Relief for those affected by Hurricane Harvey

Our hearts go out to the people of the Gulf Coast who have been devastated by the effects and after-effects of Hurricane Harvey.  If you are wondering about the best way to provide financial assistance, Episcopal Relief and Development is a wonderful vehicle for us to use, and we can feel confident that our gifts are being used appropriately and well.  If you would like to make a gift to ERD through Grace Church, write a check made out to Grace, indicating that it is for ERD or "flood relief" and put it in the offering plate on Sunday, or send a check to the church.  We will put our gifts together and send them to ERD from Grace Church.  Thank you!

Sunday Flowers

We have had a shortage of people signing up to give flowers for use for Sunday morning services, and at least three times the church has provided the flowers.  Rather than continue in that way, there will be no flowers on September 3.  There are at least three openings on the schedule for upcoming weeks, and we hope some of you will want to fill in the blanks. Flowers contribute so much to the beauty of the worship experience and are a wonderful way to remember or honor important people in our lives.  

The Bishop is coming!

Bishop White will be with us on October 29 for his annual (sort of!) visit. This will be an opportunity for people who want to "officially" be Episcopalians to be confirmed or received into the church.  Please let the Rector know ASAP if you are in that category or if you know of others who might be thinking about it.  

Eclipse Activities (UPDATE)

Hopkinsville, AKA Eclipseville, is a-buzz with eclipse plans, and Grace Church has eclipse fever as well.  GraceWorks is selling T-shirts as fast as we can make them, and we will be selling them along with other GraceWorks items from Friday, 8/18, through Monday, 8/21.  Friday through Sunday sales will be at a temporary Farmer's Market location, and Monday sales will be at Grace during what we are calling "The Episcopal Hospitality Hub for the Great American Eclipse."  We have advertised through the Diocese of KY, the Diocese of Lexington, and Episcopal News Service--and we are receiving calls for registrations.  For $30 per adult and $15 per child, registrants, most of whom will be driving into Hopkinsville for the day, will receive a reserved parking space, light lunch prior to the eclipse, a cooling area, restrooms, water, and access to purchase GW items.  Also, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 3:00 to 5:00, Alice will be available at the labyrinth to orient visitors to the history and practice of the labyrinth.  On Sunday at 5:00 we are hosting an interfaith worship service at the labyrinth which will include readings and prayers from various faith traditions and music which is inclusive of all faiths.  All are welcome!  (If you would like to help with hospitality on Monday, please let Alice know.  If you are unable to help but would like to make a contribution, please donate cases of water--either Sunday or early next week.Thanks!)   (WE HAD A GREAT DAY!  MADE GOOD FRIENDS, SOLD A BUNDLE OF GRACEWORKS T-SHIRTS, SHARED AN AWE-INSPIRING EXPERIENCE TOGETHER!)

Update on the new roof (UPDATE)

Our roofers, from Bouldin Roofing of Russellville, have been hard at work for two weeks, and will definitely be with us through next week.  The Gaither Building has been a challenge with its steep pitch and complicated structure.  Those of us who have been watching the progress have been fascinated with the process and amazed with the stamina of the workers, often working 12-hour days in extreme heat.  Last Sunday we had our worship in All Saints, and we will do that again this Sunday.  (WELL, THREE WEEKS LATER, WE'RE STILL IN ALL SAINTS!  THE ROOFERS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT HAVE BEEN HAMPERED SOME BY WEATHER AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF OUR ROOF.  HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE BACK IN THE CHURCH BY SEPTEMBER 10!)

Grace School for 2017-2018

Open-house is Tuesday evening, and school starts on Wednesday.  Everything is taking shape.  Teachers have been doing a lot of work on their rooms and assure that teachers are notorious about doing things at the last minute. Please support Grace School!  We will be taking chrysanthemum orders soon, and cookie dough can't be far behind!  

Positions to be filled at Diocesan Convention

Have you ever considered serving our church by offering to serve on a Diocesan committee?  Our next Diocesan Convention is scheduled for November 10-11 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Louisville, and new members for the following committees will be elected: Trustees & Council, Standing Committee, Trustees of the Bishop Dudley Memorial Trust, Trustees of the University of the South, Disciplinary Board for Ecclesiastical Discipline, and Representative to the Christ Church Cathedral Chapter. Contact the Rector for more information.  Nominations are due September 8.   

Prayer Group

We have started a Prayer Group on Wednesdays at 11:00 am, lasting about 45 minutes.  If you would like to explore ways to enhance your prayer life and feel supported by others in your spiritual life, please come and join us,  in the quietest space we can find, given the roofers' noise.    

Alzheimer's Walk

The coordinator for the "Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's" has made a plea for churches to develop "teams" to participate in this year's walk on September 23.  Please join with us in supporting this effort!  More information and sign-up sheets forthcoming.  

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? (with updated update)

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.   (Update:  We now have a cross-design created with the additional straw bales that were contributed. Squash and tomatoes are producing, and Fall flowers have been planted.  Look and see!)     

Looking forward to Fall (UPDATE)

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.   (STARTS SEPTEMBER 13!)    

Dates to Remember  

Sunday, September 3--9:00 am--Adult Forum

Sunday, September 3--10:15 am--Holy Eucharist Rite II

Monday, September 4--LABOR DAY HOLIDAY (Parish Office Closed)

Tuesday, September 5--5:00 pm--Grace School Open House

Wednesday, September 6--11:00 am--Prayer Group

Wednesday, September 6--12:10 pm--Holy Eucharist and Healing Prayers

Wednesday, September 6--8:00 am-- Students begin the year at Grace School

Sunday, September 10--9:00 am--Adult Forum and Good Shepherd begins

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, Lannie Ross

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

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.