Circle of Grace

 

 


Grace Church | Bainbridge Island
        weekly eNews | April 29, 2011


inclusion � service � discovery � gratitude



 

ERD Header 

Southeastern storms map

 

Dear Friend, 

 

The severe storms and tornadoes that have overwhelmed five Southern states continue to batter theregion.  A new wave of storms came shortly after an earlier cluster that barreled through the Southeast over the weekend of April 16.  Over 200 people have died throughout the South and Southeast and widespread damage to homes and civic infrastructure has been reported.  

 

Your support is critically needed to reach the growing number of dioceses responding to those in distress.

 

 

Episcopal Relief & Development has been in contact with impacted dioceses, and is working with local churches to respond in a number of locations. 

 

Pray for those who are at risk or who have suffered losses, for the families of those who have died, and for the rescue and relief teams who are working to save lives and address immediate needs.

 

Please contribute today to help those devastated by these relentless storms.

 

Yours faithfully, 

 

Rob Radtke

President, Episcopal Relief & Development

 

 

                                                               

 

Grace Kids

 

 

Kildare Cross

 Surrounding this Celtic Cross from Scotland, is the oak wreath  symbolizing faith and endurance.

Confirmed 

But Not Conformed

Wednesday, May 18th, 7 to 8:15 pm, reception to follow

 

On Wednesday evening, May 18th, nearly 2 dozen Gracies will affirm their journey of faith as they stand before Bishop Rickel, and our Grace community, in a unique Confirmation liturgy. The participants, all high school students, have been preparing over the Fall, Winter, Spring, focusing on God Beyond, God With Us, and God Within Us. Bill Harper, Kathie McCarthy, and Ann Strickland have helped to facilitate the conversations, and the experience-and they, with the entire group, are looking forward to this unique next step. Bishop Rickel accepted our invitation for this special Wednesday evening service in order for us to experience a creative and formative liturgy. It's hoped that even on a Wedenesday evening in May we will be able to gather a strong core of our Grace community to support these young Grace folk-and to celebrate with them and with their families. 

 

 

Kids In/Parents Out

April 30th, 5 to 8:30 pm

 

It's time to sign up for our spring Kids Night on Saturday, April 30. Parents, here's your opportunity for some time at home to garden and spring clean, or make a reservation and enjoy an evening out. There'll be outdoor games, gardening, art and dinner for the kids.  After a little dessert, we'll wind down with a movie.  Drop off is at 5pm and pick up it at 8:30. A small donation to help cover the cost of food and art supplies will be gratefully accepted. To help us plan the right amount of food and supervision, be sure and sign up by emailing Debbie Rimkus.    

    

 

Acolyte Celebration and Invitation

Tuesday, May 10th, 5-7pm

 

The school year is almost over and it is time to celebrate. We want to thank all our wonderful acolytes with a cookout just for you. Our Rector Bill will be manning the grill and there'll be all the fixings for make your own ice cream sundaes. We also invite any rising 4th/5th/6th graders to join us and learn more about being an acolyte. If you have a child who is interested in becoming an acolyte but unable to attend, contact Debbie Rimkus.


 

Grace Women 

 

  

Grace Women's Retreat May 13th - 15th

Grace Women's Retreat

Unwinding, moving into stillness and knowing

 

 

We invite you to join us for a weekend of rest and renewal.

 

We begin with easy, beginners yoga.
We move into Authentic Movement.
We close with simple centering prayer and song on Sunday morning.

 

Visit LLFuller.com for more information about Lynn and Lee and their work with Authentic Movement.

To register email [email protected] 

 

$200 total due at registration ncludes lodging, meals, movement practices, and meals from Friday dinner-Sunday lunch.

 

There is a wonderful group of women gathering, we welcome a few more!

 

Kay Jensen, yoga 

Lynn and Lee Fuller, Authentic Movement, 

 

Organized and led by Ann Strickland and Kathie McCarthy.

 

 

 

Women's Wilderness Sojourn

Women's Wilderness Trip

 August 18th - 25, 2011

 

North Cascades, Stehekin to Image Lake

Get strong. Be in community in the wild. 

There's nothing quite like it.

 

Many different levels of physical ability can manage this with careful, gentle training.

 

Questions: [email protected]

Register:   Candee at Grace 

Deposit:    $100 non-refundable deposit 

$700 by July 17th 


 
The Gallery at Grace 
 
Meg Hammlet

Outreach


 Helpline Logo 

Grace Food Basket April 

Pasta, Jelly, canned meat (not tuna), dry cat food, variety of cereals, beans (protein), mixes for meals.  

 

 

 

 

 2011 Outreach Grant Application 

The 2011 Grace Outreach grant application is available online or by contacting Mark Kruse.

