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Sunday Service
 
8:00 AM
Celebrant: 
The
Rev. Dr. Maggie Arnold
Preacher:  The Rev. Noah H. Evans
LEM:  Alice Lazare
Altar Guild: June Pietrantoni

10:00 AM
Celebrant and 
Preacher:  The Rev. Noah H. Evans
Minister of Music:
Ruth Roper 
LEM I: 
Alice Lazare
LEM II:
Esther Brownsmith
Deborah Jennings
Julia Lisella
Acolytes: 
Tori Spence, Becca Spence and Jackson Hughes-Page
Ushers:
Jane Scherban and Jill Capuccio
Altar Guild
Olivia Bracken
Vestry Person of the Day:
Agnes Opara
Nursery: Melanie Edgecomb and Jaeda Hamel
Counters:
Naida Gavrelis and Jane Scherban
Coffee Hour:  
Steve Duggan, coffee.  Food host needed

5:00 PM
Celebrant:  The Rev. Noah H. Evans

*click on link to prepare for this week's readings
Birthdays

Elizabeth Woodbury and Catherine Woodbury (9/21); Nancy Egger and Jordan Williams (9/22); Gabriel Cuba, Ayla Jensen, Deborah Jennings and Kate Woodward (9/23) and Carl Kleifgen (9/24).

If we do not have your birthday, please contact the church office at 781-396-7215 or office@gracemedford.org  

Welcome.
Please join us at
 Grace Church!
We celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday at 8 AM, 
10 AM and 5 PM. Sunday School begins this Sunday, September 18 at 9:45 AM.
Outreach Corner 
The next opportunity to help at St. Luke's Community Dining in Chelsea is September 24.  Please contact Lisa Carson with any questions or to volunteer to help.

Food is needed for the food pantries that Grace Episcopal Church supports. The items for September 18 are coffee or tea.  The items for September 25 are tuna or cereal.
Wednesdays @ Grace
Godly Play 1: ages 0-3, 5:30-6:30 PM
Godly Play 2: ages 3-6, 5:30-6:15 PM
Godly Play 3-ages 7+, 5:30-6:15 PM
Dinner, 6-6:45 PM
Child-care for children through 2nd grade, 6:45-8
Godly Play 4: ages 7+, 6:45-8 PM
Rite 13 youth group (grades 5-8), 6:45-8 PM
J2A youth group (grades 9-10), 6:45-8 PM
Adult Education classes, 6:45-8 PM
Compline 8 PM

Bridging the Political Divide
Wednesday, September 21 at 6:45PM
Videos of writer Parker Palmer & discussion led by the Reverend Noah H. Evans
      We are in the midst of what may be the most polarizing and contentious elections in recent U.S. history. Many observers note that the political rancor and rhetoric has reached all-time highs. How do we make sense of this? How do people of faith respond? How do we remain calm and centered amidst our difference, taking our roles as peacemakers and even prophets, seriously?
 
      Educator, author, and activist Parker Palmer has a few ideas. He has written extensively on faith and democracy issues. In this course, he offers thoughtful insight into how we might approach divisive political issues with grace and grit.
 
      Join in watching short clips of Parker Palmer, with a discussion led by the Reverend Noah H. Evans.  This program is being done concurrently by other faith communities across Medford in cooperation with the Medford Interfaith Clergy.

Youth Leadership Academy trip to US/Mexican Border 
Wednesday, September 28 at 6:45PM
led by Catherine and Elizabeth Woodbury
      Come hear about this summer's Youth Leadership Academy mission trip to the US/ Mexican border. Catherine Woodbury and Elizabeth Woodbury will share their experiences, and what they learned about immigration and the struggles of border communities during this time.  
 
Transforming a Neighborhood: The Story of our French Canadian Colony
Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 6:45PM
led by Dee Morris 
and Lawrence Sands

Once populated by ship carpenters, the Riverside Avenue neighborhood reinvented itself starting in the 1880's when a wave of energetic newcomers from Quebec found work in brickyards, print works and other industries.  These French-Canadians infused a vitality into the community and transformed the neighborhood as they pursued citizenship.  Join us for an appreciation of the vanished colony that prospered alongside the Mystic River.  This event is a part of CACHE's "Arts Across Medford."

  Dogtown Redemption screening in cooperation with the Medford Film Collaborative
Wednesday, October 12 at 6:45PM
      Dogtown Redemption is the story of America's Untouchables: shopping cart recyclers in West Oakland.
     Every year, Californians buy about 22 billion drinks in aluminum, glass, and plastic containers. Under California's Beverage Container Recycler and Litter Reduction Act, beverage containers covered under the act are subject to California Redemption Value: 5 cents for containers less than 24 ounces and 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger.
      As a result of this legal innovation, trash can turn into cash thanks to a recycling industry that has converted environmentalism into an economic life-line, not only for cities and corporations across California, but for thousands of poor Californians: the unemployed and underemployed, the elderly, the mentally and physically disabled, former criminals, drug addicts and prostitutes have turned into entrepreneurs. They literally live off a vast river of trash, a swamp of muck that can turn into a source of sustenance and hope.
      Our documentary, Dogtown Redemption, tells the story of this river, and its inhabitants. We look at this lively, bustling yet invisible and most odiferous corner of California. We follow the lives of four recyclers: Jason, the Olympic titan of recycling; Roslin, a widow whose husband, Willie taught her how to survive by recycling; Landon, a former priest, who ministers to the recyclers while struggling with his own fall from grace; and Hayok, a former punk-drummer from a prominent Korean family. Through them, we are introduced to the art, science, economics and politics of recycling-what it offers, how it touches and why it matters to the poor.

