Tuesdays, March 15, 22; April 5, 12 (March 29: Break for Spring Break)

Yes, the whole family. All of us. Lent really is special, unique time of year. While we wait for Winter to pass, and trust in the faith of Spring, it makes sense to gather-even huddle-with those who share the road with us. We can create community and connections as we let go of those things that weigh our hearts down so we can be open to the Easter that is yet to come. This year at Grace we are excited to offer opportunities for this season that we hope most every member of our Grace family can connect with. We'll have the chance-young and old, individuals and families-to share a simple meal and good company, deepen our faith, and pray together for new life to enter our world. Again. Each Tuesday night in Lent we'll gather at 6 for soup and bread, and then take part in any and all of these offerings.

Programing Preview:

Singing Psalms. Led by Ann Strickland and Arienne Davison 

For Men, Boys, Guys, Dudes Led by Bill Harper

Spiritual Coming Out Stories: Where Do You Stand? Led by Kathie McCarthy 

Kids at Grace: Knowing God, Knowing Jesus. Led by Debbie Rimkus 

For more Lenten programming details,  

 >> Soul School at Grace/The 2011 Lenten Season

Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Supper

Tuesday, March 8, 5:30-7:30pm

It's time once again for Grace's traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. The Men of Grace, under the direction of  Doug Ferguson, will once again be organizing a feast of buttermilk and buckwheat pancakes, sausages and applesauce. As we prepare for Lent, Holy Week and the joy of Easter, start by joining your Grace family in Walker Hall and sharing a plate of pancakes.

cost is $5 per person or $15 per family.

Ash Wednesday Services at Grace

Wednesday, March 9, 10:30 am & 7 pm 

 The words of our Ash Wednesday ritual are arresting, honest and careful.  "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return."  My goodness, what a thing to remember!  The words, let alone the idea, grab us.  They invite us and challenge us to take another look at who we are, and what we are made with and for.  The ask us to consider and re-consider the truth we tell about ourselves." -- Bill Harper 

Landscape Work Party

Tomorrow: Saturday, March 5, 9 am at Grace 

Join the Grace Grounds Group for a planting party.

They'll be planting bareroot pnw native plants along the new trails on the north east corner of the Grace property. Many hands welcome!

info: Nate & Marguerite Thomas, nate@archthom.com.

Faithful Parenting 

With Bill Harper and Debbie Rimkus

Sunday, March 20, 4-6pm

We will have our next Faithful Parenting afternoon on Sunday, March 20. During Lent the children will have an opportunity to talk with Bill about God and Jesus. And so we continue our discussion on our faith and beliefs. How do we nurture faith formation in children when we still have questions of our own? What do we do when our children's beliefs begin to differ from our own? Can we find the sense of awe and wonder that comes naturally to children in our own hearts?

Our afternoon will open in Walker Hall with light refreshments followed by the discussion at 4:30 in the Sanctuary. Childcare will be provided with activities and a snack for the children in the Living Room.

Knowing God; Knowing Jesus

A Conversation for Children

 March 15, 3:30-4:30

March 22, 3:30-4:30

For two Tuesdays in Lent, our Rector, Bill Harper will spend an hour talking with your children about God and Jesus. We'll talk a little about the nature of God and how God is present in our lives. We'll talk about Jesus,and the stories they have heard in Godly Play. We'll talk about what we get to know and what must remain a beautiful mystery.

While the children enjoy time in the Sanctuary with the Rector, plan to stay and enjoy a tea time just for the parents. Cheese, crackers, fruit and a sweet or two will be available in the Living Room as you take time to visit with one another. 

You're Invited

Grace Newcomer's Gathering

Come join other Grace Newcomers  for a light supper and Welcome by Rector Bill Harper.

March 13 from 5:30 to 7pm, Grace Church 

If you missed our last newcomer event, please join us! 

Please RSVP by email or phone and leave a message with the number attending from your family to help us with our planning. If you have any questions please contact Judy or Ruth. 

