News from Grace Episcopal Church ~ Martinez, California 
February 20, 2020
Scripture of the Week

"W e have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God . "   
2 Peter 1:19-21
"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. During the summer we continue to offer Nursery Care. School age children are invited to join their families in the Sanctuary. We provide coloring and drawing materials, books, and soft toys, as well as a children's area for children who prefer not to sit in the pews with their families.
This week in Godly Play: Parable of the Good Shepherd
 
Today we tell one of the great parables: The Parable of the Good Shepherd.  The children learn of the shepherd who searches for his one lost sheep and the leaves the ninety-nine sheep to do so.  The children are invited to wonder if the sheep are happy inside the sheepfold and where this place could really be.  And we ask them to wonder if they have ever been lost and ever been found.  And finally to wonder if the Good Shepherd has ever called them by their name.  
Rev. Deb away

Rev. Deb is away from the office from until February 25. If you have a pastoral care emergency, please call the regular church phone number (925) 2288-6574 and follow the directions for emergencies. 
Upper Lot Discernment

At the Annual Meeting Rev. Deb announced that  in 2020 we will embark on a discernment process which will help us discover God's plan for our upper lot.  Discernment involves not just thinking about what we might do, but actively praying and discussing our options in community. The first step of this process will be to take suggestions from this community of Christ. Everyone is invited to submit any and all ideas for use of the upper lot.  You can submit your ideas to the box in the Parish Hall or by email to: upperlot@gracechurchmtz.org
New Parish Administrator

We are delighted to announce that we have hired Sarah Williams to be our new Parish Administrator. Sarah is currently the part-time Parish Administrator at St. Clement's in Berkeley and St. John's Presbyterian Church in Berkeley. We will be sharing Sarah with St. Clement's, where she will continue to work part-time.  Sarah comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in church administration. All of our staff has met her and find her to be delightful! She will be at Grace on Tuesday afternoons and all-day Thursday and will complete the rest of her 20 hours per week in the "cloud." Sarah will begin on March 3rd and she and Jennifer will overlap for a month so that Jennifer can train her in the ways of Grace. Please welcome her warmly!
Collecting Palm Crosses
In preparation for Ash Wednesday, the Altar Guild is collecting palm crosses from previous Palm Sundays so they can be burned to make ashes for the service. Please put them in the basket on the table in the Narthex.  Thank you!
In other pre-Lent news...

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner - February 25, 6 p.m. Many thanks to Jes Senn and John Heyse, who volunteered to chair.  Shrove (or Fat) Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. In preparation for Lent, many Protestant churches host pancake dinners to represent the purging of rich food items like butter and processed meat prior to our Lenten fasts. Many thanks to those who have signed up to help with set-up, cooking, or clean-up. There is still room for a few more helpers. Please see the sign-up sheet on the table in the vestibule of the Parish Hall or let the The Parish Office know if you are interested!

 Lenten Breakfasts?????
Jes and John have also volunteered to coordinate the Lenten Breakfasts, which are also a tradition at Grace. We like to offer breakfast between the 8 and 10 a.m. services on each Sunday of Lent. Like other long-term Grace events, however, these gatherings have become dependent on a very small group of people providing a great deal of work. In order to continue this tradition, we need to have volunteers for EACH SUNDAY lined up BEFORE Ash Wednesday, February 26. There are sign-up sheets on the clipboard on the table in the vestibule outside of the Parish Hall.   
 
Currently there is a shortage of sign-ups. If we don't have a full slate of volunteers by Ash Wednesday, we will cancel the breakfasts. 
Lent begins SOON!
Here are some resources on how to have a Holy (and fun) Lent (without giving up chocolate)!

There are many ways to honor the special 40 day season of preparation for Easter. Here are a few:
 
Listen to the message from our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Bruce Michael Curry found HERE
 
Pay attention to God: Pick up "The Way of Love in Lent 2020 Calendar" in the entrance way to the Parish Hall. Each day has a brief Bible verse and a question to consider.

Do a  Carbon Fast . Consider how you might lessen your negative impact on the planet by using less and conserving more.  For tips go to  Carbon Fast information
 
Pray more:  Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten podcasts: Each day during Lent subscribers receive a daily reflection, co-authored by a group of faith leaders from across the church. During this season of reflection on our Christian faith, their writings will enhance your spiritual journey as they both inspire and challenge you. You can sign-up here. Other ways to feel closer to God include Pray as you go, a daily prayer session, designed to go with you wherever you go, to help you pray whenever you find time, but particularly whilst traveling to and from work, study, etc. A new prayer session is produced every day of the working week and one session for the weekend. It is not a 'Thought for the Day,' a sermon or a bible-study, but rather a framework for your own prayer. Lasting between ten and thirteen minutes, it combines music, scripture and some questions for reflection.
 
