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A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.
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| In the next several issues, we'll be featuring examples of ways that the faith of our members and friends has translated into action. | | The Year We Gave Christmas Away |
Haven't we all listened to our share of Advent sermons bemoaning how commercialization-- thanks to our insatiable appetite for stuff and the greed of Walmart and Best Buy--has displaced our focus on Jesus as the true meaning of Christmas?
Well, last year our own Mary McLain put her Faith in Action by leading the charge to brighten the holidays of some College Hill families whose celebrations would have otherwise been trimmed down as opposed to trimmed festively.
When she was working on Thanksgiving pantry donations, it occurred to Mary that these families' Christmas celebrations must be Ho Ho Hum vs. Ho Ho Ho . . . and that Santa's GPS may need an update to software if it were to include their homes.
As you would expect, Mary decided there was something she and Grace could do to change this.
In addition to mobilizing Grace parishioners, she enrolled other College Hill Churches and organizations, including the other IHN Churches, the College Hill Ministerium, and the Christ Community Food Pantry--collecting all kinds of decorations that were "lonely" and needed a home
The big "Let's Give Christmas Away Day" dawned and Mary worried that she might be throwing a party and nobody would come!
But, of course, God wasn't going to let that happen!!
Mary and her crew of elves had collected trees, and lights and animated Disney characters and creches and all kinds of decorations. Cautiously, she thought it might be a good sign when a Grandma in a wheelchair was waiting at the door when she and the crew unlocked the door.
She was right. Every last item was given away. Along with cookies and eggnog.
Ho Ho Ho, there was Jesus, right in with the tinsel, the plastic Rudolf with the flashing nose and, most of all, the young lady by the tree with the spectacular grin.
Yes, of course God can be in there with Mall Santas and eggnog in cartons and cheesy movies.
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Do you have an example of Faith in Action you would like to share? Please contact
Sam Spade, gracefullsunangel@gmail.com.
Thanks to
Sam Spade for this article. |
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Save The Dates for Two Kick-offs for the Annual Giving Campaign
Wednesday, September 11, at the Community Dinner
and
Sunday, September 15, after 10 am Worship
Come and See Faith in Action!
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This Month's Celebrations of Wholeness and Healing will be Special
On Wednesday, September 11, Jackie Millay will be leading everyone in an awesome mediation in place of our normal homily. Jackie explains it as follows:
"In the ancient Chinese view of the universe, the Big Dipper held much healing energy. In the course of each year, the handle of the Big Dipper rotates 360 degrees throughout the heavens. It was taught that the bowl of the Big Dipper collected all the precious, life-giving energy of the constellations. This could be accessed through prayer/meditation. Please join me in a marvelous, nurturing Big Dipper Meditation on Wednesday, September 11, at 7pm at the Healing/Drumming Service."
If you enjoy the meditation, you are invited to one or both of the classes Jackie teaches at Grace. The next series of 5 classes starts, Thursday, September 19 & Friday, September 20.
On Sunday September 15, Hawley Todd's homily will be on the various roles we all play in the healing process. It will encompass both the theological perspectives of our typical Sunday mornings and some perspectives of contemporary alternative and complimentary energy traditions.
And remember on Sept 11, we also have the community dinner! Free food and fellowship prior to the drumming and healing. Who could ask for anything more?
Thanks to Hawley Todd for this article. |
Thanks from the Robertson-Perry Family
 A couple of Sundays ago, Lisa Perry and Tammy Robertson were presented with a gift for their soon-to-arrive baby girl. Here's a thank-you note from them.
Our journey to becoming moms has been a long journey with lots of highs and lows. One of the high points is the continued love and support of Grace church and its members throughout the past years.
At times, we questioned our faith and where God was during the very low points. What we needed to do was just look inside the many, many supportive folks that urged us on and gave of themselves and their gifts freely. Some were people we have never met: the generous international donors of embryos, our surrogates/friends, and the people far and near praying for us and for us to have a family. We along the way have renewed our faith, not only in God but also in mankind.
