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,
"You shall have no other Gods before me"
-Exodus 20:2
In the Old Testament, we often hear about Gods like Baal or Asherah, about idols made from wood and stone - all kinds of details about polytheistic cultures. The Greeks, the Romans and many ancient cultures had a whole pantheon of Gods. The God of the Hebrews was different. This God came to be identified as one, singular God - the one God above all Gods - the creator of all that is. And the first of the ten commandments tells those who follow no other Gods but this one. While we don't live in a polytheistic culture in the same way that the ancient Greeks or Romans did, following this commandment is still as countercultural as it was when it was first written. Our society is full of other Gods that we put first - money, time, status, desires, cravings, etc. Do you ever find yourself saying things like, "I'll put aside some time for prayer time after I..." or, "I'll make the time to read the Bible once I..." or "I'll volunteer to reach out to the hungry if I..." or "I'll take on more leadership at church when..." When have you noticed that you have other Gods before you?
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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Moving Forward in Mission
"Thou shalt have no other Gods before me."
Exodus 20:2
In chapter 5 of the story, we read about the ten commandments given to Moses for the people of Israel. First and foremost in these commandments is the call to maintain a strong relationship with God. In fact, the commandments proclaim that there ought to be no other relationship in one's life that takes precedence over that prime relationship.
Last Sunday, the vestry explored different memories of when Grace Church has been at its very best. They then developed some short and long term vestry goals to encourage the church to continue to be at its best during our time of transition and beyond. Positive goals are very important for a church as it approaches a time of change. It's very easy to fall into focussing primarily on the many challenges and limitations we have as a church - things like people's busy schedules, our tenuous budget, the decline of church participation in society, the sadness of change, etc. While these challenges are very important to be aware of and to address, the vestry discerned that it is when we feel we are enacting meaningful ministries in response to God's call to mission that we are - and continue to be - at our best. In other words, as a church, our relationship with God comes first. The vestry affirmed how important it is for us to focus our light and energy first on God's call to us if we are to be able to move forward, thriving in mission.
Vestry meetings are always open, and 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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Feel the Joy!
-this Saturday, October 19th
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. To register for the event click here. |
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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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Annual Diocesan Convention
Our diocese will gather for its annual convention on Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26 in Stamford. Our delegates will be Elsa Worth as our clergy delegate and Dave Varker as our lay delegate. As usual, there will be many workshops and engaging discussions about our common ministry as the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Resolutions and items of business include elections, amendments and changes to the diocesan constitution and canons, budget approval, church structure, collaboration, and developing a baptismal covenant language to express our relationship as a church with God's creation. In addition, there are workshops on a variety of interesting topics including creating community gardens, storytelling, healing, welcoming just to name a few. All are welcome to attend convention, not just the delegates. If you are interested in finding out more, you can visit the diocesan website, www.ctepiscopal.org
for details and registration information.
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The Story: Chapter 5
-continues this Sunday, October 20th:
Grace Church is reading the story of the entire Bible together this year, from Genesis to Revelation. We are doing this by reading through a book called "The Story," one chapter at a time. The Story presents an overview of the Bible in chronological order and in narrative form in just 31 chapters. Although a 31 chapter book is obviously a reader's digest condensed version of the Bible, the author has done a commendable job of presenting the core stories and tying them together in the overall Christian story. The Story serves as a wonderful introduction to the Bible for those who don't yet know much about it. For those more familiar with the Bible already, going through The Story provides a clarifying and deepening understanding of the overall themes, and enhances Biblical reading and study. People are welcome to explore the chapter of the week further in one of two weekly book groups. The sermon on Sunday will also touch on the chapter of the week. The Story Book Group meets today during coffee hour, and then again on Wednesday at 7:30 in the chapel. We'll be talking about Chapter 5 today, and if you can't stay, chapter 5 will also be the subject of Wednesday night's group. If you don't yet have a copy of The Story, visit our website to get details on how to order one. They are available not only in an adult version, but also a version for teens, older elementary students, younger elementary students, young children and toddlers. This way, your whole family can truly read the story together.
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Ancestors
-next Sunday, October 27th
The Ancestors group will be meeting at Christ Church at 11:30 AM next Sunday, October 27th. They will be studying the Centurion.
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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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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 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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Sunday, October 27th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
The Story-Chapter 6 - book study group during coffee hour
Wednesday, October 30th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
The Story-Chapter 6 - book study group in the chapel - 7:30 PM
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