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Save the Dates
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Parish Picnic: Sunday, Sept. 2 4:00 PM
Vestry Meeting: Sunday, Sept. 9, after refreshments
Bishop Robinson film: Thursday, Sept. 13 7:00 PM
Spaghetti Dinner: Friday, Sept. 21
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Neighborhood Events
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Faculty and Staff Exhibit at the Baum School: August 15-Sept. 7
Allentown's Anniversary Parade and Festival: Saturday, Sept. 29
Free Admission at the Art Museum: Every Sunday
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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.
Remember the parish picnic this Sunday--4:00, at the Denton-Borhaugs' house in Coopersburg. (Directions will be sent to parishioners in a separate email and will be available at church.)
See you Sunday! --Beth Reed, Priest-in-charge |
| Sunday, September 2, at Grace | | |
Eucharist, refreshments
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. 
The lectionary returns us to the gospel of Mark; in Sunday's passage, Jesus and the Pharisees engage in a conflict over ritual practices related to purity. As one commentator puts it: "The text calls us beyond arguments over what is old and what is new to a concern for what is vital." (Lamar Williamson)
For the full readings, click on "Sunday Scripture texts" above.
After the Eucharist, we will share refreshments in the gathering space.
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| Grace Community Foundation | |  It's a food pantry "plus"
In addition to helping our neighbors make ends meet by providing food, our pantry is a place for neighbors to learn more about and perhaps access other community services. This week, a representative from everydayLIFE in Bethlehem will be available to talk with clients and distribute information. The organization helps frail elderly people with their health care and in other ways, so they can stay in their homes instead of having to go to a nursing home. For more information, click here. |
| Parish Picnic and Pool Party | |  This Sunday, September 2
Kelly and Gunnar Denton-Borhaug have generously offered to host a picnic at their home in Coopersburg this Sunday, September 2, at 4:00. All are welcome. (And bring your swimsuit, if you like; there is an in-ground pool!) There is no agenda other than enjoying each other's company.
The Denton-Borhaugs will prepare some grilled chicken and hot dogs; the rest of us can bring a salad, dessert, or beverage.
Directions will be available at church on Sunday and sent to parishioners in a separate email. |
| Opportunity To Help Neighbors | |  People displaced due to last week's fire
On Sunday in the Prayers of the People, we interceded for neighbors who were displaced by a fire last week that burned eight homes a few blocks north of Grace.
Through her connection with the Lehigh County Conference of Churches (6th and Chew Streets), parishioner Mary Louise Bross has learned that these households are in serious need; for example, emergency housing assistance from the Red Cross is no longer available to them. Assistance in the form of cash or gift cards would be helpful. If you would like to contribute, there will be a basket at coffee hour on Sunday, and Mary Louise will see that the money gets to the Conference of Churches for this specific need. |
| Grace Montessori School | |  Students return next week
New students started at our school this week, and next week, the "old" students will join them to begin another year.
Our school operates on a very lean budget; it depends on fund-raising and grants in addition to tuition. One way parishioners can support our school by participating in the Giant A+ Rewards program.
If you shop at Giant and have a bonus card, please register it online. Our school ID is 04460. Each time you use the card, Giant makes a donation to Grace Montessori School. The program begins October 7, 2012, and runs through March 30, 2013. (Even if you registered your card last year, you need to register it again this year.) |
| Bishop Gene Robinson Documentary | |  We'll show the movie at Grace
Love Free or Die is a documentary about Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay person to become an Anglican bishop. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival awarded the film a "Special Jury Prize for an Agent of Change."
Here's a snippet from The Hollywood Reporter's review (Jan. 23, 2012): "Despite the insurgent rallying cry implied by its title, Love Free or Die is a probing, evenhanded account of the experience of Gene Robinson. . . . Examining the ripple effect of his actions both within the U.S. Episcopal Church and the 78 million-strong worldwide Anglican network to which it belongs, Macky Alston's engrossing documentary sheds light on a significant chapter in the broader struggle for LGBT rights."
On Thursday night, September 13, we have the opportunity to see this amazing film at Grace Church.
Parishioners Hank Baird and The Rev. Ray Harbort are leading publicity and organizing the logistics of this showing. This is a great opportunity to welcome visitors from throughout the Lehigh Valley to our parish, and to demonstrate our commitment to the full inclusion of every person who seeks a deeper life with God and the church.
Read more about the movie and see clips at the website. |
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