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Issue 187, October 5
, 2012

A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.

Our Values
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 Thanks to ...

... to Grace Staples, Madeena Nolan and Judy Handy for covering for Rhonda Sharp while she was out of the office ill during September.

... Roger Perna, Bob Jones, Wanda Miller, J. White, Don Wake and everyone else who helped with Kristina Wilson's wedding preparations.

... Karla Vogt for bringing several prayer shawls last Sunday
Thanksgiving Moment by Grace Staples

Senior Warden Roger Perna asked Grace Staples to share a Thanksgiving Moment at last Sunday's service  as part of Grace Church's Annual Pledge Drive. Here's approximately what she said.

 

I was asked to speak this morning about my own personal journey toward tithing. But first, I need to explain my early experience in the church.

 

My family was un-churched, but, at the age of 12, a friend invited me and another friend to her church with her family. Her church was the Church of Christ, Disciples, in Columbus, Ohio. After a while, I was baptized by immersion after a confession of faith. At that point, I began tithing from my $2 a week allowance. Later I gave 10% from my baby sitting earnings and still later from my after-school and post high school jobs. When I entered college, I worked on Sundays and I stopped attending and stopped giving for awhile.

 

In 1959, I met and married Pete, a United Church of Christ minister. (Incidentally, this is not the same Church of Christ. It is a merger of the Congregational Church and the Evangelical & Reformed Church.) I was still finishing my senior year in College and Pete's church was a small congregation paying a very small salary. When I announced that I felt we should tithe, he said we could not afford it. At that time, he was accepting a small salary for virtually a 7-day a week job after 4 years of college and 3 years of seminary, and he considered that to be our family donation to the church. In addition, he had supported himself at outside jobs (known as the worker-priest model) during the first church he served as a minister.

 

I didn't argue with this the first year we were married, but the second year, when we had moved to Kent, Ohio, where my husband was called as campus minister and our first baby was due, I negotiated a 1% pledge to the church. From then on, every two or three years, we increased the percentage. I was determined to work my way back to the 10% tithe I had been taught.

 

To make a 60 year story short, we did achieve that goal. We did it by determination, by budgeting for it and taking it off the top from each paycheck, and we found that the more we gave the more we seemed to be blessed.  

 

Today, we pledge all year to two churches and give to three additional churches with which we are involved, including in the winter in Florida. Not all of our 10% tithe goes to churches. Some goes to mission, charity and social justice work that we feel is strongly mandated by Christ.  

 

The great thing about percentage giving is, first, you can choose the percentage and, second, the dollar amount rises or falls with your income each year. Giving a fixed percent takes away all the worry and guesswork.

 

I want to say that I'm certainly not holding myself up as an example. I know a lot of ordinary middle class people who give more than a 10% tithe. I know of others who have such compassion for friends or family who have suffered hardships that they literally pay their rent or help support them. I believe everyone who tithes does so in their own way and according to their own blessings.

 

I hope somewhere in this you find answers to some of your own questions about tithing. Thanks for listening. 

"Everyone Loves Raymond" Art Show Came to Grace Sunday

Grace Church was blessed with the presence of friends and family of Rector Emeritus Ray Betts last Sunday, on the occasion of  a display of a lifetime of his artwork in the Great Hall. Many of his works were there in person, as it were, and many more were shown on a continual slide show.  It was certainly an impressive body of work!

Visitors to the art show enjoyed an augmented Snack 'n Chat featuring lots of special goodies.

For a few more pictures, click here.
Selected Short Subjects
 
 
We are collecting a list of those connected to Grace Church who have died since last All Saints Day. So far we have Irene Bryeans, Maureen Back, Mary Ratliff and Hope Brooks. Please let the church office know of any additions. This will be for the All Saints Day bulletin on November 4.

 

Upcoming Events at Procter Conference Center.     

