Grace Outreach will be sending initial grant support to the Japan Red Cross. Input from Colleen Austin and Neil Tennyson, who have been in regular contact with friends and former colleagues, indicates that this is the quickest way to provide early relief for essential life support and rescue operations. Further dollars will follow, directed through Episcopal Relief and Development. For those wanting to make their own contributions, both these organizations are effective and highly trustworthy.  

 >> Episcopal Relief & Development

Tuesdays, March 22; April 5, 12

 (March 29: Break for Spring Break)

Supper at 6 Programs 6:30 to 7:30

    ... and we'll do the cooking and clean-up! 

Singing Psalms. Led by Ann Strickland and Arienne Davison Chanting the Psalms is a form of inspiration. We'll try single note chanting, Taize chant, and some of the simple-and even artful-Anglican chants. This is for anyone. If you think you can only sing one note, and it's a different note every time. Perfect. Your note is needed! For Men. Boys. Guys. Dudes. Led by Bill Harper "The Dude Abides." Recognize that quote? Starting with the Big Lebowski-the Dude-we'll try to talk about life as fathers, sons, partners, workers, men, and boys. This is open to all guys. And boys. Young sons welcome (you know, maybe 13 and up). Out of the Spirit Closet. Led by Kathie McCarthy. It happens to so many of us. You know that moment when you realize you believe something different? Different from what you thought you believed; different from what others believe.  For four weeks in Lent we will gently and respectfully be invited to inhabit our internal beliefs. Kid's Programs Led by Debbie Rimkus Debbie will be partnering with Grace artist Virginia Davison to offer kids (age 5+) an opportunity to create art reflecting on the themes of rebirth and renewal over the four weeks of the Lenten Program. For Younger Kids Childcare will be offered in the Nursery for children 5 and under. For Studious Kids We will open a room for (mostly) quiet study. We'll have one our great Grace high schooler around to help with homework and share community! Prayer at 7:40pm We all gather in the Sanctuary for quiet prayer before being sent out into the world.

So there we are. And here we are. Growing Together.
Show up. Be there. Each week or any week.

Made for Goodnessby Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu  

Watch Video

Our Online Book Discussion for Lent

Can We Trust This?

Right now, in and around us, it seems harder to trust "goodness."  It could just be me, but I don't think so. Events in the Middle East. Cynical political manipulation.  People's lives made fragile by an economy that seems to thrive on unreal and unreasonable income disparity. Wars-unrelenting, slow bleeding, seemingly without end or even sustainable purpose. All this we see and know and experience daily-and then into that daily reality comes a "natural disaster." I often wonder why it's called a "disaster" when nature is simply fulfilling its natural course.  Earthquakes, of course, are natural. But in the world we try to control, they become disasters. And this Japanese earthquake certainly has terrible consequences-it is a full on disaster.  It's a bad thing happening at a bad time.  

READ MORE and Join the Conversation  

Learn More >> gracesoulschool.org  

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.  

There will be a service to remember and celebrate the life of Lola Hamrick on Friday, March 25th, 4pm, at Grace. We will remember this long-time Grace friend with sacrament and fellowship.

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!

 Alexi Murdoch -- The Light (LIVE) vimeo.com   

Take the time to listen, hear, feel.

This is good.

And right.

And true.

We are around the Light.

Mom's Morning Retreat  

On Sunday, March 20, women from Mom's Morning Retreat will visit the 9:30 service at Grace. Mom's Morning Retreat is a Grace Outreach program that is a spiritual support group for mothers of children of all ages from our local community. The response to this ministry has been very strong. Please come meet some of the women, and find out how this program is helping moms and their families.

Helpline House/Grace Food Basket. Please bring coats or scarves...along with canned vegetables this month for the food basket located alongside the name tag "tree" at the left entrance to church.

Spring Birding Trip to Theler Wetlands  

Saturday, March 26

Donna Greenawalt, Mike McCloud, and Demi Allen will be leading a birdwatching trip to Theler Wetlands in Belfair.  We'll carpool, leaving Grace at 8 am, returning by 3.  Bring a lunch, water, snacks, and binoculars and dress warmly, including boots for wet/muddy trails.  For further information and to RSVP for this trip, please call Donna Greenawalt, 780-1144.

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.  

Visit >> repowerbainbridge.org to learn more.

Join the family-friendly, fun Kick-off Event for RePower Bainbridge on Winslow Way, starting at 1pm, Sunday, March 20.

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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 13 

The trash bag after coffee hour this week was really light - about 3 1/2 pounds.  People seem to really be catching on, which is great!

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 Knowing God; Knowing Jesus

A Conversation for Children

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.

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

View Current Exhibition 

"In John's Gospel, the first statement of Jesus was: 'Come and See.' Now, we invite you to come and see how artists  in this exhibition experience the call to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ." (From The Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones, Curator)

Seen above: "The Child Soldiers of Beslan" by Norm Wigingto

The mission of The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts (ECVA) is to encourage artists, individuals, congregations, and scholars to engage the visual arts in the spiritual life of the church.

Saint Mark's

Episcopal Cathedral Announces

Organ Plus Concert | All Handel

Mel Butler and Alan de Puy, organists

Gakyung Chung and Heidi Kim, sopranos

Sunday, March 20, 2011; 2 p.m.

Thomsen Chapel

Donation: $10 at the door, or advance passes may be purchased at the Cathedral Shop.

An all-Handel concert featuring two of Handel's famous Organ Concerti and two Italian Duets. Canon Musician Mel Butler and Assistant Organist, Canon Alan de Puy, will play both the Marion Camp Oliver organ (built by Paul Fritts) and the Martin Pasi continuo organ. Ms. Chung and Ms. Kim, both members of St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, sing two of Handel's Italian duets. These duets incorporate themes which Handel later included in his oratorio Messiah. If you enjoy Handel's Messiah, you will be particularly fascinated by these familiar-sounding duets.

This concert is presented as part of the American Handel Festival happening in Seattle from March 11th through 27th. For more information about the Handel Festival, please visit

www.americanhandelfestival.org