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Save the Dates
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Lent/Triduum/Easter
Planning:
Jan. 29 after church
Grace Montessori
Open Houses:
Feb. 4
Brief Vestry Meeting:
Feb. 5 after church
Annual Parish Meeting:
Feb. 19 after church
Pancake Supper:
Tuesday, Feb. 21,
in Hadesty Hall
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Neighborhood Events
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Student Art Exhibit at the Baum School:
through Feb. 5
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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! --Beth Reed, Priest-in-charge |
| Sunday, January 29, at Grace | |  Eucharist, refreshments, planning
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. We continue to read from the beginning of Mark's gospel; this week's passage has Jesus teaching in the synagogue "with authority, and not like the scribes." There's conflict from the get-go: conflict with an evil spirit in a person in the synagogue, and conflict with the teaching of those who've preceded Jesus.
After the service we will share refreshments, and then all who would like to can join in planning for the ninety days that encompass Lent, Triduum, and Eastertime.
The Congregational Forum will not convene until Lent, as other events are planned for most of the Sundays until then.
The image above is named "Pharisees" and the year 1912 is written near the artist's signature. |
| Liturgical Planning | | |
Get ready for Lent and Triduum and Easter
This Sunday (January 29) after church, a group will gather to begin preparing for the liturgies of Lent, Triduum, and the 50 Days of Easter. With the Book of Common Prayer and last year's bulletins as our guides, we look at what we've done in recent years. We discuss possible refinements that may strengthen and deepen our common prayer and enable all to participate as fully as possible. Areas for conversation include the arrangement of the furnishings and other elements of the environment, music selections, and particular texts and rites. All are welcome.
Here are some ways to prepare for the meeting:
- read through the rubrics and prayers for these seasons in the Book of Common Prayer (online here; go especially to the section called "Proper Liturgies for Special Days")
- survey the scripture texts assigned (click the Sunday scripture link above)
- recall past years' celebrations and ponder what you thought and felt were high and low points
- consider the services from the point of view of a newcomer: what would help a visitor feel welcome and able to join in?
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| Grace Montessori School | |  Open houses next Saturday
Grace Montessori will host two events next Saturday (Feb. 4) for parents who may be considering sending their children to our school. At 10:00 AM, at the primary site (814 West Linden Street), The Rev. Beth Reed and Mrs. Libby House and other faculty and staff will welcome parents of 3-6 year olds. They will describe how we implement the Montessori philosophy, show parents around the facility, and answer questions. At 1:00 PM, at the elementary site (108 North Fifth Street, on the second floor of the church building), they will present a similar program for parents of children ages 6-10.
Libby House is the Executive Director of the school and Beth Reed is its chaplain. The school is a ministry of our parish, and through grant writing and other fundraising, we offer financial assistance to about 30 percent of the students. This allows students in downtown Allentown who could not otherwise obtain a high-quality early childhood education to receive one. It also means the school is a place of economic diversity and an anchor in the downtown.
Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested. |
| Downtown Development | |  Learn about what's coming next
You've likely seen the demolition equipment and the almost-cleared block in our neighborhood (the area bounded by Linden and Hamilton and Seventh and Eighth Streets). An arena for hockey and other events is to be built, and that is just part of the city plan for downtown redevelopment. This project is across from the main campus of our school and just down the street from our church.
I (Beth Reed) believe we need to learn all we can about this project so we can plan appropriately for Grace Church's future. How will this project affect our neighbors--will they have access to new jobs and the hoped-for economic benefits? What other projects will accompany this one? What can we do to take advantage of the renewed interest in the downtown? What new opportunities will we have to welcome people to our life and work as Christians in the city? These questions will be with us for the next several years.
I encourage you to check regularly the Morning Call's coverage and the City of Allentown website, and as you do, to keep our witness and work in mind. Bring your insights to coffee hour conversation, forum times, vestry meetings, and any other venue you can think of.
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| Pancake Supper | |  If Lent is coming . . .
. . .You know it must be time for the annual Pancake Supper. David Moyer organizes this event for Shrove Tuesday evening, Feb. 21, a feast of fatty food before the fasting of Lent.
Pancakes, fasnachts (doughnuts), sausage, and applesauce are on the menu. Prices: Adults, $8; kids 6-12, $4; kids under 5, free. All are welcome. The supper is in Hadesty Hall (the lower level of the church building--the entrance is on Fifth Street), from 4:30-7:00. |
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