Greetings from Grace! 
In this Issue: Confirmation Classes, Youth Group Labyrinth Exercise, Welcome our New Seminarian and More!  

 

Grace Episcopal Church, Georgetown
1041 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
202.333.7100 | 
In this issue...
Confirmation Classes Begin
Upcoming Youth Group Events
Community and Service at the Capital Area Food Bank
Help the Homeless Run / Walk
Youth Group Cheers on the Nationals
Pictures from Music on the Lawn 2013
Parishioner Profile: Seminarian Nic Mather
Pierre L'Enfant and George Washington, from the Grace Archives
September Vestry Notes
Upcoming Events
Saturday, October 5th
12:15 to 3:30 PM
Community & Service at the Capital Area Food Bank

Sunday, October 6th
Before the 10:30 AM Service
Blessing of the Animals 

After the 10:30 AM Service
20s30s40s Bible Study and brainstorming with Diocesan Youth Adult liaison Jason Evens

Tuesday, October 9th
6:30 to 9:00 PM
Parents' Night Out

Saturday, October 19th
12:15 to 3:30 PM
Community & Service at the Capital Area Food Bank
 
Sunday, October 20th
After the 10:30 AM Service
20s30s40s Bible Study
 
1:00 PM
Confirmation Class
 
Sunday, October 27th
5:00 to 7:30 PM
Youth Group Dinner and Labyrinth Exercise

Friday and Saturday, November 1st and 2nd
Annual Parish Retreat
Bon Secours Retreat Center, Marriottsville, MD

Sunday, November 17th
Noon to 3:00 PM
Youth Group Lunch and Bingo at Georgetown Ministry Center

Sunday, November 24th
After the 10:30 AM Service
Annual Meeting
Coffee Hour Hosts

October
6th  Newsletter Committee
13th  Counters
20th  Sunday School
27th  Choir
stewardship
Annual Fall Pledge Drive
Please take time in the coming weeks to consider the value of all that Grace gives to you and others, and the importance of your relationships with God and your friends in the Grace community. 
 
By recognizing these blessings, we hope you'll find more than enough reason to make a generous pledge to support Grace and its ministries in 2013.  
retreat
Annual Parish Retreat
On November 1st and 2nd, 30 members of the Grace community will participate in this year's annual retreat at Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center. 
 
Our own Reverend John Graham will be facilitating the retreat this year, leading the group in reflection and discussion of the theme for this year: Loss, Letting Go, and Love.
 
The inspiration for this year's topic originates with Paul's letters and Dante's Divine Comedy, but the theme is universal and will allow us all to reflect on the experiences of loss in our own lives and God's desire for us. 
 
The retreat is currently full, but if you are interested in being added to the wait list, 
email Mystelle Ruble.
wednesdaysHoly Eucharist, Wednesdays at 12:15 PM
Vida Scudder

Each Wednesday during the 12:15 PM service we celebrate a holiday or the life of someone important in the church. Here's the upcoming line-up: 

 

October

2nd St. Michael and All Angels

9th Vida Scudder, Educator and Peace Activist

16th St. Luke, Evangelist

23rd St. James of Jerusalem
30th St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles
 
Please join us for this brief (30 minutes) but spiritually rewarding service. 
AdultForumAdult Forum
Every Sunday, 9:35 AM

Our theme for autumn is "Teach us to Pray"

 

Our primary text will be Margaret Guenther's
The Practice of Prayer,
readily available in e-book and paperback form at online sites like Amazon and Alibris.

Karl Rahner's The Need and the Blessing of Prayer will help us go a little deeper. 
 
Rahner's book is a more challenging read, but well worth the effort for those who'd like to take it on.
PNOParents' Night Out,
Tuesday, October 9th
Leave your little ones with us on Tuesday, October 9th from 6:30 to 9:00 PM and enjoy an evening in Georgetown or simply some time to yourself. 

Helen Buhr and Chris Kreutziger will be on hand to have fun with the children.  

 

Please phone (301.529.2511) or email Helen Buhr if you plan to come. 
For anyone who was there enjoying the food, the Taste was a huge success.
 