   

The Farm Stove Project /Proyecto Estufa Finca

at Grace Sunday, May 15th following the 9:30 Service 

Now in its second year, a group of volunteers from SeaChar (Seattle Biochar Working Group) have completed a pilot project working with organic coffee growers in the Santos region of Costa Rica to provide micro-gasifier cookstoves to migrant coffee pickers to reduce exposure of women and children to smoke from open cooking fires and to produce biochar. Organic coffee farmers are already familiar with biochar, having used it in their compost formulations for the past 10 years. Grace is pleased to welcome Art Donnelly following the 9:30 service on May 15. Grab a cup of coffee and join us to learn about his leadership with this project. You can also view the short film below to learn more about the Farm Stove Project.

Mas que Café
Mas que Café

                                                               

 
Soul School 
 

Getting in Touch with Mother Nature E&S Logo

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Bird Watching

Saturday, May 21

 

Donna Greenawalt and other intrepid Grace birders will head off in the Grace van for a day of soaking up nature's sights and sounds, and most especially the bird activity in the Spring of the year.  We'll meet at Grace at 8 am to carpool in the Grace van.  We intend to return by 3 pm.  We'll be exploring one of the richest saltwater estuary systems in Puget Sound.  The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is on the Nisqually River delta, between Tacoma and Olympia.  Here, three thousand acres of salt- and freshwater marsh, grasslands, and mixed forest are protected to provide resting and nesting habitat for waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and wading birds.  Check out a photo of the newly completed boardwalk at http://www.fws.gov/Nisqually/.  Bring binoculars, clothing for being outdoors all day, a lunch, and water.  The walking is not strenuous.  Please RSVP to Marcy (842-8942) if you plan to come.  Questions?  Call Donna at 780-1144.



Looking for Goodness 
 

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!

 

 


 

 armsOlivia

 

Arms Around Bainbridge

Arms Around Bainbridge is an Island organization that helps families and individuals who are suffering from major medical problems or a recent personal tragedy and lack adequate financial resources for necessary medical and other care. Olivia Carey, a familiar Island face -- and fitness trainer to many a Gracie -- was the first recipient for Arm's several years ago. Olivia is once again in a tough battle against ovarian cancer. To help Olivia and other Arms' beneficiaries visitthe organization's website, Arms Around Bainbridge, to learn more about a silent auction and benefit on May 21, 6 to 8 pm at Island Fitness. 

 

   

 

 

  

Communities of Grace 
 

In this section you will find programs and events happening in our broader local community as well as the local and national Episcopal church. We welcome your submissions of 150 words or less sent by Tuesday for the current week's publication.

 

 

The ALMOST PERFECT SALE (Spring Version) opens today at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts on Winslow Way, downtown Bainbridige- an unusually fine collection of goodies this year (and PILES of my
stuff, all half off or better) -- so be sure to stop in!


Helpline House Fundraiser: This Saturday 

"86 Hunger" at IslandWood, 7-10 pm.  Tickets are $86 per person.  Please make your reservation by April 15.  We are hoping to reach a wide demographic of people who might not have been involved with Helpline House before. The focus of this fundraising event is to support our island Food Bank. As you might know, HH has lost over $62,000 in funding this year so far, between city and state cutbacks.  

 

Blood Drive: 12 noon to 6 pm (closed 2-2:45) at the American Legion Hall (7880 NE Bucklin Hill Road, Bainbridge Island). For more information about these drives please call Puget Sound Blood Center Donor Representative Greg Supancheck at 1-888-475-5275 or e-mail [email protected] 

  

Caregivers' Support Group (for anyone caring for a loved one who is ill), every Tuesday from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church Prayer Room. Sponsored by Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers    

How does your garden grow poster

How Does Your Garden Grow? a Musical 
Wednesday, May 4, 7 p.m.
Webster Hall at The Island School, 8553 NE Day Road, Bainbridge Island.
 
The Island School invites you to enjoy our production of How Does Your Garden Grow?,a musical performed by The Island School kindergarten and first grade students. Audiences will delight in the music and story featuring a lazy farmer, his plants and colorful creatures from the great outdoors.
842-0400 or [email protected]
All ages. Free.    




Paved With Gold: As I Remember

Immigration Play  Thursday, May 5, 7 p.m. paved with gold poster
Webster Hall at The Island School, 8553 NE Day Road, Bainbridge Island.
 
Students synthesize their families' varied experiences immigrating to the United States, and explore common themes through story-telling, drama, music and dance. Now in its third year, Paved With Gold tells the unique story of this new group of talented performers.
 
Written and performed by The Island School Fifth Grade.
Co-directed by Pamela Dharamsey Lee, Mike Derzon and Betsy Carroll.
842-0400 or [email protected] 
Free.