOLY EUCHARIST

Sunday, May 21--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Good Shepherd

(Last meeting of Good Shepherd until September)

Sunday, May 21--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II

Sunday, May 21--6:00 pm--Organ Concert

Monday, May 22--5:00 pm to 8:00 pm--EFM

Wednesday, May 24--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers

Wednesday, May 24--5:30 pm--Vestry

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

Sunday, May 28--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite ii

Monday, May 29--Memorial Day--PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

Wednesday, May 31--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers

Sunday, June 4--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, June 4--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist--Feast of Pentecost

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.