Holiday Schedule

Following the example of the Diocesan office, the Vestry approved that our office be closed Monday and Tuesday, July 3 and 4.  Have a great holiday!

AC is working!

The first project that was listed as priority for expenditures from the Capital Campaign has been completed.  We have a functioning HVAC unit for the church nave.  What a relief!  Even though it is much more energy-efficient, it is huge!  Some large bushes had to be removed and a larger concrete pad poured to install and accommodate the unit.  Come and enjoy!

Many thanks to our grounds keepers!

We used to call this group Men of Grace, but so many women have joined in that that name no longer fits!  What a great dilemma to have!  Many thanks to all who have worked the past two Saturdays--including Joe Vance, Pam Vance, Charlie Ross, Hal McCoy, Carson Stone, Dennis Netz, Anne Noel, Elaine Stewart Seeley, Edwin White, Joyce C ornett, Warren Nanney, Maia Ray, Jim Garnett.  So sorry if any have been left out!  Jim Garnett, Dennis Netz, and Keith Shepherd are our regular grass mowers.  There were a few jobs that we needed to hire out, so Rudy Acosta came and trimmed some shrubbery away from the building, and also did some new planting and a little pruning at or near the Memorial Garden.  Many, many thanks to all!

How's your vision?

Our outgoing Kindergarten Board Chair is Tweetie White, and she has served us extraordinarily well for the past two years.  Thank you, Tweetie!  Now the position has been turned over to Dianne Robertson who has stepped in with remarkable energy and enthusiasm.  We are inviting all who are interested to participate in a "visioning" group to explore what we might like to see Grace School become.  Our "market" changes significantly over time, and we have to change with it in order to thrive into the future.  If this sounds like a process you are willing to engage in, give Dianne a call.  Her cell number is 270-887-3865.  

Sunday Liturgy

For the past few weeks, on Sunday morning, we have been using a "new" (actually not very new) form of the Eucharistic prayer.  It was published in a book entitled Enriching Our Worship I, produced by the Standing Commission on Liturgy in 1997.  Sometimes after saying and hearing the same words over and over for years, we may stop thinking about what they mean. Please listen to the differences in words between the "old" and the "new" and think about the significance of the differences.  One of the changes that I particularly like is the use of the phrase "Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people."  I like it because it more accurately reflects the way most of us look at scripture, i.e., we seek to hear and interpret what scripture is saying to us in our current day and current circumstances.  Think about it. (By the way, we'll go back to Prayer C this coming Sunday due to having a supply priest,) 

Sacred Space Worship

During the months of June, July, and August, we are having special worship opportunities that we are calling "Sacred Space Worship."  These services will be twice a month--once on Saturday at 6:00 pm and once on Sunday at 6:00 pm.  Some will be in All Saints parish hall and some at the labyrinth--partially dependent on the weather!  Also, on Sunday, August 20, the day before the solar eclipse, we will have our service at the labyrinth at 5:00 pm.  Hopefully some visitors who are in town for the eclipse will join us.   

Education for Ministry

EFM is drawing to a close for this academic year, and we are accepting registrations for new participants. EFM is a program created by and administrated through the University of the South at Sewanee.  Thousands of (mostly) Episcopalians all over the world are EFM graduates, and our own Kip Cameron will join their ranks in a few weeks!  EFM is a four-year program, but participants commit to one year at a time. The first year covers the Old Testament, second year the New Testament, third year Church History, and fourth year Theology, Ethics, and Interfaith Relations.  The group meets weekly for 2 to 2 1/2 hours and has reading assignments to complete between meetings.  If you think you might be interested, please let Alice know.  The yearly cost is $375, which covers materials and administrative costs.  Think about it!  We would like to be able to re-register our group in July.

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.      

Looking forward to Fall

Wayne and Alice are planning to start Wednesday Nights at Grace this Fall, most importantly because we want to have a children's choir and Wayne needs a time to work with them.  Also this would be an opportunity to offer Spiritual Formation for those of us, who are a bit older,  in a time frame other than Sundays at 9:00 am.  More info will be  forthcoming.        

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 and earrings are in production--you will want one, or more!  T-shirt designs are complete, and we will be selling them in various venues--you will want one of those, too.)

We are now vendors at the Farmer's Market!  Two of our employees staffed our booth last Saturday.  By being vendors for the season, we get some fringe benefits.  One, we can sell our products at the Salute Saturday festival before the eclipse without paying extra or having to keep our booth open full-time.  Two, we can participate in the Christmas market,  also  without paying extra. 

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

Dates to Remember  

June 30-July 5--RECTOR AWAY

Sunday, July 2--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 2--1015 am--Holy Eucharist (Rev. Rod Murray, celebrant)

Tuesday, July 4--Independence Day (Parish Office Closed)

Wednesday, July 5--NO HOLY EUCHARIST

Saturday, July 8--6:00 pm--Sacred Space Worship

Sunday, July 9--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 9--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist

Sunday, July 9--11:30 am--Missions Group in Gaither Room

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

Sunday, July 16--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 16--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist

Sunday, July 16--11:30 am--Spiritual Formation Group

Wednesday, July 19--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers

Wednesday, July 19--5:30 pm--Vestry

Thursday, July 20--3:00 pm--Kindergarten Board

Sunday, July 23--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 23--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist

Sunday, July 23--Sacred Space Worship--6:00 pm

Wednesday, July 26--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers

Sunday, July 30--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, July 30--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist

All Sorts and Conditions

Those in our parish family in need of God's healing: Jim Coursey, Susan Valentini, Helen Marshall, Lou Stea, Bill Nichol, Bryson Alexander, Virginia Nelson

Those who are deployed: Devin Tyrrell, Dillan Tyrrell, Sam Richardson

Those who have died: Brooke Lawson (6/25)

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.