|
|
|
A spiritual home where all are welcome; a healing place in a broken world.
|
|
|
|
Pray for Grace During Lent
Leadership changes are a time to review who we are at Grace Church and what we are doing. We could just ask the people at Grace what they think. But we thought first we should ask God those questions, and Lent seems like the perfect time to do that. We are asking people to "Pray for Grace" each day during Lent--asking God what we should start doing, what we should stop doing, and what we should keep doing. Ask God also what He is calling you to do. Then in a few moments of silence, wait for God to answer. Throughout Lent we will provide sample prayers you can use. We'll post reminders in the halls and on Facebook. We'll have appropriate music during our worship services. Any time you believe you have an answer, whether the first day or many days later, fill out one of the bright index cards by the purple boxes and drop it in. Or you tell the Senior Warden Carol Lyon or one of the committee members. We will begin posting the answers on the bulletin board by the Belmont door. When Lent is over, we will publicize all of the answers we have received. After a week or so to give everyone and every group time to discuss what they have heard, we will have a retreat for everyone to decide what God has said and where to we go from here. Carol Lyon, Sr. Warden Committee Members are: - Sam Spade
- Judy Handy
- Wanda Miller
|
New Grace Church Officers Elected
At the Annual Meeting of Grace Episcopal Church on Sunday, February 23, 2014, the following officers were unanimously elected:  Senior Warden (1-year term): Carol Lyon.
-
 Junior Warden (1-year term): David Mukasa.
-
 Mission Program Leader (1-year term): J White. This is a new position with responsibility for the health and growth of the outreach/partnership ministries of Grace Church..
-
 Parish Life Program Leader (1-year term): Roger Perna. This is a new position with responsibility for the health and growth of the Grace Church Congregation and its members.
- Mission Council (elected to 3-year terms): Laurie LeClaire, Roger Perna and Wanda Miller. (Continuing members are Ken Lyon, J White, Bill Jenne, Sam Spade, John Thayer and Ruth Bertram.)
|  |
| |
|  |
For a fuller description of the responsibilities of the above offices, see here or email Ken Lyon at eGraceNotes@gracecollegehill.org.
- Delegates to Diocesan Convention (elected to 2-year terms): Ken Lyon and Sam Spade.
| 
|
| 
|
- Alternate Delegates (elected to 1-year terms): Carol Lyon and Virginia Chapel.
| |
| 
|
|
|
| Treasurer's Report Summary
The Treasurer reported a budget deficit of $6,500 for 2013, leaving $58,000 in the bank at the start of the year. A surplus for 2014 of $1,500 is projected, made possible by a $10,000 bequest from Robert & Marian Gross.
|
Grace Church as a Center for Spirituality and Healing
During 2013, Mission Council members and others came to realize that Grace Church may be best described as a "Center for Spirituality and Healing." How did it come to be that Grace Church might put itself forth as a "Center for Spirituality and Healing?" Take a look at our history. About three years ago, Grace Church set a goal of bringing deeper spirituality and healing into our lives and the lives around us. As we have pursued this goal, we have developed a deeper understanding of what the words "spirituality" and "healing" mean. Spirituality. Spirituality is a journey--a journey in which those on the way hope to experience God's presence in our lives more and more-to develop a closeness with the Divine. There are many spiritual practices, but only one destination--a closer relationship with our Creator. Healing. This understanding of spirituality is closely related to our understanding of healing. Healing involves all of one's relationships--with others and with creation. When we seek to be healed, we seek to heal what is broken in our lives. It starts with healing our broken relationship with God, proceeds to reconciling our relationships with others, and finally, we seek to become the whole person God created us to be by finding healing within ourselves. With this understanding, it becomes impossible to separate spirituality from healing. Almost everything happening at Grace embodies both in varying proportions. - Since 1865, Grace Episcopal Church's Sunday morning liturgies have helped many on their spiritual journey and on the path to healing what is broken in their relationships with God and neighbor.
- About 20 years ago the healing aspect of the traditional liturgy was made explicit when Grace added laying on of hands for healing during every Sunday morning service.
- The successful integration the Wednesday night Celebration of Wholeness and Healing to our offerings in 2007, with its non-traditional (to us) healing modalities, greatly expanded our understanding of spiritual and healing.