Learn and inwardly digest: Observe Join us for our Wednesday Bible Study following our 10 a.m. Eucharist. Starting on March 4, we will be studying, Life Transformed: the Way of Love in Lent. 
The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life, self-giving, and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption.
 
Spend time with your family:  Observe Lent as a family by trying out the "Lent in a Bag" project. You can find it here .
 
Bring in items for the CORE Team and The Deacon's Pantry, a ministry of Grace, both of which provide donations of food and other items for individuals in need.
 
Plan ahead:  The Grace Worship and Liturgy Committee offers its yearly reminder for  Grace's parishioners to complete their funeral arrangements and final instructions. Death and dying can be difficult issues to discuss, but it is a great blessing to our loved ones when we plan ahead for our own eventual death. This is especially true for families whose members are of different faiths (or no faith). To that end, we have developed resources about funerals in the Episcopal Church. These are available on our website. Please consider participating. 
 
Go crazy for Lent:  Want to be inspired by some saintly souls this Lent and have fun along the way? Join with thousands of Christians across denominations who have discovered the joyful online learning community that is Lent Madness. With its unique blend of competition, education, and humor, Lent Madness allows participants to be inspired by the ways in which God has worked through the lives of saints over the generations. Based loosely on the NCAA basketball tournament of a similar name, this online devotion pits 32 saints against one another in a single-elimination bracket as voters choose their favorites throughout Lent.  Here's how to participate: on the weekdays of Lent, information is posted at  www.lentmadness.org  about two different saints. Each pairing remains open for 24 hours as participants read about and then vote to determine which saint moves on to the next round. Sixteen saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.
Lent is coming!

Here is the Grace Lenten services schedule.
February 26, Ash Wednesday 
10 a.m. Ash Wednesday Liturgy
12 noon - 2 p.m. Ashes to Go (various locations)
7 p.m. Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Starting on March 1 and continuing throughout Lent, we will begin our liturgy with The Penitential Order, which includes recitation of the Ten Commandments and Confession of Sin.  The Penitential Order is often used as an entrance rite during Lent to emphasize the penitential aspect of Eucharist during this solemn season. We will change our Eucharistic Prayer as well as our form for the Prayers of the People to mark the change of liturgical season.
Sundays during Lent
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist II
10 a.m. Choral Eucharist
Wednesdays during Lent
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist followed by Lenten Bible Study: Living the Way of Love
April 5, Palm Sunday
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist II
10 a.m. Choral Eucharist
April 9, Maundy Thursday
6 p.m. beginning in the Parish Hall with Soup supper, Foot Washing, followed by Stripping of the Altar;
Overnight Vigil in the Sanctuary following the service (hourly shifts by sign-up)
April 10, Good Friday
12 p.m. Stations of the Cross
7 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy
April 11, Holy Saturday
11 a.m. Holy Saturday Liturgy in the Atrium
8:30 p.m. Easter Vigil with the Exsultet and The Lighting of the Paschal Candle
April 12, Happy Easter !
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist II
10 a.m. Choral Eucharist followed by Egg Hunt

 
Wednesday Holy Eucharist and Bible Study
There will be no Wednesday Holy Eucharist and Bible Study on Wednesday, February 26. Please join us for Ash Wednesday services in the church at 10 a.m.
We will begin our Lenten Bible Study on March 4. "Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent."
45th Annual
St. Patrick's Dinner
Saturday, March 14
Tickets now on sale!
$20/person ($10/child 6-12; 5 and under free) 5:30 p.m. Social Hour; 6:30 p.m. Dinner includes corned beef brisket, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, soda bread, dessert. (There will be kid-friendly options for children - Dino-nuggets) And you will be entertained by Irish step dancers, Raffle, and St. Patrick's Day/Ireland Trivia! The St. Patrick's Dinner has been a popular, annual fundraising event at Grace for many years. We are pleased to announce that the Kennedy family has offered to chair the event. As first-time hosts, they are looking for all the help they can get, so please volunteer to assist if you can! The sign-up sheet in on the table in the vestibule of the Parish Hall. For more information email Melissa Rodrigue-Kennedy at duckme2@gmail.com. by email. 
Contra Costa Interfaith Housing Changes Name

Nearly 20 years ago, Grace joined with dozens of other faith community partners to help Contra Costa Interfaith Housing (CCIH) address homelessness in our community. Since that time, we have partnered with CCIH to create Garden Park Apartments and many other effective solutions to ending homelessness for our most vulnerable neighbors. Many of our community members have been integral in growing the impact of this organization in our community.
 
