Many years ago, we developed our "tagline" which is "Find yourself at Grace Church." It was meant as both an invitation to come to Grace Church, and a way of gaining greater understanding of who we are in God. Grace Church is a great community to discover and a wonderful way to discover one's purpose.
This week, we hear the story of Jesus encountering the four fishermen and simply stating "Follow me." The men drop everything and go, leaving their family and livelihood behind to discover what Jesus has in mind for them and for the world.
Today in our country, we hear many different voices calling us to "Follow me." How do we know which one to consider? A friend of mine recently answered this question by saying that he considers the loyalties of the other followers. Are they about peace? Justice? Love? Will we be led to a place that is good for all or just a few? Just what will we find out about ourselves in that particular community? I think my friend has a great way to check the authenticity of the voice calling him.
Jesus states quite simply to each of us to follow him: follow Jesus and find your self in God.
In the Way of Love,
Debbie
This Sunday
This Sunday, we consider our commitment to follow Jesus.
At 10:00 am, Tim Braughler and Jason Stonehouse will be assisting with the service. Jason will also be leading us as we consider what action we will take to recommit to our call as disciples. You may join the service via Zoom or on Facebook Live.
At 4:00 pm, Joanne Moar will give the reflection. The music and prayers will come from the Celtic tradition, and will also have a call to commitment. This service is also available on Zoom and Facebook Live.
If you would like to offer a 2-3 minute reflection for upcoming Celtic Evensongs, please email gcis1@verizon.net.
Please join us wherever you are
in your search for meaning.
Everyone is welcome at any and all services at
Grace Episcopal Church
Upcoming Service Leaders
Jan 31 Barbara Layne, Peggy Carter
Ryan Patten
Feb 7 Matt and Adeola vanHamersveld
Jane Stewart
Feb 14 The Rosses
Eric Wagner
A new copy of the worship schedule is found on the website
Parish Prayer List
Please keep the following in your prayers:
The preaceful repose of the soul of Bill Morgan, the family of Bill Morgan as they grieve, Linda Whalen, Bob Peterson, Nancy Brown, Brian Peterson, Robert Squillaro, Jenny, Deb Papps, Becky, the peaceful repose of the soul of Richard Wagner, The family of Richard Wagner, especially Eric, as they grieve.
If you have prayer requests, please email regathering@gracechurchsalem.org by Tuesday at noon for publication in that week's e-news. Your request will remain on the list until Easter unless you ask to have it removed.
Annual Meeting
As a result of the pandemic and our measures to stay as safe as possible, we will be holding a virtual Annual Meeting. We have chosen Shrove Tuesday as the date of our meeting.
One may not immediately think of the festivities of Mardi Gras when one first hears the words, “Annual Meeting,” but we are hoping this meeting will not just be deliberative, but will have some celebration as well. As such, we will be holding the first Pancake Decorating Contest. We are hoping that as you are making your pancakes for Shrove Tuesday you can be a creative as you like for this show stopping event. The Rector will be judging the pancakes early in the meeting so that they can be eaten while in session! There are other activities in the works too. Keep an eye out for announcements.
Liberating Ourselves from Racism
Online Training
Offered on Zoom on three consecutive
Saturday mornings in Lent
to parishes of the North Shore Deanery
February 20, February 27 and March 6, 2021,
9:00 – 10:30 am
Liberating Ourselves From Racism (LOFR) is a program offered by the Mission Institute that engages communities and congregations through a powerful education series geared towards inviting them into the critical work of examining racism internally, interpersonally and systemically.
We were scheduled to participate in the four-part, in-person LOFR training last spring, but had to cancel as a result of the pandemic. While we await the time when it will be safe for us to gather again, we will move forward by offering module one of the Mission Institute’s new online training.
Module One consists of creating trust among participants and deepening relationship. Anti-racism work and transformation moves at the speed of trust; thus, it is foundational in this work.
We will explore the history of racism in ourselves, and on the North Shore. Were our towns and parishes beneficiaries of the slave trade? How welcoming have we been to those who are different than us? How does this history inform our present day understanding of racism and racial justice?
We will meet in a total of three 1.5 hour zoom sessions, working in both large and small groups.
NOTE: It is important to understand that this online training will only be the beginning. The group that will form will continue in fall of 2021 or early 2022 with the four-part, in-person training, building on the knowledge and trust that has been achieved amongst members.
Who should participate? This training is being hosted and paid for by the North Shore Deanery, which comprises 15 Episcopal churches from Lynn to Rockport, Danvers to Topsfield. Parishes are forming teams that include clergy, a vestry member and other interested parishioners, including adolescents.
It is recommended that a minimum of three people join your team. Each person must commit to participating in all three online Zoom sessions, as well as the four-part, in-person Liberating Ourselves from Racism training that will take place in the fall of 2021 or early 2022.
This is not a drop-in course. Each session builds on the ones before it, and trust is built among attendees. You will look at yourself and your parish in terms of your faith in addressing this critical issue of our time, and how to be a voice for justice and speak out against racism and white supremacy.
Please let Debbie know by February 1 if you are interested by emailing gcis1@verizon.net.
