As all of us in a 12 step program know, anniversaries are really significant. Some anniversaries are painful, some are joyous, but they all remind us that time has passed, life has changed and WE have changed. Anniversaries are also often a source of deep encouragement. I love slipping into the back of an AA meeting to applaud when the coins are given out. Anniversaries, whether they're 24 years or 24 hours are really important to notice and to celebrate!

So we will be celebrating the third anniversary of our monthly Recovery Service this Sunday, October 7th at 5 pm. And we will celebrate with some very special people:

Jan Grinnell, a very wise woman and Episcopal deacon, with many years of sobriety under her belt, will be our guest preacher. Jan committed to driving all the way down from Rhode Island for the first three months of the service to help me get it started and she has been a regular guest preacher since. It's been a while since she's been able to be with us so I'm really looking forward to seeing and hearing her again!

Nancy Gage, who has served as the deacon for our service since the beginning, will also be with us. This anniversary marks a wonderful new change for Nancy and for Grace Church. When the recovery service started, Nancy was only with us for this monthly service, but she has now been assigned by our bishop as the full deacon of Grace Church. So Nancy's wisdom and care have the chance to enter into our parish every week, and for that I am very grateful!

Dave McWilliams, Grace Church's new Minister of Music, as the music leader of the recovery service. Dave's beautiful piano playing and flowing musicality will bring a unique kind of spirituality to the service.

Don't miss this wonderful anniversary celebration. If you'd like to bring some cookies or other snacks to share afterward, feel free! I look forward to seeing your face, hearing your voice and celebrating God's healing power in our lives together again this weekend.

Night Prayers 

There's a new offering this year that I'm very excited about, and I think would be awesome help for anyone wanting to do more with Step 11: the weekly Night Prayers. This half hour of prayer and meditation requires nothing of you but to show up to spend a little special time with your higher power. You'll have nothing to say, respond to or sing - you just settle in, close your eyes and offer your time to God. The service is based on the Night Prayers in the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer, and includes periods of silence, quiet music and some thoughtful readings. This event is designed to help you fill up your tank for the week ahead. Just come and soak it in. It's at 8PM every Sunday night, and lasts about a half hour.

Guided Relaxation and Meditation  

And don't forget, every Wednesday morning our  Guided Relaxation and Meditation sessions take place from 7 - 7:25 AM in the chapel. Again, all you have to do is show up, relax and learn how to do silent centering prayer, which is a simple and powerful form of meditation. The session ends with a short spoken prayer based on the 12 steps. We always end promptly for all those who want to attend the 7:30 AA meeting in Lewis Hall.

I hope you might like to add either of these events to your self-care routines - either before or after a meeting if that works for your schedule. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Love,