Our Souls in Stillness Wait for Light

The Advent Season at Grace

Grace in Winter




St. Nick is Coming to GraceSt.Nick's

The Feast of St. Nicholas
Sunday, December 5, 9:30 am

Nicholas, obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas, we are told, used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick and the suffering. The Bishop of Myra became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children and his concern for humanity.

Wear warm socks and leave your shoes beneath the Christmas tree in the Grace Narthex.


Grace Giving 
Grace Brought Me Here
 Grace Brought Me Here:

2011 Annual Grace Giving   


Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, life goes on, bra

La la oh,  and hopefully
Annual Giving does not. :)



Since kicking-off our Annual Giving campaign November 7, we have received 123 pledges in excess of $320,000, bringing us to 64.4% of our Campaign Goal of $509,490. But we MUST reach our goal to finance our basic 2011 budget.


Wouldn't it be great if we could wrap up our Annual Giving pledge drive this Sunday? If you haven't had a chance to give, but you're getting tired of hearing about it, be sure to pledge by this Sunday, Dec 5. We hope you'll help support what brought you here to Grace.

Thanks and God Bless



You Can Pledge Right Here, Right Now:
gracehere.org/giv_pledges_form.html


 

Never Pledged Before? Read about a great incentive

& why one Grace family pledges


Advent & Christmas 2010Advent & Christmas 2010

Wouldn't it  be nice if the culture around us could help us find times to rest, wait, believe, trust. It would be even better if the Light we long for was as evident as the lights strung all around us. But because that's not the case, we have to look and choose and plan in order to find those times that will ground us in the true Grace of this season. You can do just that.

For our Christmas & Advent programs and  service schedules Link >> Here and scan, read, mark, note. Check dates and times. You'll find the essentials, and lots more details. Find those times and moments that will bring you some true soul food-and let the Light come!

(please note, the link to this pdf takes about a minute to load)


Music & Arts

Meet Grace Artist Virginia Davison
 this Friday at 6 pm or Sunday at 10:30 am in The Gallery at Grace

Virginia Davison show

 
Memorial Greens

Christmas Greens

Each year our wonderful Flower Team at Grace decks
the halls, Narthex, Sanctuary and everywhere in between with glorious greens and seasonal floral arrangements.

And- each year we remember those we love and no
longer see with these floral gifts for Grace.


If you would like to make a contribution to the Grace Memorial Greeens & Flowers Fund, please fill out the form
in our Sunday bulletin insert and return it with a check
to our pledge basket or office by December 20th.

 

Any amount is appropriate.
 


Thank you


 

For your convenience, you may also mail the names of
the loved ones you'd like remembered
along with a check to our office at:


Grace Episcopal Church

8595 NE Day Road E

Bainbridge Island, WA  98110



 

Love Revealed: Advent Calendaradvent calendar

Created and graciously shared by Trinity Wall Street, this year's 2010 Advent Calendar, Love Revealed, takes a look across America at young people who are growing into wisdom, advocating for change, and creating a better world, particularly through partnerships with churches and church programs. Stories this year are drawn from the Episcopal Service Corps, the All Our Children public-school advocacy program, and other innovative church initiatives involving youth and young adults. You can find a link to the calendar on the Grace website home page at >> gracehere.org


Grace Giving 

 

stretch your pledge!

incentive Never Pledged Before? Holy Smokes... Do We Have an Incentive!

Grace recently received a generous and anonymous challenge grant for all first time pledges in our 2011 Annual Giving Campaign. This challenger will add 10% to all pledges made by December 5 by all first time donors to the Grace Annual Giving Campaign. Support what brought you here and keeps bringing you back, there's no better time than now. We are so glad you're here!

 

>> Pledge Online

Need a little more incentive? >> Watch Grace Happen Here

whywepledgeGrace Brought Me Here: Meet Dawnae and Fred


"Godly Plaaaaaaay!" Though her voice quavered with a sudden attack of stage fright, six-year- old Hunter Whittlesey managed to wail into the lectern microphone her favorite thing about Grace. For big brother Marshall, it was "Summer Camp!" loud and clear. For Fred and Dawnae Whittlesey, pledging is about gratitude for the way Grace fills the needs of families.      


Q. How many in your family?

 We are a family of five, Fred, Dawnae, Marshall-8, Brighton-6, Hunter-6. 

 

Q.  What brought you to Grace, and when did you arrive?

Our needs were not being met at our former church.  We found Grace about 2 years ago.


Q.  What keeps you at Grace?

One reason we come to Grace is because of the wonderful children's programs. Our children look forward to Godly Play, they feel so comfortable going in. Faithful Parenting allows us to consider how our faith is reflected in what we are teaching our children. And Parents Night Out! Thank you so much for helping mom and dad do something alone together! We so appreciated the service prayers when our child was sick. And our Vicar, who treats children at Grace like blessings.


Q.  Why do you pledge?

We believe every person supports what is important to him.  We feel Grace is a wonderful place that we want to support.


Q.  Any words of encouragement for others?

What if nobody pledged? What if Bill had to look into the baskets each week to see if there was enough for the next week?  Our church supports us in so many ways - it's important that we all support our church. 