- During 2013, as we looked at the groups who have come to Grace Church, we realized that most of their programs have spirituality and/or healing as an explicit part of their purpose. Some groups and their members were welcomed at Grace Church when they were unwelcome at other places, and this, in itself, makes them a part of Grace Church's healing ministry.
|
The Role of Partnerships in Realizing Grace's Mission
In J White's Annual Report for 2013, she said, in part: The term "renters" is too impersonal as a description of the groups that we see at Grace Church regularly. "Renters" implies more of an "us vs. them" relationship than actually exists or that we want to exist. After some thought and reflection, we decided that the term "partnerships" is a more appropriate description of our relationship with those who share our space at Grace. Each group that enters this space acknowledges the presence of the Holy Spirit and the kindness of the people of Grace. They express a hope for a long ongoing partnership with the church and community. Several of our partners are also residents of the College Hill community.
We have added several new partners due to word of mouth from previous partners who believed in their investment at Grace.
The new Center for Spirituality and Healing page on the Grace Church website shows the many groups that Grace Church considers to be partners in meeting our goal of "bringing deeper spirituality and healing into the lives of our parishioners and our neighbors." Roger Perna estimates that at least 75% of the people using Grace Church's facilities come for partner programs. |
Conversations We've Failed to Have--an Open Letter from the Dean of Our Cathedral
The Very Rev. Gail Greenwell, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, has written an open letter speaking out against those who would advocate the legalization of discrimination against gay and lesbian couples under the guise of protecting religious freedom. She mentions proposed legisliation in Kansas and Arizona, and she also deplores a sermon by Crossroads Community Church pastor Brian Tome. She ends her letter with: For Episcopalians, our faith is unwavering when we profess in our Baptismal Creed that we will "strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being." That creed requires us to be adamantly opposed to legislation and preaching that does the opposite. I invite us all to recommit ourselves to the promise and hope of Jesus Christ who gathers us in and clearly says all people are entitled to the full rights and joys of humanity because all people are made in the image of God.
christchurchcincinnati.org/content.jsp?articleId=617 |
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori Lent Message 2014
Following is the Presiding Bishop's Lent Message 2014. The reality is that the season of Lent, which Christians have practiced for so many centuries, is about the same kind of yearning for greater light in the world, whether you live in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere. The word "Lent" means "lengthen" and it's about the days getting longer. The early Church began to practice a season of preparation for those who would be baptized at Easter, and before too long other members of the Christian community joined those candidates for baptism as an act of solidarity. It was a season during which Christians and future Christians learned about the disciplines of the faith - prayer and study and fasting and giving alms, sharing what they have. But the reality is that, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, the lengthening days were often times of famine and hunger, when people had used up their winter food stores and the spring had not yet produced more food to feed people. Acting in solidarity with those who go hungry is a piece of what it means to be a Christian. To be a follower of Jesus is to seek the healing of the whole world. And Lent is a time when we practice those disciplines as acts of solidarity with the broken and hungry and ill and despised parts of the world. I would invite you this Lent to think about your Lenten practice as an exercise in solidarity with all that is - with other human beings and with all of creation. That is most fundamentally what Jesus is about. He is about healing and restoring that broken world. So as you enter Lent, consider how you will live in solidarity with those who are hungry, or broken, or ill in one way or another. May you have a blessed Lent this year, and may it yield greater light in the world. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
|
 Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar last Sunday were given in loving memory of my mother, Cloma Partin, on her birthday, by Rhonda Sharp.
You can donate a bouquet of flowers on the altar on any Sunday in honor of 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 email spikelyon@gmail.com or donate online at gracecollegehill.org.
|
 Thanks to ...
... those who made the Grace Church Annual Meeting possible, especially
- The Nominating Committee, Roger Perna, Wanda Miller and Hawley Todd,
- Those who agreed to be nominated to positions of responsibility,
- Wanda Miller, who organized the luncheon,
- Everyone who brought things to eat and drink.
- Leaders who contributed to the 2013 Annual Report.
... the Community Dinner volunteers who came Tuesday to prepare food, and on Wednesday, came to set up, serve, visit with attendees, prayed with people and/or cleaned up afterwards. ... Ken Lyon for once again coming to the rescue of the office volunteers with several computer/technical issues this week and in the coming week. ... Candace Moxley for volunteering to train to be a bulletin team member. She had her first training session on Friday and did a great job. ... everyone who assisted with the Parolee Day this past Thursday. A special thanks to Mary McLain who usually does a lot of the cooking for this as well as to Ruth and Wanda who usually assist with the kitchen preparation and clean-up 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
Words from the Retiring Junior Warden
Serving as Junior Warden for three years was a "ministry" I didn't expect! However, it was a growing/learning experience and it was my pleasure. Thank you for the lovely decanter. No, it will not be used for orange juice. Love and thanks to all who helped me through.
