Welcome to the weekly e-newsletter of Grace Episcopal Church. Read about what's happening at Grace, and use the quick links to the left to find other helps to our life with God. 

To share this news with a friend, click the "forward email" link at the bottom of the page. This could be a simple way to let someone know about our life and work, and to communicate our welcome.

See you Sunday!

We celebrate the Baptism of the Lord with a Eucharist at 10:00. The Christmas season transitions in Epiphany (from the Greek word for "manifestation"), and the gospel takes us to the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. This Sunday we hear Mark's account of Jesus' baptism, in which Jesus sees the heavens split open and hears a voice say "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Jesus' baptism marked a new beginning for him, as ours did for us. After the sermon, we will gather close around the baptismal font and renew the promises that shape our faithful living. 

These promises are not something we make or renew lightly. Consider spending some reflection time on the words and the attitudes and actions they imply. The Baptismal Covenant is here; scroll down the Contents on the left side of the page, click on "Holy Baptism," then navigate to page 304.

After the service, we will have refreshments. After a bit of conversation, the vestry will move downstairs for its January meeting. The Congregational Forum will not meet this week.

The image above is a rendering of an Orthodox icon; for more on the icon, click here.  

 

For several years some people at Grace have gotten together a few times in the winter months to read plays. This month we'll read a farce by Tom Stoppard, The Real Inspector Hound. No previous experience or expertise is necessary; we just have snacks and drinks and read through the play, assigning the characters on the spot. The librarians among us ensure there are copies of the play for everyone (through Interlibrary Loan services). Anyone is welcome and it's a lot of fun.

To get some background on the play, click here.

The reading will be at the Reeds' house at 6:00 pm on Sunday, January 15; call the church office if you need directions (610-435-0782). The Reeds will provide beverages; guests, please bring a snack to share. 

We are lucky to share this city block with the Baum School. It offers classes for children and adults in a variety of media it and hosts exhibits in its first-floor galleries. It's a gem in downtown Allentown. 

The School has a scholarship program for older adults called the STAR program, which makes art classes more affordable to people who meet some income requirements. If you would like more information, call 610-433-0032 or click here. 

The School is a good neighbor to Grace Church. Our 12 elementary-age Montessori students attend art class every Tuesday thanks to a scholarship program. The Baum School lets us borrow their blue chairs whenever we need them (for example, Christmas and the Triduum). We use a gallery for the occasional party. For several years, Rudy Ackerman, the Director of Exhibitions and Collections, has loaned us one of his paintings for the Lent and Easter seasons, which we display in our gathering space and use on the cover of our Triduum booklet. And Kris Kotsch, Gallery Assistant, has taken a few photos for us this year. 

Their adult session begins this week with 8- and 15-week classes.