|
|
|
A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.
|
|
|
|
General Convention Elicits Media Comment, Offers Opportunity to Get Our Message Out
Every three years, bishops, and clergy and lay delegates from every diocese in the Episcopal Church meet to pass resolutions that will determine how the Church will operate in the future. The most recent Convention was held in Indianapolis last week.
The convention elicited comment in various media. A particularly negative opinion was published in the Wall Street Journal, which has provided the opportunity for those who actually participated to set the record straight. Here is one response published as a letter to the editor in the WSJ. The Episcopal Church Is Radically Faithful to Its Tradition Space does not permit a correction of the numerous factual points I could dispute in Jay Akasie's "What Ails the Episcopalians" (Houses of Worship, July 13). Instead, I offer a spiritual correction. The church has been [as Akasie says] captive to the dominant culture, which has rewarded it with power, privilege and prestige for a long, long time. The Episcopal Church is now liberating itself from that, and as the author correctly notes, paying the price. I hardly see paying the price as what ails us. I see it as what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Many years ago when I was a parish priest in Savannah, a local politician and disaffected Episcopalian began a conversation with me. In that case the subject was homosexuality. It could have been any of the things mentioned last week as our ailments. "I just think the church should not be governed by the culture," he said. I replied that I agreed with him, but that "I just hadn't noticed that the culture was all that hospitable toward gay people." He stammered. "Well, maybe not here in Georgia." The Episcopal Church is on record as standing by those the culture marginalizes whether that be nonwhite people, female people or gay people. The author calls that political correctness hostile to tradition. I call it profoundly countercultural but hardly untraditional. In fact, it is deeply true to the tradition of Jesus, Jesus who offended the "traditionalists" of his own day, Jesus who was known to associate with the less than desirable, Jesus who told his followers to seek him among the poor. It is deeply true to the tradition of the Apostle Paul who decried human barriers of race, sex, or status (Galatians 3:28). What ails the Episcopalians is that this once most-established class of American Christianity is taking the risk to be radically true to its tradition. There is a price to be paid for that. There is also a promise of abundant life in it. Bishop Stacy F. Sauls, Chief Operating Officer, The Episcopal Church. To find out what really transpired at Convention, you can read a summary in our diocese's enewsletter here.
|
|
Free Community Meal Returns to Grace in August
The free Community Meal returns to Grace Church on Wednesday, August 8 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. All who need a free meal, and all who would like to join them for conversation and a nice meal are invited.
July's meal drew 60 people, many who really appreciated and needed the meal, and several from Grace's Wednesday night Healing Service, joined by several members of Grace Church. We expect many more in August, as the word gets around.
The food was great: Fried chicken and all the fixin's!
The meal is sponsored by Life Renewal Discipleship Church with support from Grace Church. If you'd like to help with the food, there are barrels at various places in the church, including in the kitchen off the Great Hall. If it's perishable, leave it in one of the refrigerators in the kitchen. J White says, "Anything you bring, we'll cook!"
For additional information please contact Pastor Rita Bryant, Life Renewal Discipleship Church (513) 276-7190 or Ms. Jay White, Grace Episcopal Church (513) 541-2415. |
Mission & Formation Notes
The Mission & Formation Team Leaders meet monthly to share their progress. Here's Carol Lyon's summary of what was reported at the July meeting. Outreach Team Parolee Day. Despite intensely hot weather, Ohio State Parolees improved the grounds by mowing the grass, weeding the garden beds and trimming bushes. A homemade lunch was served to the 8 paroles, their new parole officer and 7 volunteers and guest. Food Pantry Donation. This month we had 20 pounds of food staples donated. Hunger is Outreach's target this year with so many people out of work. The committee is hoping to double that amount in July. Interfaith Hospitality Network. College Hill's next hosting will be at First United Church of Christ on August 10. Mary McLain and Grace Staples are looking for volunteers to cook, serve, clean-up, etc. Expect a call from them soon. Grace Staples has resigned as co-chair of the outreach team. We thank her for the faithful work she has done. Mary McLain remains as Outreach Team Leader. Pastoral Care Team David Mukasa, new Pastoral Care Team Leader, has recruited Laurie LeClaire to the team. They will be meeting in August to plan their program. Worship Team The Worship team has received positive comments regarding worship in the Great Hall for the summer. They are continuing to adjust the new format to be a prayerful experience. They note that the use of hymn texts projected on a screen is an experiment and that no decision has been made about continuing this practice. Judy Handy leads this team. Healing Team Hawley Todd is working with Rhonda Sharp on a new Grace Church brochure which will emphasize Grace as a center of healing. Hawley is looking into the idea of Grace working with healers at some of the hospice organizations. |
 Peanut Butter? Toilet Tissue? Canned Goods? It's all needed at the Pantry.
You don't have to wait until the first Sunday of the month to donate food for the Food Pantry. Any time is a good time to bring in the items you've been saving for the Christ Community in College Hill pantry. What do they need? Probably whatever non-perishables that appear on your own family's grocery list again and again.
