The Rev. Elsa Worth
Rector 
The Rev. Nancy Gage
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Thought for the week
-courtesy of Orthodoxy
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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,
"Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
-Exodus 3:5
I have seen the sun break through
To illuminate a small field for a while,
And gone my way and forgotten it
But that was the pearl of great price,
The one field that had the treasure in it.
I realize now that I must give all that I have to possess it.
Life is not hurrying on to a receding future,
Nor hankering after an imagined past.
It is turning aside like Moses
To the miracle of a lit bush,
To a brightness that seemed as transitory as your youth once,
But is the eternity that awaits you.
- R.J. Thomas, 1913-2000
Of the 10 lepers Jesus healed in today's Gospel, only one stopped to express gratitude. Nine ran off to restore their past or reclaim their future, but only one stopped to acknowledge what was happening in the present moment, turning aside, as Moses once did, to see the miracle that was right there with him. Have you ever felt the power of gratitude? How does living in gratitude change your day?
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 |
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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"Abraham trusted in God, and God reckoned it to him as righteousness." - Genesis 15:6
We've read the second chapter of "The Story" and discussed the immense trust that our Father Abraham had in God, and how he was willing to step out into the unknown, even when it seemed impossible or even irrational to do so. As his children in faith, we too are called to trust in God, even when the way before us is not clear, believing that one step at a time, God will show us the way.
On Sunday, September 29th, the vestry updated the parish on our latest step into an unknown future. They had met with Tim Hodapp, our Canon for Mission Leadership, the previous Tuesday to talk about the transition process. While we are not yet in the transition process, there are a number of options for us going forward, in terms of discerning whether we need a 3/4 time, half time or missional priest to support and walk alongside us in our ministries. Our senior warden, Ron, led the parish in a discussion of what we most value about what has been happening among us at Grace Church lately, and what we most dearly hope we can carry on doing into the future. Being clearly aware of what we most value as a body will be the key issue in understanding what our highest priorities are going forward, and therefore what gifts and skills we will seek in our next clergyperson.
If you were unable to be at the meeting and have feedback about what you most value at Grace, you are invited to share your thoughts with Ron or another member of the vestry.
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Ancestors
-this Sunday, October 13th
The Ancestors group will be meeting here at Grace at 11:30 AM this Sunday. They will be looking at the 12 Disciples.
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October 2013 Capital Campaign
The October 2013 Capital Campaign to raise money to pay for the repair of the furnace/boiler is underway. The boiler heats the church building and the administrative building which houses the Little Red Schoolhouse, the AA call center, the dedicated Recovery space and the administrative offices. Look forward to more entertaining announcements from the Finance Team in church. Our goal is $10,500 and we ask everyone to contribute as they are able. A letter and envelopes were mailed. Additional envelopes are in the church entrance and the office. Thank you.
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Commitment Sunday - November 17th
The Vestry is working with a church stewardship consultant to conduct an Every Member Visitation Stewardship Drive on this date. Our Steering Committee will be recruiting and training volunteer visitors, developing communication pieces, and asking members of the congregation for assistance with the drive in various ways. Please prayerfully consider how you can help this important effort and say "YES!" when a member of our parish asks for your help. Much more information will follow! Please see our website, and look for updates in the Glow, in the Sunday Bulletin, in church and in special mailings
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The Story: Chapter 4
-continues this Sunday, October 13th:
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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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 19th. 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. |
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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. |
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, October 13th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
The Story-Chapter 4 - book study group during coffee hour
Wednesday, October 16th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
The Story-Chapter 4 - book study group in the chapel - 7:30 PM
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Sunday, October 20th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
The Story-Chapter 5 - book study group during coffee hour
Wednesday, October 23rd:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
The Story-Chapter 5 - book study group in the chapel - 7:30 PM
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