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,
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Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word."
-2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
A note from Elsa: Paul always seems to have a hard time ending his letters. They are always full of advice, challenges and wisdom and he often seems to pack in a lot of the most intense stuff right at the very end, as if he keeps thinking of one more thing that's important to say before he has to go. But in the end, Paul always finishes by giving his friends a prayer and a blessing. Advice, challenge and wisdom have their place, but when it finally comes time to say farewell, the thing that really matters - and the only thing that lasts - is God's prayer and blessing among us.
This Sunday is my last day among you here as rector of Grace Church, and I know that God's blessing has been with us and we have all been a blessing to one another. We've also shared God's prayer and blessing with our wider community in some pretty exciting ways. In the process I know I have learned a great deal about myself and about God, as I sincerely hope we each have. I also hope I have gained in some wisdom through both the joys and challenges we have shared, and that my advice has been helpful to your journey. But no matter what we have done or have left undone together, I trust that God is both using it and redeeming it - and all of us - for God's good purposes. We are all in God's loving hands. It is my hope that God's prayer and blessing continue to thrive among you here at Grace Church. And I will miss you very much!
And so may the God who created and is creating all things, and Christ who touches our hearts, and the Spirit that uplifts our souls, continue to be in you, between you and among you all, that you may be both comforted and strengthened in every good work and word, joyfully sharing God's healing love with our broken and hurting world.
I love you all,
Elsa
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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 Transition
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Farewell Luncheon
-this Sunday, November 10th
This 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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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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Commitment Sunday
- next Sunday, November 17th
Next Sunday, Nov 17, is our annual Commitment Sunday. Don't forget: we will not be having our service at 9:30 as usual. Instead, visitors will be busy going out and making personal calls on all our parishioners that morning and early afternoon to connect with one another, share ideas and hopes for the church, and to make our mutual financial commitment for the upcoming year. The service next Sunday will then take place at 4 PM and will be followed by a special meal. Don't miss it!
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Ancestors
- next Sunday, November 17th
The next gathering of Ancestors will be next Sunday, November 17th, 11:15 AM at Christ Church
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Godly Play
We hope to get Godly Play up and running again soon. If you'd like to be a part of making that happen, please contact Sandy Callahan at 203-502-8389.
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The Story
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 Group will continue after Elsa's departure on Sundays. The group will watch Randy Frasee's commentary and then having a discussion on the chapter. Nick has said that he'll facilitate the group, and the members of the Wednesday evening group have decided that rather than meeting on Wednesdays, they'll join in with the Sunday group. Be watching for scheduling information, coming soon.
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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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Morning Meditation
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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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 10th:
Eucharist Service - 9:30 AM
Farewell Luncheon for Elsa - immediately following service
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Sunday, November 17th:
Every member canvas in the morning
Ancestors meeting at Christ Church - 11:15 AM
Eucharist service - 4:00 PM
Dinner - immediately following service
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