Grace Church News, October 2020 |
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This October, Grace continues to gather online for worship, community, learning, giving thanks, the Annual General Meeting - and to gather in the parking lot for a Halloween Trunk 'N' Treat event (with all of the COVID measures in place).
This month, we continue we look at gratefulness, sharing faith stories, food insecurity and how to connect. It is also time to say thank you to you: for all you do, who you are, and for your faith.
In this newsletter, you will find:
Grace Mission Work and People
- An October Minister message on Thanksgiving
- Community Check-In: September Learnings from the VST Missional Leadership Certificate from Joanne Kellough, Clerk of Session
- Grace and Food Insecurity: The Food Bank
- A Thank You from Susan Woodward
- Faces of Grace: Andy Burnett, Convener of the Finance Committee
Grace Church Matters
What's On this Fall: How to connect:
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Giving Thanks and Knowing Our Stories: A Message from Rev. Christian, Rev. Jake and
Rev. Maren
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Dear Grace Church,
It is hard to believe that we are already watching the leaves fall, feeling the cooler temperatures and beginning to gear up for what will be a strange winter. Autumn reminds us of transition. Typically, we have an idea of what to expect in the transition at this time of year – kids are back to school, the air becomes cool, pumpkins are put out on people’s steps and schedules begin to fill again. This fall is not typical though. As much as we are transitioning into a new season, we are taking all the “pandemic baggage” with us that we’ve had throughout the summer. Covid-19 continues to put unique stressors on our lives and continues to push us in new and difficult ways. CLICK TO READ MORE
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Community Check-In: Learnings from the Missional Leadership Certificate with Joanne Kellough |
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This fall, Grace has enrolled 10 members in Year One of the Vancouver School of Theology's Missional Leadership Certificate. The first-year theme is “Missional Foundations for COVID19 and beyond”, is led by the Rev. Dr. Tim Dickau, and over seven months and six Saturdays, focuses on neighbourhood engagement, forming thicker community life, fostering affordable housing, enacting justice, forming leaders and making disciples. This month, Joanne Kellough, Clerk of Session, shares.
What did you learn in the September session?
- We identified barriers to forming missional community and building a theology of community (secularism, autonomy, consumerism, globalized economy, inequality, racism, and human induced climate change). CLICK TO READ MORE
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Grace and Food Insecurity: Grace a Calgary Food Bank Satellite Location |
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This October 1, Grace started work as a satellite location for the Calgary Food Bank, to help improve food distribution in the Beltline. This is a six-month pilot program that aims to serve up to 15 Beltline area families or individuals who are pre-scheduled through the Calgary Food Bank.
Addressing food insecurity has been a focus for Grace for many years. Pre-pandemic, Grace teamed up with Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids, making use of the commercial kitchen where lunches were prepared for students attending Beltline neighbourhood schools. During the pandemic, and over the summer, Grace teamed up with I Can for Kids and NSTEP to support families and children from Connaught School with grocery gift cards and fresh produce. More details on the Food Bank pilot project to come next month...
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Faces of Grace: Andy Burnett, Convener of the Finance Committee |
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This month Andy Burnett presents a Grace Finances Report at the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, October 25. Reports will be posted on the website page by October 11 and questions can be submitted ahead of the AGM. RSVP and submit questions on this page.
What is your role as the Convener of the Finances Committee?
My role is to have the high-level overview of the finances of Grace. I have an easy job with Rob (Rob McDonald is Grace's Treasurer) there - he does most of the heavy lifting. My job is to oversee what we all think the needs of the church will be financially and to monitor the budget. CLICK TO READ MORE
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We need you this Halloween! |
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Trunk N Treat is on this October 31, Halloween night. We need your help!
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A Thank You from Susan Woodward |
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On Sunday, August 30, the Choir and Grace Presbyterian Church held a farewell event for Susan in the south parking lot. This week Susan sent in a note of thanks.
Hello friends of Grace,
Please accept my sincere gratitude for allowing me the great privilege of serving as Music Director at Grace. My time with you has been filled with much joy, happiness in getting to know you, rewarding music making with excellent musicians and nurturing and uplifting worship.
I thank you for the super Farewell Parking Lot Event on August 30. It was wonderful to be together after such a long time. I also thank you for the thoughtful gift presented to me. If you were unable to be present I received, on your behalf, a $500 gift certificate to Golf Town. Golfing is a new adventure for me so this gift is greatly appreciated.
