GRACE NOTES
Grace Episcopal Church September 2018
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This summer, on a walking pilgrimage of St. Cuthbert's Way in the Scottish Borders, my kids skipped rocks on the River Tweed. I remember watching them try again and again to get 2 skips, then 3, then 4, then 5. Some rocks hit once and sank to the bottom with a disappointing liquid thud. Others, however, ran across the water with ease only lightly touching the surface before rising back up to fly a bit farther. Skipping rocks is a skill and it takes practice...lots of practice. On my best try, I achieved two skips (nothing to write home about).
Our walking pilgrimage reminded me that practice is about coming back again and again to the things that challenge us. It's coming back and revisiting our limitations and our fears. Practice is facing the things we thought we could not do and then being overjoyed when we accomplish something new. We practiced a lot of things on our 42 mile trek this summer. Things like patience, endurance, and courage - those things that helped us individually move through the long days on the trail. But we also practiced things like compassion, encouragement, and grace - those things we gave to each other when one of us struggled to keep up.
Our practice together was a gift that grounded us as a family and reminded us that when we work together, when we practice the things that matter most, we create a stronger bond with one another. Isn't that what our faith is all about - coming back week after week to focus on what matters most? It's the practice that renews our soul, grounds our purpose, and guides us ever closer to God.
This fall, practice your faith in a new way. Keep coming back and allow yourself to draw closer to God and to one another. Be surprised at what you learn along the way. And, when you have a chance - skip a rock or two.
Emily
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Please note that starting
September 16, 2018
our regular Sunday Schedule will resume.
Sunday Service Schedule
9:00 am Holy Eucharist
11:00 am Holy Eucharist
The Nursery is Open! We will now be providing nursery care for our youngest members during the 11 am service. The nursery is located downstairs in the Parish Hall. We are excited to offer this ministry for our families.
Community Prayer Service
Second Saturday of Every Month at 5:00 pm
We invite you to get involved with leading our worship services this fall! Consider serving as an acolyte, usher, lector, or intercessor. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Cindy this week if you would like to participate.
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THE CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY
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The Celebration of New Ministry for Emily and Grace Church is
Sunday, September 9th at 4:00 pm.
Don't forget...there is only ONE service on this Sunday.
What is a Celebration of New Ministry? It's a special Rite within the Episcopal Church where the Bishop comes to bless the mutual ministry of a Rector and the congregation. Emily began her service at Grace in July of 2016 as Priest-in-Charge and was appointed to serve as Rector on January 1st of this year. It is upon the appointment of a Rector, that this blessing traditionally takes place. During the Celebration, Emily will commit herself to faithfully serve the Grace Church community and the community will commit to uphold and support Emily in her ministry.
The service will be followed by a reception and a special video presentation that you won't want to miss! We hope you can come and be a part of this very special day!
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Our Thursday study group kicks off again on September 20 at 10:00 am with two opportunities to think more deeply about faith and our world.
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The Soul of America
Book Discussion
September 20 & 27
10:00 am - 11:30 am
In this two part series, we will consider the effects of fear and faith in our nation's history. Where has fear been a catalyst of division, hostility and mistrust? Where has faith allowed healing and goodwill to rise above our division? Join us as we look at how our collective hope can help us create new paths of unity in times of discord. Please purchase your own copy of the book.
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
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The Way of Love
Bishop Michael Curry's New Study on
Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life
October 4, 11, 18, 15
November 1, 8, 15
10:00 am - 11:30 am
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:17-19
In the first century Jesus of Nazareth inspired a movement. A community of people whose lives were centered on Jesus Christ and committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial, and redemptive love. Before they were called “church” or “Christian,” this Jesus Movement was simply called “the way.”
Today I believe our vocation is to live as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. But how can we together grow more deeply with Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, so we can bear witness to his way of love in and for the world?
The deep roots of our Christian tradition may offer just such a path. For centuries, monastic communities have shaped their lives around rhythms and disciplines for following Jesus together. Such a pattern is known as a “Rule of Life.” The framework you now hold – The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Life – outlines a Rule for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.
