Next Sunday, students in preschool through 12th grade are invited to bring their backpacks to church. They'll bring them forward during the service for a special blessing and prayer for a good school year. Students will also receive a token to keep in their backpacks to remind them of God's love and presence all year long. Any student is welcome, whether they attend Grace Church or not - so tell your friends and neighbors!

Godly Play  

Godly Play begins on the 4th Sunday of September (Sept 23) right after our service, and will continue on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month thereafter. If your child is in preschool through 5th grade and you'd like to have him or her take part, the deadline for signing up is September 5 so that we can order all needed supplies. To sign up, please speak to Elsa or call the church office. There will be an orientation for Godly Play (just for parents) on Sunday, Sept 9, immediately after the service. Children are invited to do a special craft project with supervision during the orientation.

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 the deadline to enroll is Sept 5th. The group is open to all middle schoolers, whether or not they attend Grace Church. To enroll, please speak to Elsa or call the church office.  

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.

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.

The Vestry is working with a church stewardship consultant to conduct an Every Member Visitation Stewardship Drive on this date. Our Steering Committee will be recruiting and training volunteer visitors, developing communication pieces, and asking members of the congregation for assistance with the drive in various ways. Please prayerfully consider how you can help this important effort and say "YES!" when a member of our parish asks for your help. Much more information will follow! Please see our website, and look for updates in the Glow, in the Sunday Bulletin, in church and in special mailings