 | A Center for Spirituality and Healing. |
| | | Monday, January 27, 2015 |
| | | Eleven Things I Love About the Episcopal Church There are times when I have thought that our Episcopal is too strange to be inviting to visitors. But then I read "11 things I love about the Episcopal Church," in which Ben Irwin, a self-described "disaffected evangelical," talks about the meanings he finds in our liturgy. His words call to mind things I felt when I made the transition from the Methodist Church to the Episcopal Church many years ago. "There's mystery here," was one way I tried to explain what I found. Here are Ben's headlines: - The way the liturgy soaks into your being.
- The way the liturgy invites me to worship with my whole being, bridging the false divide between body and soul.
- The way it anchors my faith when no act of will on my part can.
- The way it embraces orthodoxy without rigidity.
- How it makes room for those who've been burned out, worn out, or otherwise cast out.
- The way you can simply be, if that's all you can do.
- The way their worship can be deeply moving without resorting to emotional manipulation.
- How the "shared cup" matters more than "shared dogma."
- The way everyone is welcome as a full participant, even children.
- How it reminds me that I'm part of something bigger.
- How at the altar, we're all the same.
The headlines don't tell the whole story. Read the rest of Ben's story here. From Ken Lyon |
| Ushers Needed  Our usher corps is rather small these days, so we're having to schedule the ushers we have more often than we'd like. Please consider being an usher; it's not very difficult, and can really make a big difference in people's worship experience at Grace. The usher is key to making people feel welcome and comfortable when worshiping at Grace. The usher greets people, makes sure everyone has the worship materials they need and, if it looks like that would be helpful, takes a little time to explain how we do what we do. After the service, the usher makes sure that new folks sign a visitor information form, and invites them to join us for Snack 'n Chat. There are some other duties as well. Ask Ken Lyon for a writeup (webmaster@gracecollegehill.org, 513-382-6401) or look here. Ken Lyon handles worship volunteer scheduling. Let him know if you're willing to perform this important function at Grace. |
Mark Your Calendar
If you're a volunteer worship participant, check out the updated calendar here to see your assignments. Grace Church's Annual Meeting is coming February 15, following the 10am service. A real lunch will be served. Leaders will be elected, reports will be heard, and fun will be had. Free Community Dinner every Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm. All are invited to share in food and fellowship. Celebration of Wholeness and Healingevery 2nd Wednesday at 7pm. Always a GREAT mix of healing energies. Reiki, Crystals, Healing Touch, chit chat, friends, a talk by Hawley Todd and drumming led by Bob Laake. Come for healing and/or to share your healing love and joy with the community. The online Grace Church Calendar lists most everything we know about that's happening at Grace Church. If something's not listed, or if you see errors, please tell the office (office@gracecollegehill.org, 513-541-2415). See Grace Church worship services and participants' assignments here. |
 Summer Camp Registration is Now Open
Read all about Summer Camp, and the new Summer Camp coordinator, and openings for camps counselors, and much more in the most recent DSO Youth enewsletter. |
 Altar Flowers
If you would like to help donate flowers on any Sunday, please sign the Flower Sheet by the Belmont door or call the church office or email spikelyon@gmail.com or donate online at gracecollegehill.org. |
 Selected Short Subjects
Interviews for a Music Leader Leader for Grace are proceeding. Candidates will be playing for Sunday services during February. We are seeking a musician who will help build up our Sunday morning congregation by leading us in a variety of inspiring worship music. *** The College Hill Ministerium held the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. service on Sunday evening, January 18th at the First United Church of Christ. More than 175 were in attendance with the MLK Chorale and College Hill choir leading all in song. Bishop Todd O'Neal and Mr. Steve Milloy were outstanding in their direction and musicianship. The Rev. Aaron Greenlea from the Baptist Ministers Conference delivered the message. Both Andrew Wells of Christ's Community and Mike Cappel from CHURCC gave updates on their work. The fellowship afterward was delightful as many made their way to the fellowship hall. Grace Episcopal Church's J White made a connection with Panera Bread and provided many of the goodies. Also, special thanks to the First United Church of Christ for hosting the event. *** Wanna be on the GraceLeaders eMail List? Membership is loosely defined as anyone who is involved in Grace Church and/or its partner organizations who is also willing to receive the messages that get sent to this group. Members use the group to keep other members uptodate on Grace-related things. If you or anyone you know should be a member of this list, please let Ken Lyon (webmaster@gracecollegehill.org, 513-382-6401) know and he'll contact them about being added to the list. *** Lent will be here in just a little over a month. I view it as a time to step back and review where we are on our Christian journey. The Church Publishing company has just issued the Lenten books they have available. Some of the books look intriguing, for example Christ Walk, a 40-day spiritual fitness program or Practical Christianity, or a Grown-up Lent--when giving up chocolate isn't enough. I urge you to go to their website churchpublishing.org and check out all they have available. One of these books may make your Lent spiritually refreshing. --Carol Lyon |
Third Annual ChiKung Workshop--Five Animal Frolics!