The lines were shorter, the crowds on the easy side of manageable, and the food was, as usual, out of this 
world. Trouble is, it was a little hot and ticket sales were down.

Sponsorship was off some too. The BID staff worked hard to make this the most successful Taste event ever but in the end, the Taste of Georgetown lost money. 
 
Not a lot, but since it is the
profit that is donated to GMC, they would have lost out. 
 
However, the Georgetown BID did not want to leave GMC empty-handed, and GMC grateful for the donation of $20,000, which helps ensure GMC's continued success.
October Birthdays

 

Paul Alligood

Sally Avignone
Brandel France deBravo

Daniel Bujard

Peyton Craighill

Russ Davis

Shirley Davis

Preston deMeo

Lauren Gonzalez-Torres

Carolyn Kroon

Ianthy McCree

Terry Murphy

Walker Valdez

 

We'd like to include you in this list! Please email us with your birthday!

EasterFlowersFlowers for the Church
It's always a pleasure to see flowers in the church! 

 

If you have a loved one or an event you'd like to commemorate, please consider contributing flowers for the Sunday services! 

 

You may deliver flowers to the church yourself on Saturdays or call 202-333-7100 or email the church office and we can order them and have them delivered for $65.
                                                                                      October 1, 2013
 

I'm excited to welcome Nic Mather, our new seminarian, to Grace! Learn more about him in this issue of the newsletter and be sure to say 'hi' to Nic and his fiance Krista Morasch at coffee hour. 
 
It's an exciting time for young people at Grace! We'll be starting confirmation classes this  month and the combined Grace-St. John's Youth Group will be undertaking a spiritual exercise at the Labyrinth in Georgetown's Waterfront Park. 
 
And don't miss pictures from our festive Music on the Lawn series that took place last month as well as the Youth Group's first outing to the Nationals Game.
 
As always, please take a moment now to get caught up on upcoming happenings at Grace. 

In Christ's Redeeming Love,
John Graham, Rector
confirmationConfirmation Classes

These monthly classes, a join undertaking of Grace and St. John's, Georgetown, begin on Sunday, October 20th with a 1:00 PM session at St. John's Episcopal Church Georgetown.

Confirmation will take place at the Cathedral in May of 2014. Young people who will be 12 years of age by May 2014 are eligible and welcome. Contact The Reverend John Graham for more information and registration. 
youthgroup Youth Group Upcoming Events

By Jeanne Jennings

 

If you are a teen or preteen (you will turn 12 by May 2014), please join us for two upcoming Grace-St. John's Youth Group Events!

 

Sunday, October 27th

5:00 to 7:30 PM

Labyrinth Exercise and Dinner

We'll be leading youth group members on a spiritual exercise at the Labyrinth in the Georgetown Waterfront Park, then discussing what we learned over dinner. RSVP Online

 

Sunday, November 17th

Noon to 3:00 PM

Lunch and Bingo with The Georgetown Ministry Center

We'll be making and eating lunch with GMC clients, then leading a Bingo tournament for them in this community service activity.
RSVP Online

 

Please contact Jeanne Jennings via email or phone (202.365.0423) for more information; more details will be provided as the dates approach. 

homeless Community and Service at the Capital Area Food Bank
By David Bujard

The Capital Area Food Bank serves the 640,000 men, women and children who are at risk of hunger in the DC area.

Come have a great time working together to pack groceries for DC school kids and elderly residents and organizing donated canned food for delivery around the city. 

Saturday, October 5th and
Saturday, October 19th
12:15 to 3:30 PM

We'll meet at the Healy Gates entrance to Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets in Georgetown, on the two dates above; please contact David Bujard to lean more and coordinate transportation to the Capital Area Food Bank.  
Help the Homeless Run/Walk 2013
By Stephanie Chan
Director of Outreach, Georgetown Ministry Center

 

Please save the date! We are partnering with Georgetown University to organize a Help the Homeless 2k Walk and 5k Run on

Sunday, October 20, 2013. 

 

Come if you can, and encourage other Grace members and friends to come out on a beautiful Fall day and raise awareness and support for Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC).

Not sure if you can train for the 5k in time? Register anyway; you'll be able to decide whether to walk/run the day of during check-in. Costumes are encouraged, but entirely optional!