Judy Cozine           or         Ruth Blaney Matthews

cozy@sounddsl.com                 r.blaney@usa.net 

842 - 5098                                    842 - 6390

Child Care will be available

Unwinding ~

Moving into Stillness & Knowing

May 13 - 15, 2011

Seabeck Conference Center

The weekend will provide time for practicing Authentic Movement and Witnessing with Lee and Lynn Fuller, yoga with Kay Jensen, and extra quiet time for reflection and relaxation.

To register email grace@gracehere.org by April 5th.

$75 nonrefundable deposit due at registration.

$185 includes lodging, meals, movement practices, and Friday dinner-Sunday lunch.

$200 after April 5th.

Full balance due by May 1st.

Organized and led by Ann Strickland and Kathie McCarthy.

Questions? annie@gracehere.org or healingworks@kathiemccarthy.com

RePower Bainbridge at Grace

Sign up for a Free Home Energy Assessment during Coffee Hour 

Faith communities are taking an early lead in helping Island homeowners sign up for a free energy assessment. Through the RePower Bainbridge program, you can receive a no-cost energy assessment for your home, a customized energy action plan detailing cost-effective measures, and assistance with incentives, rebates and financing.  The ultimate goal of the project is to save 7000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions through energy upgrades. 

You can sign up for your free home energy assessment at a sign-up table at Grace during coffee hour, or you can call 1-877-741-4340.  Over 300 of your fellow community members have already received their home energy check-up.

Visit >> repowerbainbridge.org to learn more.

In the near future we will also be able to have information at Grace for a similar program for off-island homeowners who live in Kitsap County.  

Environmental Service Learning Project

My name is Josie Hill and I am in 3rd grade at Odyssey school. I am doing an Environmental Service Learning Project in science. I want to learn more about garbage and recycling and composting.  I hope that I can help Grace Church reduce its waste on Sundays. I will be weighing our garbage each week. My goal is to reduce waste at Grace over the next four months.  Please help me by using the compost bin and recycling bin and not throw so much in the garbage.  Thank you!

Our bi-monthly publication/newsletter; Grace Faith, Arts, News

now available >>  Online and on our kiosk at Grace.  

In This Issue:   

Bill Harper on Epiphanies.

A Farewell Note from Warden John Waldo.

Annual Giving Update: a truly heart warming response.

Lenten Soul School: programs for the entire family.

Holy Week & Easter preview.

"Grace Does," celebrating the sound gifts of a long time Grace member.

Kids Happen- 3 programs you'll want to hear about.

Earth & Spirit - taking steps towards an energy efficient island.  

A Grace 3rd grader's Environmental Service Project.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper info.

A warm welcome at the Grace Welcome Table.

Mom's Morning Retreat, thriving on Thursdays.

And a new idea for Lent- Reading the same book all at the same time. 

For a quick look at current programs &  

Worship schedules, visit our Grace website calendar.

Monotypes by Berit Ringo

 An exhibit of Berit Ringo's monotypes opens Sunday, March 6th at the

Unitarian Church. An artist's reception will take place from 1:00-3:00

and you are cordially invited to attend. Feel free to bring friends and

family. The Unitarian Church is located at 6556- 35th Ave. N.E. Seattle.

Camp Huston

Online Registration

is now available for Summer 2011. Visit

>> huston.org to register or view an electronic version of the summer 2011 brochure. Resident Camp, Horse and Buckaroo Camps, Mini Camp, Theater Camp, and Family Camp available! Remember, scholarships are available through your Parish and the Bishop Curtis Scholarship Fund.

Save the Date: Open House BBQ, May 21, 2011

- Join us for a free bbq and opportunity to see the cabins, walk the trails, try out arts and crafts, and meet some of this summer's staff! This is a great way to get acquainted with Camp Huston if you've never been before or to show a friend!

Other Upcoming Events: 

Work Weekend, April 29 - May 1

Join Camp Huston for a weekend of hard work, hearty food, and friendly fellowship! We'll prepare the cabins for the summer season and work on projects around the camp. We'll close each evening with a service and opportunity to share successes of the day around a campfire. Cost is only $10/person, including lodging and meals.

Thank you for your continued support! Have a great week!
 
Chelsea      
Chelsea Hendrikx    Program Director
Huston Camp and Conference Center
w: 360- 793-0441, c: 206-909-2597