Our theme for autumn is "Teach us to Pray"

On Sunday afternoon, December 8th, Grace Church will once again be graced by musicians from the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra who will offer selections at a 5:00 PM Jazz Vespers.

The Youth Orchestra holds its rehearsals in the Grace Church parish hall on Sunday afternoons, bringing together young musicians from throughout the DC metropolitan area.

The Orchestra, led by Michael Bowie, is dedicated to continuing the legacy of big band jazz. Their way of saying 'thank you' is to contribute some of what they have learned to occasional services or events at Grace.

All parishioners, their families, friends and neighbors, are invited to this Advent tradition. This year, the Grace-St. John's Youth Group will be especially welcome, as they meet following the service to be the first to cook dinner for and greet GMC Winter Shelter guests.

Jazz up your Advent and join in!

By Jeanne Jennings

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

5:00 to 8:00 PM

Jazz Vespers then Make Dinner for and Eat with the GMC Shelter Guests at Grace

We'll be attending the 5:00 Jazz Vespers service at Grace, then making and eating dinner with the GMC shelter guests. The deadline to RSVP was December 1st, but if you missed it and you'd like to join us please email Jeanne Jennings. 

We're still working on our January event -- watch your email for more details!

Lauren Gonzales-Torres is a young but familiar face at Grace Church. 

At age 13, she has been involved with Grace for about five years, after her parents found it when looking for a congregation to join.

Lauren was born in Maryland and has lived in the Washington area her whole life. 

She attends Gunston Middle School, in Arlington Virginia. Lauren said she "likes the clubs, and how the teachers support you. The counseling staff really likes to take care of you, and it is a really diverse school..."

Lauren has a couple of interesting hobbies. At school, she plays dodge ball and a percussion instrument. 

She also dances, and has for about nine years, which is definitely more than just a hobby!

She performs in a South Indian Classical style called Bharatanatyam. She also dances two Bolivian folkloric styled dances called Tinku and Caporales. She feels that when dancing, she is able to "express who [she] is, what [she] does, and what [she creates]".

In Lauren's free time, she enjoys talking to her friends, watching basketball, going to the park, or just hanging out. She likes to draw when she is bored, especially graffiti or abstract drawings. 

Lauren is part of the newly formed Grace-St. John's Youth Group. She likes it because "it's really fun and the events are cool". In the future, Lauren would like to go bowling, or have an event that is relaxing. 

She really likes Grace, because "of how welcoming everyone is". We are very lucky to have Lauren in our congregation, and if you don't know her yet, be sure to say hi the next time you see her!

The youth group was blessed with perfect weather for ice skating -- cold and clear -- on Sunday, November 24th! 

They met at Grace and ventured down to Washington Harbour for a little winter fun! Afterward they enjoyed dinner at Chadwick's. 

A good time was had by all at this early Advent celebration, including: 

Aves | Axel | Grace | Jasper | Jeanne | Lauren | Martha | Martin | Oliver | Patrick | Rose | Stephanie 

Thanks to all the members that attended -- and to their parents for providing transportation.  

Parishioners ages 12 to 18 are all invited to join Youth Group; learn more about our upcoming events here.  

"This mountain's of such sort that climbing it is hardest at the start; but as we rise, the slope grows less unkind. 

Therefore, when this slope seems to you so gentle that climbing farther up will be as restful as traveling downstream by boat, you will be where this pathway ends, and there you can expect to put your weariness to rest."

Dante, Purgatorio

On November 1^st and 2^nd, a group of twenty-seven Grace Church parishioners took a break from busy schedules to explore the themes of loss, letting go and love based on an exploration of Paul's letters and Dante's Divine Comedy.

As the leaves changed, we gathered together at the beautiful Bon Secours Retreat Center for two days of thoughtful discussion, worship, and prayer. Beginning with a meditation on love and righteousness, Reverend John Graham led the group in an exploration of the writers' spiritual journeys - from loss of community and loved ones to forgiveness, renewal, and spiritual rebirth.

