The Rev. Elsa Worth
Rector 
The Rev. Nancy Gage
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Musical Interlude
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If you would like to have music when reading The Glow (or for whatever else you might be doing!), just click on the keyboard image to listen (or download) music performed by Dave during our services.
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Happenings-
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To see what's been going on in, and around, Grace, click on each of these links:
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We are the CEREAL church!
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For a long time, Grace
Church has been delivering canned goods and other food donations down to the St. Luke's/St. Paul's Food Pantry in Bridgeport. They urgently need donations of all kinds of groceries, but one of the items that they seem to run out of and need a lot of is cereal.
If all of us could remember to pick up a box of cereal (or two or more!) each time we shop, we'll be able to make a wonderful and much needed contribution for the food pantry each week. There is a collection basket at the main entrance of the church, and also one in lower Lewis Hall. |
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"The Glow" Archives:
To view previous issues of "The Glow", click here. |
  | | If you wish to subscribe to the Episcopal Diocese of CT weekly eNewsletters, please click HERE. |
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Click HERE to read this week's wellness message from Living Compass |
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| Dear friend,
"Bear fruits worthy of repentance."
-Luke 3:8
John the Baptist didn't want his listeners just to say something or believe something. He wanted them to do something - to stop doing the things that harm others and to begin to bear some good, new fruit. To the tax collectors he said, "Stop taking more than what is due to you." To the soldiers he said, "Don't threaten people or bully them." To the crowd he said, "If you have two coats, share with someone who doesn't have any. And the same goes for food. Share with others in need." Although John was a real fire and brimstone prophet, he didn't ever demand impossible things out of people. He just asked them to choose to do the next right thing, one thing at a time. And he just wanted them to DO it - and to get up and start doing it right now. Have you ever found yourself knowing the right thing to do but somehow you didn't ever actually get around to doing it? What keeps you from just doing it? Could you turn around (which is what the word repent means) and do it today?
Here at Grace Church we are dancing with life's big questions. If you're searching for a community of faith to belong to, we invite you to come to explore, come to connect and come to believe among us here at Grace Church. We'd enjoy both your company and your participation as we follow in the way of Jesus and learn and grow in discipleship together. |
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Peace,
The Rev. Elsa Worth
Grace Episcopal Church |
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Doing Christmas Differently
During Advent at Grace Church, we will be helping each other remember that we are enough - and that we don't need to be anything other than who we are - or have any more stuff than we already have - to matter to God and to be able to make a difference in the world.
We know that even here in affluent Fairfield County, there are people all around us in real need - and they could really use some help - far more than most of us need another gizmo or gadget this Christmas. So we hope that as a parish, we can re-think our holiday giving and truly give from our hearts both to those we love and those who need our help.
We have put together lovely gift letters that you can have in exchange for financial donations to either the Center for Women and Families or the St. Luke's/St. Paul's Food Pantry. You can give these letters to your loved ones, letting them know that you've made a gift in their honor to bring more peace and goodwill to all this Christmas.
Sample letters can be viewed in the Church Hall during coffee hour, following the service. If you have additional questions, please contact the church office.
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Advent Night Prayers - New Day and Time 
Monday at 7:00 PM:
A candlelit half hour of quiet prayer and meditation in preparation for the arrival of Christmas - Monday, December 17th at 7:00 PM.
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Kelly's Ordination
-this Friday, December 14th
 Kelly's ordination takes place this Friday in Maine. If you'd like to send a card, you can send it to: The Rev. Kelly Moughty St. Alban's Episcopal Church 885 Shore Road Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107 |
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Ancestors Christmas Party
- this Sunday, December 16th!
Ancestors will meet from noon-2:30 this Sunday, Dec 16 at Grace Church. In addition to hearing the story of Racy Rahab, we'll also have a Christmas party together. We'll make fun snacks together and have a Yankee Swap. Please bring a wrapped gift for the swap and be ready for some fun!
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Be One of Santa's Helpers
-this Sunday, December 16th
 Feeling like an elf? Please come downstairs this Sunday to help wrap up some gifts for the food pantry! We're going to bag up the donated toiletries and tie them with festive ribbons for delivery later today. If you forgot to bring toiletries to donate, Stop and Shop is right down the street - go and get a last minute donation before joining coffeehour! Along with the other Episcopal Churches in Trumbull, we'll make a donation of these much needed items as stocking gifts for people who will really appreciate them! Bags and ribbons will be provided - just bring as many toiletries as you can to donate to Santa's Workshop! |
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Christmas Flowers/Decorations Memorials
 If you wish to donate to providing Christmas flowers/decorations and/or memorials, please do so no later than Monday, December 17th. Donation envelopes and memorial slips are available in the rear of the church and may be submitted in the Sunday collection plate, or returned to the church office.
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Coffeehouse
-next Saturday, December 22nd!
