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Save the Date
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Triduum Review:
April 22, after church
Grace Montessori
Benefit Auction:
Friday, April 27, 6:00 PM
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Happy Eastertime! Grace celebrated a glorious Easter Triduum, and the celebration continues for the 50 days until Pentecost.
During the period of April 5-8, we welcomed visitors, heard precious scriptures, prayed intense prayers, kept profound silences, and engaged in our most formative actions. In all these, we experienced the Risen Jesus.
Do you know people who are longing for God or a spiritual community? Forwarding this newsletter could be a simple way to let them know of Grace's prayer and work.
See you Sunday! --Beth Reed, Priest-in-charge |
| Sunday, April 15, at Grace | |  Eucharist, refreshments
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. Through the Easter season we hear accounts of Jesus appearing as Risen to his disciples, and we hear how the first communities of Jesus' followers began. The gospel tells of Thomas wanting to see and touch Jesus.
This week we also hear these lines: "Now the whole group of those believers were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. . . . there was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold." |
| Triduum Review, April 22 | |  How did it go?
The people of Grace did a lot of preparation--physical, mental, spiritual, musical, culinary--for the Triduum celebrations. As a person new to our parish remarked: "The amount of love and work that goes into this is just amazing."
While the experience is still fresh, we will gather to talk about it next Sunday, April 22, after the Eucharist and refreshments. We'll return to the chairs in church and converse about the liturgies of Holy Week. What went well--what helped us experience God among us? What could go better next year? How can we deepen the resonance these celebrations have in our lives?
Reflection and evaluation and conversation are crucial parts of how we learn and grow, so as much participation from the assembly as possible will help us all. |
| Allentown's Development |
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Faith groups are concerned
 The Morning Call has been reporting on the Neighborhood Improvement Zone and the development planned just blocks from our church and across the street from our school. Demolition has been proceeding and plans are to open the hockey arena in the fall of 2013. On February 26, about 15 participants in our Adult Forum heard a presentation from Joshua Chisholm of Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA). He presented maps and statistics on poverty and unemployment, showing how concentrated they are in downtown Allentown. We wondered: Will the proposed developments help our neighbors who do not have jobs and who are poor? Will they be forced to move? And what could such change mean for our church and school? CUNA has been convening neighborhood meetings at some local churches to share its information and help communities think though possibilities. There is one this Sunday, April 15, at 1:30 at Zion's UCC (620 West Hamilton); it will contain substantially the same information as Mr. Chisholm presented here on Feb. 26. CUNA is also coordinating a meeting for the community with the mayor on Wednesday, April 25, at 7:00 PM at Zion's UCC. For more information, click here.
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| Grace's young people in the theatre | | Two girls share their talent
August Fegley and Julia Reed perform in Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Allentown's Civic Theatre this weekend. August is the White Rabbit and Julia is Rose.
Performances are tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday, and the box office number is 610-432-8943.
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| Grace Montessori's Annual Benefit Auction | |  Please support the scholarship fund
if you can
Grace Montessori is a key part of Grace's mission in Allentown: we serve 106 students ages 3-10. Our school prizes economic diversity. About one-third of the students in our school receive scholarship assistance from money we raise.
The annual benefit accounts for a sizable part of that scholarship aid. This year's goal is to raise $25,000. There is a silent auction and a live auction. The atmosphere is festive, with live music, food, and drinks. The event takes place this year on Friday evening, April 27, 6:00 PM, at Fegleys' Allentown Brew Works (812 West Hamilton).
Tickets are $25 and will be available at the door. Please consider attending, as neighborhood families often need financial support for their children to come to our school. Executive Director Mrs. Elizabeth House and The Rev. Beth Reed will each make remarks at the event. |
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