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,
"To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life."
-Revelation 21:6
After a long walk on a hot day, it's easy to know what you're thirsty for - a nice tall glass of water. But often, there are even deeper thirsts - some we can name, some that are just deep, unnamed yearnings within. Christ promises to quench our deepest thirst from the spring of the water of life - to give us living water that will quench even our deepest, unnamed thirsts. When have you been aware of receiving the gift of some deeply thirst quenching, life giving water in your life? In what ways have you sought, or continued to seek, relief for your spiritual thirst? Have there been some dead ends in your search? Have you ever discovered springs in unexpected places?
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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Saying "Thank You"  to Sarah...
Sarah Ginolfi has had a wonderful year among us as our Yale seminarian intern. She has had the opportunity to preach, to start a youth formation program, make connections between the youth at Grace and Christ Churches, have good conversations one on one with people of all ages and to discern her future in ministry. It hardly seems possible that her year with us is already coming to a close, but May 5 will be her last official Sunday as our intern.
Our monthly potluck is coming up on May 5, so it is well timed as a celebration of Sarah's year with us. Elsa will be presenting Sarah with a personal prayerbook inscribed with her name, and there will be a cake. You are encouraged to bring something special to contribute to the meal. This Sunday, April 28, there will also be a big card in the kitchen for people to sign in advance. We'll have it available on the 5th also, but you can get it signed a week early if you're here. Church members who would prefer to give Sarah a personal note are most welcome to do so.
Please plan to come and give Sarah a hearty thank you for her year of enthusiastic and energetic ministry among us all. The good news is that although we are bidding farewell to Sarah as our intern, happily, Sarah plans to remain a part of Grace Church this summer and during her last year of seminary next year and to continue her work with our youth in the Ancestors program. Although she won't be our intern, we can look forward to having her among us as a lay leader and community member. We are so very grateful for her commitment to this group of young people and her desire to carry through in teaching the New Testament portion of Ancestors next year, and that will be another thing to be thankful for on May 5!
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Vestry meeting to follow potluck on May 5th.
The vestry will meet following the lunch from 12-2, and anyone who'd like to attend is welcome. |
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Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
-this Saturday, April 27th, 8:30 AM
Join Officer Gary MacNamara, police chief in Fairfield, in standing up against violence this Saturday at the "Walk a Mile In Her Shoes" event in Fairfield center. This event is meant to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence. It would be great to have a peaceful team from Grace Church take part. Donations written to the "Center for Women and Families" can be made at the event.
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Ancestors
-this Sunday, April 28th
The Ancestors group will have their final class of the year right after the service at Christ Church (at about 11:15am). We'll look at Daniel and Jonah. Then, for all interested/already committed, we'll head on over to Seaside Park in Bridgeport to participate with the Episcopal Deanery's Walk Against Hunger team. The walk begins at 1pm. Please visit ctfoodbank.org/walk for details or contact Sarah Ginolfi at 717-575-7137.
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Godly Play
-this Sunday, April 28th
Godly Play will meet this Sunday immediately following the service. The children will learn about the Good Shepherd.
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Greater Bridgeport Walk Against Hunger
-this Sunday, April 28th, 1:00 PM
Our youth will be joining the youth of Christ Church in the annual
Bridgeport Walk Against Hunger at Seaside Park this Sunday, April 28th at 1:00 PM.
The event raises funds to provide fresh groceries, fresh produce and hot meals to hungry children, families, seniors and individuals through the Connecticut Food Bank, which provides food to people who are serviced by approximately 600 food-assistance programs in Fairfield, Litchfield, New Haven, New London, Middlesex and Windham counties. A $7 contribution will provide someone in need with one week of meals and give hope for a better tomorrow. Last year, hundreds of walkers helped raise enough funds to distribute $1.2 million worth of food at wholesale value. Checks made out to the "Connecticut Food Bank" can be given to Sarah to deliver - or you might want to join in and walk yourself. For more information click here.
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Live Longer and Get Stronger
-this Sunday, April 28st at 1:00 PM
This lively series for seniors concludes today from 1-3 in the Lewis Hall meeting room. This week the resident director of the Jewish Home will be bringing their resident dog and will talk about the healing power of pets. There will also be a short video on making the most of life and the session will end with the topic of gratitude, with Elsa leading a guided relaxation and gratitude mediation to conclude. Mouse would be happy to talk with you about the series. She been having so much fun at these meetings she wants everyone to come along!
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Peaceful Parenting in a Noisy World
-next Saturday, May 4th, noon
Join a group of parents who want to pass the peace to their children and build a thoughtful spiritual foundation under their lives together as families. Parenting is not easy in any era, but this group wants to take an honest look at the particular challenges of our times, such as violence in society, hectic scheduling, screens and data, work/family tensions, consumerism, isolation, etc. The group will share their experiences with each other and support one another in moving forward as parents in joy and in faith. Parents of children of all ages are invited to take part. The topic of our first meeting will be "Parental Self Care." The first meeting is
Saturday, May 4 at noon in Lower Lewis Hall. Bring your own bag lunch and beverage. Child care can be available if you call the church office in advance to request it.
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Mass in the Grass
Join us for two Sunday afternoon services - outside at Twin Brooks Park
May 5 and May 19, 4:30-5:00 pm
Rain or Shine
Under the trees near the playground and the Veteran's Memorial footbridge
Twin Brooks Park
A family friendly and casual service for all ages with communion
All are welcome at the table
Bring your family and your lawn chairs.
Sponsored by Grace Church and Christ Church in Trumbull
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Bring Your Cellphone to Church Sunday
-next Sunday, May 5th!
 On that morning you're invited to take pictures and videos of what's going on during the service, and to Tweet, Instagram, Facebook or text your friends about what you're up to. Show them the windows! Share the music! Summarize the sermon! Invite them to come with you sometime! As long as your sounds are off, the possibilities are endless. |
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The Gift of Guest Musicians
We have been unusually fortunate at Grace to have a number of different guest musicians come and play at Grace with Dave over the past year. They have always come as a favor to Dave and at no charge to Grace Church. We'd like to establish a guest musician fund so that Dave can offer honoraria to guest musicians. If you enjoy the beauty and variety that guest musicians provide to our services, please consider giving a gift directly to this fund in the envelope provided in our booklet Sunday, which can be placed in the collection plate. We are very grateful to Dave and all his colleagues for the gift of uplifting music! Please use the envelopes provided for these donations.
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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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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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This Week's Announcements
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Sunday, April 28th:
Eucharist service - 9:30 AM
Godly Play immediately following service
Ancestors at Christ Church - 11:15 AM
Crop Walk at Seaside Park - 1:00 PM
Live Longer series in Lewis Hall - 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 30th:
Finance Team meeting in undercroft - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, May, 1st: Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM Saturday, May 4th: Men of Grace - Landscaping beginning at 8:00 AM Peaceful Parenting in lower Lewis Hall - noon
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Sunday, May 5th:
Eucharist service - 9:30 AM
Potluck lunch after coffeehour
Vestry meeting - noon
Mass in the Grass at Twin Brooks - 4:30 PM
Wednesday, May 8th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
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