 

We will have music, a cookout, and prizes for the fastest male and female 5k runners, the best costume, and the registrant/team who raises the most money in sponsorships for GMC.

 

If you don't want to run or walk, register anyway and come cheer on GMC Director Gunther Stern, who will be running the 5k! Details:

 

When: Sunday, October 20, 2013
 

Schedule: Registration from 11:00am-11:30am ; Blessing and Keynote Speaker at 11:30am; Start at 11:45am

 

Where: Georgetown University campus, check-in at Red Square (next to the Intercultural Center, enter the University through the main gates at 37th and O and head right)

 

Who: This event is open to everyone and all ages!

 

Why: Because nearly 12,000 people in Washington, DC are homeless. Georgetown Ministry Center guides chronically, service-resistant homeless individuals toward stability and housing through aggressive street outreach, providing a safe and welcoming environment in our center where everyone is treated with respect, and educating our community about homelessness. We seek to end homelessness one person at a time.

Lauren, Jeanne Jennings, Martin, Larry Molinaro, Martha and Grace cheer on the Nationals!
nationalsGrace-St. John's Youth Group Cheers on the Nationals
By Martin Fischer

We all can say it was lot of fun joining up with the new Youth Group and heading out to the Nationals Ballpark on Sunday, the 22nd of September.

 

After the 10:30 AM service, the Youth Group met up at the coffee hour food tables and walked to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station. We did a little ice-breaker on the Metro, and knew each other much better when we finally arrived at the Navy Yard station.

 

After finding some food, we settled into our seats and enjoyed the game. The weather was absolutely perfect: warm, with sun and a small breeze. 

 

Some adults joined up with us during the game, adding more fun and enjoyment with them. We met Larry Molinaro at the game (and we thank him for buying us food!); Patrick Scanlon and The Reverend John Graham came soon after. 

 

Even though the Nationals lost, they shouldn't feel humiliated because it was a good, close game. From the bottom of the first to the top of the ninth it was a fun time. Of course, the fun didn't end there.

 

We give a  special thanks to Jeanne Jennings and Patrick for leading the Youth Group, and for everyone who attended the game!

MOTLMusic on the Lawn 2013: Jazzy Evenings in the Gardens of Grace
By Marie-Laure Poire

 

What a wonderful time was had by all at this year's installment of Music on the Lawn!

 

We were blessed by wonderful weather - for the most part - as well as great company, including many new visitors to Grace Church who got wind of our live bands performing every Thursday evening.

 

Thank you all, Grace parishioners and friends, for joining us and making Music on the Lawn 2013 a success.

 

A special thanks to Luis Solares for his tireless efforts running all the logistical details seamlessly, to John Graham for his welcoming presence at every performance and Paige Baschuk for greeting our guests.

 

And of course, our most heartfelt gratitude to the four bands who shared with us their joyful music:

  • Sandra Y. Johnson and friends
  • Cloudburst
  • The Larry Brown Quartet
  • Marshall Keys and Herman Burney

We already look forward to putting on another fabulous Music on the Lawn next year! 

 

profileProfile: Nic Mather, Seminarian
By Jeanne Jennings

"Initially I didn't want to listen to that quiet voice..."

This is how Nic Mather, Grace's new seminarian, explains his somewhat round-about path toward the Priesthood. 

Nic was born and raised in Moses Lake, Washington. I was shocked to learn that his home church congregation is even smaller than Grace, with just 20 to 30 members. Their priest is a retired member of the congregation; it's a part-time, unpaid position.

His parents, both teachers, encouraged Nic and his brother Taylor Mather to question things, especially with regard to their religious upbringing. They attended the only Episcopal Church in town. One interesting aspect of where Nic was raised -- this part of Washington State has the highest concentration of Mormons outside of Utah. 

Nic decided to attend college at Gonzaga University in Spokane Washington, majoring in political science. After graduation he went to work as a paralegal in the Office of Chief Council of the IRS, with an eye toward law school. 

He was based in Seattle and while he enjoyed the lifestyle, he didn't find the job as fulfilling as he had hoped. Seeing first-hand what lawyers do all day also gave him second thoughts about attending law school. 