Voices of Hijab-Wearing Muslim Women: Ethnography Through Social Media
Wednesday, October 19 at 6:45PM
led by Karen Sargent
      Muslim women who wear the hijab, or headscarf, are often targets for Islamophobic attacks because the hijab is a visual representation of Islam - something that gets much negative attention through popular culture and other types of media today. There is a disconnect between what Muslim women are saying about themselves and their religion verses what is portrayed in the media. This presentation attempts to bridge the gap in dialogue across different types of media, generations, religion, and culture to elevate the diverse voices and perspectives of Muslim women.  Join Grace Church parishioner Karen Sargent for this timely presentation and conversation.
Other Announcements

Help with the Meals Ministry
We welcome any new members to become part of the Grace Church meals ministry. We provide and deliver meals to expectant parents, folks that might be sick or a have family crisis.  
Please contact Branwen Smith-King at branwenking@comcast.net if you are interested or would like to learn more about it.

New Permanent Nametags!
Grace is rolling out a new nametag system. Find blank nametags in the foyer of the church, write your name, and put it in a plastic badge holder! After the service, you can place them in a basket on the table in the foyer, and they'll be hanging up ready for you to retrieve and wear each time you come to Grace! Please ask Alice if you have questions about our new nametags!

An invitation to the 175th Anniversary Celebration of First Baptist Church
You are invited to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the organization of First Baptist Church of Medford on Sunday, September 18th, 2016. On this day, The Rev. Matt Rasure will be installed as the settled minister of the parish. This is an exciting event in the history of First Baptist church, and they want their entire Medford family to celebrate the day. The celebration will start at 3:40 PM at the Salem Street Burying Ground, which was near the location of the first church building. The group will gather by the tombstone of Ms. Sally Blanchard, the first person baptized in the fellowship of the Medford Baptists. We will then process to 29 Oakland Street for a festival service of Holy Communion at 4:00 PM.

Life Writing Group: 
Sharing our Stories . Making Connections 
A six week series with Mary Muir, M.Ed.  Mind Body Therapist & Expressive Arts Facilitator Tuesdays September 20 & 27, October 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 10:00 a.m.at The Medford Public Library
 
In today's electronic fast paced world our stories get lost. In this series, participants will pause to savor and share the stories that connect us.   Participants will be guided through easy to follow exercises to capture in words and images the threads that connect us to one another.  No prior writing experience needed -- just a pen and 8 x 10 journal or notebook.
 
Everyone we meet has a story to tell. All that is required is a willingness to come, connect, have fun and capture what is in your heart.  This is a great way to meet new friends!
 
Space is limited so please register for this series at the Information Desk at (781) 395-7950.  Call for directions.  Presented through the generosity of the Friends of the Medford Public Library

Basic MUSIC-READING CLASS: 
Thursday Sept.22, 7:30-8:30 pm 
Are you mystified by those squiggly hieroglyphics in your hymnals and in our bulletin? Maybe long ago you learned a bit of music-reading but have forgotten what little you once knew?
Partly to encourage potential new choir singers, but also to help those in the congregation enjoy participating more fully in the sung portions of our liturgy, we will be holding a class in BASIC MUSIC-READING on Thursday night, September 22, 7:30-9:00. EVERYONE is welcome to attend. While you are always welcome to come sing with the choir, there will be no pressure or expectation to perform or commit. Choir members will be present at the class to lend encouragement, but this class is pitched to beginning, inexperienced singers. Singing is fun once you understand how. Come!
QUESTIONS? E-mail Ruth (Roper), Minister of Music, at ruth@gracemedford.org, or speak with her after the service. 
 
Walk to End Alzheimers (#WALK2ENDALZ)
All are welcome to join the Grace Church team for the 2016 Alzheimer's Walk on Sunday, September 25.   Meet at the Cheesecake Factory at the Galleria Mall at 9:30 to walk 3.5 miles through the beautiful North Point Park located across from the Museum of Science.   Walk is in memory of  former Grace parishioner
Alfred Palladino.  Contact Nanci Palladino with any questions. 

