Invitation or Indicment? 

excerpt from Notes from the Vicar, by Bill Harper 

"In the Liturgy for Ash Wednesday we are literally "invited" to a Holy Lent. Not indicted, but invited. And I want to underscore that invitation.Consider our chances to gather as a community this season, and commit to them. Commit to connect. The invitation is there, and you'll find information here. And consider joining the  conversation as we try to read one book together, a book that invites us to consider the fundamental goodness of every one of us, and everyone else, too.  Here's where you can join that conversation.  Really, just jump in and try it. Sure, it's an online conversation--a blog--but it's also a way to lengthen and deepen the experience of this season. The invitation and inspiration is there."

Made for Goodness - Join the Conversation! 

To participate in the book conversation, Made for Goodness, join the Grace Soul School email list, you'll find the link on the right hand side of our Grace Soul School site. This email address is kept confidential and will not be shared or published. You'll be notified when the conversation starts and when participants comment. We hope you'll join us. This is an incredible book for the soul. See you school!  

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

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 for 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. 

>>  Learn More About our Lenten Gatherings  

>>  Download the Grace Lenten Programs Brochure 

Episcopal Relief & Development 2011 Lenten Meditations  

This year's Lenten devotional, found on our kiosk at Grace, was written by a group of leaders from across the Episcopal Church. Episcopal Relief & Development is very grateful to these friends for generously sharing their time and thoughts. Reflecting a range of diverse voices, the meditations provide insights

on the daily lectionary readings and how we might apply them to our lives as we face a world in need.

As we consider Jesus' life of healing and sacrifice during this Lenten season, Episcopal Relief & Development asks you to reflect on your faith and how you might take action in responding to a hurting world. The traditional Lenten practice of almsgiving provides an opportunity to renew your commitment to people in need by supporting Episcopal Relief

Diocese of Olympia

Special Edition

Prayers for Japan

March 11, 2011

Dear Ones,

By now, you all have heard of the devastating earthquake off the coast of Japan, some in this diocese may even be seeing evidence of it in rising water. We pray for all the people of Japan, and all those who will be affected by the path of the subsequent wave. I know there are those who have family directly affected and we pray for them as they eagerly await word.  

I received this, early this morning from the Presiding Bishop's Office, 

"We ask your prayers for the people of Japan and surrounding areas in the Pacific Rim following the earlier earthquake and tsunami. I have been in touch with Archbishop Nathaniel Uematsu of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, who was in meetings in Kyoto during the time of the earthquake and is now in Osaka trying to communicate with the areas most affected by the devastation. He asks for prayers for Bishop John Kato and the people of the Diocese of Tohoku, which has been hit hardest. Our office continues to be in touch with Episcopal Relief & Development, as well as with Lambeth Palace. Your prayers and support are deeply appreciated, for Japan, as well as for all those in the Pacific Rim under a tsunami alert."

My Lambeth group had a large portion of the Japanese bishops as part of it. They were amazingly gracious and I thought immediately of them when I first heard of the quake last night. As I hear of ways to respond I will offer them. As of this time I do not have any such information.

Blessings,

Greg

Here is "Good" Happening.  We hear so much that just isn't good, but right here, each week, we'll provide a link to a little bit of goodness and grace.  And we love to hear from you, too.  Send us the goodness you'll see--we are made for this!

>>Women Who Light the Dark  

All over the world, women are helping each other tackle the problems that  

darken their lives. Their material resources are limited but their energy, dedication, and imaginations are boundless. They're using dance, drama, poetry, painting, games, story-telling. And they are succeeding: overcoming discrimination, domestic violence, disease, poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition. Be inspired by their spirit and courage! Help them change the world.

Women Who Light The Dark

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. 

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.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

 Many, many thanks to Men of Grace, under the direction of Doug Ferguson for the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.There was a feast of pancakes (with REAL maple syrup), sausages and applesauce;combine that with great conversation and laughter in Walker Hall and you have a fantastic Shrove Tuesday at Grace Church.Thank you gentlemen, for your tireless dedication to pancakes.

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!

Josie's Report from Sunday, March 6

This Sunday there was only 3.4 pounds of trash at the end of coffee hour!

There were some things that were recyclable, like paper and a donut box.

There was also a little bit of compost, like coffee grounds. We have a

new, big compost bin so I think that has helped a lot.

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

For a quick look at current programs &   

Worship schedules, visit our Grace website calendar.

Lenten Evensong at St. Barnabas

The New Atheism and

The Goodness of God

with Fr. Mike Raschko, PhD

Thursday, March 31 - 7:30 to 9pm

The Faith Center Fireplace Room

>>St. Cecilla's Parish 

 The New Atheism forces believers to think more deeply

about what we believe, about how God creates, how God is involved in the history of life, how divine power works, about the goodness of God in the face of war and natural disasters, and the violence and horrors unleashed by 'holy wars'.

Fr. Mike Raschko is the Bertch Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Seattle Univ. School of Theology and Ministry, and the Theologian for the Archdiocese.  Since 1985, Fr. Raschko has taught courses in systematic theology, including Christology, Christian Anthropology, Hermeneutics, as well as courses in Christian history.

Suggested donation $10 at the door.