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Grace Welcomed Dean Greenwell
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Dean Gail Greenwell of Christ Church Cathedral presided over worship at Grace Sunday. As you can see, she was assisted by many of our young people. During the service, she made the point that the Cathedral belongs to all of us, and she invited us to attend one or more of the special events the Cathedral hosts (See examples below.
Ms. Greenwell was named Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in November of 2013. Last summer she visited Grace church, where we had to opportunity to tell her about the ministries we are doing here. Since then, our Cathedral has generously given us a grant of $10,000 to support the community dinners and $9,500 to support hiring a music director to enliven our music program.
Dean Greenwell earned her Master of Divinity degree at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She also holds a bachelor's degree in history and education from the University of Oregon. Her experience includes authorship of a curriculum in preparation for baptism and establishing a spirituality and arts camp for low-income and inner city children. In 2008, she was the recipient of the Pastoral Leadership Award from the Louisville Institute and in 2014 she was the recipient of The Bishop Herbert Thompson Award from the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission.
Dean Greenwell and her husband, Jim, make their home in Cincinnati's Over-the- Rhine.
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Grace Community Visioning Workshop Coming June 27
Everyone with an interest in the future of the Grace Church Community is invited to participate in a Grace Community Visioning Workshop on June 27. At this workshop, we'll work together to discern Grace's future. What are the opportunities for Grace to grow into? What do we think the Grace Community should look like a few years from now? What is a compelling vision we all can support?
We have retained Michael Davis of Evans/Davis Consulting to facilitate the meeting so that everyone has a chance to voice their ideas.
Mission Council has commissioned a Visioning Committee to work with Mr. Davis. After the Saturday workshop, the committee will process the outcomes of the visioning session to develop a plan and strategies to strengthen or develop key ministries. Members of the committee, in addition to Mr. Davis, are J White, Mary McLain, Hawley Todd, Ken Lyon, Maria Mukasa and Ann Warrington Wilson.
The workshop will start at 9am on Saturday, June 27. We'll break for a light lunch and will be through by about 2pm. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend. If you can't stay for the whole meeting, plan to come in the morning so your ideas get into the mix.
Start thinking now on what you think God is calling us to be. |
I Love Being an Episcopalian Because ...
Candace Moxley writes, "I love my fellow Episcopalians because they allow me to be me even when what's important to me isn't their cup of tea. I love my fellow Episcopalians because even if it's not my cup of tea, they have their cup of tea with no hard feelings, and allow me to abstain. I love my fellow Episcopalians because it's cool to be a superhero and want to make a difference. It is so cool to be with people who want social justice. I have a hard time believing in social justice, so your faith helps me!
Share your thoughts! eMail egracenotes@gracecollegehill.org. |
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What Grace Church Means to Me
My name is FE Harris, I am the Midwest Regional assistant for the Trans Saints Ministry. We partnered with Grace Episcopal when we were asked to participate in serving a community meal. Over the last few years I have come to learn a few things about this church.
Grace is an example of how Church is supposed to be. Grace goes go out of their way to make sure that there is a representation of all groups of people within the church community. It's a church in the community, run by the community, for the community.
Grace is very welcoming to all people regardless of race, gender, religion or orientation. I have never felt uncomfortable or unwelcomed. The staff at Grace have opened their arms and their doors to make our ministry feel right at home. Our ministry believes in radical inclusion, and that there is room at the table for all of God's people. And this is what Grace has shown itself to be.
If other churches in the community would follow the example of Grace, I believe we would have fewer disenfranchised people who are hurt and abused by the church, and I believe that true healing can come and we would have a stronger religious community .There would also be more people experiencing the essence of what being Christ-like is all about.
Grace Episcopal is a strong pillar in our community that has been here for a long time and I see it being here in the future serving our community and the people of God. |
| Offerings from Christ Church Cathedral
Shifrah
Shifrah is a contemplative, liturgical service in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Contemplative, because we believe that time spent in quiet reflection is time well spent. Liturgical, because we believe the traditions of the past provide a powerful framework for contemplative thought.
We gather at Christ Church Cathedral (corner of Fourth Street and Sycamore) every Sunday (except the first Sunday of the month) at 6pm.
Shifrah is a new form of worship at the cathedral. It offers a deep and rich multi-sensory worship experience that integrates music, images, textures, found objects, light, movement and prayer to draw from the well of ancient worship, while at the same time looking forward to what the Spirit is doing anew in our midst.
Read more here. Questions? Contact Canon Rob Rhodes.
The Taft Lecture Series Presents an Evening with Dr. Cornel West
The Taft Lecture Committee and Christ Church C
athedral are pleased to present renowned philosopher, academic, activist, and author Dr. Cornel West for a speaking engagement on Friday, May 22, at 6 p.m. The evening will include a lecture by West, followed by a Q&A session.