It's a Christmas theme at Coffeehouse next Saturday from 7-9 PM. Wear your Santa hats or jingle bells or elf shoes for a night of music and fun! Donations of individual waters or juice are welcome. Just drop them off in the kitchen anytime on Saturday. |
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Teddy Bears - A Mission of Comfort
 After Hurricane Katrina, Camp Washington collected over 1000 teddy bears from parishes across CT, which they sent to Gulf Coast children who'd lost their homes. Now they hope to do the same for children in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut who recently lost their homes during Hurricane Sandy. Interested in helping out? We can either gather bear donations in the office and then find a volunteer to get them up to Camp Washington before Dec 22, or individuals can mail their own bears to Camp Washington at 190 Kenyon Road, Lakeside CT, 06758. Speak to Elsa if you'd like to coordinate the Teddy Bear effort for Grace Church. |
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Christmas at Grace
- Christmas Eve: 5:00pm - Christmas Eve Family Service with pageant, communion and candlelight
- Christmas Day: 10:00 am - Come as you are Christmas Day Eucharist
- Sunday, December 30th: 9:30 am - Joint Service of Lessons and Carols at Christ Church
On Christmas Eve, join in on Grace Church's family friendly Christmas Eve celebration. The service begins at 5 pm and includes our intergenerational Christmas pageant, singing and candlelight. This service is especially suited for families and will include a very child friendly communion. If you or your children would like to participate in or assist with our pageant, we'd love to have you take part! Please talk to Chris Lockwood if you'd like to find out more about pageant opportunities.
On Christmas morning, it's time to put the gifts of Christmas into perspective at a simple Christmas Day Eucharist at 10 am. This is a great way to center your Christmas day celebrations in the Spirit this year.
On the First Sunday of Christmas, December 30th, we'll join together with Christ Church in Tashua for a joint service of Christmas Lessons and Carols. The service will take place at Christ Church with Elsa celebrating along with our two deacons and lay readers from both parishes. We'll hear familiar readings, sing some favorite carols and share bread together with our neighbors. There will be no service held that morning here at 5958 Main Street. |
CWF Donation  On Monday, December 1st, Elsa and Ron presented a $1400 check to Deb Greenwood, Executive Director of the Center for Women and Families (CWF) - this represented the proceeds from our Broadway on Main Street Fundraiser!
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Pledges - an end of year reminder
Remember, in order to keep our finances running smoothly and also to receive a tax deduction, please make sure we receive that balance of your 2012 pledge by the end of this calendar year. If you have any questions about how much is still outstanding on your pledge, contact our treasurer, Chris Lockwood. |
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Annual Meeting Scheduled for February 3, 2013
Those active in ministry of any kind at or through Grace Church are encouraged to write something about their ministry's activity in 2012 to include in the annual report. It could be ministry that happens at Grace Church or ministry you do out in the world. We'd like to hear from you about how God is working through your life and our church! |
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Did You Know...
that this eNews is printed out each week and copies are left in the welcome centers at church, both upstairs and downstairs? If you know someone who does not have email and would like to see the eNews, please let them know they can pick up a hard copy. |
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Coffee Hour at Grace - It's Your Turn...
 Here at Grace, Coffee Hour is shared by the entire congregation. We go through the directory alphabetically, and everyone gets a turn to be a coffee hour helper. Helpers bring a tray or two of food to share, and if possible, stay afterward to help clean up. Maryann e-mails or calls people as their turn is approaching and asks them to call back to confirm. Please respond when Maryann reaches out to you. Let's all take turns in supporting a ministry we all enjoy and which gives such a warm welcome to newcomers. If the week she calls is not good for you, don't worry - you'll get another chance! Those who simply cannot participate at all are asked to let the office know and we will not ask you anymore. Meanwhile, thanks go to our coffee hour hosts, Fiona Varker, Tom Stone, Charlie Schwartz, Gene Sanislo, Nancy and Loren Dennert, Pam Healy, Gail Smith, Nick & Kitty Karayeanes, June Redman, Gloria Barrett, Ron & Donna Voges, and (new hosts!) John & Kim Chamberlain and Doug & Erika Eng, who repeatedly donate food and make sure there's coffee hot and ready each week. |
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This Week's Announcements
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Sunday, December 16th:
Eucharist service - 9:30 AM
Santa's Workshop - immediately following service
Ancestors Christmas Party - noon-2:30 PM at Grace
Monday, December 17th:
Night Prayers - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, December 19th:
Guided meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
Saturday, December 22nd:
Coffeehouse - 7:00-9:00 PM
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Sunday, December 23rd:
Eucharist service - 9:30 AM
Godly Play - immediately following service
Monday, December 24th:
Christmas Eve Inter-generational Eucharist service - 5:00 PM Tuesday, December 25th:Eucharist service - 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 26th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
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