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Save the Date
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Pentecost Readers'
Rehearsal:
May 26, 10:15 AM
Lectors'
Orientation and Review:
May 26, 11:00 AM
Ushers'
Orientation and Review:
May 26, 11:30 AM
Pentecost:
May 27
Vestry Meeting:
June 3, after church
UTO Collection:
June 17
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In the Neighborhood
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Baum School of Art's Annual Auction:
May 19
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Happy Eastertime!
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. If you prefer, let the church office know, and we will send it to them. Thank you!
See you Sunday. --Beth Reed, Priest-in-charge |
| Sunday, May 20, at Grace | |  Eucharist, refreshments, Forum
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. In the Gospel passage for the day, Jesus notes that he wants our joy to be complete, and he prays: "I ask you to protect them from the evil one." Do we think we need protection? From whom? From what? And how?
After the service we will gather for conversation and refreshments.
After time for conversation, we'll look at the specific prayer form called a "collect" in the Book of Common Prayer. We use such prayers at every liturgy, and they have a rich history. At the Forum we'll consider where some particular prayers have come from, learn the form for a collect, and peruse the Prayer Book for collects to use for personal and communal prayer. |
| Fresh Food for Our Pantry and You | |  Would you like to tend a community garden plot?
Five plots for community use will be available in a fenced area at the Franklin Street playground (near 14th and Turner Streets). You could grow some food for yourself and some for our pantry, as well as being part of the urban and community gardening movements. There will be rain barrels, soaker hoses, and tools in the shed for participants to use.
Our pantry has little access to fresh produce, so if we can grow and donate some, we can help feed our neighbors with healthy food.
Pastor Maritza Dolich, the Outreach Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Allentown, is coordinating this endeavor; the parish and its summer camp programs will be using other plots there.
For more information, contact Bob House by email or phone (610-435-0782), or Patty McNamara, the pantry director, also by email or phone (610-435-7245). |
Pentecost Preparation
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|  Many languages, many foods
Pentecost is May 27 this year, and it's a key feast in the church year. It's often called the Birthday of the Church; we remember and celebrate that Jesus has breathed the Holy Spirit into the church. The first disciples experienced this as speaking in languages they hadn't learned, and yet being understood by the multilingual crowd.One way Grace has celebrated the Feast of Pentecost is to proclaim and hear a scripture reading in multiple languages at once. Readers practice the text on their own, then rehearse together. We've heard Mandarin, Pennsylvania Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Welsh, Polish, Slovak, and other tongues. Do you speak or read a language other than English? Would you be willing to participate in this communal proclamation? So far, we have readers in German, Pennsylvania German, and Spanish, French, Slovak, and Welsh. The rehearsal will be on Saturday, May 26, at 10:15 AM in the church. Let Beth Reed know if you would like to read.
Another way we mark Pentecost is to bring foods from a variety of ethnic heritages to the reception that follows the service. There are sign-up sheets at the back of church and in the hallway near the gathering space.
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| Downtown Development | |  How will our community benefit?
The arena project and related developments that are part of the Neighborhood Improvement Zone in downtown Allentown will have about 80% public funding. Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA) is convening meetings so area clergy and other concerned people of faith can work effectively to ensure that current residents will benefit from this public investment.
As a result of such meetings, CUNA participants are investigating a tool called a "community benefits agreement" (CBA). A CBA is a contract between an entity and the developers of a particular project. For example, the developers may agree to employ a certain number of local workers, or provide funding for job training, or develop affordable housing.
If you would like to learn more or participate in the CUNA effort, visit the CUNA site or be in touch with Beth Reed. |
| United Thank Offering | | We'll do this in June
Here is a description from the national Church's website: "United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity."
In mid-June, we will have special envelopes for donations to this ministry.
Grace Church received a grant from this ministry several years ago of around $35,000, which was used to renovate the downstairs bathrooms and the church offices. In other words, we have benefited substantially from UTO, and if we can support this effort, we should, so others can benefit as we have. |
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