Healthy Returns at Grace
The Parental Caregivers Support Group will be meeting on Tuesdays, September 27, October 25 and November 29 at 7PM.(There will be no meeting in December.) We recommend as a resource guide, The 36 Hour Day(5th edition): A Family Guide to Caring for People Who have Alzheimer disease, related Dementias and Memory Loss by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins. For more information please contact Hallie Lee at hallies.lee@gmail.com or Day Farenga at dyf4@comcast.net. 

"Sisters in Song" 
proudly present 
A Beautiful Pair 5: "Words of Love" Friday September 30, 2016 at 7:30 PM 
at Grace Episcopal Church, Medford
The performance benefits the Ellie Fund which provides critical support services including transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, groceries and prepared meals free of charge to breast cancer patients and their family members across Massachusetts. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door or at https://eventbrite.com.  For more information visit the website at http://www.elliefund.org.

Support Central American Families 
Fleeing Violence
As a result of our World Food Program benefit, Grace Church members made connections with several other churches that also are supporting refugees and asylum seekers.  One effort we are supporting is a fundraiser by the Irish International Immigrant Center and the United Universalist First Church in Belmont to help a group of 75 Central American asylum-seeking women and their children who have recently arrived in Massachusetts.  These families have experienced violence and trauma in their home countries and need our help!  The fundraiser, a benefit concert, will fund a case worker who can give these families the support they need to build better lives. The concert will be held at the First Church in Belmont, Sat., Oct. 1, at 7 pm. and feature The Loomers with The Blood Mountain Brothers and a special guest appearance by The Yellow Room (Jon Svetkey and Heather Quay). Tickets will be $25 at the door.  A Grace Church group is going, so if you want to join us, meet at Catherine Smith's house at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 for some soup and bread before carpooling to Belmont.  Catherine's address is 15 Monmouth Ave., Medford.  If you can't go but want to support the effort, you can donate on-line here or contact Beverly J. Freeman at
617-835-5187 to see how you can help.

Medford Interfaith Blessing of the Animals
Join us at the Condon Shell on Sunday, October 2nd at 5pm for an interfaith blessing of the animals! Bring your dogs, cats, and any other pets, on leashes or in carriers, to receive blessings from the Medford Interfaith Clergy. Email Alice ( alice@gracemedford.org) to learn more about this exciting event!

Financial Peace University 
...coming to Grace Church this Fall!
We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!  FPU classes will meet on Sundays from 12-1:30 PM each week for nine weeks, starting on 16 October.  The cost is $93 per family for the course materials. Scholarships are available.  Vin Maganzini (vincent.maganzini@gmail.com) and Sara Folta (sara@folta.net) will coordinate - just let them know if you have any questions. 

Premiering at Grace Church on October 16th, Sunday, 3-5:00 PM, will be "The Ghost of Lydia Maria Child."  This one-woman play written, produced, and starring Laura Duggan, tells the story of the 19th century  Medford-born woman famous for writing "Over the River and Through the Wood."  Mrs.  Child  also used her pen to champion Abolition and rights for Native Americans and women.  Including a Silver Tea,   tickets are $15 and will be available on and after September 10th at West Medford's Two Sisters Antiques and Collectibles, 473 High St., and from Laura Duggan.  In conjunction with the play, a raffle and silent auction will be held as a final fundraiser for the Organ Restoration.  For additional information, contact Laura at LauraRDuggan16@gmail.com.
Women's Book Club

The Women's Book Club
The Women's Book Club meets every third Thursday, but does not meet in August.  
On October 20, the group will discuss - The NightWatch by Sarah Waters.   For more information, email Genita Johnson at  pawleyslegacy@verizon.net. 

Medford Day
Join us and represent Grace at this year's Medford Day, put on by the City of Medford on October 23, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Andrews Middle School. It is a chance for Grace to engage with the larger Medford community. Please contact Alice (alice@gracemedford.org) if you are interested in helping at our booth.

Diocesan Middle School Retreat
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 18-20 at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, N.H. Led by the Diocesan Youth Council, the weekend features small group workshops, indoor and outdoor games, worship to get everyone moving and thinking, music by a live band and some much-needed time away from the rush of everyday routines in order to pay more attention to the Spirit of God in our lives. Scholarship support is available, as is bus transportation. Registration closes when capacity is reached, or on Nov. 13. Contact Maggie Arnold for registration information.  
Medford Arts Council:  
Supporting the Arts, Humanities, and Creative Economy in Medford, Massachusetts


2017 Grant Proposals are due on October 17
Have an idea for cultural programming in Medford? We have grant money to help make it happen!

The Medford Arts Council is seeking applications for grant funds to be used for projects taking place in 2017. Applications will be accepted from September 1 through October 17.
A new online application system managed by the Massachusetts Cultural Council will make it easier for everyone to apply. For more information please visit:

This year, we have introduced four new local priorities to help us attract proposals in particular areas. 
  • Public art
  • Projects to enhance the public experience in our neighborhood squares
  • Partnerships and collaborations of many kinds-cross-sector, multidisciplinary, public-privates, etc.
  • The humanities and interpretive sciences.
For more information, go the Medford Arts Council
website.