The Rev. Elsa Worth
Rector 
The Rev. Nancy Gage
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Thought for the week
-courtesy of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Edenton, NC
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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,
"Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward."
-Genesis 15:1
Abraham went through a lot more than we might expect your average senior citizen to go through. He up and moved to a foreign land at age 80, not knowing what it would be like, and had to live the rest of his life in tents. He got circumcised. He had a child with his wife's servant, and then around the age of 100, he had another son with his wife. At one point, God asked him to sacrifice this son, the most dear thing to him, and he would have gone through with it if God had not stopped him. Wouldn't it have been a lot easier to retire to Florida? Yet, Abraham trusted God completely. And even when God asked something that seemed difficult, or impossible, or unbelievable, Abraham trusted God and dove in anyway. And God always provided for Abraham. God was always there to catch him, and always had his back. Has God ever come through for you in ways you hadn't expected? Are there events in your life that you would never have thought would turn out and did? Do you trust that God will provide?
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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Special Parish Meeting
-this Sunday, September 29th:
The vestry invites you to sit back down at the end of this Sunday's service to listen to the postlude and then take part in a special parish meeting to talk about issues of transition. Bring your questions and find out what the vestry learned from Canon Hodapp earlier this week.
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Moving Forward in Mission
-the big questions
- In order to be the church we're called to be into the future, what kind of staffing and property do we really need?
Of course, underlying that questions is an ever deeper one:
- What kind of church are we being called to be?
This is in no way an abstract question for us right now, because when the time arrives that we need to describe and define a part time, or missional, rector position and perhaps seek a new rector, we will need to be very clear on exactly what kind of leadership we most want and need. Let us put our trust in the powerful grace that has always been at work among us.
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The Story: Chapter 2
-continues this Sunday, September 29th:
Grace Church is reading the entire story of the Bible together, from Genesis to Revelation. If you don't yet have your copy of "The Story," visit our website to get info on how to order the book. Books are available in versions for every age group. The book group meets on Sunday at coffee hour. For those who can't attend on Sunday, the book study for the particular week is repeated on the following Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM in the chapel,
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Ancestors Group
-meets this Sunday, September 29th:
The group will be learning about their ancestor, John the Baptist, this Sunday, September 29th at Christ Church, Tashua. The meeting will start at 11:30 and parents are asked to provide their children with bagged lunches. The students are to bring bibles if they have purchased them as well as money for new materials ($15 for returning students and $35 for new students).
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Grace Academy Online
 With the support of our diocese, we're embarking on an exciting new venture. Grace Church is starting an online school! Grace Online is a place where any of you can take classes in Church History, Scripture, Liturgy, Tradition and many other areas of personal and spiritual growth at home at your own pace. While there are many classes to choose from that you can take individually, we'll have two "Courses of the Month" that people can sign up for together. As we go through these classes, we can connect with each other through online discussion or face to face meetings. We have two courses already lined up for October. The first is "An Introduction to the Gospel of Mark". The second is a course in which you'll learn about ways to be truly helpful and offer a compassionate presence to someone going through difficult times in the class entitled "How to Help a Sick Friend." To find out more about our new online school and the October classes of the month at the Grace Academy Online, please see our church website. |
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Feel the Joy!
Would you like to experience what it's like to sing in a real Gospel Choir? St. Thomas in Bethel is giving people in the diocese a chance to do just that on Saturday, October 18th. In an afternoon workshop you'll get the chance to sing along with others under the direction of Chris Coogan, the well known conductor of the Good News Gospel Choir. All ages are welcome, no experience necessary. Registration is free, donations will be accepted. The workshop goes from 12-4 and you're welcome to come to the pre-event brunch at 11. For more info, there is a flyer posted in the narthex. To register for the event click here. |
Wednesday Morning Meditation
Our morning meditation group is growing, and if you're an early riser, this is a wonderful way to start and center your day. Every Wednesday morning from 7-7:25 in the chapel.
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Saturday Morning Discovery Group
-every Saturday morning
Each Saturday from 9-10, the Discovery Group gathers at Panera bread at the Trumbull Mall. We are currently reading the book of Acts and seeking the overlap between the way of Jesus and 12 step spirituality. You need not be in a 12 step group to attend. It's a great bible study!
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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, September 29th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
Parish Meeting immediately following service
The Story-Chapter 2 - book study group during coffee hour
Wednesday, October 2nd:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
The Story-Chapter 2 - book study group in the chapel - 7:30 PM
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Sunday, October 6th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
The Story-Chapter 3 - book study group during coffee hour
Wednesday, October 9th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
The Story-Chapter 3 - book study group in the chapel - 7:30 PM
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