To start 2020, CCIH has some exciting news. As part of its five-year strategic plan, CCIH will now have a new name and identity. The new name, Hope Solutions, reflects the essence of how the organization supports its residents and how it will grow its impact in the future.  
 
The name reflects the hope that we all hold for their clients until they can hold it for themselves. Hope Solutions continually invites their clients to dare to hope while offering concrete solutions and support to heal and thrive.  
 
This new name carries the organization into the future and reinforces its position as a heart-centered organization focused on providing quality housing, ongoing support, and the courage to hope. CCIH, now Hope Solutions, always welcomes your help. 
Attention Grace Youth and their caregivers! Spend part of your summer changing your life!
 
The event : Episcopal Youth Event at the University of Maryland, College Park.  Over 2000 Episcopalian youth from across the country will gather.
The cost : $400 all inclusive per youth.  This includes everything - airfare, lodging,food etc.  The Diocese of California is committed to our youth by putting their money where their mouth is.   Caren Miles of the diocese has been empowered to underwrite a large portion of the cost. Grace can also help with scholarship money!
The dates: Leave on July 7 with a return flight on July 11
Minimum age and grade: must be a rising 10th grader and 15 by July 7
Commitment timeline: Can you let us know in a week and a half if you are genuinely interested? I'd like to have a tentative list of names by February 29.  I would like a $50 deposit by March 6. You can make a check out to our church and we will deposit it as one lump sum to the diocese.
Fundraising : The diocese would like your youth to participate in fundraising opportunities at church over the next few months.  You can write a check for the non-underwritten amount, but I would encourage the youth to be involved in the fundraising process. 
Get ready to party like it's 1870!

Did you know that our church is the second oldest in the county, and that it turns 150 years old this July?  To celebrate this momentous occasion our Planning Committee needs your suggestions. Please let us know your ideas via email at  Gracemtz150@gmail.com, or speak with co-chairs John Vander Kamp or Melissa Rodrigue-Kennedy.
Grace Book Club  
Read any good books lately? Want to participate in a book discussion group? Come drop in on the Grace Book Club! We meet on the third Wednesday of the month. We'd love to see you! Our next get-together is March 18, at 6:30 p.m., at Smooth Season restaurant at Muir Station shopping center, when we will discuss What the Eyes Don't See :
A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City , by Mona Hanna-Attisha. For more information call/text Jennifer Sabroe at (925) 383-8386.   
The Amazing Grace Youth Choir!
Young people ages 7-17 are invited to join in learning to read, appreciate and perform music in a low-stress environment.
Rehearsals are on Sundays at noon (following our 10 a.m. service and coffee hour). To enroll, contact Music Director Arthur Omura by calling the parish office (925) 228-6574, after the greeting, select Option 4.   
Make a joyful noise! 
Be part of the joyful liturgy at Grace by lending your voice to the choir. Choir rehearsals at Grace are Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. You don't need experience or even the ability to read music. Please join this amazing ministry! 
For more information contact Music Director Arthur Omura by calling the parish office (925) 228-6574, after the greeting, select Option 4.   
Faithful Forums 2020
Grace offers monthly educational forums on broad-ranging topics like The Dead Sea Scrolls, Episcopal Polity, Recycling, and Emergency Preparedness for congregations. These take place in the Parish Hall following our 10 a.m. service (approximately 11:30 a.m.) 

Future dates and topics include:
March 15: The Very Rev. Donald Brown will present on the theories and meaning of Salvation through Jesus Christ .
April 26:  Martinez Vice-Mayor Noralea Gipner and Martinez Police Community Service Officer Rodney Brinser will talk about efforts in Martinez to alleviate homelessness.
May 17:  John Cumming, President of the Board of the San Francisco Night Ministry will talk about this important ministry to people who live on the streets in San Francisco. 
June 21: The Rev. Will McGarvey will introduce the work of The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. 
Online Directory 
 
E arlier this year Grace moved to a new church recordkeeping solution called RealmĀ® Inform to  serve the administrative needs of our church. The online directory feature is 
an important part of the way we connect with each other.  We know that it is an adjustment to go from a paper to online directory, but it is now the primary way the church office can reach you, so please enter your information in it.  The information below will help you do that.  Remember, regardless of whether you opt-in to the directory, by keeping your information current, you are helping Rev. Deb and church staff.

