News from Grace Episcopal Church ~ Martinez, California
August 16, 2018 
Scripture of the Week

" J esus said, 'I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh... Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."
John 6:51, 57-58
"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs."  Jesus


At Grace, we have Godly Play (Sunday School) during the school year, but children and youth share in the ministry of the church year-round, serving as acolytes, readers, and oblation bearers. 
 
THIS SUNDAY: This Sunday is Family Sunday. There will be simpler music and a Children's Homily and the children will help Rev. Deb bless the bread and wine. There is a children's area near the piano at the rear of the sanctuary with toys, books, and coloring materials for children who do not enjoy sitting in the pews.  There is Nursery Care for babies and young toddlers in the education building.
 
Rev. Deb on vacation
Reverend Deb is on vacation

Reverend Deb will return this Saturday, August 18, in time for the Luau (see announcement below). If you have any pastoral needs in her absence, please contact Rev. Walter
Yoga at Grace
We have begun Yoga classes at Grace! We welcome certified Yoga Instructor Noah Yuzna every  Tuesday evening at 6:15 p.m. to conduct a 60 minute yoga class.  All levels are welcome and modifications will be available for folks with limited mobility.  Classes are open to the community and there is no set cost.  Participants are invited to contribute what they can for each class.  Invite your friends!
Bible Study for Everyone!
On Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. at Grace we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, followed by Bible Study.  Next week we will continue our examination of the letters of Paul, which are much of the basis for Christian theology. We are using Church  of England bishop and theologian N.T. Wright's series, "Paul for Everyone." The passage is Galatians 3:15-22 and the questions we will consider are, "What is/was God's intention for humanity?" "What does it mean to be 'Abraham's seed'?" and "How is this understanding relevant to our modern view of ethnicity and religion?"  Please join us!
pineapple-header.gif
LUAU!
Saturday, August 18
5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
(Meal served at 6:30 p.m.)
Share Aloha with this FUNdraiser dinner event, including Hawaiian music and dancers, hosted by Saint Christopher's Guild.  
Tickets now on sale! 
$25 (General); $10 (age 6-12); Free age 5 and under
Contact Sandy Taylor at (925) 458-5040 or   email 
  Tell your family and friends! 
Hospitality Committee resurrected at Grace
We are restarting the Hospitality Committee at Grace.  This group will be responsible for continuing to make every person who enters our doors feel welcome and to become full members of our wonderful community. Please join new Chairperson Christina Reich for an organizing meeting on Sunday, August 19 at 9 a.m. in the Education Building. All are welcome! 
All Parish Work Day

We have a beautiful campus and many "angels" who help maintain it, but bigger jobs require all hands on deck. Please set aside
Saturday, August 25, beginning at 8am for an All Parish Work Day. We have quite a long task list, including:

- Completing painting the Parish Office Doors
- Cleaning of gutters
-Stump removal
-Clean up of the back of the Parish Hall
- Washing of Windows
- Roof flashing repair
- Sign placement
and other fun projects!

All able-bodied parishioners are welcome to help and folks with physical limitations are invited to come and supervise!   
We will provide a.m. coffee and snacks, as well as pizza for lunch.   
Work will begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue until Rev. Deb keels over.  
But, seriously, we don't want anyone keeling over, so come for whatever length of time you are comfortable. Work is fun when we do it togethe r! Community service hours available for teens! 
Greeter's meeting

There will be a Greeter's meeting on Sunday, August 26 following the 8 a.m. service in the Sanctuary.  Please plan to attend.  Thank you!
Youth Group gathering

There will be a Youth Group meeting on Sunday, August 26 at 6 p.m. at the church.  We will play shaving cream whiffle ball (?!) and bid good-bye to Katie White-Spenik as she heads off to college.

Coming soon: The Grace Directory Online

We have been growing so much that we are in desperate need of a new Parish Directory. In order to make things as convenient, confidential, and environmentally-friendly as possible, we are opting to use an online format. Parishioners will be given the opportunity to "opt in" to the directory and will have direct control over their own entries. At about the same time, we will be switching our mailing server from Constant Contact to Mail Chimp.  This means you will need to opt-in to Grace Notes and church mailings as well.  Stay tuned for more information and instructions!
 
Supporting C.O.R.E. Homeless Outreach

Grace Church is partnering with the C.O.R.E. Homeless Outreach team to assist our homeless brothers and sisters. C.O.R.E stands for Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement. It is a program of the Housing and Homeless Services Division of Contra Costa County Health Services. Grace will be providing the C.O.R.E. team with needed items to distribute to individuals suffering from homelessness. Requested items are:

- Backpacks - ideally large capacity, durability is less important as they are frequently lost or stolen after a few weeks/months
- Healthy food - preferable non-perishable items that don't require cooking, a can opener, or good teeth. Pull-top cans are good.
- Bottles of water
- Hygiene items including (but not limited to) soap, shampoo, oral care, shower wipes, shaving supplies, feminine hygiene items
- Socks
- Sunscreen
- Pet food (in particular, wet food in pull-top cans). Other pet goodies would be appreciated too!

We also encourage parishioners to consider developing the habit of thinking of our homeless neighbors when shopping (i.e. picking up an extra item or two) and traveling (bringing home the hotel soaps/shampoo).

Parishioners are invited to make donations of items by leaving them in the bin in the Narthex (labeled "C.O.R.E. Outreach"), and the members of the C.O.R.E. team will pick them up and distribute them while doing their mobile outreach work in the local community.
backpack-sm.jpg
School Backpacks/Supplies Drive 
 
We have 60 backpacks to fill and we're off to a great start with the donations collection. Thank you, wonderful church family for your support, enthusiasm and generosity! There is still a ways to go though, so if you are able,   please click here for the Suggested School Supplies List . Hard copies are available in the Narthex and Parish Hall. Every little bit helps, is greatly appreciated, and definitely makes a difference! Donations may be dropped in the labeled box in the Narthex .

Backpack Stuffing is scheduled for Sunday, September 9, beginning at 9:45(ish) a.m. The task usually takes 2-3 hours. Everyone is invited to help! You can join the work party any time between 9:45-12:30pm. Backpacks will be delivered to Martinez Jr. High on Wednesday, September 12.
Youth Representatives sought

Each year the Diocese of California holds its Annual Convention to address the business of the church, including election of lay and clergy officials, consideration of resolutions, and approval of the diocesan budget.  In September, the Contra Costa Deanery, of which Grace is a member, will select two youth appointees to the Convention. This individual will be able to observe and offer feedback on the work of the Convention. We would be delighted if one of this year's CCD youth delegates came from Grace, Martinez.  If you are interested or would like to nominate one of our youth members for this role, please let  Rev. Deb know.
Your Community of Christ Needs You!
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."  1 Corinthians 12:4-7
 
Just like the early Christians, we are a community of many different people with many talents and we need everyone to provide for the community. The Altar Guild ministry is currently in need of additional volunteers. Members of the Altar Guild work in teams and help prepare the church for worship . Please consider thoughtfully and prayerfully if this is a ministry that you could do for the good of the church. Contact  Rev. Deb revdeb@gracechurchmtz.org or Altar Guild Director Elaine Quigley.

 

 

Grace Episcopal Church Martinez is on Amazon Smile. If you are shopping at Amazon, simply go to the Grace Martinez Amazon Smile link and we will receive a portion of their sale to you.  Spread the word!

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: