The Rev. Elsa Worth
Rector 
The Rev. Nancy Gage
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"The Glow" Archives:
To view previous issues of "The Glow", click here. |
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We are the  CEREAL Church! | | For a long time, Grace
Church has been delivering canned goods and other food donations down to the St. Luke's/St. Paul's Food Pantry in Bridgeport. They urgently need donations of all kinds of groceries, but one of the items that they seem to run out of and need a lot of is cereal.
If all of us could remember to pick up a box of cereal (or two or more!) each time we shop, we'll be able to make a wonderful and much needed contribution for the food pantry each week. There is a collection basket at the main entrance of the church, and also one in lower Lewis Hall.
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Click HERE to read this week's wellness message from Living Compass |
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| Dear friend,
"Elijah asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life."
-1 Kings 19:5
Poor Elijah had been through a lot, and he'd finally had enough. Fleeing from his pursuers through the hot, dry desert, he ran out of energy and flopped down under the only shrub in sight. He cried out, "OK God, I give up." Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever gotten to the very end of your rope and just given up? Ironically, at such moments when you think all is lost and gone, you've actually just arrived at a place of new openness and willingness. At the moment that you finally lay it all down, you've actually finally become ready to let go of your own expectations and allow God to take the wheel. Take heart from Elijah's experience under the broom tree. At that desparate moment in which he said to God, "Just kill me," not only did God not smite him on the spot, but God provided a meal of freshly baked bread and a jug of cool, clear water out in the middle of the parched wilderness. The story says that Elijah got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights, resurrected into new hope and energy. Have you ever experienced the liberation of giving up? Have you ever been strenghthened by admitting defeat? Has God visited you when you were lost and desparate, bringing you just what you needed in a way you would least expect it?
Here at Grace Church we are dancing with life's big questions. If you're searching for a community of faith to belong to, we invite you to come to explore, come to connect and come to believe among us here at Grace Church. We'd enjoy both your company and your participation as we follow in the way of Jesus and learn and grow in discipleship together. |
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Peace,
The Rev. Elsa Worth
Grace Episcopal Church |
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"God Sightings"
How is God speaking to you this summer?
Elsa has challenged us to a new spiritual discipline this summer - to notice a "God Sighting" each day. A God Sighting is a moment when you become aware of God's presence in your life - through something you saw in nature or through someone or something. A God Sighting is having the feeling that God is very near - or that God is conveying a message to you. God is around us all the time! This spiritual discipline is about learning to get better at noticing God's presence and being able to describe what it was like.
The quilt in the church entryway (narthex) is designated as our God Sighting bulletin board for the summer. People have printed out pictures that express a God Sighting they've had and pinned it on the quilt. If we run out of room, we can tape them to the walls. Hopefully by the end of the summer, the whole narthex will be filled with our God Sightings! Please bring your pictures and pin or tape them up whenever you're at church. You can do this whether or not you tell anyone about what your picture is about. But if you have a sighting you'd really like to share with others, please let Elsa know. She'll schedule you in to share your God Sighting in church during the Sunday announcements sometime in August.
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Godly Play
Now that the Godly Play room is set up in the church, we'll be ready to offer Godly Play sessions after the Sunday service this fall. The plan is to begin in September having Godly Play on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month for children in preschool through 5th grade. If you'd like to enroll your child, please speak to Elsa in August so we can order enough materials. There is also a need for door people and storytellers, so speak to her if you'd like to help out. An info session about Godly Play will be held on Sunday, August 19th immediately after the service for anyone interested in finding out more about this wonderful program.
Ancestors: A New Program for Middle School Students
How well do you know your ancestors? How much do you know about Adam and Eve, the loveable screw ups? Or how about Noah, the obedient eccentric? Have you heard of Rahab, the faithful opportunist? Or Elijah, the get-r done prophet? These are just some of your long ago ancestors that we're going to get the chance to get to know them better through some goofy videos, fun activities and juicy discussions in the Ancestors program this coming year. Kids going into 6th, 7th or 8th grade are invited to meet approximately twice a month, at a time and place suitable to all who are interested. Materials for each student must be purchased in advance, so please EMAIL ELSA, or call, to let her know of your interest.
