For the last few weeks, our Adult Formation Study has focused on Black Poets. We are fortunate to have a few professional poets in our congregation and others who have studied and taught the works of many of the poets we have read.
We, as a parish, are striving to be anti-racist. This means more than just not being racist, it means actively becoming aware of the impact white culture has on us and others and working to dismantle those aspects of our culture which limit our ability to live as liberated children of God.
One aspect of this is our perspective of artists. Whether considering writers, or painters, or composers and musicians, we have a tendency to envision White folk as artists (unless, of course, we are considering Black art). This is why we are studying Black poets rather than Black poetry.
We still have two weeks left of our Study. Tonight, we will learn about Sonia Sanchez and look at her haikus. Next week, we will conclude the series with a look at the works of Audre Lorde. The Zoom link may be found at the left sidebar under "Bible Study"
In the Way of Love,
Debbie
This Sunday
This Sunday is the familiar story of the miracle of the feeding of the 5000.
At 9:30 am, the Church School will gather to engage in a story and to work on the Abundant Life Garden with Melissa Barnes.
At 10:00 am, we will celebrate the Eucharist. Barbara Layne will be assisting and Barbara and Lisa Duffy will be our ushers. If you will not be there physically, you may engage with the service on either Facebook or on Zoom, using the links on the sidebar.
At 4:00 pm, our Celtic Evensong with Communion will have Paul Massari give a reflection. You may also engage with this service on Facebook.
Please join us wherever you are
in your search for meaning.
Everyone is welcome at any and all services at
Grace Episcopal Church
Parish Prayer List
Please keep the following in your prayers:
Martin Ryan, Kristin Gourley, Scott Tucker, Zan Duffy, Dianne, Linda Whalen, Deb Guilford, Kim Colvin, Sarah Colvin Duffy, Michael Towey, Christine Reichert, Nancy Brown, Jesse Kamp, Stacia, Bob Peterson, Brian Peterson, Robert Squillaro, Jenny, Loretta and Kris, Deb Papps, Derek Fuller and Family, Kathy Southern, Becky, the people of Palestine, and the Salem Public Schools. For an end to racism, gun violence and oppression.
If you have prayer requests, please email regathering@gracechurchsalem.org by Tuesday at noon for publication in that week's e-news.
Regathering News
The following protocols are in place if your wish to attend our services in-person:
Diocesan and state health guidelines prevail. Please observe the procedures listed below, and as always, thank you for observing these protocols, which is an expression of your care for everyone in the Parish family.
Everyone must wear a mask inside the church and maintain six foot social distancing between households.
Please enter the church by the front Church door. Please wait to be greeted and maintain social distancing until an usher is available to invite you into the space.
As you enter and exit the church, please use hand sanitizer, which will be available at the entrance and in the pews.
Bulletins will be available on the table as you enter. They will also be electronically available. If you take a bulletin, please take it home with you at the end of the service.
Please place your offering in one of the Offering Plates on your way in. If you forget or arrive late, you may place it in the plate by the chapel door on your way out.
An usher will seat you in an open pew, starting at the front of the church. In order to maintain 6-foot social distancing in the pews, one person will be seated at each end. Members of the same household may sit together.
We will exchange the Peace with the Priest verbally. There will be no “passing” of the Peace with others.
Communion will be offered at the end of the service in one kind (host only). The Rector will distribute communion to parishioners in their pews. After the Rector distributes communion and steps away, you may remove your mask to consume the host. The Rector will then dismiss you. An usher will then direct you to exit the church via the Chapel door.
The restrooms are available, but we ask that they be used by only one person (or household) at a time.
For the time being, there is no coffee hour following the service.
Caveat: We are so happy to see you in person but please remember to stay home if you are experiencing COVID symptoms, have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID, or have been asked to quarantine or self-isolate.
Back by Popular Demand:
The Grace Church Healthy Challenge!!
This year our “Healthy Challenge” fundraiser will take place in August 2021. This is a fun activity for all ages, from age 2 – 100! Here is how it works: Participants create an individual healthy goal challenge to be completed during August. The goal can be anything that keeps you strong and healthy in mind, body, or spirit, e.g., practicing yoga every day, walking daily, getting 8 hours sleep, participating in an exercise class, meditating daily, eating an extra serving of vegetables each day, or even dropping a few pounds.
The next step is to obtain sponsors and/or sponsor yourself, whatever works best. A sponsor sheet is available here.
If you can participate, please send an email to Fundraising@gracechurchsalem.org. with your name and activity so that the Fundraising Committee can keep track of who is participating. We can answer any questions and will reach out to you with a reminder when it is time for you to collect donations from your sponsors. Funds raised will support Grace Church in its operations and mission. At the end of August, checks should be made out to Grace Church with “Healthy Challenge” in the memo line.
Northeast Animal Shelter Needs Supplies
We are in desperate need of clean towels, flat sheets, and blankets, as well as, newspaper and poop bags. Our shelter is open to donation drop offs every day 10-6!
