1.  Trees & Arboretum Status. Grace trees received their annual care -- our biggest annual expense in the grounds budget -- by the International Standards for Arborists (ISA)certified arborists at ABC Tree Care on Thursday. They worked all day in our grounds, removing dead wood and pruning most large trees. Meanwhile, we expect next week to receive our final (we hope) inspection from the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council to acquire Level Two Arboretum Status, upon which our state wide certification hangs. Fingers crossed! 

2. Sunday, 12 December, "Coveralls & Christmas Sweaters" Advent Hour of Service on the grounds. Meet at Pavilion at 12:15. We will be doing final clearing of gardens on the east side of the church, and if we have enough helpers, a final culling of the Welcome and Memorial Gardens on Belvoir Avenue. Terry Burnett will provide a have a crockpot of chili and a vegetarian potato soup option in the Pavilion -- thanks, Terry! 

3.  Help wanted. We expect to renovate both our major pollinator gardens along Sunbeam Avenue this winter/spring. If you would like to learn how to garden with native plants, two of Chattanooga's expert native plant gardeners Kristina and Lisa (no brag, just fact) will be taking on this project. WE NEED HELP installing and especially with LONG TERM MAINTENANCE of these areas. Please let us know if you're interested or would like hands on learning! This is the type of project you can work in on your own, once you learn how to do it.

4. Sign up now for Master Gardener Classes at the UT Extension services. This excellent program has a morning and an evening class, beginning 24 January 2022. See details at https://mghc.org/ 

GREENGRACE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM:  Sunday, 12 December, 9:30 am in the Rebecca Merritt Room (3d Nave floor). What does it mean "to save the world?" We are having a concept, start- up meeting for all persons interested in taking action to preserve species and combat climate change with local action in our homes, neighborhoods, and region. If you can't make the meeting, you can find Lisa afterwards in and around the Pavilion to discuss any aspect of this that interests you.

With only two Sundays left in our campaign to collect $25 Walmart gift cards for the group home we help out at Christmas, we're getting close to the official "time's a wastin'" territory. Not quite time to start bellowing "Fish or cut bait!" or one of its myriad variations, but getting very close! So if you're planning to participate, head off to the Walmart of your choice and grab some gift cards. You may place them in the box in the Narthex or slip them into the alms-bags; you may mail them, bring them by yourself or appoint a courier to transport them. It is Time to Act -- get hopping!

Sunday's services will include the lighting of the Advent wreath and a musical introit from the choir at the beginning of the service.

For the safety of the community, we encourage all to take advantage of vaccinations and boosters, and we ask that all who attend either service or any indoor activity wear masks. The 10:45 a.m. service will be streamed online for those who are unable to attend. You can access the service at Grace's Facebook page , and you can find the bulletin for that service HERE.

If you have questions or concerns about worship practices, please feel free to contact April (aberends@saygrace.net) or Senior Warden, Andy Belcher (belcherandrewr@gmail.com).

Contact David Stanislawski at David.Stanislawski@chattanoogastate.edu with any questions.

Christmas is on the way, and Grace is looking forward in a big way to celebrating it together -- in person! -- with our traditional two services on Christmas Eve. You're invited to either -- or both -- services -- whatever fits your schedule. If you are new to Grace of if Christmas 2019 and previous nativity liturgies have melted into what feels like a far-distant past, here's what you'll find at these services:

The 5 p.m. service is geared towards families who have children that need not to be up too late, parents who have to wrestle together unfathomable toys that Santa neglected to assemble, and anyone who wants to welcome the birth of Jesus but needs to do it before the clock strikes midnight and their brains turn into pumpkins.

The 11 p.m. service features more music and in fact is prefaced by a half-hour of Christmas music that begins at 10:30. This one is best for those who can't feel Christmas has been properly greeted without voices and violins, those who have family events in the early evening and don't want to run out on their kin, those who need an excuse to escape the kinfolk who have begun their political lectures, night owls, and those who simply find that the light of Christ shines more brightly in the dark of night.

Grace will NOT offer a service on Christmas day itself; those who want or need to be in church on the 25th can take advantage of services at other area churches.

Calling all former choristers! Traditionally, the Grace Choir assembles a "Sweet & Savory" champagne reception after the Christmas Eve service, to celebrate all participating musicians and their guests. This year, we will also include the hard working Altar Guild and wish to especially invite all choir alumni who have sung in the past, no matter how briefly. Y'all come! Bring a small sweet or savory dish to share and drop it off in the Undercroft before Service; the kitchen/fridge should be open.

It’s time to think about Christmas poinsettias! If you’d like to purchase one or more plants for the decoration of the Nave for Christmas services, please pick up a form in the Narthex, use the form printed beneath the announcements in this bulletin, or call/e-mail the office to make arrangements and provide dedications (243-3257/office@saygrace.net). Cost is $20 per plant, and we must have your dedications no later than Friday, December 17. If you don’t want a plant but would like to make a donation towards Christmas flowers, you are welcome to do that in any amount you want, and you may submit dedications as well! There are forms in both the Sunday bulletin and on the table in the Narthex.

While scripture may teach us that darkness and light are the same to the Lord, it must also be noted that darkness is much less expensive to those who are paying EPB for the light. Grace has had an epidemic lately of lights being left on after hours, which is neither economical nor environmentally sound. If you have occasion to turn on lights at Grace when the buildings are not in general use, please make sure to turn them out when you get ready to leave. Re-locking doors you unlocked to come in -- the courtyard door near the Sacristy is the most frequent entry in question -- will also be greatly appreciated.

https://support.breezechms.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002329954-Breeze-App .

We are trying to track down a QR code that will help speed along those who want to give on the spot, but it is proving elusive. We hope to corner it soon!

Those who have reached the celebrated age of 70-and-a-half -- a nice, round number! -- can avoid some taxes by donating money from their Required Minimum Distribution. In order to make the donation tax-free, the check MUST come directly from the IRA; it doesn't work if you take the distribution and then write the check yourself. These donations do not provide you with a deduction, but they do take the donated amount out of your taxable income, which can sometimes keep you from landing in a higher tax bracket, causing taxation on Social Security or raising the level of that taxation. The amount is limited to $100,000 (please endeavor to hide your disappointment!), and there may be a window of time during which this is possible. If this sounds like a good option for you, we encourage you to check with your CPA and/or financial advisor to make sure this is a sensible donation method for you.

HERE : https://us04web.zoom.us/j/780772724

& the password is: compline 

We are deeply grateful to all those in the church and in the Belvoir neighborhood who unceasingly supply this ministry, whether through donations of actual food or the means to get it. Your gifts help us address one of the most basic needs, and through your grace and generosity, a great deal of misery is fended off each week.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church of Canada. The Anglican Communion has adopted a cycle of prayer called "From Aba to Zululand," praying its way alphabetically through its members on a daily basis between January 1, 2021 and September 2023. The newsletter and, in the future, the printed bulletin, will include the prayers for Sunday; if you would like to see the daily prayer requests, you can find them at ACoP.

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Pray for St. Francis, Norris, TN, and these South Dakota churches: Holy Name, St. Albans, Messiah.