The Rev. Elsa Worth
Rector 
The Rev. Nancy Gage
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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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  | | If you wish to subscribe to the Episcopal Diocese of CT weekly eNewsletters, please click HERE. |
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Click HERE to read this week's wellness message from Living Compass |
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"The Glow" Archives:
To view previous issues of "The Glow", click here. |
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| Dear friend,
"When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?"
-John 6:60
To walk a spiritual path takes both discipline and trust - discipline to stick with it even when it becomes challenging and trust to keep following even when you don't know or understand the way. Perhaps you know someone, or perhaps you are someone, who has a hard time believing the things people talk about in church. Take the ancient creeds, for instance. It's hard to wrap your mind around a virgin birth, God becoming a human, the resurrection of the body, etc. These days we think of belief as intellectually agreeing with something, as in, "Oh I believe what she said." or "I can't believe that happened." or "I don't believe that is true." If something is just too hard to swallow intellectually, we say we don't believe it.
But the spiritual path takes us to a place that is deeper than reason and touches us in deep places within us and around us that we don't have the capacity to understand. And the ancient words and stories of a particular faith tradition, no matter what you think of them, beat out a rhythm on people's oldest jungle drums. So the word 'belief' is not limited to the intellect. When people of spiritual faith say they believe in God, they are not saying that God makes sense to them. After all, a God you could wrap your mind around, understand fully and feel comfortable with wouldn't be much of a God. Believing in God means abiding in something much bigger than yourself, trusting in a power that you don't understand, and entrusting yourself and your life in that power, even though teachings about God - both traditional and contemporary - can often be difficult.
So what do you think about God? But also consider: What do you feel about God? What do you intuit about God? What do you sense about God in your body? What do you imagine about God? What do you want from God? What do you need from God? In what ways do you want to trust God?
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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Summer Church Location Swap
This Sunday, Grace Church will be meeting at Christ Church, Tashua. Service times are 8:00 and 9:30 AM.
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"God Sightings"
-How is God speaking to you this summer?
Here is a spiritual discipline to try this summer - see if you can notice and describe 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.
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.
Annual Blessing of the Backpacks
Students in preschool through high school are invited to bring their backpacks to church on Sunday, Sept 9 for a special blessing for the upcoming school year. Students will also receive a token to keep in their backpacks. Any student, whether a member of Grace Church or not, is welcome to take part.
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Grace Choir 
-Our choir is looking to GROW!!
We're currently looking for new choir members of all ages and abilities for the fall when rehearsals will begin. Please consider supporting our thriving music program by becoming a member. Can't read music? Not a problem! Have no experience? None is necessary! You just need a willingness to learn and be part of a truly unique and fulfilling experience! Talk to Dave or any other choir member if you're considering. Choir rehearsals are brief and take place immediately after coffee hour on Sunday. |
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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 way to deepen in faith. The Grace 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 express what's in their hearts. And especially for those working on finding new and healthier ways of dealing with the pain, stress and demands of life, we hope that the studio will be a place to meet one's 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. More info about the studio and Grace Church can be found on our website: www.gracetrumbull.org The public is warmly invited to attend the Gala Opening Reception on Sunday, September 16th, from 6:30 - 8:00 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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Education for Ministry (EFM)
Have you ever thought about digging deeper into the Christian faith, studying the Bible, Church history and theological ideas and reflecting on connecting faith with life experiences?
If so, Ginnie Glassman, can provide you more information about this program. Please feel free to contact Ginnie via email at: ginnieg123@aol.com or 203-268-9322
To visit the EFM website, please click HERE. |
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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 26, 8:00 and 9:30 AM
Eucharist service with Christ Church visiting
Wednesday, August 29, 7:00 AM
Guided Meditation
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Sunday, September 2, 9:30 AM
Eucharist service
Wednesday, September 5, 7:00 - 7:25 AM
Guided Meditation
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Sunday Evening Services, beginning in September:
Recovery Eucharist, September 9, 5:00 PM
Weekly Night Prayers, September 9, 8:00 PM
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Church Hall available for community functions
Click HERE for additional information and Church Hall availability. |
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