Father Talbird grew up in Macon, GA, earned a degree in history from the University of Georgia and an MDiv from Virginia Theological Seminary. He retired from the rectorship of Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain after twenty-four years of service; he had previously served as University Chaplain for Georgia State University in Atlanta, at Florida State University in Tallahassee and at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He currently serves on the Board of the Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti and consults for parishes and Vestry on stewardship, leadership, and program.  

He is married to Mary Jane Misiewicz Talbird, who is a registered nurse specializing in ostomy and wound care. The Talbirds have five grown children and four grandchildren. Father Talbird enjoys boating, exercising (walking, yoga, Pilates), traveling with his wife, and babysitting his grandchildren.

Dear Grace Family,  

With so many changes in our midst, it's time to freshen up some spaces! It's been several years since any of the offices have been painted. With a new Rector on the horizon, it's only right that the offices look their best!  

Saturday, April 29 10:00AM. Painting Party! We will paint the Rector's office, Zack's office, and Dabney's office. Yes, I know Paula's office is in dire need. It's on my list but for a later time as her office is more involved to paint.  

We will provide the paint, rollers, roller covers, and ladders. Lunch will be provided!   If you can bring blue painter's tape, newspapers or rolled paper, or even drop cloths that would be super! If you're good with a brush, have a steady hand, and are good at cutting in, please bring your favorite brush.  

Please let me know if you're able to help!   

Thanks,

Adam Bryan
[email protected] 423-432-2133

Family Promise is in need of some emergency help – the church that had been scheduled to host during the week of May 7 is not able to, and the church they’d hoped could swap weeks with them was unable to make the needed changes. So the families will be staying at First Church of the Nazarene, and Skeeter Makepeace, Grace’s indefatigable leader in this endeavor, reports the needs for the days in question:  

What we now need is 5 pm greeters, dinners/servers and overnight hosts for Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13. We also need volunteers to donate food for quick breakfasts and snacks for the seven days. We need van drivers for Sunday, May 7 to pick up families from the day center at 4:30 PM and deliver to First Church of Nazarene, and a van driver for Saturday, May 8 to pick up the families at First Church of Nazarene and deliver to the Family Promise Day Center and to pick up from the Family Promise Day Center at 4:30 PM and transport to the First Church of the Nazarene.  

They expect three families with a total of seven people. Let Skeeter know if you can help! ([email protected]).

May 3  

The study of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond, led by David Stanislawski, concludes next Wednesday (May 3). The evening begins with a potluck supper at 6:00 p.m., and the book discussion will begin at 6:45 p.m.   Copies of the book are available in the bookstore for $17 (plus tax!)

Attention Graduates and Their Families!

We would like to recognize our high school, college, and advanced degree graduates this May. Therefore, we are asking for the following information as soon as possible.  

Please send to Maria at [email protected]:    

Name, School, Degree (if applicable), a few activities (i.e. basketball team, senior scholar, church activities etc.), and any future plans you would like to share. Please name any relatives here at Grace that should be included. For our high school graduates, we would also like a digital photo (preferably a head shot). All of this will be shared with the congregation online and in print. 

Please use this link (http://www.saygrace.net/artscamp.html) to register your family’s children for arts camp June 19 through 23. You are encouraged to reach out to friends and coworkers and invite their children, too! The Grace Episcopal Interfaith Arts Camp has been serving the community for ten years. The cost is $25, although the fee can be waived if necessary. Our theme is An Artistic Romp through the Middle Ages  

HOW YOU CAN HELP: ·         

-- Volunteer before or during camp        

-- Make or donate costuming items related to the Middle Ages for kids to play 
dress-up with        

-- Donate to the arts camp fund to pay for children who can’t afford the fee       

-- Share books and materials related to Middle Ages

Contact Maria Hurt ([email protected]; 243-3256) to volunteer!

On Friday, April 28, 2017 – today! --  the Bishop Search Committee will meet with the Standing Committee to recommend a slate of candidates they believe should stand for election as the 5th Bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee. Following that meeting, the Standing Committee will publicly announce the candidates for the election.   

Once the candidates have been introduced to the Diocese, the Transition Committee will take over and lead us through the walkabouts, the election, and the ordination of our next Bishop. The curious are invited to check http://www.bishopsearch.dioet.org/ on Friday evening for names, pictures, and biographies of the candidates.

The Chattanooga Bach Choir, conducted by artistic director David Long, continues its Barnett & Company Cantata Series on Sunday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal (663 Douglas Street, Chattanooga). There is a suggested donation of $15 at the door; students will be admitted free.  

The program features two choral works: Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantata, BWV 104, Du Hirte Israel, Höre (You Shepherd of Israel, hear us) and a motet by Josquin des Prez, Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo (I shall sing the mercies of the Lord forever), as well as an organ prelude from Bach’s Leipzig Chorales, Allein Gott, in der Höh sei Ehr (Glory be to God on High), BWV 662, performed by the Bach Choir’s organist, Karla Fowkes. Joining the Bach Choir are guest soloists: tenor James Harr and bass Zachary James Cavan.  

David Long, artistic director notes: “The works chosen for this program are appropriate for the 2nd Sunday after Easter, also known as Misericordias Domini Sunday. The psalm for this day is Psalm 23, the Shepherd’s psalm; and Bach’s pastoral cantata, filled with lilting triplet rhythms and mellow woodwind solos, conveys the message of a happy flock, a protective Shepherd, a wilderness separate from the Shepherd, and a pasture in eternity with the Shepherd. The music of Josquin Desprez, one of the great choral masters of the high Renaissance, influenced the music of Martin Luther, who began the reformation 500 years ago, in 1517. We are presenting Josquin’s motet written for this Sunday in the Liturgical Church calendar. The organ prelude from the Leipzig Chorales, based on the melody heard in the final chorale of the Bach cantata we are singing, continues the pastoral theme of this program.”  

The final concert in the Barnett & Company Cantata Series takes place on May 21 featuring BWV 86 Wahrlich, Wahrlich, Ich Sage Euch (Truly, truly I say to you). These concerts take place at Christ Episcopal Church (663 Douglas Street).

St. Luke United Methodist invites Grace artists to come get holy with them through a six-week class centered on the creation of icons, the striking religious depictions which have been used through the ages as a window through which to find God. Learn about the history of this art form and produce your own! No experience needed!  

The workshop will begin on Monday, May 22, meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays at St. Luke’s from 9:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $250, which includes all supplies. Seats are limited, so act soon! Call Alexis Henry at (423)991-7178 to register.