Now we are just a few weeks and maybe only days from the once-dream of a baby being born and coming to live with us.
We are excited to start our family and so very thankful for the continued support of our Grace family. Thank you for the super nice jogging stroller, the cake and the fancy Snack 'n Chat in our honor. We feel so very blessed, thank you!
The Robertson-Perry family.
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Person Sought to Provide Child Care During Sunday Worship
 We are seeking a person to provide child care during Sunday worship. If you know of someone with the skills to care for a few infants and very young children, please contact J White (513-532-9362, mizwone@gmail.com). This will be a paid position. We realize that there may be Sundays when there are no children to care for, however we believe that it's very important that this service be provided for those parents who want it.
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 The List Dwindles Down to a Precious Few...
These items on the wish list are for the kitchen. The immediate use is for the Community Dinners:
- 1 freezer
- Large soup pot preferably with a lid
In addition, the office could use a one-hole punch.
If you have any of these items to donate or if you have gift cards we could use to buy them, you may bring them on Sunday mornings to church, Monday or Tuesday Mornings to the office or between 5 pm and 7 pm the evenings of the Community Dinner. If you have questions, or would like items picked up, please call Carol Lyon (513-919-0542, Spikelyon@gmail.com).
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 Thanks to ...
... J White for the extra work she has done on set-up of rooms for rentals the last few weeks, especially for the quick work she did for Paige Bryant's funeral and repass and for the repass she planned on short notice for this weekend. Also, thanks for all of the hard work she is doing on the community dinners, especially now that we are having three per month. ...
Sam Spade and J. for filling in on short notice to lead the Prayer Shawl group this last Thursday evening. ... Grace Staples for the extra administrative work she did the last few weeks on the "Faith in Action" campaign. ... Hawley Todd for the article on our genes knowing if we are centered on self or others (from Gwynne Gabbard). ... Grace Church for the Wednesday nights of drumming and healing. I am so grateful to you all. It is one of the highlights of my month, and you offer it each month. (Gwynne Gabbard) Tell us when you know someone should be thanked for their contribution. Email egracenotes@gracecollegehill.org. Even though everyone who does something special may not be recognized each week (although we do try), we are aware of how hard members of this congregation work together to keep this church going. Most of the work done in this church is by volunteers, so thank you to every one in this congregation for keeping our dream of Grace Church alive by your consistent contributions. None of us could do it without all of us working together. |
 Selected Short Subjects
This is a reminder that the monthly Wednesday evening Celebration of Wholeness and Healing is coming up this week, starting at 7pm. As usual, the free Community Dinner starts at 5 pm. This week's dinner will mark the kickoff to the annual giving campaign, with a special slide how and presentations on their programs by the Mission & Formation teams From Mike Cappell, president of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC): The 10th Annual Rhythm Race is next Saturday, September 14th. The race starts at 6 pm, and the afterparty and Taste of College Hill begins as the runners return in the Gen Kress Parking Lot near Hamilton & North Bend. We invite your congregations to join us. Even if people do not want to walk or run in the 5k, they can cheer the runners and walkers on along the course, and support the local restaurants at the Taste of College Hill. If they do want to run, they can register online at sprunning.com. All proceeds to CHCURC for its redevelopment work in the community. Our Cathedral in downtown Cincinnati has announced their 2013-2014 music season. It includes many free concerts by their choir and invited musicians. You can see their most recent Music at Christ Church Cathedral enewsletter here, or visit their music page at christchurchcincinnati.org/music. |
Prayers and Thanksgivings