I look forward to when we can see each other again. I miss you all! With much love,
Susan
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Church Matters: October Updates |
October Worship: Knowing Our Stories
3 in 1 Worship focuses on giving thanks and knowing our stories this month. Looking for past 3 in 1 services? Find them on Grace's YouTube channel here. Sign up on this page to have worship services emailed to you on Sunday mornings by 10:00 a.m.
Notice of Annual General Meeting: Sunday, October 25 at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom
Please RSVP for the AGM Zoom meeting through the website page. You can sign up individually, or as a household if you are sharing a computer. You can attend by computer or by phone. (Struggling to sign up? Contact the Grace office at office@gracecalgary.org.) The AGM page contains:
- an online registration form where you can RSVP
- an agenda
- downloadable PDF reports and documents (posted by October 11)
- a form to submit questions ahead of the meeting
Ad Hoc Stewardship Committee Plan Underway
The Stewardship Committee has been tasked by Session to develop a one-year Stewardship plan that will be presented to Session in November. The plan encompasses time, treasure and talent! More details to come following the November Session meeting.
Session Highlights
Exit Interview Report for the Rev. Dr. Jean Morris and the Rev. Dr. Nick Athanasiadis
The Exit Interview Report is complete. It has been mailed out, emailed, and can be found on this website page.
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Questions for the AGM
If you have a question on AGM reports, share them ahead of time. Submit questions through the website page.
Do you have a question? Please email office@gracecalgary.org. We will do our best to point you to the answer or find out what it is and add it to the website page FAQ:COVID-19 here!
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A Call for Stories and Photos |
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Knowing our story is part of the work taking place at Grace this fall. Do you want to share your story, or something you are doing at Grace, through the newsletter? Do you have a photo to submit? Email communications@gracecalgary.org. |
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Fall Online Worship, Connections,
Resources & Links
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Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to no later than 8:00 p.m. September 16 to October 21
Fall Bible Study: Book of Acts (ZOOM)
Kick off September by joining the Book of Acts Bible study, led by Rev. Christian Persaud. The Book of Acts is the fifth book of the New Testament and focuses on Acts of the Apostles, the founding, spread and history of the Early Church. Learn more and sign up through the website here.
Saturday, October 31, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Grace Trunk 'N' Treat Halloween Event, Grace South Parking Lot
Children and Youth are planning the outdoor parking lot Trunk N Treat Halloween event 2020! We need: trick or treaters, candy fund donations and vehicle registrations! Learn more.
Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to no later than 8:00 p.m. November 4 to December 9
Zoom Book Study: Why Jesus? by Will Willimon (2021 Preaching Grace Speaker)
Sign up for the book study on Why Jesus? by Will Willimon, Preacher, Teacher and Writer (of more than 70 books!). Will Willimon is the guest preacher for the February 2021 Online Preaching Grace event. Led by Rev. Christian Persaud. Sign up now and order you book as soon as possible - if you are looking for a print copy. Sign up through the website page.
Ongoing
DWELL Coffee: ZOOM CALL: DWELL focuses on connection between members and digs into the scripture for the week. Join DWELL by emailing office@gracecalgary.org. DWELL sessions are hosted by both lay leaders and Rev. Jake.
Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Grace Kids Online (ZOOM)
Beginning September 13, Church School will meet via Zoom from 10:00 to 10:30 each Sunday morning. Learn more here. Volunteer Call for Grace Kids Online: We’re eager to continue the faith formation of our children and hope volunteers will be willing to help with one Sunday per month. Training, technology support and lesson materials will all be provided. Please contact Cindy Stephenson, Coordinator of Volunteers cindys@gracecalgary.org to learn more.
Sundays, 7:00 p.m.
Grace Youth Online: Down Time with Jesus (ZOOM) with Elena Kroeker
A Sunday evening check-in and wind down as youth get ready for the week ahead. Connect through reflection on a bible story, sharing and the tea/hot chocolate of the week! Invitation, stories and tea of the week are sent to youth weekly by snail mail. Open to any student in Jr. or Sr. High. Learn more here.
Links for Resources
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Our goal is to create value with this newsletter, so it’s helpful to know what you think. Send your feedback to communications@gracecalgary.org. We may not always be able to incorporate suggestions, but we’ll do what we can to respond to interest and need.
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1009 15 Avenue SW, Calgary AB T2R 0S5 | 403-244-5861
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