The Taft Lecture Committee is pleased to bring West back to the Cincinnati area to discuss Sacred and Civic Values. In keeping with his writings and teachings, West has a passion to communicate to a vast variety of publics in order to keep alive the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. - a legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice.
West is a prominent and provocative democratic intellectual. He is the Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in three years and obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy at Princeton. He has taught at Union Theological Seminary, Yale, Harvard and the University of Paris. He has written 19 books and edited 13 books. He is best known for his classic Race Matters, Democracy Matters, and his 2009 memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. He appears frequently on the Bill Maher Show, Colbert Report, CNN and C-Span as well as on Tavis Smiley's PBS TV show.
Tickets to An Evening with Dr. Cornel West are free by emailing taftlecture@cccath.org. Limit four tickets per person. Seating is limited.
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Help Send Our Kids to Camp
We are beginning our campaign to raise funds to send our young people to camp this summer. Procter Camp is located in London, Ohio, and provides our children the opportunity to spend a week in a Christian environment while enjoying outdoor activities with many other children from all parts of Southern Ohio.
The cost to send one camper for one week is $275. Last year we raised $2,400 which enabled us to send 9 kids to camp. We are hoping to be able to send at least 12 children to camp this summer, which means that we will raise $3,300. Please help us by sending or bringing a check designated "for Procter Camp" to church at your earliest convenience. Or contribute onine here.
The first camp sessions begin June 15. Thank you so much for your kind concerns for our children.
Roger Perna
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Thanks to ...
... the office volunteers, for all that you do to make life at Grace a little easier and more pleasant. (J White).
... Candace Moxley, who has volunteered to take on the role of Parish Life Chair for 30 days while Roger Perna cares for his wife Belinda.
... Virginia Chapel, who is hosting Sunday School for our young people today.
... Grace Staples for taking responsibility for scheduling worship participants.
... Wanda Miller for making last Sunday's Snack 'n Chat extra tasty last Sunday. All of us there really appreciated it.
... Patrick, who was managing the group of parolees pretty much single-handedly today, while helping me navigate to and in the new space for my TaiChi class. What a sweet human being he is. (Jackie Millay)
... Grace Staples from Anne Henneberg for delivering the bulletin to people unable to attend church in person.
... Fr. David Bailey for regularly taking communion to Fr. Betts.
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If you would like to donate for altar flowers on any Sunday, please sign the Flower Sheet by the Belmont door or call the church office or email spikelyon@gmail.com or donate online at gracecollegehill.org.
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We Have an Opening for an Organization to Serve a Community Dinner
We now have an opening for another organization to take responsibility for one of the Community Dinners each month. This would involve shopping for food, preparing and serving the meals, and cleanup afterwards. If you know of an organization that might like to participate in providing this important community service, contact J White ( mizwone@gmail.com, 513-532-9362).
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Mark Your Calendar
Next Sunday, May 24 is Pentecost! Come early (at 9:30am) to help set up the flags and balloons, which will add to this already festive service. Saturday, June 27, 9am: Grace Community Visioning Workshop September 19: Ugandan dinner, music and silent auction. Details to follow. The online Grace Church Calendar lists most everything we know about that's happening at Grace Church. If something's not listed, or if you see errors, please tell the office (office@gracecollegehill.org, 513-541-2415). |
Hawley Todd reports on last Wednesday's Healing Service, "Last evening was a truly amazing event. I pulled out of the Grace lot at 11:48. We had so many people come and go throughout the evening. I was reminded of Sunday services at other parishes. Except with Grace the service never stopped. There was a constant flow of people. It was a beautiful gathering. Thank you all so much for supporting this outreach mission!"
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Sunday worship attendance for the first four months of 2015 is up 30% from the same period last year-from 23 to 31. Wednesday Healing Service attendance is up 10% from 53 to 60.
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Next year will be the 150th anniversary of Grace Church. John Thayer is chairing the planning for our celebration. If you have ideas how to celebrate this momentous occasion, please let him know.
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Roger Perna writes to say that Belinda's recovery is going to be a long journey for both of them and she will need his help. He cannot be certain when he will be able to resume his duties at Grace and hopes that others will be able to fill in.
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Aaron Fleming writes to say that he is moving his Yoga practice to the space above Marty's Hops & Vines on Hamilton Avenue, where he hopes to get more space and visibility to build his business. "I am very grateful for the opportunity to use the spaces at Grace, both the Great Hall and later the Choir Room. Your generosity and support have been invaluable. I am especially grateful to J for coordinating my move into the Choir Room and allowing me to clear out the space. And an enormous thank you to Ken for his endless help with all of the heating challenges over the years. I hope the center at Grace continues to grow and expand."
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Frederick Buechner on the Law
THERE ARE BASICALLY TWO KINDS OF LAW:
(1) law as the way things ought to be, and
(2) law as the way things are.
An example of the first is "No Trespassing." An example of the second is the law of gravity.