It is designed to be spare and spacious, so that individuals, ministry groups, congregations, and networks can flesh it out in unique ways and build a church-wide treasure trove of stories and resources. There is no specific order you need to follow. If you already keep a Rule or spiritual disciplines, you might reflect and discover how that path intersects with this one. By entering into reflection, discernment and commitment around the practices of Turn - Learn - Pray - Worship - Bless - Go - Rest, I pray we will grow as communities following the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus. His way has the power to change each of our lives and to change this world.
Your brother in the Way of Jesus,
+Michael
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry
Primate and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
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We are excited to kick off a new learning opportunity for adults and youth! The Rector's Forum and the Hot Chocolate Hour will be held once a month between the 9 am and 11 am services. We will consider a different theme each month that will help us think more critically about the intersection of faith and society.
Fall Dates and Themes
September 23 - Hospitality
October 28 - Vulnerability
November 18 - Blame
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The Rector's Forum
will be held in the Parish Hall. In September we will read an article along with our youth about radical hospitality. You may find the article here:
Together, we will consider how our trust and/or distrust of those who are different than ourselves have shaped our current social climate.
Want to read a little more? Check out the introduction to
The Dignity of Difference
by Jonathan Sacks. Email Emily for a copy. The readings are short so please read in advance and be ready to share your thoughts at the Forum.
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Hot Chocolate Hour
will be held in the Youth Room downstairs. We will use a short reading by Brother David Vryhof of the Society of St. John the Evangelist to guide our discussion. Br. David reflects on the story of Zaccheus and what it meant for Jesus to reach beyond public opinion to befriend someone outcast by society.
RSVP is required to Emily by September 18 if your child will attend. All ages are welcome. We will divide our group as needed to keep the discussion age appropriate.
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Grace doesn't stop in the summer doing God's work in Goochland. Here are just a few highlights of the work we have done together:
- Participating in Relay for Life on June 15th.
- Volunteering at the Food Pantry every Tuesday.
- Providing 20 kids with new backbacks and supplies for the YMCA's Bright Beginnings Backpack program.
- Serving Caritas families alongside St. Matthews last week.
Thanks to everyone who helped make these Outreach events such a success!
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OPEN MIC NIGHT
We are excited to present our first ever
Open Mic Night
at Grace Church. It will take place on Saturday, November 3rd from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Parish Hall. We welcome all who would like to share a song, some instrumental music, a poem, a story, whatever gift you would like to share. There will be a sound system available.
All ages are welcome.
We hope to open this up to the community as well. If you have any questions please contact Dee Kysor at 804-356-0200 or
deevmom@comcast.net
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CHOIR NOTES
If you love to sing, please consider joining the choir this Fall. We have a great time together making a joyful noise. You do not need to read music. We would love to have enough members to have two people on each part even when someone is out of town. If you are uncertain, please join us for a practice or two. We would love to see you there. We practice on Sunday mornings at 10 am in the choir room. Sometimes we also practice after the 11 am service, if we are working on something special. If you have any questions please contact Dee Kysor at 804-356-0200, or
deevmom@comcast.net
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Every week, Grace publishes an Enews communication. If you aren't receiving it, let Cindy know so we can add your email address to the list.
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If you want to check out events or see pictures of Grace folks, go to our facebook page
@gracechurchgoochland
or join our new instagram page
gracechurch2955
.
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Need a new printed directory? Email Cindy at gracechurch2955@gmail.com and she will leave one for you or drop it in the mail.
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Second Saturdays - September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8
5:00 pm
Community Prayer Service
Sunday, September 9
4:00 pm
(One service only, nursery will be provided)
Bishop Visit/New Ministry Celebration/Reception
Sunday, September 16
9:00 am and 11:00 am
(with nursery care)
Two Worship Services Resume
SUNDAY PROGRAMS
September 23, October 28, November 18
Rector's Forum & Youth Hot Chocolate Hour
THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY
September 20 and 27
10:00 am
Book Discussion-
The Soul of America
October 4 - November 15
10:00 am
The Way of Love
OTHER DATES
Sunday, October 7
11:00 am
Blessing of the Animals
November 3
6:30 pm
Open Mic Night
Sunday, November 4
Now into the World
Pledge Commitment Sunday
Saturday, November 10
Holiday Bazaar
Sunday, December 2
Advent Begins/Advent Breakfast
For a copy of the full calendar including times,
August 30, 2018
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Grace Episcopal Church
2955 River Road West
Goochland VA 23063
804-556-3051
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