Church members get a unique Profile that contains information that you want people in our church to know about you. When you're logged in to your Profile you can update your contact information, change family details, display your photo, and view the online directory. You can customize your privacy settings to select as much or as little contact information to display in the directory. 
If you are a church member and fit any of the scenarios below, please contact Parish Administrator Jennifer Sabroe, info@gracechurchmtz.org
-         You want access to the online directory (aka Realm) but haven't gotten around to creating a login,
-         You want your contact information available to fellow parishioners in the online directory (aka Realm) but don't want to do the login thing, or don't have a computer,
-         You don't want to be in the directory, but want to confirm or update your contact information for the church office.
Flower and Candle Dedications
We are blessed by having fresh flowers on our altar each week. These are paid for by parishioners who wish to dedicate flowers (or candles) in thanksgiving or memory of loved ones. There are open dates available on the flower and candle dedication calendar, located in the Narthex. When signing up for a date on the chart, please be sure to also write your name on the corresponding date in the flower dedication notebook (located on the little table below the chart). Suggested donation $35. The candle dedication notebook on the table under the bulletin board. Suggested donation $5.
Martinez Clothing Exchange
(aka Homeless Showers)
February 17th Updated Needs
 
The Martinez Clothing Exchange program is in need of the following items. These items have been completely depleted or are very low from their stock. Please consider donating items this week!
Men's Pants: Waist 30, 32,4
Men's Tshirts: Med and Large
Men's Sweatshirts: Med Large
Men's Long underwear in all sizes
Men's Shoes
Men's Baseball hats
Belts 
Women's Tank tops and camis: Small and Medium
Women's Underwear: Small and Medium
Women's Sports Bras: Small and Medium
Women's Jeans Size 2,4,6
Women's Long Sleeve Shirts and Sweatshirts 
Leggings: Small and Medium
Wet wipes
Hairbrushes
Shaving cream
Toothpaste and mouthwash
Reading glasses 2.0+
Bags: Heavy shopping bags, duffel, backpacks   
All items should be outdoor, cold-weather appropriate, no dress clothes or warm weather clothing 
 
Only requested items should be dropped off at donation locations. This is strictly a volunteer-run effort and when unwanted and unneeded items are donated, it creates additional work for volunteers who have to sort, organize and find alternative destinations for unrequested items. We are limited on storage space as well so please HELP US as we work TOGETHER to help our community.
WHERE DO I DONATE?
 
Items LISTED ABOVE can be donated on Fridays at the Clothing Exchange from 9 AM - 1 PM in the parking lot of NorCal Sports at Waterfront Park or dropped off on the porch of 2221 Castro Street.  *Please consider neatly folding and sorting items prior to donation.
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS VITAL EFFORT!
  C.O.R.E. Homeless Outreach donations
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 provides the C.O.R.E. team with needed items to distribute to individuals suffering from homelessness. This is an ongoing project, so we are requesting:
  • Sleeping bags
  • Blankets (moving blankets are inexpensive and durable)
  • Backpacks - ideally large capacity, durability is less important as they are frequently lost or stolen after a few weeks/months
  • Hygiene items including (but not limited to) soap, shampoo, oral care, shower wipes, shaving supplies, feminine hygiene items
  • Incontinence products (e.g. "Depend") (men's and women's) all sizes
  • 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
  • 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). Please leave donations in the Narthex.
Coffee Hour
The Coffee Hour schedule is posted in the Parish Hall. Thank you to all those who signed up to host and for your generosity in making coffee hour welcoming to newcomers and enjoyable for us all. If you are new to Grace and have questions about coffee hour, give Tina a call at 925-266-0567 or email her at deadheadtina63@att.net.
Yoga at Grace

Please join Certified Yoga Instructor Noah Yuzna on Tuesdays at 6:15 for a class which is suitable for all ages and ability levels. The class is free with all proceeds divided between Noah and the Church. 
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!
Do you have an announcement?
If you have a parish-related announcement for the bulletin or Grace Notes - meeting reminders, upcoming events, special requests, etc. - please email the text of your announcement to the Parish Office 
by end of day on Tuesday. Thank you.

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Serving the community of Martinez
and Contra Costa County since 1868.

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