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,
"When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy."
-Matthew 12:10
The kings were exotic visitors. They were from far, far away and they were not the kind of people Mary and Joseph would have known. They were not Jews, and as far as we know they didn't become Jews. They practiced astrology and probably dressed strangely to Mary and Joseph's eyes. They brought expensive gifts and turned around a left as quickly as they came. They are called magi in the bible, which has the same root as the word magic, because they were so mysterious and wise. But no matter how unlikely, these three magi were confident that something special was happening and that they were called to come a long way to honor and pay homage to it. Unlike the local king, who felt threatened by the possibility of losing power and was filled with hatred, these foreign kings travelled for hundreds of miles, likely on camels, and when the star finally shone on the thing they'd long been seeking, they were overwhelmed with joy. Who are the strangers and foreigners in your life that have come bearing unexpected gifts?
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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Prayers for Nancy
Please keep our deacon Nancy and her family in your prayers. Nancy's mother died right before Christmas after a long illness. |
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GLOW Festival Plans
Mark your calendar for next Sunday, January 13th. Following coffeehour, we'll gather for a short meeting to make a game plan for planning this year's GLOW festival. What do we need to remember? What needs to be started now? We'll take the feedback from last year and plan an even better event for 2013. Your input is needed! If you can't come but have ideas or suggestions, please call or email Elsa this week
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The Changing Church: Remaining Faithful to God in the 21st Century
Join Bishop Laura Ahrens and Canon Audrey Scanlon for a group dialogue on this very timely and important subject. Elsa and several members of the vestry will be attending - they encourage you to come, too. Thursday, January 24th from 7-9 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fairfield. If you'd like to ride with someone, contact Elsa or Ron. To register (workshop is free) call 860-233-4481 x 108 or go online at: http://changingchurchfairfield012413.eventbrite.com/#
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Diocesan Recovery Sunday
-Sunday, January 27th
On Sunday, January 27th our diocese will Celebrate Recovery Sunday. Grace Church has been a pioneer in recovery ministry in this diocese and we are pleased to welcome our deacon, Nancy Gage, as our preacher on this special occasion. If you have friends in 12 step recovery or friends who have relatives in recovery, this would be a great Sunday to invite them to come to church and see how friendly, healing and supportive Grace Church is.
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Recovery Service Conversation
There will be a meeting to discuss the future of the Grace Recovery Service. Since Sunday evening was clearly not a good night for this event, it has been suspended pending re-vision. Should the service happen on a different schedule? If so, should it be held upstairs in the church, downstairs in the church hall, over in Lewis Hall or in someone's home? Should it include communion or be a simpler prayer service? Who should lead it? Who should preach? If you have ideas or suggestions or would just like to talk it all over and explore the possibilities, please come have some homemade soup and bread on Tuesday, January 22nd, at 7 pm in the church hall. Feel free to invite anyone you know might be interested in taking part in the conversation.
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Opening for Part-time Custodian
Grace has an opening for part-time custodian and an ad has been placed with the following information: The custodian does the regular cleaning of bathrooms, kitchens and floors, regularly empties trash, monitors and addresses the cleanliness of the church and offices, and sets up and breaks down tables and chairs. The custodian needs to remain aware of church events and the cleaning and set up needs for those events. The candidate will need to be dependable, quick, efficient, independent and able to work graciously with others to help create a welcoming and healing environment for visitors, congregants and staff. Cleaning experience preferred, including floor care. Extra work hours may be offered for special functions or projects.
The regular work-week would be 10 hours with extra hours scheduled, as needed. If you know of someone who may be interested, please refer them to Elsa.
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Annual Meeting Scheduled for February 3, 2013
The annual meeting is coming up on Sunday, February 3rd. The service will take place downstairs that morning and will include lunch (details to follow). Those required to write a written report in advance of the meeting are:
- The officers of the parish (senior warden, junior warden, clerk and treasurer)
- The Rector
But anyone who is active in a particular ministry either within the parish - or out in the world - is also welcome to put in their two cents to create a diverse record of our current expressions of God's mission at Grace Church! |
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Cello Anyone?
 Jessica Dickinson, who performs frequently at Grace Church as our cello soloist, is excited to offer private cello lessons right here at Grace Church starting immediately. Jessica is an accomplished cellist and teacher for all ages and abilities. If you, or someone you know might be interested in taking cello lessons please contact Jessica at jess@jessdickinson.com or speak with her after church. Visit her website at: jessdickinson.com
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This Week's Announcements
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Saturday, January 5th:
Memorial Service for Louise Russo - 11:00 AM
Sunday, January 6th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
Wednesday, January 9th:
Guided meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
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Sunday, January 13th:
Eucharist service - 9:30 AM
Godly Play - immediately following service
GLOW Festival planning meeting - after coffee hour
Wednesday, January 16th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
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Feedback...let us know how we're doing.
The Glow has been sent to you for some time now and we would like you to let us know your thoughts in regard to this eNews letter. Please send us your comments, suggestions and concerns on how The Glow can be made better for you to office@gracetrumbull.org.
Many thanks and have a Happy New Year!
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