Sincerely, Wanda Miller
New Prayer Shawl Meeting Times The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month in the Parlor from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend and those wanting to learn how to knit or crochet should contact the group leader: Sam Spade (513-448-6511, gracefullsunangel@gmail.com).; |
Prayers and Thanksgivings
 Prayers for healing are asked for Rev. Ernestein, Patty Rogers, The Rogers Family, 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, All people touched by 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, Jim, Steve, Cloma and Estil, John Thayer, David, Jessica Veach, Jay Garland and Family, Mike Webster, Nick Lisi, Callie, Hattie and Ann, Judy Handy, Cyndi Miller, Laura Hubrick (Phillis Dietz' daughter), Madeena Nolan, Gwynne and Naomi Gabbard, Marilyn, Marla, Mae Armstead, The Garland Family--Teresa, Debbie and Jay, Maree White, Viola, Irma, Debbie and the Shafer Family, Sherry Ridgeway, Susanne, Gwynne, Jayna. Prayers are asked for members often not able to come to church: Elizabeth Kelly, Janet Henthorn, Mary Jane Showers, Naomi Koester, Elva Gscheidle, Jo Carroll, Anne Henneberg, Phillis Dietz. 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. |
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
Most of this schedule is new! Check it out and mark your calendars! 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 Ken Lyon ( webmaster@gracecollegehill.org ) if you'd like to participate in any of these positions. The up-to-date schedule is available on our website ( gracecollegehill.org). Ash Wednesday, March 5: Eucharist II with Imposition of Ashes, 7pm- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Acolyte: Ken Lyon
- Chalice: Ken Lyon
- Lector: Judy Handy
- Prayer of the People: Roger Perna
- Counters: Ken Lyon, Ruth Bertram
- Usher: Mary McLain
- Altar Guild: Carol Lyon
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
Sunday, March 9: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Crucifer: Roger Perna
- Server: Mariah Mukasa
- Gospel Bearer: Mariah Mukasa
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Carol Lyon
- Lector: Ken Lyon
- Prayers of the People: Mary McLain
- Offering Counters: Roger Perna, Carol Lyon
- Usher: David Mukasa
- Altar Guild: Jacquelyn McCray
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Wednesday, March 12, 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, March 16: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Handbells: John Thayer
- Acolyte: Anthony Canady
- Lector: Charlie Parker
- Litany of Healing: Gwynne Gabbard
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Offering Counters: John Thayer, Ken Lyon
- Usher: Wanda Miller
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, March 23: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Crucifer: Ken Lyon
- Server: Anthony Canady
- Gospel Bearer: Anthony Canady
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: Wanda Miller
- Lector: Roger Perna
- Prayers of the People: Tammy Robertson
- Offering Counters: Ruth Bertram, Roger Perna
- Usher: Ruth Bertram
- Altar Guild: Wanda Miller
- Flower Guild: Wanda Miller
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, March 30: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
- Keyboards: Bill Jenne
- Crucifer: Mathias Mukasa
- Server: Mariah Mukasa
- Gospel Bearer: Mariah Mukasa
- Healing Ministers (leads): J White & Hawley Todd
- Chalice: John Thayer
- Lector: Maria Mukasa
- Prayers of the People: Ken Lyon
- Offering Counters: Carol Lyon, John Thayer
- Usher: Phyllis Mukasa
- Altar Guild: Carol Lyon
- Flower Guild: Carol Lyon
- 9am Adult Bible Study: Ken Lyon
Sunday, April 6: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, April 13, Palm Sunday: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
Thursday, April 17, Maundy Thursday: Eucharist II, 7 pm- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
Friday, April 18, Good Friday Liturgy: 7 pmSunday, April 20, Easter Sunday: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
Sunday, April 27: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
Sunday, May 4: Eucharist IISunday, May 11: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
Sunday, May 18: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, May 25: Eucharist IISunday, June 1: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
Sunday, June 8, Pentecost: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. Susan Lehman
Sunday, June 15: Celebration of Wholeness and Healing- Officiant: Hawley Todd, TSSF
Sunday, June 22: Eucharist IISunday, June 29: Eucharist II- Celebrant: The Rev. David Howard
|
|
|
|
|
