GRACE MOVIE MATINEE 1 p.m. THIS SUNDAY, March 8th: Groundhog Day

You read correctly: "Matinee". It's our first! We initially showed this iconic 1993 Harold Remis comedy (starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell) Sunday night, February 9th. However, due to snowfall only two hardcore couples drove to the Parish Hall. This reemergence of the Groundhog will give everyone a second chance to see this hilarious but thought provoking movie. "Thought provoking" because it poses the question: What would you do if given infinite opportunities to make the best use of a single day? And what better movie to repeat than Groundhog Day?!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GncQtURdcE4

 

You can stick around after this Sunday's Eucharist and coffee hour, or just come at 1pm. That works well for guests, who can also join you for worship and socializing, or just show up for the movie. As usual, there will be a discussion afterwards.  

 

LENTEN SOUP AND STUDY IN MARCH  

 

Meal begins at 6 pm; 6:45-7:30 for study and discussion of Adam Hamilton's The Walk. All sessions are held at Galena United Methodist Church on Bench Street.

 

March 10th   Study -  Hosted by Grace Episcopal Church  

March 17th   Serve - Hosted by Lord of Love Lutheran Church

March 24th   Give - Hosted by Westminster Presbyterian Church 

March 31st   Share - Hosted by Galena United Methodist Church

April 7th          Five Practices from the Cross - TBA  

 

LENTEN SUNDAYS 

Sundays March 8th-March 29th    10:30am Penitential Order, Rite I
In this Lenten season that parallels Jesus' 40 days of preparation in the wilderness, we are not morose but more reflective, preparing ourselves spiritually for Jesus' death on the cross and God's gift of love that overcame death.   

As a follow-up to last week's suggestions about changes in our communion practices during this time of concern about the corona virus, here are the measures suggested by Bishop Lee as ways to limit the spread of the virus:

• It is entirely appropriate to use hand sanitizer visibly when celebrating the Eucharist or distributing the elements.
• Congregations should avoid intinction (the dipping of the host or bread into the chalice).
• Some research suggests that illness is less likely to spread when metal, rather than ceramic, chalices are used.
• If worshippers are concerned or are feeling unwell, they can be reminded that we receive the fullness of communion by receiving only the bread.
• Hugging and handshaking are best avoided at the moment. Instead, worshipers can greet one another during the peace with waves, bows, or other signs that don't involve physical contact.
• People who are ill can be encouraged to stay home and assured they will be included in the congregation's prayers.
• Coffee hour and feeding program volunteers can be reminded to wash their hands and handle food with plastic gloves or utensils.

Dear Donna M Davis,

+ Joseph

Thanks for
Outreach Lunch at Dubuque Rescue Mission. 
A big thank you to all of you who helped with our

Dubuque Rescue Mission meal! We served 90 people and it was very much appreciated.. Grace Church is blessed with generous members who spent time in the the Parish House kitchen preparing the main entrees the day ahead, (Ann Berry, Donna Davis, Teresa Burke, Cathie Elsbree, and Terri Jackman); who baked dessert brownies/bars (Mary Foltz, Ann Berry, Kathy Shannon, Charlotte Stryker, Lynn Giles and Diane Banas); and who prepped and served the meal at the Rescue Mission (Tom Van Gelder, Al and Cathie Elsbree, Deb Pausz, Terri Jackman, and Carmen Ferguson). You are truly a wonderful group!             -Karlyn Van Gelder

 

  

Discussions of the next Theological Thriller, Charles Williams', Descent into Hell, are scheduled for the last two Saturdays in March: March 21st and March 28th from 2:00 to 4:00pm in the upstairs meeting room in Parish Hall. 

 

Williams (18 86-1945), along with C. S. Lewis and J. R. Tolkien, was one of the Oxford group known as the Inklings. Like Lewis in particular, Williams' fiction skirts the boundaries of realism, in an amalgam of theology, myth, and a recognizable English landscape with human characters like ourselves. Our group read the first of his novels, War in Heaven, over a year ago, and with this one we will, if interest is sufficient, turn to the last as a Lenten "read."   

On Saturday, June 20, 2020, there will be a convention to elect the next Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago. Grace Church may register three voting delegates plus one alternate (who will attend only if one of the three delegates is unable to attend). In advance of the Convention, there will be a walk-about of the diocese. The candidates will travel around the diocese so all the delegates will have a chance to listen to and perhaps meet them. Grace Church delegates will probably have to travel to Rockford for this event. If you wish to be considered by the Vestry as a delegate or alternate, please contact Lynn Giles (text/call 815-757-2011 or email lynngiles @lynngilesphotography.com)

 

Due to the seating capacity of St. James Cathedral, attendance at the special convention is limited to voting participants.  

 

Convention Preliminary Schedule*

* Please note that once convention business begins, scheduled times for voting and breaks will be determined by the chair of convention.

• 8-10 am: Registration open in St. James Commons (65 E. Huron). Coffee and refreshments will be available.
• 10-11 am: Eucharist in St. James Cathedral
• 11:15 am: Convention Call to Order

Transportation, Parking and Lodging

Summer Saturdays are busy in Chicago, especially in the cathedral neighborhood, and using public transportation is strongly encouraged. Advance reservations for hotels and parking  are strongly recommended where possible.

• Discounted parking is available at Millennium Center Self Park (33 W. Ontario) and Rush-Ohio-Wabash Self Park (50 E. Ohio St.)
• Parking apps like SpotHero and ParkWhiz may be helpful to reserve a space in advance
• Blocks of hotel rooms will be reserved. More information to come.