  • October 13th,  2pm-10pm. BooFest 2012.  Come to Procter Center for a frighteningly good time at BooFest Halloween Festival 2012 for a day of food, fun and music! Check it out online on the Procter Home Page or contact Christine Tokarz (christinetokarz@gmail.com, 903.267.6372).
  • November 2nd,  5pm. Bishop Price Retirement Celebration.  Come celebrate the ministry of Bishop Kenneth Price at Procter Center.  An evening of food, music and fun.  Contact Richelle Thompson for details (rthompson@diosohio.org ).
  • December 28-30th. Winter Family Camp. A great way to relax after the hustle and bustle of the Holidays. Activities and fun for all ages, including the annual polar Bear Plunge!  Check it out online on the Procter Home Page or contact Christine Tokarz (christinetokarz@gmail.com, 903.267.6372)
Absalom JonesAltar Flowers

Last week's altar flowers were donated to honor Rector Emeritus Raymond Betts on the occasion of the Everyone Loves Raymond art show.

This week's flowers are given by Phillis Dietz in memory of her wedding to Jim Dietz.

Next week's flowers are given in loving memory of Teri-Ann Matthews by Doug Matthews.
 
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.    
Prayers ...

... for healing are asked for 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, 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, Elaine Robinson, Earl Sharp, Rita Lyon, Maria, KC Smith's sisters, Anna Keefer, Brenda Armbruster and her family, Maria Mukasa, Christine Zuniga, Mona, Tim, All of the people who have already lost their lives and their families and all of the people who are still in danger or in fear at the American Embassies, Tonya, Shonda's Father, Cornell Bryant, Karen and Diane, KiKi and JB.

 

... of praise & thanksgiving are offered to God by Rhonda Sharp for leading me more and more to truth every day. Years ago, I began to pray for God to lead me to what he really meant, because the judgment I saw in my old church just didn't feel right to me. It felt heavy. So, little by little God has led me to deeper understanding of him. I am grateful to EfM and the insights I have received there. And, I am grateful for a Wednesday night class I am taking at the Transfiguration Spirituality Center called "Buddhism and Christianity: Where Mercy Meets Compassion." I am so grateful that each day I can more and more understand the spirit of the law that Jesus talked about as being more important than the letter of the law.     

 

... for "shut-ins," (members and friends who are often not able to attend) are asked for Nancy Hall, Janet Henthorn, Carl Relyea, Mary Jane Showers, Elizabeth Kelly, Jane Strohmeier, Naomi Koester, Elva Gscheidle, Jo Carroll, Anne Henneberg.

 

To add or subtract from this list, 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.
 Open House to Honor Bishop Price on His Retirement
For details, click here

Here's what Grace Staples had to say about the meaning of Bishop Prices's ministry to Grace Church:  "Bishop Price was our solid rock, champion and encourager in our time of discouragement and need. He was truly our shepherd. I hope he is proud of us today. Enjoy your well-earned retirement."
 Seen on a Bumper Sticker
 Free ChiKung/TaiChi Sampler Offered

 

Please bring yourself and your friends to the Saturday, October 13, Open House at Grace Episcopal in College Hill.

 

WHEN: 1:30 to 3:30 PM

WHERE: Small Assembly Room 

INSTRUCTOR: Jackie Millay

 

Enjoy samples of the History of ChiKung (learn about your beautiful cosmic self); Destress Demonstrations; ChiKung Set; TaiChi(WuChin).

 

Please wear comfortable, loose clothing with flat soled shoes (you can go barefoot as well).

 

Call Jackie at 513-541-4900/ 513-405-1514 with questions/concerns.


News About the Current Class.

 

The current 5-class series of "RELAX INTO THE WEEKEND" ChiKung/TaiChi classes started in September. Once again, we are happily learning new ways to experience the stress relieving, joyous flows of Chi (vital life force energy) throughout our beings.
Newcomers are welcome as the pace is gentle; movements are easy to follow; and written descriptions of the exercises are provided for use later at home. Please contact Jackie Millay at 513-405-1514 with any questions.

 

Hua Tuo(AD 110-207), often called 'the Father of Chinese Medicine' stated, "The body should be exercised, but not to excess. Exercise improves digestion and keeps the meridians clear of obstructions. In this way, the body will remain free of illness..."  

 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).