Outreach
 

Helpline House/Grace Food Basket

Please bring your holiday basics to restock the shelves at Helpline on Bainbridge for the month of December. The Food Basket is right by the name tag "tree" at Grace, waiting for your donations!


Hunger on Bainbridge -- You're Kidding, Right?

  • The food bank at Helpline is intended for Bainbridge Island residents and serves over 350 households (40% with children) each week.
  • While the majority of food bank users are employed, they have a hard time making ends meet on their income.
  • Close to 1,000 people on Bainbridge Island are below poverty level. Of the cities in Kitsap County, Bainbridge represents 8.3% of the County's poor. After paying rent and utilities, there is little left for food.
  • The community-supported milk fund distributes over 800 cartons of milk on a monthly basis.

   

What they need most:cannde food for Helpline

  • Canned hearty soups
  • Canned meats and fish
  • Cereal
  • Cat and dog food
Fresh & frozen foods are appreciated as well. You may directly donate frozen vegetables, fresh fruits, dairy items, etc., or Helpline House will do the shopping for you with your donation of cash or grocery store gift card. Thanks!

Find out More about Helpline and What They'll Accept
Visit their Webiste at helpline.org


Hospice of Kitsap County

Please visit Wendy Rohrbacher of Hospice in Walker Hall following the 9:30AM service on December 12th, and learn about the critical work this local Grace Outreach grant partner does in our community.


 


Episcopal Relief and Development's Gifts for Life 


 





Cedars Unitarian Alternative Gift Project 

For several years Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church of Bainbridge Island, WA created an alternative gift catalog to provide its members and community friends with alternative means to gift giving. This year we are launching this endeavor for the first time online!

In past years, members of other Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap faith communities have purchased meaningful holiday gifts through this program. We hope that you and your communities will take advantage of this unique opportunity. For detailed information and access to the catalog please got to >> cedarsuuchurch.org


Kids Happen

angel parade


Calling all Angels & Shepherds
With the approach of Advent, we have begun to plan for our annual Children's Christmas Pageant. The Pageant will take place on Sunday, December 19 during the 9:30 am worship service. If your child(ren) would like to participate in the pageant please email Nelson Spickard with their name, age, height and preference as to whether they would like to be an angel or a shepherd.

Our Kids Sing group will provide music and be the kings. Costume pick up will be after worship on December 12.  The children, including Kids Sing kids, will have one dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 18from 9-10:30am.


Mark your calendars now for these important pageant dates:
Now  through  December 5th - contact Nelsen Spickard
December 12th    11:00 -  Costume Pickup after service
December 18th    9:00-10:30 - Dress Rehearsal
December 19th    9:15  - Pageant

Children's Christmas Party

(And Grown Up Shopping Time!)

Saturday, December 4, 3-7pm

Looking for a little time without your children to get some decorating, shopping or wrapping done? Bring them to Grace on Saturday, December 4.  The classrooms will be filled with all the supplies they need to make a collection of Christmas tree ornaments. We'll decorate gingerbread and sugar cookies and perhaps make something special for them to put under the tree. After dinner together, A Charlie Brown Christmas will round out our afternoon of fun. Our party starts at 3pm and pick up will be at 7pm. A suggested donation of $10 per child to help defray the cost of food and craft supplies will be greatly appreciated. Sign up by emailing Debbie Rimkus at [email protected].



Communities of Grace

Canning Class

Join Grace member, Carrie West, as she teaches you how to make a delicious Cranberry Apple Pear Relish to serve on an appetizer platter for the holidays.  We'll be using local ingredients and canning is a good way to extend their season.  Carrie will demo how to make the relish and how to preserve it using the Boiling Water Bath canning method.  $20
December 4th;  2-4pm
Grace Church kitchen
 
Carrie West Coaching
Professional Transition Coach
[email protected]
206-390-1121

    
Sybilla
The complete Hildegard motets of Frank Ferko
Sunday, Dec 5, 3 pm
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
Composed between 1990 and 2002, Frank Ferko's thirteen Hildegard motets have been performed by choruses around the world. The Esoterics' performance will be the first performance with all thirteen of Ferko's motets, and also will be the first time the motets will be interspersed with the original Hildegard monodies that inspired them.  Please join The Esoterics and Frank Ferko, who will be in attendance for the Seattle weekend of concerts to speak about his choral homage to Hildegard, the medieval mystic and 'sibyl of the Rhine.'

  The Esoterics offers three ticket prices:
$20
general admission purchased at the door
$18 advanced admission purchased online via PayPal.
$15 discounted admission for students, seniors, un(der)employed and differently abled
Online tickets are not available on the day of the concert.
Please call 206-935-7779 if you want to reserve tickets.
TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.


Grace Office
 
Waiting on a few Angels

Grace is looking for volunteers to help fold the Sunday service bulletins.  We meet in Walker Hall around 11:30am each Friday for about an hour or so--enjoy a latte' from our own Espresso Bar--music from our state-of-the-art sound system and lots of conversation. Let Candee know if you would like to join this lively group. [email protected] or 206 842 9997 ext 17.