Now that the children are out of school, the demand on the family's cupboard is even more extreme. So yes, peanut butter and jelly, cereals, macaroni and cheese, canned meats or tuna, canned soups, fruits and vegetables are all good choices. Roger Perna notes that toilet paper can't be purchased with food stamps but folks still need it!
Don't have any of these to spare? Not to worry, just bring as much folding money as you can spare and put it in the can on the sign-up table. CCCH will do the shopping for you. And each hungry tummy says THANK YOU!
|
 Home Communion Available
If you or anyone you know would like to receive communion at home or in the hospital (or anywhere else, for that matter), please call or email the office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org). Someone will contact you to set up a convenient time.
|
 Support the Anna Louise Inn at a Rally Church, interfaith and union members will join with other supporters of the Anna Louise Inn for a rally Wednesday, July 25, at 5:30 pm in Lytle Park, Cincinnati. The rally has been called by the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, and is one of many held recently to show support for the low income women's residence that was threatened by Western & Southern Financial Group, a business interest that wishes to buy the property for redevelopment. The Inn, which has operated for 100 years as a residence for low-income women, now needs to get a conditional use zoning permit from the city, and the rally is intended to show decision-makers the considerable public support for the facility. The Inn is operated by Cincinnati Union Bethel, a nonprofit social services agency. |
Grace Values: Treat Every Person as a Child of God
 Mission Council recently voted to reaffirm the Grace Church Values Statements. Last Sunday, Hawley Todd gave a sermon on "Treat Every Person as a Child of God." You can see the the text he spoke from here. Here is a summary, edited by Ken Lyon.
What does "I will treat every person as a child of God" mean to you? What might that mean to God? And how does that impact our life as the body of Christ - as Grace Church?
Starting with us as individuals: I would truly love to see each person I meet as a child of God. Yet to be honest, I fall short of doing that. There are some people I look upon with mistrust and in some cases for good reason. Yet regardless of our personal inclinations and reactions to another, this Grace Value calls us individually and corporately to treat each person as a Child of God. That is our goal. That is our primary value.
Yet, given the fact that most of us are not fully there, how to we live into this value? One of the spiritual practices that helps me the most is to ask God to transform my heart and mind into the heart and mind of the Lord's. "Dear God take my thoughts and feelings and transform them into your thoughts and feelings so that I may truly be present with each person I met as you would have me be."
The passage from Ephesians in this morning's reading says, in part: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ... [has] destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ." God destined us for adoption as his children, so we--each one of us--is a child of God. We did not earn it. We did not choose God. God chose each of us! I personally find it to be extraordinary Good News that we are adopted as God's children. Both of my children, Tina and Josh, are adopted. Adoption is a conscious choice that requires work and effort on the part of a parent, and I absolutely love and adore my children! So when God says that I am God's adopted child, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God wants me as God's child.
And here is the critical point. Not only did God choose me and you, but God chooses each and every one of us! We are all part of God's family and God wants us truly to treat one another as brothers and sisters. No wonder Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves!
What does all this mean to us corporately as Grace Church? It means that we treat everyone who walks through our doors as loved by God and not only the ones who come here. Everyone is to be treated as a child of God. No wonder our values speak of "Honoring everyone's age, race, economic situation, sexual orientation, family configuration and religious approach." How could we do less? No wonder our values say "Serve God by sharing with those in need and by working actively for social justice." We are caring for our brothers and sister when we do so!
All of our values grow out of the first one. And they all give flesh and bones to the commandments of Jesus: To love the Lord our God with all our heart mind and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
|
 Thanks to ...
... everyone who helped make the wedding of David Mukasa's sister last weekend a great event, from David Mukasa.
|
 Lost & Found
Items found around Grace Church and being held in the office. Call 513-541-2415 if these are yours. - A set of keys, found in the parking lot.
- A pair of glasses, found in the choir area of the church.
|
Altar Flowers
 This Sunday's altar flowers are given by Wanda Miller to celebrate her 75th birthday, and to celebrate Anne Henneberg's birthday.
Last Sunday's altar flowers were given by Julia Basuta Kakande and Vincent Kudjoe Gbewonyo, who were married at Grace Church the day before.
To donate altar flowers on the Sunday of your choosing, see the sign-up sheet in the church near the upper Belmont entrance. Or call the office. Or donate online here.
|
Book Recommendation: Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time
 I would like to recommend to all of you a very readable and interesting book, Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time, by Karen Armstrong. It was written after 9/11 (she also published an earlier version) and is the best short and readable history and explanation of Islam that I have seen.