 We give thanks for the life of John Thayer's sister, Christine Zuniga, who passed away Wednesday morning (Sept. 4). Final arrangements have not yet been made; we will pass that information on to you when it is confirmed. Sympathies can be mailed to John at 1646 Cedar Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45224. John's phone number is 513-541-3604. Prayers for healing are asked for Judy Handy, Rev. Ernestein, Patty Rogers, The Rogers Family, (Sarah and Joe Rogers - Patty's parents), Carl, Jackie, Robb Martin, Kim Martin, Melissa, Jordan and Brandie, Bill and Viola, Lee Hardy, Christine Hicks, Derek, Rhonda Sharp, The Partin Family, Mitchell, Bob Jones and Family., D.L., Merrilee Atkins, Maree White, Verene and Katrina, Anna Keefer, The Coal Miners and their families who are being laid off, Virginia Chapel, Our President and Our Country, Sam Spade, Bill Jenne, Kathy Wills, East Price Hill and The Lauck Family, Don Wake, Patience and her family, Albertha Howard and DeConte Howard, Amandita Sullivan, Horistine, Eugenia and Kenneth, Jacque, Johnny, Lexi Woeste, Emily and Caleb, Earl and Ann, Drew Gibson, JB (Jo), John, Alan Weinrich's Family and all touched by pancreatic cancer, Peter Harten, Cathleen, Lisa, Sunny, Judy and Freddy, David and Carol Rossman, Marissa Aleaander, Skip, Jane Strohmeier, Phillis Dietz, The Thrower Family, Anthony, Pastor Rita and Deacon Cornell Bryant and Family, Vincent Leu, Naomi and Gwynne Gabbard, Jim, Steve, Cloma and Estil, John Thayer. 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. |
Altar Flowers
The altar flowers this Sunday were given by Charlotte Battistone, in loving memory of my husband Rudy and our 65th wedding anniversary, and by Judy Handy, in thanksgiving for the 5th anniversary of my successful surgery.
You can donate a bouquet of flowers on the altar on any Sunday in honor or in memory of anyone. The suggested donation is only $35. Virtually all the Sundays between new and December are available. Just sign on the flower sheet by the door or call the church office. Or donate online at gracecollegehill.org/payments.shtml.
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Public Forums to Focus on Sensitive End-of-Life Issues for Families
Many families are faced with sensitive challenges in talking with elder relatives about how to handle the inevitable end to their lives--what to do, how to go about it. Hospice of Cincinnati and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church are teaming up to provide a series of discussions that will offer pertinent information from professionals well versed in these issues. The goal of these discussions, to be followed by question and answer exchanges, is to give families information and resources that may help them be better prepared to discuss these critical issues with elderly family members.
The five discussions, all free and open to the general public, will begin on Sept. 22 and conclude in March 2014. All of them will take place at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 10345 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, Ohio. For more information, call Dr. Peter Walzer, a St. Barnabas parishioner coordinating the sessions, at 513-683-6177 or peterwalzer@ymail.com.
Details of the events and topics follow:
- Conversations of a Lifetime. Sunday, Sept. 22, at 4 p.m.This presentation emphasizes the importance of end-of-life conversations among patients, families, and caregivers. Volunteers will give their experiences discussing these issues with their parents.
- How to Talk to Your Doctor. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m.Dr. Rebecca Bechhold, chief medical officer of Hospice of Cincinnati, will lead the discussion. She will offer information about talking with with your doctor about discussing serious illness and possible outcomes.
- Hospice 101. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at noon. Basic information about services offered by the Hospice organization, the costs, available resources, family support, and counseling.
- Panel Discussion. Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at 3 p.m.Presentation by a panel of specialists including an elder-law attorney; member of the Council on Aging; representative from TriHealth Senior Link; Hospice of Cincinnati member, and a gerontologist or palliative care specialist. All will be available for questions from the audience.
- Ethical and Spiritual Issues in End of Life Care. March, 2014 (specific date to be announced). This discussion will be led by an Episcopal priest. The prior series of talks will be reviewed, focusing on the major ethical and spiritual issues involved. Audience members will be encouraged to discuss what they have learned from the prior discussions, and to offer suggestions they have for future presentations.
