"This was an AWESOME night the creator has given us. I can't believe the turnout that we had. It would seem there is a shift in going to church. "This ain't your Parent's" spirituality." Bob Laake and I feel very blessed to have been placed in the right place at the right time. It seems to be a  revival of old time religion.

"Please forward this to all who attended and thank them for allowing us to be part of their blessings as we receive much more than we all give!"

"The service tonight went very well.  J White and I talked afterwards and estimated we had at least 36 folks there.  It may have been as high as the 40's.  I didn't count until I was done praying, and by then some had left.  Looking out at the congregation we had more than most Sundays.
 
"There is a very good spirit at this service and I thank you all for inviting me to participate.
 
"There is some movement to expand the service to twice a month.  I'd be up for it but we need to listen and see where the Spirit is calling."

 

The Celebration of Wholeness and Healing, aka "Healing Service with African Drumming and Reiki" is a service that employs both traditional and non-traditional healing methods: African Drumming and Reiki, plus the traditional healing prayer and laying on of hands. The service is based on the concept of release of tension through African drumming, restoration of peace through quietness and solitude, and prayer for continued health through the laying on of hands.

On the second Wednesday of most months, we make space and time to allow God to move in our midst as we celebrate God's overwhelming love for each one of us.

The service includes a liturgy of healing prayers and African drumming and culminates with opportunities for Reike and the traditional laying-on-of-hands and anointing with holy oil.

The drumming begins at 6:30 pm, the service begins at 7 pm.

Bob Laake (above) leads the drummers for this service. Learn more about the power of healing drumming on Bob Laake's Drum for Healing page.

More Drumming

Bob Laake tells us that there is an "Open Drum for Fun Circle" every Thursday from 7 to 9 pm at the Riverside Coffee Mill, 177 South Riverside Drive, Batavia, Ohio.

Bob says,

Mary McLain, Ray Betts and Florence Poyer reported Sunday some highlights of last week's Diocesan Convention.

Blessing of Same-Sex Unions OK'd

Mary McLain reported on Bishop Breidenthal's decision to "move deliberately toward the implementation of a policy that will permit and govern the blessings of [same-sex] unions in Southern Ohio," and to " ...[lift] the prohibition on the blessing of same-sex unions in this diocese, effective Easter 2010."

The announcement was contained in the Bishop's Address to convention. Mary read aloud the part of the address that pertains to same-sex unions, to prevent any confusion that might arise from press reports. You can read that text beginning at the bottom of page 8 of the Bishop's Address.

Interestingly, the press didn't take note of the decision until yesterday. Then, the Enquirer reported the decision in a front-page story that did little more than summarize the address.  The little Pomeroy Daily Sentinel did much better, in an article that provided some good background information.

Companion Diocese Relationship With Liberia to be Explored

Ray Betts reported that that Convention voted to "enter into a year of discernment with the Episcopal Church of Liberia to determine the nature of a companion relationship between the two dioceses." Ray pointed out that even though Vicar Ernestein has departed for Florida, we still have relationships with people from Liberia.

No More Bottled Water

Florence Poyer reported that, in light of Convention's vote to restrict the use of commercially bottled water, Grace will begin using reusable cups to make water available.

You can read more about the Convention on the Southern Ohio website.

 

"I would like to invite ... the people of Grace Church, Cincinnati to participate in a program to develop common ministry in your congregation and our diocese.

"We are inviting several congregations from different geographic locations and of varying sizes to participate in a two year pilot program to explore and deepen common ministry. We have chosen your congregation because we believe that you share a commitment to common ministry and are willing to go deeper to develop new practices to support the shared ministry of all.

"We believe that your congregation has particular gifts that you can share with others and also a desire to develop stronger ministries. We would like you to help us establish some best practices and procedures to strengthen and foster common ministry in our diocese."

 

The Diocese has its own eNewsletter called e-Connections that provices regular updates on Diocesan matters.  To subscribe, click here.

You can catch up with what's happening at the Diocesan web site.

Jim Edgy, John Thayer, Gigi Woode, Toussaint Thrower and family, Ray Harris; Marilyn White; Trevor Van Wagenen; Anna Hamilton, Ed Frye, Jo Carroll,Karen Van Wagenen,Elaine Hughes,Maureen Back, Eloise Pinto, Ruth Bertram, Robert Flemister; Judy & Walter Handy, Shelly Martin, Barbara Todd; Kim Martin, Robb Martin; Dean Bryeans, Mary Hall, Chris; Irene Bryeans; Joshua, Caleb, Anne, and Darryl Handy; Marcus Flemister; Kim Herrmann, Al Berghausen; Mary Lou Bellows; Jackie Lewis, Mike and family, Chris and family, Doug Matthews and family, Malcolm Daniel, Jean Cavalieri, and Shelby Hager.
 

  Florence Poyer supplied us with several of these. We'll share others in future issues.

... Wanda Miller and Ruth Bertram, who will host our coffee hour Sunday. .

... The Revs Kimberly Knight and John Bower for officiating at our Sunday services.

... Hawley Todd, J White, Bob Laake,  Kevin Drigger  and the others who are helping the Spirit set the Healing service on fire.

... Jonathan Tan and Ken Blue for providing organ music for our Sunday services.

... Our weekly office helpers: Mary Mclain, Wanda Miller, Roger Perna, Florence Poyer, Grace Staples and Hawley Todd.

If you know of others who deserve our thanks, do let us know at eGraceNotes@gracecollegehill.org.
 

Grace Church appears in a new internet-based TV series by award-wining director e.E. Charlton-Trujillo.

Grace's nave is used as a setting for a scene in Fallen, which consists series of short episodes shot locally to demonstrate a concept for a possible full-blown TV series.

To see Grace in the movies, go to the Fallen website, click episodes, and play episode 5.

You can read more about this series in a Cincinnati.com article.

 
See the Grace Calendar Page for the most up-to-date listing of events at Grace.  Let us know at webmaster@gracecollegehill.org if we've missed anything.

The Choir is beginning rehearsals for the Christmas Eve Service which will be celebrated at 7 pm.  Even if you can't sing every Sunday, we would be glad to have you join us for practice and on Christmas Eve.  We need you!  Please see any member of the choir for rehearsal dates and times.

You can read Sunday's lessons here.

Please share your thoughts regarding worship at Grace:  What you particularly like, what you might prefer less of, favorite hymns, etc. 

When you're in church, you can use one of the yellow index cards we have placed in the pews; then place it in the bin on the back table or give to the usher. Or send an email to office@gracecollegehill.org, with "Attention Worship Committee" somewhere in the message.

We appreciate your input. 

From the Worship Committee.