eGraceNotes from Grace Church 045 February 14 2008

News for and about Grace Episcopal Church

February 14, 2008

Grace Church web site.

Grace Church photo albums.

Sunday Volunteer Schedule

Mission Council Minutes

Email the Editor.

Email Grace Church.

The internet gateway to College Hill--our neighborhood.

The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Dear Friend,

Hopefully, you all have wonderful plans to share this special day of love with those that are close to your heart. Let's make everyday Valentine's Day by giving the gift of love to each other and acknowledging God's love for us.

Happy Valentine's Day!

To share this issue of eGracenotes with a friend click here.

Anita Triggs, editor
eGraceNotes@gracecollegehill.org

In This Issue ...

Annual Meeting Serves as a Call to Action

Mission Council Spotlight

Interfaith Discussion Group

Twin Towers Seminar

Silent Auction

Wooden Cross Leads Procession During Lent

Grace Outreach Committee

Annual Absalom Jones Celebration Service

Volunteers Needed

Body Recall & Yoga

Annual Meeting Serves as a Call to Action

The annual meeting for the Parish was held Sunday, February 3 and a number of topics were discussed, based on the Annual Reports submitted by the church staff and committees, with significant emphasis placed on the financial outlook for Grace. All members were challenged to actively contribute to the prosperity of Grace by supporting current programming, inviting potential new members to our services and other programming, and reconnecting with non-participating current members.

In addition to the business of the church, time was taken to recognize two Grace Church "Jems", Jim Dietz and Ray Betts.

Jim Dietz has served Grace Church in many capacities for over 60 years and has been instrumental in keeping the church alive. For this service he was recognized and presented with a gift from the church.

Ray Betts, former Grace Rector of 16 years, was also recognized for his continued service to the church. Ray currently serves as Rector Ameritus and faithful supporter of all things Grace.

New leaders at Grace were also acknowledged with the announcement of two new Mission Council members, Jim Beisner and Wanda Miller, they were welcomed and applauded for their willingness to support Grace in a leadership role.

The meeting ended on a positive note, with Reverend Flemister encouraging Grace members to have faith in the future of Grace. She wrote in her annual report, "I write this report filled with faith and hope for our journey together. I believe that we can learn to sing a new song at Grace. We can sing new songs of praise and thanksgiving to a gracious and faithful God who has brought us this far. The chorus of the spiritual "We've Come This Far by Faith", ring true about our journey. It says...

We've come this far by faith
Leaning on the Lord
Trusting in his Holy Word
He's never failed me yet
And oh oooh, oooh,
Can't turn around,
We've come this far by faith

Each one of us is in a different place on the journey. Some may not be able or ready to see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but I ask that you stay with us; hang in there and give your support by sharing your dream and vision, your time and talent and finally your treasure. I believe Grace has come this far by faith and there is no turning back. We can learn to sing a new song in this place. I believe that we will survive and thrive in this place. Let us hold fast to our faith and to each other, we are going to make us. Thank you and God bless you."

Mission Council Spotlight - Jim Beisner

Jim & Bruce Beisner, along with their two dogs have called College Hill their home for the past three years. Jim spent his first seven years living in Cincinnati working for a credit union. He left his final post there as the Operations Manager in 1997 to move into the IT field, specifically software development. Since that time Jim has received many Microsoft certifications, became a Project Management Professional, earned a Bachelors in

Business Administration and a Masters in Information Systems. Jim's most recent journey involved persuing a Masters in Accountancy. After several classes, he decided to take a short break from that path.

Jim and Bruce attended Grace church a few times in 2006.

After being absent for several Sunday's Bob and Florence Poyer invited the couple to their home. It was a nice way to get to know them as neighbors and now as fellow parishoners. Jim appreciated that Florence and Bob reached out to he and Bruce. After returning to Grace, Jim found Fr. John to be inspirational and approachable. In 2007, he was received into the Church along with many wonderful friends. When Jim walked through the doors as a new member, it was not his intent to become involved with Grace

Church through working on Mission Council. However, he realized that he must be open to the different ways our gifts can be used.

At this time he believes his gifts are needed. As Jim continues his journey with Grace, his hope is that the congregation continues to see God's presence in each other.

In future eGracenotes I will spotlight a member of the Mission Council, so enjoy their bios and get to know the leadership of Grace who work very hard to keep the church alive.

