News from Grace Episcopal Church ~ Martinez, California
Ecojustice Weekend with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Please join your brothers and sisters from Grace and from around the diocese in celebrating Ecojustice Weekend with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.  Next Friday, May 19 at 5 p.m., there will be a reception at Grace Cathedral, followed by a Eucharist service at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral.  Parishes have been invited to carry their banners into the Cathedral and Rev. Deb is still looking for some Grace Martinez folks to help make our presence known at the Eucharist.  If you are interested in attending with Rev. Deb, please let her know.  On Saturday, May 20 at 9 a.m., Bishop Curry will preside over an Eco-Confirmation service at the beautiful Golden Gate Overlook in the Presidio.  Shannon Kleinschmit, Melissa Rodrigue-Kennedy and Nick White-Spenik will be confirmed at that service, and Gary Spenik will be received into the Episcopal Church.  Please come out to support these members of the Grace Church family.  Contact Rev. Deb at revdeb@gracechurchmtz.org or call the Parish Office 925-228-6574.
What do the Dead Sea Scrolls tell us about the Bible?
The Rev. Sidnie White Crawford, Ph.D.
Sunday, June 11, 12:30 p.m.

Many people have heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but few people know what they say or why they are important. This lecture will shed light on how the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has dramatically increased our knowledge of the history and text of the Hebrew Bible.

Sidnie White Crawford is the Willa Cather Professor of Classics & Religious Studies at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She is an internationally recognized scholar in the areas of Dead Sea Scrolls and Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible, and is the author of several books on the Dead Sea Scrolls. She also happens to be Rev. Deb's sister.

Free and open to the public, this presentation will be held in the Parish Hall, Grace Episcopal Church, 130 Muir Station Rd., Martinez.
Get to know your spiritual neighbors
The San Ramon Valley Islamic Center is holding an Open House this Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  We are invited to join them for talk and refreshments at 2232 Camino Ramon, San Ramon.  This is a great opportunity to learn about the Islamic faith.
Women of Grace
Don't forget the next Women's Group outing on Saturday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. at Viano Vineyards in Martinez for wine tasting and potluck picnic. If you want to do wine tasting, the cost is $10 (and you get to keep your glass!) Bring something to share for the picnic, if you are able. Contact Connie Towey at 925-957-6096 if you need more information.
Youth Group Field Trip!
On the weekend of May 19-21, San Mateo will be hosting the Maker Faire! Rev. Deb's family attends every year, and this year the Grace youth group will be attending for the youth activity! The trip is open to all middle and high schoolers, and friends are welcome too. Interested youth should talk to Katie White-Spenik for a permission slip. She can be found at church most weeks, or can be contacted at disreputabledog7@gmail.com. For more information on the Maker Faire, you can visit  http://makerfaire.com/bay-area/. Be there or be square!
Thanks and Praise!
Many thanks to all who made last week's Bocce Ball Tournament and Parish BBQ Picnic a success! C ongratulations to the winning men's team (not pictured here), "The Saints" (Les Marks, Ron Luttringer, Dave Menconi and Frank Macan). 

No music at this week's 10 a.m. service
Gary Evans, our Organist and Choir Director, will be out of town this week, so we will not have music at the 10 a.m. service this Sunday, May 14.  
Counters Still Needed.  We're looking for a few more folks to assist with counting the offerings each week. If you are interested, please let either Jennifer or Rev. Deb know by contacting the Parish Office at 925-228-6574 or info@gracechurchmtz.org
Bills don't take vacations!
Summer is coming and we know that many of you will be taking some well-deserved time off. We will miss you but promise to be here when you get back.  Please remember though that while you are gone the parish still needs to pay our bills.  If you are able to catch up on your pledge before you go, we would very much appreciate it!

Share the Good News

Want to let others know about the great things happening at Grace Episcopal Church? Click on the link below to forward this E-Newsletter to family and friends! 
   
Serving the community of Martinez
and Contra Costa County since 1868.

 
Our Mission:
Working together to welcome,
support, and serve all God's people.
 
 
STAY CONNECTED: