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,
"Choose Life"
-Deuteronomy 30:19
The thing we human beings often get confused about is what life is for. Are our lives for our own use and enjoyment or do they exists to serve a higher purpose? As faithful people, we proclaim the latter. It must be said, however, that it's much easier to proclaim this than to live it. Take the Israelites wandering around the desert with Moses, for example. God Almighty had just freed them from the yoke of slavery under Pharoah, intending to create a new nation that was a model of justice and full life. They had set out on an exciting journey to a land of milk and honey with enthusiasm. But it only took a few days for the hot, dusty desert and the limited rations to get to them. They began to think about how they'd had lots of tasty food back in Egypt like cucumbers and melons, leeks, onions and garlic. "Why, oh why did we let Moses talk us into this!" they complain. In a matter of just a few days, they were ready to choose the slow death of slavery over the challenges of unfamiliar freedom and life. They say that the devil you know often looks better than the one you don't know. Have you ever held yourself back from an unknown future? Or have you ever allowed life to "pass you by?" When have you looked both death and life in the face and chosen life?
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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A Baptism, Kaylie Macneil
-this Sunday, October 27th
Kaylie Macneil will be baptized this Sunday at our 9:30
service. Please keep Kaylie and her parents Alison and Joe in your prayers as the big day approaches. Please come and take part in the celebration.
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Ancestors
-this Sunday, October 27th
The Ancestors group will be meeting at Christ Church at 11:30 AM this Sunday, October 27th. They will be studying the Centurion.
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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. We thank all of you who have contributed.
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The Story: Chapter 6
-continues this Sunday, October 27th:
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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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 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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Sunday, November 3rd:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
The Story-Chapter 7 - book study group during coffee hour
Wednesday, November 6th:
Guided Meditation - 7:00-7:25 AM
The Story-Chapter 7 - book study group in the chapel - 7:30 PM
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