- Anita L. Triggs, Editor

Interfaith Discussion Group

Starting Sunday, February 17 at 1:00 p.m., Grace will begin an interfaith discussion group surrounding the book, "The Faith Club". The Faith Club is a memoir of spiritual reflections in three voices that will make readers feel as if they are eavesdropping on the authors' private conversations, provocative discussions, and often controversial opinions and conclusions. The authors wrestle with the issues of anti-Semitism, prejudice against Muslims, and preconceptions of Christians at a time when fundamentalists dominate the public face of Christianity. They write beautifully and affectingly of their families, their losses and grief, their fears and hopes for themselves and their loved ones. And as the authors reveal their deepest beliefs, readers watch the blossoming of a profound interfaith friendship and the birth of a new way of relating to others. In a final chapter, they provide detailed advice on how to start a faith club: the questions to ask, the books to read, and most important, the open-minded attitude to maintain in order to come through the experience with an enriched personal faith and understanding of others.

RSVP's to Mary McLain at maryemclain@fuse.net are appreciated, but not required - Books available for those in need. Future discussions will take place on February 24 and March 2 at 1:00 p.m.

Twin Towers Seminar Series

Twin Towers Senior Living Community will host the third installment of their three-part seminar series on Tuesday, February 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The seminar is entitled "Do Your Family and Friends Know Your Five Wishes?" and will be facilitated by Reverend Jill Croswell, Twin Towers Chaplain.

This is guaranteed to be an enlightening and spiritual evening, so make sure you RSVP by calling 513-853-2001.

Twin Towers Senior Living Community

5343 Hamilton Avenue

Cincinnati, OH 45224

Silent Auction

On March 1, 2008, Episcopal Retirement Homes is hosting a silent auction to benefit the Parish Health Ministry program at the annual Refresh Your Soul Conference, entitled A Rule for Life when Life changes the Rules. Our health ministry here at Grace has been asked to support this event by donating one or more items to be auctioned. Such items would include timeshares or weekend trips, tickets for sporting events or concerts, gift certificates to restaurants, massages, or other community businesses, and/or religious and spiritual items or monetary donations to purchase an item. We need your participation to make this a successful fundraiser. If you are willing to donate, please contact Florence Poyer, your parish health nurse at 522-9788 by Feb. 15, 2008.=

Wooden Cross Leads Procession During Lent

Grace's old wooden Children's Processional Cross will be used as our processional cross during Lent this year.
During some needed refurbishing, the following dedication was discovered on a brass ring encircling the staff:

Given to the Glory of God
By
Ruth and Byron Schonwald
In Gratitude
For Their Grandchildren
Peggy Ann, Frank Alan
And
Robert Byron Apgar
Margaret Helen
And
Nancy Ann Ibold

If anyone has any information on the history of this interesting cross, please let Ken Lyon know (513-542-2941,ken@lyonhouse.us).

Welcome the New and Revitalized Outreach Committee

At the Annual Meeting it was announced that the Stewarship Committee and the Outreach Committee would be separate committees, with Stewarship focusing on "in-reach", i.e. addressing the internal issues faced by Grace and the Outreach Committee will focus on how Grace can impact the larger community. Anne Henneberg and Judy Handy will serve as co-chairs of the committee.

To date, the Grace Outreach Committee has met and discussed how it can serve the community and the world. Some of the projects in the works are the special needs of Christ Community in College Hill, specifically generating more cereal, canned soup, peanut butter, and cake mix donations. The committee is looking forward to the African Team Ministries jewelry sale, which has been successful in the past. Several individuals have generously offered their assistance to ensure the success of the sale. This year's sale will take place on two Sunday's in April, final dates to be determined. The tutoring initiative at Pleasant Hill Academy is going well; the committee is hoping for more volunteer tutors to read to the children and assist them with basic math skills. Additionally, the Outreach Committee will be coordinating the mailing of bulletins to those unable to attend Sunday service. If you know of individuals who need a bulletin mailed to them please contact Anita L. Triggs at 513-681-0743 or outreach@gracecollegegill.org.

The committee will meet the second Monday of every month at 3:30 p.m., with a special evening meeting quarterly to accommodate those who cannot attend meetings during the day. The committee encourages people to attend the meeting to share ideas and assist with current and future initiatives.