So he made a change. With the full support of his parents Nic went to Manhattan, Kansas ("the little apple") and took a job with the Episcopal Diocese there doing campus ministry. Within a month, he felt strongly that "everything was right" and stayed for two years.  

After careful reflection, Nic decided to enter the seminary. He chose Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS), partially because he wanted to come to the East Coast but also because of the strong faculty and its close proximity to Washington, DC (he loves politics and follows it closely). 

Every summer, from age 9 to 18, Nic spent time at Camp Cross, an Episcopal Summer Camp in Washington state. It was here that he met Krista Morasch, who is now his fiancee. They had been friends for years; the summer before coming to VTS Nic was Program Director at Camp Cross, which is when they started dating. 

They became engaged this year just after Labor Day and are planning a summer 2014 wedding in Walla Walla, Washington, where Krista was raised. 

When he's not in school or at Grace, you can find Nic enjoying the outdoors. He loves mountains, lakes and streams, although he confesses having an irrational fear of the ocean (too big). He also enjoys playing soccer, ultimate frisbee and flag football.  
    
He's a huge soccer fan -- his teams are Manchester United, the USA National Team and the Seattle Sounders -- and is already looking forward to the DC United - Seattle Sounders game at RFK next season.
 
Nic is looking forward to his time here at Grace. He wanted to spend time at a church that was right in Washington, DC -- not the suburbs. He enjoyed John's style of preaching and felt that the people here were open and welcoming.

He also felt that Grace offered him opportunities he wouldn't get elsewhere -- chances to preach, to lead the 20s30s40s Bible Study and to generally look for areas of passion where he could have an impact. 

Mark your calendars! Nic's first chance to speak in front of the congregation will be Sunday, October 20th. In the meantime, be sure to welcome he and Krista to Grace and take a few minutes during coffee hour to get to know them both. 
The Georgetown Waterfront, circa 1790
gleaningsGleanings from the Grace Archives: Pierre L'Enfant and George Washington
By John Boynton

Grace Church stands on high ground once known as Brickyard Hill, a viewpoint that offered a vista of the Potomac, Georgetown harbor and Analostan Island now known as Roosevelt Island. 
 
Before there was a Grace Church, before there was the wooden chapel that preceded it in the corner of the churchyard by the Memorial Cross, and before even there was a District of Columbia, the site was important. 
 
On the Grace property stood a hotel known as Suter's Tavern, the premier hostelry in Georgetown, Maryland. Once the location of the Federal District had been established in 1790 George Washington met with Pierre L'Enfant (or Peter, as he preferred as his "Americanized" name) who was lodging there. 
 
They walked the ground of the nascent capital while L'Enfant mesmerized Washington with visions of broad avenues and stately buildings; The Congress House (Capitol) and President's House (White House). Neither man could have envisioned the challenges in creating a bare beginning of a national capital over the coming ten years. 
 
I don't know when Suter's Tavern ceased to exist but it stood approximately where the Grace bell tower stands today. One of the early Rectors at Grace was a Reverend Suter who I've so far been unable to connect with the tavern of the same name.
 
Maybe, on a moonlit night if you listen carefully in the churchyard you can hear George and Peter arguing about where to put Pennsylvania Avenue.

 

