Grace: It's Our Way of Life
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As Episcopal Christians we
Worship at home daily and together weekly;
Study the scriptures, our tradition, and what it means to be a disciple today;
Serve our families, our parish, and our world in the name of Christ. Everything we do is done with an ethic of
Welcome because we are only here by Grace.
Where have you welcomed, worshiped, studied or served?
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Immigration crackdown: Exchange student denied entry to U.S.
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By Cyriaque Gilbert, as told to Donna Olendorf
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 I am a 14-year-old exchange student, visiting the Blondia family from France. There are six children in my family, and it has become a tradition for us to come to Traverse City as teenagers. Two of my brothers have already been here, one in 2012 and one in 2013.
Both my brothers got into the United States without a problem, so there was no reason for me to worry that I would be turned away. But that is exactly what happened. Between their visits and mine, a new president had been elected and he had signed an executive order tightening immigration policies and border control.
When I arrived in Detroit after an eight-hour flight from Paris, I got in line with my father and mother to go through Customs. The agents asked to see my documents, and my parents showed them my paperwork, explaining that I was an exchange student who would be studying in the United States for a few months.
The agent looked at my passport and then he looked at me. Click here to read more...
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Elmore Leonard Award winner!
Grace teens participate in Front Street Writers Workshop
Amanda Dow was awarded the Elmore Leonard Award for her fiction entry in the National Writers Series 2017 Scholarship competition. She said 'I write because I am a storyteller. I find writing a perfect medium to share my stories with the world. I love learning how to write. I have always loved how certain books pull you into a world of the authors' imagination. You stop reading and start living along with the characters in their world. I aspire to be that kind of author, to share in the magic of all the others before me.' Maggie Miron was recognized for her poetry entry. You'll remember that Maggie also participated in the Young Playwright's Festival, and her one-act play was performed in April. Congratulations Amanda and Maggie!
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Safe Harbor-The end of a chapter, the beginning of a new story
Safe Harbor began humbly the winter of 2003 when the Nazarene Church opened its doors to the homeless on the coldest nights of that winter. The following year, Grace Church was one of the original churches that provided meals, fellowship and a safe place to sleep on a rotating schedule. This ecumenical ministry continued to grow over the next 13 seasons coming to encompass 25 churches. Safe Harbor broadened awareness of the issues surrounding homelessness in our community and provided a framework for care as part of its church network.
Grace Church felt a greater calling as a result of this participation in Safe Harbor and from this calling came the formation of Jubilee House.
Now 13 years later, Safe Harbor has ended the rotating shelter program at churches. Beginning the fall of 2017 it will open a permanent dedicated shelter location on Wellington Street in Traverse City. The permanent location will alleviate the stress on volunteers, the homeless and church schedules with supplies and services remaining in ONE place for the duration of the shelter season.
The hospitality, familiarity and care shown our homeless neighbors will continue as church volunteers come together at the new shelter to staff it. The hope is that each church will again organize volunteers for evening hospitality, overnight and evening meal shifts to keep the shelter open during the winter months; all the same duties and friends just in a different location!
Grace still needs a volunteer coordinator for Safe Harbor
. While the duties are greatly scaled back, it will take a few weeks of concentrated communication and coordination to get shifts filled each time we help staff the shelter. Currently this will be at least one week in the winter season, possibly two weeks. To help you there are email and telephone call lists of previous volunteers, and computer forms to create sign up boards and post information to Grace Notes and the Grace Vine. There is support and training for the person that would assume this ministry.
Prayerfully consider if you might be able to fill this ministry position for Grace Church, so that we can continue to serve the homeless in our midst. If you would like more information about the "new job" of Safe Harbor Volunteer Coordinator, please contact Ann Hackett in the church office: 231-947-2330 or
ahackett@gracetc.org
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Grace Hikers meet May 13
It's hiking season from May 13 to October 7 at Grace Church! Pick up your hiking schedule on the table in the Commons, or
click here for schedule on our website. Hikers will meet at the church parking lot at 9 am. Lunch will follow hiking. The group will carpool from church to the trail and back to the church. Total time is usually four or five hours, depending on location of trails. Hikes will be cancelled in case of inclement weather. For information contact the church office or Glenda Andrews at gkandrews@earthlink.net (231-272-0036).
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Religion & Politics Discussion May 23
 "A little ball moves the big ball" is what Mao Zedong said in 1972 after a chance encounter between Ping-Pong players paved the way to renewed relations between the US and China. Similarly today, it will likely be small, seemingly insignificant conversations that will lead to improved relations in our country.
