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News from Grace Episcopal Church ~ Martinez, California
October 3, 2019
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Scripture of the Week
"
The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied, '
If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.'
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Luke 17:5-6
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"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.
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This Sunday in Godly Play
Last Sunday we heard the creation story. This Sunday we move with the people of God to the re-creation and God's promise to Noah, to God's family and to us. It is one of the children's favorite stories, and why shouldn't it be? It involves a beautiful wooden arc and dozens of animals. But it also includes something even more special - the rainbow which is God's promise that there will never again be such a flood. The children are invited to wonder what part of the story they like best and which part is most important.
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Stephen Ministry Workshop THIS Saturday
Date: Saturday, October 5
Venue: Christ Episcopal Church, Alameda
Times: Check-in and registration begin at 8:00 am (snacks provided!)
Workshop 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system.
Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers-called Stephen Ministers-to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.
The workshop is designed for churches in our general area who have shown an interest in Stephen Ministry. This is a great opportunity to get a feel for the ministry, so please consider joining the workshop. If interested, please contact Dru Grissom.
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Wendy Heyse memorial THIS SATURDAY
A memorial for our sister Wendy Heyse will be held on Saturday, October 5, at 2:30 pm here at Grace. All are welcome.
A reception will follow the service. If you are able to bring a finger food to share, it would be much appreciated.
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Blessing of the Animals, October 6
On October 6, parish pets are invited to join their humans at both services for The Blessing of the Animals in honor of the Feast of St. Francis. All kinds of companions (including stuffed) and their humans are welcome! This is an excellent opportunity to bring friends to church.
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Outreach meeting THIS SUNDAY
Grace's Outreach Committee facilitates opportunities for parishioners to provide assistance to people and organizations in the greater community. Our next meeting is
Sunday October 6, 2019 and will take place after the 10:00 service. All are welcome!
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Our Annual Bocce Tournament and BBQ
THIS Sunday, October 6, 12-4 pm
at Rodgers-Smith Park, Pleasant Hill
Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share.
For more information contact: Sandy Taylor (925) 458-5040
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Yoga Scheduling Change
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 are 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.
There will be n
o Yoga on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
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"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put back into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." Luke 6:38
Over the next few months the Finance Committee will be setting our budget for 2020. We are grateful for the many ministries of Grace, including providing assistance to those in the larger community (service), creating beautiful worship opportunities, spreading God's good word beyond our parish walls (welcome), growing in understanding and grace (education), having fun together (parish life), and caring for our physical plant (stewardship). We cannot continue to do this good work without your pledge of time, talent, and treasure. Please prayerfully consider what you would like to contribute to our life together and to the work of the Jesus Movement in this community. You can find more information about pledging
here. Thank you.
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Good news! Our city construction crew has reported that they have completed the most disruptive work on Muir Station Road and
it will no longer be closed. It will, however, be restricted to one lane during the daylight hours on weekdays, so you will continue to see flag people at either end of the road. Please continue to allow extra time if you need to visit the church during the week.
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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, see or contact Music Director Arthur Omura.
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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 at music@gracechurchmtz.org.
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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
Wednesday, October 16, at 6:30 p.m., at Smooth Season restaurant at Muir Station shopping center, when we will discuss
The Lottery by D.K. Wall.
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at Grace Church!
Saturday, October 19, 2019
5pm Social Hour ~ 6pm Dinner
$25 (general); $6 (ages 10 and under)
German food, music, entertainment, and raffle.
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Faithful Forums
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).
On October 20, we will welcome The Rev. Canon Abbott Bailey, Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of California. Canon Abbott will be Presiding and Preaching at both the 8 and 10 a.m. services and then conducting a forum on the role of the Canon to the Ordinary in our church structure. She will also answer your questions about the policies and procedures of DioCal. Please come out to welcome her warmly!
Future dates and topics include:
November 17
, Sustaining Earth, Our Island Home conversation with the Environmental Ministry of the Diocese of California
December 15, SWEEPS Ministry Fair
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Wednesday Bible Study: Following the Way of Jesus, Church's Teachings for a Changing World
Each Wednesday at 10 a.m. we offer Holy Eucharist followed by Bible Study in our Chapel.
There will be no Eucharist or Bible Study on October 2 because of Clergy Conference.
We are now studying, "Following the Way
of Jesus." According to Church Publishing, "
With the launch of the
Church's Teachings for a Changing World
series, visionary Episcopal thinkers and leaders have teamed up to write a new set of books, grounded and thoughtful enough for seminarians and leaders, concise and accessible enough for newcomers, with a host of discussion resources that help readers to dig deep. [Presiding Bishop]
Michael Curry leads off this volume with a clarion call for Episcopalians to join the Jesus Movement. A team of the church's brightest stars follow up with reflections on the practice of ministry in light of the movement."
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St. Christopher's Guild Survey
St. Christopher's Guild is currently examining their mission. Please take a moment to answer this
very brief survey about this ministry. This survey is open to EVERYONE, regardless of gender or association with the group. Currently we only have responses from those already familiar with their work.
We would like to hear from everyone. Hard copies are available on the table in the Narthex.
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Preaching Politics
Rev. Deb was recently asked by a parishioner to clarify governmental and church policies on church involvement in politics. In response, she wrote an informative article for the Martinez Gazette. You can find it at
Martinez Gazette Preaching Politics article
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Season 2 of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's "Way of Love" podcast online now
Join Bishop Michael Curry of The Episcopal Church as he guides us through the practices of the Way of Love: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest. In season 2 of this podcast, Bishop Curry talks with our hosts, Sandy Milien and Kyle Oliver, and others about following the Way of Love - beyond the church walls. Subscribe now and listen each week wherever you get your podcasts.
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Save the date and tell your friends!
Kids' All Hallow's Eve Party
Sunday, October 27
2 - 3:30 p.m.
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Night of Light!
The Episcopal Impact fund serves organizations that address the root causes of poverty in the Bay Area, both financial and through mentorship and guidance. Inspired by the teachings of the Gospel, we share a vision of a Bay Area without poverty. The Episcopal Impact Fund's annual fundraiser,
The Night of Light will take place on
Friday, November 1. Grace Martinez has bought a table for this black tie event. There are a limited number of free seats available. If you are interested, please let Rev. Deb know as soon as possible.
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Delivery people needed!
Our Casserole Patrol is in need of folks willing to deliver meals to those who have requested them. This involves picking up the food from the church and delivering them to recipients. If you are able to help, please contact Connie Towey.
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The Second Annual Grace Martinez Thanksgiving Dinner
Last year Rev. Deb and her family decided they would like to have Thanksgiving Dinner at Grace. By the grace of God and lots of volunteers, we were able to share dinner with about 40 people! This year we'd like to do a bit more advanced planning and are looking for folks to help with this. If you are interested, please let
Rev. Deb know. Thanks in advance!
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Be part of the online directory
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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:
- 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
- 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
- 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.
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Coffee Hour
An updated Coffee Hour schedule is now posted for the months of September through December on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Please be sure to take a look at it for your assigned Sunday. There are still two open dates (December 8 and December 29) to be filled. This is a great opportunity to team up with someone and host during this fellowship time following the 10:00 service! Questions: Email Coffee Hour Coordinator Tina Reich or leave a note in her box if you have any questions. Please remember that if you can't do your assigned date, you are asked to make arrangements for a substitute.
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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 many 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.
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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! |
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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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