 I'm excited to share that the annual winter workshop at Grace will be centered around some gentle, yet powerful animal inspired movements. Amazingly enough, each animal is connected with raising the vibrancy and health of a particular organ system, e.g. Crane ~ Heart; Bear ~ Kidneys, etc. Fascinating, I'd say.....And, remarkably resonant with the profound state of dynamic relaxation characteristic of practicing ChiKung (Qigong). Please join us and discover your inner hum and the healer within. There will also be some self-massage ChiKung for easily, gently increasing the wonderful 'Chi' flow within. Read more about this workshop here. I'm looking forward to sharing this with you! Abundant Blessings/Mighty Magic/All Love, Jacki Millay
www.harmonicpulsewellness.com
LIVING LIFE IN THE FLOW
513-405-1514 |
World Sound Healing Day Returns to Grace on February 14
 It is that time of year once again to come together and co-create a Sonic Valentine for the Earth! Join standout musicians and then experience toning the universal heart sound-AH--together as one with hundreds of thousands on the planet on this day of Love, combining sound and intention to generate peace, harmony, and global and personal transformation. The evening will close with drumming and dancing!
This Valentine's Day marks the 13th Annual World Sound Healing Day. The local event is Saturday, Feb. 14, 2014, 7pm, Grace Episcopal Church, 5501 Hamilton Ave., College Hill. Standout Cincinnati musicians will perform. The concert is part of a worldwide event that drew hundreds of thousands worldwide last year for peace and planetary transformation through toning or sounding the universal non-denominational heart sound--AH. Events happened worldwide and in Cincinnati. Featured musicians are Rob Dorsey, toning/percussion; Roxana Imam, clarinet; Janice T. Sunflower, Native American flutes; Audrey Causilla, chant/harmonium; Vivian Hurley, gong; Charmian Redwood, crystal bowls; John Rodgers, didgeridoo, flute, and Mayan Ruins. Audrey Causilla is producer. World Sound Healing Day was founded by sound pioneer and Grammy finalist Jonathan Goldman. The global event continues to grow exponentially each year. (worldsoundhealingday.org). In the great acoustics of the Gothic-style Grace Episcopal Church, Cincinnati World Sound Healing Day has drawn large crowds that were energized by the music, toning and spontaneous dancing. Suggest love donation: $10 Contact: Audrey Causilla, causilla@yahoo.com, 513.374.1783. |
 Thanks ... ... to Bill Tartar, who has spent much time over the last few weeks rearranging, neatening and cleaning out our spaces. What a difference! ... to Patrick Meade for hanging a TaiChi bulletin board at the entrance to the choir room.; If you want to thank anyone in the congregation for something they did week (leading the meditation in the Friday Prayer and Meditation group, going above and beyond on a routine responsibility, donating food or cooking for the Community Dinner, etc.) then please send that thank you to Ken Lyon (eGraceNotes@gracecollegehill.org) or the office (office@gracecollegehill.org), so they can be recognized. |
Prayers and Thanksgivings
 Thanksgiving: Thanks be to God. Rhonda Sharp was in the hospital last week for another minor illness and found out while I was receiving treatment that other problems I have been asking for God's help with and that I have been working on healing for actually improved. Thanks to all for your prayers and again, thanks be to God for this breakthrough. Prayers for healing are asked for Rev. Ernestein, Patty Rogers, The Rogers Family, (Sarah and Joe Rogers - Patty's parents), Carl, Jackie, Robb Martin, Kim Martin, Melissa, Jordan and Brandie, Lee Hardy, Rhonda Sharp, The Partin Family, D.L., Maree White, Robert and Kathleen Keefer and Anna Keefer, Virginia Chapel and Family, Our President and Our Country, Anni Gibson, Albertha Howard and DeConte Howard, Johnny, Peter Harten, Laura Hubrich, Peter Hawkins, Judy Handy, Madeena Nolan, Gwynne and Naomi Gabbard, Marla, Mae Armstead, Jan Sharp, James McNabb Nickname: Cousin, Bev Olinger, Paul, Katharine Thayer, Grace Moore, Stella Parker, Jim and Nancy Vath, Darryl Handy, Father Hufford, Father Ray Betts and Mary McLain, Ken Lyon, Cyndi Miller, Gene, Wilson, David Malis, Earl Sharp, Jo Carroll, Gail Greenwell, Beth Hall, Geraldine, Stallworth. Prayers are asked for members often not able to come to church: Elizabeth Kelly, Janet Henthorn, Naomi Koester, Elva Gscheidle, Jo Carroll, Anne Henneberg, Raymond Betts. 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. |
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