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- |
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,
"Feed my sheep."
John 21:17
One of the most dramatic of the post-resurrection appearances described in the Gospel of John is Jesus' appearance by the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus helps the discouraged disciples move from depression to new hope and abundance and even cooks them a fish barbeque for breakfast. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him and Peter answers, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." Peter feels a little hurt that Jesus asks the question three times, as if he didn't believe his answer the first time. This is probably because the triple repetition brought up uncomfortable echoes for Peter of the three times he himself denied Jesus before his death. Jesus tells Peter, "If you love me, feed my sheep." Jesus wants Peter to put the love he feels into positive action, for if he did nothing with the love he has, it would be as good denying him all over again. Isn't it all too easy to fall into thinking that our love of God is sufficient to be faithful people? But Jesus always calls us to put our love and our faith into action as Easter people. Peter was clearly called to build the church. In what specific ways are you called to carry on God's mission of healing and reconciliation in the world? In what ways are you called to be the living Gospel for others?
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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The Three Working Groups at Grace
- The Mission Working Group (how will we sow the seeds of God's healing love out into our community this spring to make Grace known as a well of healing and wholeness?)
- The Property/Financial Resources Working Group (how can we use/manage our property and funds to support our mission?)
- The Leadership Resources Working Group (what kind of ordained and lay leadership is necessary to support our mission?)
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Godly Play
-this Sunday, April 14th
Godly Play will meet Sunday immediately following the service. The children will learn about the Faces of Easter.
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Monthly Potluck Lunch
-this Sunday, April 14th
Our next potluck lunch is after the service on this Sunday April 14. Please bring a favorite dish to share.
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Vestry Meeting
-this Sunday, April 14th
The vestry will meet this Sunday from noon-2:00 PM. All are invited to attend and share your ideas for supporting God's mission at Grace.
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IMPORTANT: Your input requested this week
A number of the Episcopal churches in the Bridgeport deanery, spearheaded by a member of Trinity Church in Nichols, are thinking of booking the Vienna Boys Choir (yes, THE Vienna Boy's Choir) for a concert at the Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport as a fundraiser for our various music programs. Because those Vienna Boys don't come cheap, we need to find out if we could cover the basic cost of the event with advance ticket sales. Here's the info: The concert would be scheduled on a Tuesday evening in December and would be a festive family friendly holiday themed concert. Tickets in the back of the auditorium would be $20 each and prices would range from there up to the best seats in the house for $80 each. Advance ticket sales would need to take place this summer to cover the cost of the choir. All proceeds from the concert would come back to our churches. If people are not willing to commit to making advanced ticket purchases to cover the basic expenses, the planning group will go no further in its planning. That's why we need to hear from you. The planning group needs to know if you might be willing to purchase tickets this summer for yourself, to give as gifts to others or to sell to friends for this special holiday event that will raise money for our music program. Please take a moment to CLICK HERE to record your response to this survey - this is not a purchase, only a survey. Your input will help the group decide whether this event can go forward or not. |
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"Four Baptism Sunday" photos
To view photos from last Sunday's joyful four baptism service, click here.
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Episcopal Church Foundation Webinars
The vestry and anyone interested are invited to Elsa's study this Monday and Wednesday from 7-8 to watch and participate in two online webinars sponsored by the ECF. On Monday, join us for "Part I of Vestry Leadership: Basic Principles & Practices" and on Wednesday, join us for "Part II of Vestry Leadership: Becoming a Mission-Focused Vestry."
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Live Longer and Get Stronger
-this Sunday, April 14th at 1:00 PM
This lively series for seniors continues today and for the next two Sundays from 1-3 in the Lewis Hall meeting room. Last week the group talked about physical activity and watched a delightful video about the senior olympics. This week, be prepared to share about having a positive attitude and to laugh! Next week, take a little dancing lesson and watch our own Tom and Fiona demonstrate their ballroom dancing skills. Mouse would be happy to talk with you about the series. She had so much fun last week she wants everyone to come along!
Come to one or all sessions. The suggested donation is $3 per Sunday to cover the cost of handouts and coffee/tea. To help us be prepared, please call Maryann at 203-268-2809 to register for any or all of the sessions. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Come and meet others who want to live longer and get stronger, to smile, learn how to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, retain mental acuity, increase bone density and muscle mass and increase joy and happiness on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.gracetrumbull.org.