 


Worship Service Schedule & Participants

Here is the worship schedule through the end of November, as of today.  The up-to-date schedule through the end of the year 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, October 7: Eucharist II
  • Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
  • Keyboards: Daniel Pater
  • Acolyte: Jamanuel Thrower
  • Healing Minister (lead): J White
  • Chalice: Wanda Miller
  • Lector: Maria Mukasa
  • Prayers of the People: Sam Spade
  • Offering Counters: Roger Perna, Ken Lyon
  • Usher: David Mukasa
  • Altar Guild: Tammy Robertson & Lisa Perry
  • Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
  • 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, October 10: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
  • Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, October 14: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
  • Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
  • Keyboards: Daniel Pater
  • Acolyte: Mariah Mukasa
  • Healing Ministers: J White, Ray Betts, Tammy Robertson, Hawley Todd, Bill Jenne
  • Lector: Tammy Robertson
  • Litany of Healing: Maria Mukasa
  • Offering Counters: John Thayer & Carol Lyon
  • Usher: Wanda Miller
  • Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
  • 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, October 21: Eucharist II
  • Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
  • Keyboards: Bill Jenne
  • Acolyte: Jamanuel Thrower
  • Healing Minister (lead): J White
  • Chalice: Wanda Miller
  • Lector: Mary McLain
  • Prayers of the People: Toussaint Thrower
  • Offering Counters: Roger Perna & Wanda Miller
  • Usher: David Mukasa
  • Altar Guild: Jacqueline McCray
  • Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
  • 9am Adult Bible Study: Roger Perna
Sunday, October 28: Eucharist II
  • Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
  • Keyboards: Bill Jenne
  • Acolyte: Mathias Mukasa
  • Healing Minister (lead): J White
  • Chalice: Wanda Miller
  • Lector: Judy Handy
  • Prayers of the People: Phyllis Mukasa
  • Offering Counters: John Thayer & Bill Jenne
  • Usher: Phyllis Mukasa
  • Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
  • Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
  • 9am Adult Bible Study: Roger Perna
  •   
Sunday, November 4: Eucharist II
  • Celebrant: The Rev. Kimberly Knight
  • Keyboards: Bill Jenne
  • Acolyte: Jamanuel Thrower
  • Healing Minister (lead): J White
  • Chalice: Carol Lyon
  • Lector: Toussaint Thrower
  • Prayers of the People: Ken Lyon
  • Offering Counters: Roger Perna & Ruth Bertram
  • Usher: Phyllis Mukasa
  • Altar Guild: Tammy Robertson & Lisa Perry
  • Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
  • 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, November 11: Eucharist II
  • Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
  • Keyboards: Bill Jenne
  • Acolyte: Mariah Mukasa
  • Healing Minister (lead): J White
  • Chalice: Ken Lyon
  • Lector: Carol Lyon
  • Prayers of the People: Toussaint Thrower
  • Offering Counters: John Thayer & Ken Lyon
  • Usher: Mary McLain
  • Altar Guild: Jacqueline McCray
  • Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
  • 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, November 14: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
  • Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, November 18: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
  • Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
  • Keyboards: Bill Jenne
  • Acolyte: Jamanuel Thrower
  • Healing Ministers: J White, Ray Betts, Tammy Robertson, Hawley Todd, Bill Jenne
  • Lector: Ken Lyon
  • Litany of Healing: Grace Staples
  • Offering Counters: Roger Perna & Carol Lyon
  • Usher: Wanda Miller
  • Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
  • 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, November 25: Eucharist II
  • Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
  • Keyboards: Bill Jenne
  • Acolyte: Mathias Mukasa
  • Healing Minister (lead): J White
  • Chalice: Ken Lyon
  • Lector: Grace Staples
  • Prayers of the People: Carol Lyon
  • Offering Counters: John Thayer & Wanda Miller
  • Usher: David Mukasa
  • Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
  • Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
  • 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Absalom JonesYou are receiving eGraceNotes because you subscribed online, or because you provided us with your email. You can unsubscribe instantly at any time using the link at the bottom of each issue.

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Ken Lyon, Editor.
Grace Episcopal Church | Phone: 513-541-2415 | 5501 Hamilton Avenue at Belmont Avenue | College Hill (Cincinnati) | OH | 45224