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Coming Attractions
The online Grace Church Calendar lists most everything we know about that's happening at Grace Church. Here's a snapshot of about 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 service schedule as of today. 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 Worship Team Leader Bill Jenne ( williamjenne1@aol.com). The up-to-date schedule is available on our website ( gracecollegehill.org).
Sunday, September 8: Eucharist II in the Nave
- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: John Thayer
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: John Thayer
- Lector: Tammy Robertson
- Prayers of the People: Judy Handy
- Offering Counters: Bill Jenne, Ruth Bertram
- Usher: Don Wake
- Altar Guild: Tammy Robertson & Lisa Perry
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Roger Perna
Wednesday, September 11, 7pm: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing in the Nave
- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Lead Drummers: Bob Laake, Rich Spirit
- Ministers of Healing: Hawley Todd TSSF, J White, Gwynne Gabbard, Amy Wehr,
Sam Spade, Bill Jenne, Colleen Kerns, Fran Malone, Jackie Millay, Matt Peffly, Sherri Elmore, Tammy Robertson, Teri Dettone, Tina Todd, Laurie LeClaire
Sunday, September 15: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing in the Nave
- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Handbells: John Thayer
- Acolyte: Don Wake
- Healing Ministers: J White, Hawley Todd, Tammy Robertson, Bill Jenne, Laurie LeClaire, Gwynne Gabbard, Sam Spade
- Lector: Bob Fahrenholtz
- Prayers of the People: Grace Staples
- Offering Counters: Roger Perna, Carol Lyon
- Usher: Mary McLain
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, September 22: Eucharist II in the Nave
- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: Ken Lyon
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Carol Lyon
- Lector: John Thayer
- Prayers of the People: John Thayer
- Offering Counters: John Thayer, Ken Lyon
- Usher: Wanda Miller
- Altar Guild: Jacqueline McCray
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, September 29: Eucharist II in the Nave
- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Acolyte: John Thayer
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Ken Lyon
- Lector: Tony Saylor
- Prayers of the People: Ken Lyon
- Offering Counters: Bill Jenne, Ruth Bertram
- Usher: Grace Staples
- Altar Guild: Carol Lyon
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, October 6: Ante-Communion
- Officiant: Ken Lyon
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, October, 9, 7pm: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Lead Drummers: Bob Laake, Rich Spirit
- Ministers of Healing: Hawley Todd TSSF, J White, Gwynne Gabbard, Amy Wehr,
Sam Spade, Bill Jenne, Colleen Kerns, Fran Malone, Jackie Millay, Matt Peffly, Sherri Elmore, Tammy Robertson, Teri Dettone, Tina Todd, Laurie LeClaire
Sunday, October 13: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, October 20: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Handbells: John Thayer
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, October 27: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. David Z. Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, November 3: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, November 10: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, November 13, 7pm: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Lead Drummers: Bob Laake, Rich Spirit
- Ministers of Healing: Hawley Todd TSSF, J White, Gwynne Gabbard, Amy Wehr,
Sam Spade, Bill Jenne, Colleen Kerns, Fran Malone, Jackie Millay, Matt Peffly, Sherri Elmore, Tammy Robertson, Teri Dettone, Tina Todd, Laurie LeClaire
Sunday, November 17: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing in the Nave
- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, November 24: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. David Z. Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, December 1: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, December 8: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. David Z. Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, December 11, 7pm: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Lead Drummers: Bob Laake, Rich Spirit
- Ministers of Healing: Hawley Todd TSSF, J White, Gwynne Gabbard, Amy Wehr,
Sam Spade, Bill Jenne, Colleen Kerns, Fran Malone, Jackie Millay, Matt Peffly, Sherri Elmore, Tammy Robertson, Teri Dettone, Tina Todd, Laurie LeClaire
Sunday, December 15: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing
- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Handbells: John Thayer
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, December 22: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve, 7:30 pm: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day, 11am: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. Bob Hufford
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
Sunday, December 29: Eucharist II
- Celebrant: The Rev. David Z. Howard
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
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