I know many of you have read other Armstrong books as she is a very prolific spiritual and historical writer. I also recently read her autobiography of her seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, "Through the Narrow Gate". A real page turner. Best wishes to all!Thanks to Grace Staples for this article.
|
Coming Attractions
The online Grace Church Calendar lists most everything we know about that's happening at Grace Church. Here's a snapshot of a week's worth of the online calendar as of today. If something's not listed, or if you see errors, please tell the office (office@gracecollegehill.org, 513-541-2415). |
Your Prayers are Asked
 Please keep these people in your prayers for their special needs: Judy Handy, Rev. Ernestein, Albertha, DeConte (Dee), Patty Rogers, The Rogers Family, Ken Lyon, Carl, Robb Martin, Kim Martin, Melissa, Tara, Paul, The Erik Handy Family, The Darryl Handy Family, The Burlew Family, The Fantetti Family, Harry Shafer, Viola and Bill and Johnny, Lee Hardy, Christine Hicks, Debbie, Chris and Charlie, Derek, Dave, Cindy, Denise, Rick, Rhonda, The Partin Family, The Sharp Family, Angie and LaMont, Tonya, Mitchell, Nadine Renee, Bob, Teresa and Kids, Jo Jo, Jared, Shirley L. Allen, Melissa, David, Theresa Buskirk Neabrey, Patience , Marrilee Atkins, Leroy, Carol Lyon, Karen and Diana, , Maree White, Verene and Katrina, Tom, Tim Nagel, Tim Nagel, Jr., Steve, Mike, Estil and Cloma, Gayle. Give thanks for the lives of Margaret Rita Meier and Audrey Wavra. "Shut-ins." Please remember these members and friends who are often not able to attend: Mary Lou Bellows, Nancy Hall, Maureen Back, Janet Henthorn, Carl Relyea, Mary Jane Showers, Elizabeth Kelly, Jane Strohmeier, Naomi Koester, Elva Gscheidle, Mary Ratliff, Jo Carroll, Anne Henneberg. Please contact the Church Office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org) with the names of the persons to be included on this list. If you email, please place "Prayer Request" in the subject line. Please also indicate whether the name of the prayer recipient is to be listed in the bulletin. Names remain on the list for about a month. Please let us know if people should be put back on the list. Pastoral Care
If you need pastoral care or know of someone who does, please call or email the office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org). Keep us informed about about illness, hospital stays, requests for visits, communion, and prayers for special concerns. |
Worship Service Schedule & Participants
Here is the worship schedule through the end of September, as of today. The up-to-date schedule is available on our website ( gracecollegehill.org). 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 Participants 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). Sunday, July 22: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Ken Lyon
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Ken Lyon
- Lector: Toussaint Thrower
- Prayers of the People: Carol Lyon
- Projector: Toussaint Thrower
- Offering Counter: John Thayer
- Usher: Grace Staples
- Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, July 29: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Kimberly Knight
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Jamanuel Thrower
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Wanda Miller
- Lector: Ken Lyon
- Prayers of the People: Carol Lyon
- Projector: Toussaint Thrower
- Offering Counter: Roger Perna
- Usher: Phyllis Mukasa
- Altar Guild: Carol Lyon
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, August 5: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Toussaint Thrower
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Grace Staples
- Lector: Carol Lyon
- Prayers of the People: John Thayer
- Projector: Toussaint Thrower
- Offering Counter: John Thayer
- Usher: Ruth Bertram
- Altar Guild: Tammy Robertson & Lisa Perry
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, August 8: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, August 12: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Mathias Mukasa
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: John Thayer
- Lector: John Thayer
- Litany of Healing: Toussaint Thrower
- Projector: Toussaint Thrower
- Offering Counter: Roger Perna
- Usher: Albertha Howard
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, August 19: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Jamanuel Thrower
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Carol Lyon
- Lector: Grace Staples
- Prayers of the People: Maria Mukasa
- Projector: Toussaint Thrower
- Offering Counter: John Thayer
- Usher: David Mukasa
- Altar Guild: Jacquelyn McCray
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, August 26: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Mariah Mukasa
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Ken Lyon
- Lector: Maria Mukasa
- Prayers of the People: Judy Handy
- Projector: Toussaint Thrower
- Offering Counter: Roger Perna
- Usher: Mary McLain
- Altar Guild: Carol Lyon
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, September 2: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Toussaint Thrower
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Carol Lyon
- Lector: Tammy Robertson
- Prayers of the People: Phyllis Mukasa
- Offering Counter: John Thayer
- Usher: Wanda Miller
- Altar Guild: Tammy Robertson & Lisa Perry
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, September 9: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Mathias Mukasa
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Lector: Mary McLain
- Litany of Healing: Mary McLain
- Offering Counter: Roger Perna
- Usher: David Mukasa
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, September 12: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, September 16: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Jamanuel Thrower
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Carol Lyon
- Lector: Judy Handy
- Prayers of the People: Toussaint Thrower
- Offering Counter: John Thayer
- Usher: Phyllis Mukasa
- Altar Guild: Jacquelyn McCray
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, September 23: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Kimberly Knight
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: John Thayer
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Ken Lyon
- Lector: Toussaint Thrower
- Prayers of the People:
- Offering Counter: Roger Perna
- Usher: Mary McLain
- Altar Guild: Carol Lyon
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, September 30: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Mariah Mukasa
- Healing Minister (lead): J White
- Chalice: Carol Lyon
- Lector: Ken Lyon
- Prayers of the People: Grace Staples
- Offering Counter: John Thayer
- Usher: Wanda Miller
- Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
|
|
|
|
|