Each of you is invited to join a discussion on how people of faith can encourage a more civil public dialogue. This conversation is not a forum to discuss specific political issues, but instead will explore how Christian principles can improve how we discuss contentious issues. Although not a required book, study participants might find it helpful to read The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics, by John Danforth, an Episcopal priest and three-term US Senator. The conversation will be held in the Parish Hall on Tuesday, May 23, from 6-8:30 pm. The evening will begin at 6 pm with a potluck supper, Evening Prayer, followed by a 90 minute guided conversation, and conclude with Compline. Please RSVP to Steve Wade -
stevewadetc@gmail.com
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Music Speaks
Manitou Winds Concert May 27 at 7:30 pm
Chamber ensemble Manitou Winds will present a spring concert at Grace. Admission is free and all are welcome. The concert theme 'Music Speaks' will explore the mystical pathway connecting music and words. The five members of the ensemble, playing eight instruments, join with local readers and musicians (including our own Emily Culler) to present an eclectic variety of chamber music, poetry, and prose spanning centuries and genres. Don't miss it!
Great Parish Swap 2017 - June 11
 Parishes are encouraged by the Diocese of Western Michigan to "swap" members of their congregations during the month of June, in order to facilitate partnerships, inspire ideas and experience different styles of worship. We are partnered with St. Paul's in Elk Rapids, who will welcome Grace Church members on June 11 at their 10 am service. If June 11 doesn't work for you, feel free to worship with our sisters and brothers in Elk Rapids when convenient for you and your family.
Graduation Sunday is June 11
We will celebrate with our graduates after the 10 am service on Sunday, June 11. Please contact the office with information about your graduate, so they can be included. We'd love to have your photos, too!
Medical Equipment Available
 Did you know that
Love in the Name of Christ has a Medical Equipment Loan Ministry? If you, a friend or family member needs a wheelchair, walker, cane or bathroom equipment on a limited basis we can help! We have closet locations at Christ the King in Acme, Grace Episcopal and mid-town at the Love INC offices on East Front Street. Equipment is a loan for the length of time needed-no cost to you! Call us at 941-5683 to speak with us about a loan of equipment or a donation of equipment.
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Regular Weekly Worship Schedule
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Monday
Women's Prayer Circle 8 am
Tuesday
Morning Prayer, 8:15 am
Wednesday
Simple Eucharist, 10 am
Centering Prayer, 11 am
Thursday
Evening Prayer, 6 pm
Saturday
Holy Eucharist, 5 pm
Sunday
Holy Eucharist, 8 am & 10 am
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Lectionary Readings
& Daily Prayer
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This Weekend's Readings
Acts 7:55-60
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
Psalm 31:1-5,15-16
Next Weekend's Readings
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 17:22-31
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21
Psalm 66:7-18
The Daily Office
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Birthdays
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Lucie Heller
Diane Rolinski
Will Cotter
Travis Holl
Bob Nichols
Marion Talbot
Vaughn Holland
Jim Friestad
Mick Kelly
Elaine Schubot
Dan Bush
Happy Anniversary
John & Jill Polmateer
John & Libby Walters
Bob & Jan Phelps
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Prayer Lists
Did you know Grace has 2 prayer lists?
* To be added to the prayer list found in the bulletin contact
** If you would like to be added to the Daughters of the King (DOK) prayer list and be prayed for daily,contact Penny Campo-Pierce at 231-946-1224 or pcampopierce@charter.net
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Contact Us
341 Washington St.,
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone 947-2330;
Fax 947-3011
Website
www.gracetc.org
For Pastoral Emergencies
Call the church office 231-947-2330
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Staff Contact Information
Clergy:
Interim Rector:
Office:
Parish Administrator:
Administrative Assistant & Outreach Coordinator:
Music:
Music & Worship Director:
Children's Ministry:
Director of Children and Youth Formation:
What's happening in the Diocese?
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What's Happening at Grace?
What's Happening in our Diocese?
Turn in your Oleson's receipts to benefit the Grace Food Pantry!
Oleson's Community Share Program
Here's how it works:
- You shop at Oleson's for groceries (liquor sales do not qualify for points)
- Turn in your receipts to the church. Look for the envelope on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall, and place your receipts inside it.
- We submit receipts back to Oleson's
- We are granted cash rewards for the food pantry ($1 spent on groceries = 1 cent in Community Share points)
For every $5000 in receipts we submit, we receive $50 in cash for our food pantry. Every little bit helps!
Thank you for participating!
Click here to learn more...
Buy from Amazon?
Help Grace Church!
Did you know Grace Church is part of the Amazon Smile program? We ask you to consider supporting Grace Church through the AmazonSmile program. It doesn't take more than a minute to register, then eligible purchases will benefit Grace Church.
Follow this link for details
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