There will be another Celebration of Wholeness and Healing at Grace Episcopal this Sunday April 29.  The service begins at 10 am and is taken from the Irish Book of Common Prayer.

This is a more "traditional" style of service than our 2nd Wednesday of the month healing/drumming service. The nice thing is that God shows up and blesses us either way! And who knows what fun God has in store for us!

Officiant Hawley Todd's topic for Sunday (unless guided to do something else) is "Why hold a healing service?" so it might be a good service for those new to healing.

About this service:

 

Healing is the process of becoming the person God created us to be. Wholeness and healing happen as we invite God's presence into our lives. Prayers for healing are simply putting oneself in an attitude and position where one is open to receive God deeper into one's life.  

 

Healing is holistic. It involves the body, emotions, mind, and spirit of a person. And not only that, it involves all of one's relationships with others and creation. With that understanding of healing, we can see that Eucharist is also a healing service. Both services focus on healing the wounds that separate us from God, from each other, and that exist within ourselves.

 

Thus, coming to the rail for healing prayers in this service has much the same function as coming for the elements in the Eucharistic service. 

Chuck Bowles was honored Sunday just as movers were filling vans in preparation for his and partner Harold's move to pursue their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in Atlanta. Chuck had been an active member of Grace for about 20 years, and had contributed in a number of areas.

During the worship service, Chuck was blessed and had hands laid on by most of the members of the congregation.









Following the service, a "rainbow" reception was held featuring gifts and great food. 














To see more pictures of Chuck & Harold, of the flowers, the gifts, and the folks who were there to wish them Godspeed, go to
picasaweb.google.com/gracecollegehill/ChuckBowlesRainbowDay.

 

Altar flowers last Sunday were given by Belinda and Roger Perna to honor all that Chuck Bowles has meant to us over the years he has been at Grace Church, and to wish Godspeed to Chuck and Harold as they move to Atlanta.

 

See the sign-up sheet in the church near the upper Belmont entrance to donate flowers on the Sunday of your choosing. Or call the office. 

 

...  to the many loving friends who participated in the wonderful farewell for Chuck Bowles last Sunday. If you didn't stay you missed a great party! The clever card and gifts were engineered by Mary McLain. Set-up and clean-up by Wanda Miller and Ruth Bertram. Buns and Decorated Fruit Cake - Wanda Miller. "Tons" of mouth-watering ribs and chicken from David and Maria Mukasa. Baked beans - J. White, Slaw - Judy Handy, Cheesy Potato Bake - Tammy Robertson and Lisa Perry, Appetizers and coffee - Ruth Bertram, wine and beverages - Grace Staples. Thanks to Roger and Belinda Perna for the stunning rainbow floral arrangement and to Ken Lyon and Walter Handy for taking photos of it all, and to Wanda Miller who provided the beautiful cake. If we've missed anyone, let us know and we'll credit them next week. 

 

... to our wonderful Grace volunteers for another successful evening sheltering and feeding homeless families on April 20 through the Interfaith Hospitality Network here in College Hill. Mary McLain made delicious meat loaf which was gobbled up, Grace Staples made real mashed potatoes and green salad, Virginia Chapel her scrumptious green beans, David Mukasa brought yeast rolls and Judy Handy supplied pudding cakes. Mike and Madeena Nolan helped as table hosts and also spent 2 1/2 hours in activities with 7 children (6 under 5 yrs. of age). Roger Perna stayed overnight to keep the families safe and help serve them a hot breakfast the next morning with the help of First UCC volunteers.

... to an anonymous donor who made it possible to have floor molding installed in the upstairs hallway. This really improved the look of the place. 

 

Think about the others who should thanked.  Then send an email to eGraceNotes@GraceCollegeHill.org. 

 

Congratulations to equestrienne Madeena Nolan who recently won two blue ribbons at the Winton Woods Horse Show. Madeena has only been riding a couple of years and was on a horse she had never ridden before!          

Here is the worship volunteer schedule through the end of April. The whole schedule is available on our website
(http://gracecollegehill.blogspot.com/search/label/Service Schedule).

If you're scheduled and can't make it, find a substitute and let Ken Lyon (webmaster@gracecollegehill.org, 513-542-2941) know so the schedule can be updated. 

Sunday Service Volunteers are needed in all volunteer positions. We will provide training as needed. We are a Common Ministry Parish - everyone is encouraged to serve. Contact Judy Handy (jhandy23@cinci.rr.com, 513-681-5829).