God's law has traditionally been spelled out in terms of category no. 1, a compendium of dos and don'ts. These dos and don'ts are the work of moralists and, when obeyed, serve the useful purpose of keeping us from each other's throats. They can't make us human, but they can help keep us honest.
God's law in itself, however, comes under category no. 2 and is the work of God. It has been stated in seven words: "Whoever does not love abides in death" (1 John 3:14). Like it or not, that's how it is. If you don't believe it, you can always put it to the test just the way if you don't believe the law of gravity, you can always step out a tenth-story window.
Frederick Buechner (pronounced BEEK-ner) is an American writer and theologian. He is the author of more than thirty published books and has been an important source of inspiration and learning for many readers, including several at Grace Church. You can subscribe to his blog at his website, frederickbuechner.com.
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Prayers and Thanksgivings
Belinda Perna, Roger Perna's wife, continues to recover from a stroke at Drake Hospital. Please pray for Belinda's recovery and for strength for Roger. You can visit any day between 4 and 8 pm.
Your prayers are asked for Rhonda Sharp, who has been shouldering responsibility for care for several family members.
Prayers for healing are asked for Rev. Ernestein, Patty Rogers, The Rogers Family, (Sarah and Joe Rogers - Patty's parents), Carl, Jackie, Robb Martin, Kim Martin, Melissa, Jordan and Brandie, Rhonda and D.L. Sharp, The Partin Family, Maree White, Our President and Our Country, Albertha Howard and DeConte Howard, Christian, Peter Hawkins, Judy Handy, Madeena Nolan, Gwynne and Naomi Gabbard, Mae Armstead, James McNabb Nickname: Cousin, Paul, Katharine Thayer, Grace Moore, Stella Parker, Jim and Nancy Vath, Darryl, Anne, Caleb and Joshua Handy, Father Hufford, Father Ray Betts and Mary McLain, Ken Lyon, Cyndi Miller, Gene, Wilson, David Malis, Jo Carroll, Dean Gail Greenwell, Beth Hall, Geraldine Stallworth, Earl Sharp, Virginia Chapel and Family, MaryAnn Chappelear, Jane Davis, Nikki Yaptangco and Desmond, Anna Black, Rachael Sarver, Lauren Flemister, Beth, Belinda and Roger Perna.
Prayers are asked for members often not able to come to church: Elizabeth Kelly, Janet Henthorn, Naomi Koester, Elva Gscheidle, Jo Carroll, Anne Henneberg, Raymond Betts.
To add or subtract from this list, please contact the Church Office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org) with the names of the persons to be included on this list. If you email, please place "Prayer Request" in the subject line. Please also indicate whether the name of the prayer recipient is to be listed in the bulletin.
Names remain on the list for about a month. Please let us know if people should be put back on the list.
Pastoral Care. If you need pastoral care or know of someone who does, please call or email the office (513-541-2415, office@gracecollegehill.org) Keep us informed about about illness, hospital stays, requests for visits, communion, and prayers for special concerns. |
Get Ready for Summer Clothing Drive and Ice Cream Social at IHN Center
Saturday, May 30 2-5 pm
As you're cleaning out the kids' drawers of outgrown clothing, please remember this clothing and supply drive for Interfaith Hospitality Network families. We encourage people to stop/drive by the Day Center (990 Nassau Street, Walnut Hills) and drop off donations, and then join us on the porch for an ice cream cone or sundae! Or you can leave your contributions in the church office marked for Grace Staples to deliver.
IHN is looking especially for...
- Clothing: summer clothes for girls and boys of various sizes (t-shirts/tank tops/shorts), bathing suits (boys and girls; various sizes); beach towels; beach bags; sandals or flip flops (various sizes), summer hats.
- Other summer items: Sunscreen, chapstick, umbrellas, ponchos.
- Food items: various snacks such as individual bags of chips, fruit and other snacks; and juice boxes.
- IHN Garden: small shovels, smocks/aprons, gardening gloves, knee pads for kneeling.
- IHN Play Room: a slip and slide, small pool for toddlers, gently used toys/books. For rainy days, coloring books, markers, crayons, dry erase markers, crafting supplies, kid-friendly paints, paint brushes .
Thanks to Grace Staples for this article.
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From the Editor...
You are receiving eGraceNotes because you subscribed online, or because you gave us your email. You can unsubscribe instantly at any time using the link at the bottom of each issue. eGraceNotes is published weekly whenever possible. Our purpose is to help keep members and friends of Grace Church up-to-date on what's happening at Grace and of other things that may be of particular interest to our readers. While we try our best to represent the Grace Church congregation, final responsibility for what you see here belongs solely to the editor. The content of eGraceNotes depends on what what is provided us. Send items to the editor at egracenotes@gracecollegehill.org. Photos in eGraceNotes may be edited to remove extraneous material. Ken Lyon, Editor |
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