Participants first explored the nature of sin as a form of "excessive love" that limit us, and then explored the role of righteous love in self-forgiveness and spiritual renewal. Paul, lost to his community of Pharisees, found renewal through his love and connection to early Christian communities in Galatia, Thessalonica, and Philippi. Dante, lost to his home of Florence and his love, Beatrice, found forgiveness and rebirth through his journeys and repentance in Purgatory with the Poet Virgil.

For both Paul and Dante, loss of self and renewal were bound intimately to the power of love. Participants explored the nature of loss, excessive love, and righteousness in their own spiritual journeys, and how to learn from Paul and Dante's experiences. Finally, we reflected on our own spiritual renewal, and how righteous love, pride and anger can play a role in Christian life.

As always at Grace, we shared good food, deep thoughts, and cherished the opportunity to grow closer. All who attended received an opportunity to learn, explore and grow their faith in a supportive, creative, and friendly group of fellow parishioners.

Don't worry if you missed this year's retreat-we'll be doing it again next year!

The Annual Grace Church Parish Meeting was called to order after a brief Coffee Hour.

John Graham, our Rector, introduced the candidates for the Vestry: Lee Tyner, Ari Lynn Tonini, Larry Molinaro, Mystelle Ruble, Paige Hill Baschuk; and Diana Dick for Junior Warden.

Paul Alligood, our current Junior Warden, will be leaving. John described what a pleasure it was to serve with Paul.

The motion was made to approve the slate of candidates. The assembled parishioners approved the nominees by acclamation.

The minutes of the 2012 Annual Parish Meeting were passed unanimously.

The Rector, John Graham, the Senior Warden, Margaret Davis, the Junior Warden, Paul Alligood, and the Treasurer, Peter Wallace, gave summaries of their reports. Please refer to the Grace Church, Georgetown, Report to the Annual Meeting, November 24, 2013 and Addendum.

John Graham highlighted three of the points in his Report: 

• The Parish is a little behind in 2013 pledge payments.
• Pledges for 2014 are getting close to $300,000. We need $340,000 to fully fund what we are doing now. We need to increase our mid-range of support.
• Our current capital needs are stone frames around the church windows, and organ maintenance/repair. John is planning to appoint a capital needs task force to begin work in 2014.

Grace has been blessed to have Sarah Motley as our Assistant Rector. She was the first Assistant John chose himself. He spoke of how good it has been to have a colleague to share responsibilities. Sarah said the feeling was mutual.

Our Senior Warden, Margaret Davis, answered the question, 'what does the Vestry do?' One of the most important things is to give support to our Rector. We encouraged him to take one day off every two weeks or more. He would admit that he does too much.

Our Parish is growing and vital. It is an exciting and joyous time for us.

Looking to the future, the Vestry is committed to Mutual Ministry Review. Joey Rick, the Diocesan Canon for Congregational Vitality inspired us to define our mission and vision of ourselves as Christian leaders. We have identified three themes for discussion:

• How much our Rector does
• Bolstering our choir and music program for the future
• Articulating and making more widely known the mission and hallmarks of Grace.

Margaret emphasized what a privilege and joy it is to work in community with the people in Grace. She mentioned how blessed and grateful we are for the commitment of so many to our Parish.

The Parish thanked everyone on the Vestry, and to departing Vestry member Sally Avignone.

Margaret  expressed our deep gratitude to the staff and volunteers who contribute so much: to Helen Buhr, the Office Manager, to Luis Solares, Sexton, to Jacqueline Walters and the Christian Ed team, to the choir and Francine Mate, to the gardeners, and to the leaders of the many ministries.

John expressed special thanks to Peter Wallace, our treasurer. He recognized the work of Assistant Treasurer Braden Murphy and Financial Secretary Daniel Capizzi.

In his closing remarks, John told us that the children's program in December will be different this year. The children will help us observe the Advent season, with a candle-lighting ceremony every Sunday in Advent and an Advent pageant on December 22. Lessons and Carols, on December 15, will also have an Advent focus and tone this year.

He gave us the right (the only) words for when we are asked to be on the Vestry in the future: "Yes, I'd be delighted!"

A motion was made and approved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 PM.