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Vestry News:
Summer Church Location Swap
Let's show warm hospitality to Christ Church members as they continue to worship with us for the next two Sundays.
Rescheduled Vestry Meeting
Tuesday, August 14th, 7:00 PM - in the Chapel
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The Grace Church Art Studio
-a new venue for healing and creativity
 Love to paint, draw or create any other visual media? Find it hard to fine the time or physical space to do it? The Grace Church Art Studio is for those who already love art or for those who want to find a new way to tap into their creative being. In addition to being an enjoyable pastime, art is an important outlet for those having difficulty finding peace or expressing their emotions. Therefore our Art Studio is intended as a peaceful place of healing and creativity for all. We hope it gives those who want to paint, draw or even just doodle a special place to come and release what's inside their heart and spirit, and also gives those who are searching for a better way to cope with the pain, suffering and stress of meeting the demands of life, a place to meet their higher power through art. Location: Upper Lewis Hall, across from the main church offices. Available: Monday-Sunday 7:00 AM- 10:00 PM Currently, we ask that you bring your own supplies and take them with you when you are done. We do have a few paints, brushes, small canvases and some paper for those who need assistance in getting started. We encourage anyone who wants to come to use this space as often as they wish. We also plan to offer art lessons in the near future. Art Studio rules are posted on the door of the studio, and we ask that all who use the studio abide by them for the good of all. Donations of materials, talents or time to grow our Art Studio mission are greatly appreciated. And because this is a new venture, we welcome your ideas and suggestions. For questions or suggestions, please contact Dave Varker or Chris Lockwood. While the studio is now set up and ready for use, please plan to attend our Gala Opening Reception on Sunday, September 16th, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the studio. |
Harvest Celebration
-sponsored by the Episcopal Churches of Trumbull
On Sunday, Sept. 9th at 2PM, Grace Church, Christ Church and Trinity Church are sponsoring a special Harvest Celebration at the Trumbull Bandstand (next to the town hall). Residents of the Trumbull area will be invited to bring produce from their gardens (or canned goods from the store) to dedicate and bless and donate to the CT Food Bank. If you have a garden bursting with squash or tomatoes or any other good thing, or would like to bring some purchased food to add to the cornucopia of bounty we hope Trumbull can contribute to the food bank, please plan to be with us for this short harvest prayer service.
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Tashua Apple Festival
We are planning on helping out Christ Church with their annual Apple Festival on the first weekend of October this year. If you can donate some of your time or energy, please speak with Chris Stapleton, who is gathering willing helpers together to pitch in on a day of Episcopal Church fun!
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Coffee Hour Hosting
At Grace Church, we all share the ministry of hospitality at our weekly coffee hour rather than have it rest on the shoulders of just a few. Our system is to cycle through the whole church directory alphabetically, asking two individuals or families each week to contribute a tray of goodies. If possible, these people also stay and help clean up after coffee hour is over. If your name is in the newly published contact list, you can expect to be called to be a coffee hour host on a periodic basis, and we will welcome your unique and delicious contribution! Maryann will be calling people on Mondays for the upcoming Sunday. Please get back to her either way so that we know we're covered each week. If you are going to be away, or are unavailable on a week she calls, no problem. She'll move on to the next person and will circle around and invite you again later. If for some reason you are unable to take part in the coffee hour rotation, please let Maryann or Elsa know if you haven't already done so - so we won't keep bugging you!
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Piano Lessons
 Would you like to study the piano? Do you know someone else who would? Dave McWilliams is hoping to gather some students to study with him on Sunday afternoons right here at the church. Dave is experienced in teaching piano students of all ages. Speak with, or email, him if you're interested in knowing more. |
This Week's Announcements
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Sunday, August 12, 9:30 AM
Eucharist service with Christ Church visiting Tuesday, August 14, 7:00 PM
Vestry meeting in the Chapel
Wednesday, August 15, 7:00 AM
Guided Meditation
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Sunday, August 19, 9:30 AM
Eucharist service with Christ Church visiting
Wednesday, August 22, 7:00 - 7:25 AM
Guided Meditation
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Parish Hall available for community functions
Click HERE for additional information and Parish Hall availability. |
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