
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,
"So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him"
-Luke 19:10
Zacchaeus the tax collector was very 'short of stature,' and when he heard Jesus was coming into town, he really wanted to catch a glimpse of him. The streets were crowded with others, and even though Zacchaeus pushed his way through the crowd like a salmon swimming upstream, he was not able to see over or around the crowds of taller people. So what he ended up doing was running ahead and climbing up a sycamore tree in order to see this man, Jesus, who was somehow calling to his heart. Sometimes in this life of faith, we've got to work a bit to reach the spiritual goal - pushing through resistance, climbing upward against gravity. The life of faith is not always synonymous with a life of ease because the world gives us plenty of resistance. When have you had to put great effort into your spiritual life? When have you had resistance you needed to push through to stay on your path? When has your life of faith ever felt like an uphill climb?
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
Elsa's resignation letter dated October 24, 2013:
Dear Friends,
As most of you know, I have been searching for a new position since late last spring when it became clear that our collaboration with Christ Church was not going to result in a shared clergy situation. It was with great sadness that I began the search process in earnest, but it was clearly time, since we know that Grace does not have the resources necessary to sustain a full time rector.
Today I am writing to let you know that I have received and accepted a new call. I will begin work as rector of Christ Church in Bethany, CT on December 1. My last day with you here at Grace Church will be on Sunday, November 10, and I will use the remainder of November to pack up, move and transition my family to Bethany. I have informed the bishop of my resignation, and last night the vestry consented to that resignation.
Knowing that something is coming doesn't necessarily make it any easier. And while I am looking forward to starting a new ministry in Bethany, I am deeply sad to lose all of you. I want each of you to know that it has been a profound joy for me to be a part of this congregation for the past four and a half years - to get to know you well, to be with you in times of pain and to celebrate with you in times of joy. I have been honored by your willingness to allow me to be a part of your life and the life of this church. Our small, shiny parish has done some amazing things in these past few years, and I have had multiple opportunities to witness the power of God's healing love and marvel at the energy of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us. I am so very grateful to God for having brought us together.
I know the vestry will follow up on this letter with one of their own, which will outline in more detail the transition process that is ahead. The first part of that process will be saying goodbye and letting go of our pastoral relationship so that we can all move forward. I know the time between now and November 10 is quite short, and there are many goodbyes to make. So I am hoping to see each of you at church over the next few Sundays and I encourage you to be in touch if you'd like to connect with me in any specific way before I leave.
After November 10, I will no longer be your rector and cannot serve in the capacity of leader or pastoral caregiver. It is so very hard to let you all go! But you can know that my prayers for each of you will continue without ceasing, and my love for you goes with me and, I hope, will also remain with each of you. I trust that God's love will keep us all.
With my love, gratitude and blessings,
Elsa
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Gathering with Rev. Canon Tim Hodapp -Sunday, November 24th
The Rev. Canon Timothy Hodapp, Canon for Mission Leadership, will be at Grace Sunday, November 24th, to celebrate the Eucharist, hold a parish-wide forum, and end with a conversation with the Vestry. This will be good opportunity for all of us to understand the transition process and receive answers to our questions. If you wish to read about the "story of Transition" go to this page https://www.ctepiscopal.org/images/customer-files//EDCT_TransitionGuidelinesv1.0.pdf on our diocese website.
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Stewardship Forum
-this Sunday, November 3rd:
All are invited to sit back down following the dismissal for a short presentation about this year's stewardship campaign. How will it be conducted? What do we need to consider in pledging this year? Please stay for this short question and answer time before coffee hour today.
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All Saints/All Souls Memorial
-this Sunday, November 3rd:
Following the stewardship forum, you are welcome to come out to our ash garden in front of Wheeler Hall for a brief memorial service in honor and memory of those who have gone before us. All will be invited to include their own loved ones during the prayers.
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Farewell Luncheon -next Sunday, November 10th Next Sunday, November 10th we will be having a farewell luncheon for Elsa and her family in thanks for her years of dedicated service to us. Please join us for this special event, immediately following the service.
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October 2013 Capital Campaign
-Thank You!!!
Thank you to all of the Grace family and friends who participated in this capital campaign. Over $8,000.00 was raised helping to cover the cost of our boiler repair...WOO-HOO!
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The Story: Chapter 7 -continues this Sunday, November 3rd:
Grace Church has embarked on 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 Book Groups can continue after Elsa's departure, watching Randy Frasee's commentary and then having a discussion on the chapter. If you'd like to facilitate the continuation of one or both book groups, please speak with Elsa this week so she can pass on the materials and DVD's.
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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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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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Wednesday Morning Meditation
While this Wednesday will be the last formal Early Meditation meeting, the chapel is always open for prayer and meditation, and people are encouraged to start and center their day any morning of the week. In these darker months, we'll leave a light on for you!
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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. |
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, November 3rd:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
The Story-Chapter 7 - book study group during coffee hour
Tuesday, November 5th:
Vestry meeting - 7:30 PM in the Chapel
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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Sunday, November 10th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
Farewell Luncheon for Elsa - immediately following service
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