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Bishops'  5k Run - Saturday, May 18th
This is the day to get out for some good exercise and fun at the annual 5K to raise money for at-risk children in CT. We've got a team started (Spirit of Trumbull) and you're welcome to come along, as a runner, a walker or a cheerleader! We'll be collecting pledges for our runners and walkers at coffeehour on April 28, May 5 and May 12, so please bring your checkbooks if you'd like to donate. Our head cheerleader, Gene Sanislo or his helpers would be happy to receive your pledges. More information about the Bishops' 5K Run for Kids, including registration and contribution links, can be found here. |
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A Big Thank You from the Center for Women and Familes (CWF)!
Elsa was honored on behalf of our congregation at CWF's annual volunteer appreciation event at Vazzi's in Bridgeport on Monday. Along with many others, Elsa was called forward and given a certificate of appreciation and was thanked for the fundraising and support our church provided to the center in 2012 through our Broadway on Main Street event. Elsa had the chance to connect with local politicians, police officers and CWF board members and many others. Elsa encourages the men and boys of our parish to proclaim themselves men of peace by taking part in the White Ribbon Campaign's "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" event on April 27 in Fairfield. This short walk (under a mile, actually) is a visible way for men and boys to stand up against violence. While we hear some men will literally walk in women's shoes, that is definitely not a requirement! Prizes will be given for; Oldest Walker, Youngest Walker, Biggest Team, Most Fundraising Money and Best Footware! This event is free, and whether or not you are able to get a few pledges to donate to the center through your walk, just to have a group of our men carrying a "The Men of Grace Episcopal Church, Trumbull" sign with them at this event would be a powerful witness for peace. For more info on the walk or the White Ribbon Campaign, talk to Elsa or Steve. |
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Ecumenical Men's Bible Study
There has been a faithful group of men who meet on Friday mornings for Bible Study here at Grace Church for many years. Some of them go to our church, some to others. They're just starting on the Book of Acts, which is very appropriate to the Easter season and invite newcomers to join them. The group meets in the library over in Lewis Hall at 6:30 a.m. (although some members arrive at 6:45 and sometimes even 7:00) If you want to learn about the Scriptures, you're welcome to arrive when you can. The meeting lasts about an hour, and then closes with prayers for concerns, healing, and thanksgivings. Afterwards, members go to have some breakfast. If you'd be interested in a bible study, but the early Friday time doesn't work for you, perhaps a weekend or evening time might work better. Please let Dave Varker know at dvarke@att.net, or (203) 231-9539 if you'd like to join a men's bible study.
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Camp Washington Summer Camp
 Registration for summer camp at Camp Washington is now open for all children, ages 5 & up. The camp is located in the Litchfield Hills and is operated by our diocese. For more information and registration forms, click here |
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Used Clothing Shed
 Certainly you've noticed the used clothing shed in our back parking lot. Please spread the word about this new outreach project -laminated posters and small flyers are available to post and share. Clothes donated into the shed are picked up by St. Pauly's, who distributes them all to people in need across the globe through their connection with larger agencies. All of the usable clothing that gets donated makes its way to people in need, saving landfill space. Items accepted include clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, linens, pillow cases, blankets, curtains and stuffed animals. (Please do not put rags, fabric scraps, pillows, toys, household goods or electronics in the shed.) Grace church receives 4 cents per pound on all items collected in exchange for hosting the shed. For further info on this project, there is information about St. Pauly's available in coffee hour, or click on this link: St. Pauly's. |
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50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration
- at Christ Church Cathedral on May 5th
If you and your spouse were married on or before December 31, 1963, you are invited to attend a special 50th anniversary liturgy held each spring in Hartford. Whether or not you can make it to the service, we can make sure you are included in the prayers that day. If you and your spouse have been married for 50 years or more and you'd like to be included in any way or if you have questions about the event, please call Maryann in the office.
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This Week's Announcements
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Sunday, April 14th:
Eucharist service - 9:30 AM
Godly Play immediately following service
Potluck lunch following service
Vestry meeting - noon-2:00 PM
Live Longer series in Lewis Hall - 1:00 PM
Monday, April 15th:
Webinar in Elsa's office - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 17th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
Webinar in Elsa's office - 7:00 PM
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Sunday, April 21st:
Eucharist service - 9:30 AM
Live Longer series in Lewis Hall - 1:00 PM Wednesday, April 24th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
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