vestryVestry Notes from the September Meeting
By Barbara de Beaufort  
  • Aeon Preservation has met with the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts to select the type of stone preferable for our Church window project. The USCFA recommended a German red sandstone as the best match for our existing sandstone. It will take 12 weeks once we order the stone and the templates have been made. Aeon sees next spring as the time for completion assuming the final cost figures are accepted by the Vestry. 
  • This summer, the Diocesan Safety Manager visited Grace Church to see how well we are in compliance with risk management procedures. The Safety Manager was impressed with the facility and noted several safeguards in place that protect people and property. The Church Insurance Agency will send us his recommendations for us.  
  • We celebrated Jean McKinney's life on Sunday, September 1 with a service and reception. 
  • The Taste of Georgetown lost money in 2013. The Georgetown Business Improvement District, Grace and Georgetown Ministry Center will be considering alternative ways to raise funds for the GMC, and awareness of homelessness in our community, in future years.
  • Peyton Craighill and Margaret Davis are our delegates for the 2014 Diocesan Convention. 
  • The Nominating Committee for new Vestry members include Paul Alligood and Sally Avignone. They will work with the Rector to identify additional non-Vestry members for the Nominating Committee.  
  • Diana Dick has agreed to be nominated as Junior Warden. 
  • The Stewardship Committee is planning to host two luncheons at Grace Church this year. The lunches will include a simple menu of catered food and drink, time for conversation, and brief presentations on stewardship. 
  • Several changes were made in the Children's Ministries. The Sunday morning "Welcoming of the Children" will be only once a month. Also, special Advent presentations featuring children and youth, and an Epiphany pageant, will replace the Christmas pageant.  
  • The healing ministries are now offered on the "Second Sunday" of each month at all services.
  • Joey Rick, the Diocesan Canon for Congregational Vitality, spent 2 hours at our Vestry Meeting describing Mutual Ministry Review. She inspired us to define our mission and vision of ourselves as Christian Leaders. We are excited about what we learned and are looking forward to sharing it with the Parish in the coming months.
Full Minutes of Vestry Meetings are in the notebook in the Volunteer office of the Rectory after they have been approved by the Vestry. 
Weekly at Grace
 
Sundays
8:30 AM
Holy Eucharist

 

10:15 AM
Prayers for the Nation and the World
Held outside at the Memorial Cross, includes remembrance of the Fallen (only the last Sunday of each month; 15 minutes)
 
10:30 AM 
Holy Eucharist 
Music, child care and Sunday School

 

5:00 PM 
Evening Eucharist
Plan to stay for refreshments after the service
 
Laying on of Hands for Healing, second Sunday of each month at the 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM services. 

 

Tuesdays
12:15 PM
Centering Prayer
35 minutes
 
Wednesdays
12:15 PM
Holy Eucharist
30 minutes
 
Saturdays
11:30 AM
Grace's Table

Grace's Table offers hot lunch, Bible study and fellowship for persons who are homeless or living on the margins. 

 

Contact the church office for more information or to volunteer.  

About Grace

Grace Episcopal Church, Georgetown, was founded nearly 150 years ago to serve the laborers, craftsmen, shopkeepers, and watermen of the Georgetown waterfront.

By 1857 regular services were being held in a wooden chapel that stood in the southwest corner of the churchyard, where the World War I Memorial Cross now stands.

Outreach to the community, particularly lower Georgetown, remains a vital ministry of Grace.

To that end we host a variety of events for the public, including an annual Bach Festival and Music on the Lawn. Our parishioners are also active volunteers for the Taste of Georgetown, which supports the Georgetown Ministry Center, located in the basement of our Rectory. 

Grace Church is committed to providing a spiritual refuge for everyone living and working in the Georgetown area regardless of their religious affiliation. 

Visitors to Grace find a warm welcome, wonderful music, and a heartfelt faith. We are located on the east side of Wisconsin Avenue, just below M Street and the Canal, in the heart of Georgetown. 

Please join us for a service, an event, or just moment of quiet during your day. A weekly schedule of events appears in the column to your left.

Sunday Parking: 3 options

 

1. South Street Lot behind the church - 20 spaces free until 1:30 PM with one time use pass from Grace Church entrance.

 

2. Eagle Bank Lot across Wisconsin Avenue from the Church - 8 spaces free until 1:30 PM with one time use pass from Grace Church and limited use based on availability for the 6:00 PM service (5:00 PM beginning September 8th).


3.
Cinema Garage on K Street just east of Wisconsin Avenue - 2 hour free parking until 1:00 PM with a separate exit ticket from Grace (exit tickets just inside the church left side door) - use both tickets at the pay station to leave the garage.

Weekday Parking at the Cinema Garage on K Street just east of Wisconsin Avenue - Monday through Thursday Day and Night and Friday until 6:00 PM. 2 hour free parking with a separate exit ticket from Grace (exit tickets just inside the church on the left) - use both tickets at the pay station to leave the garage.

 

Grace Episcopal Church
1041 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
202-333-7100  |  [email protected]  |  www.GraceDC.org