Whom do you know that may be looking for a spiritual community? A place and people who will explore the hard questions in life and seek communion and justice with God and our neighbors? 

See you Sunday! 

We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00. For the gospel, we hear of Jesus' first "sign" according to John: changing the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana. 

After the Eucharist, we'll have a brief parish meeting to elect some new vestry members. We'll gather for refreshments and conversation, then the vestry will meet in the conference room downstairs. 

Vestry meetings are open to all parishioners, and when parishioners have questions or concerns or brainstorms about our finances, buildings, programs, planning, or anything else regarding our parish life and work, they are encouraged to talk with vestry members. The list of members is published in the bulletin each week.

The board of our pantry is two members stronger: Parishioners Mike A and Jean M agreed to serve, as did Jim Hausman. Jim is a member of St. John's Lutheran at 5th and Hamilton, and he's been a faithful pantry volunteer for years. Other board members are parishioner Mae P and Earlaine Klingler. Earlaine is the senior warden at Church of the Mediator (1620 W. Turner). Our neighbors there support the pantry regularly with weekly food donations and especially with their "Thanksgiving in July" food drive. With these folks on the board, our pantry is an exercise in multi-church cooperation, and that's a good thing!

Parishioners do a tremendous amount of work maintaining our building and activities. Kelly C cleans the lower level weekly, and Jeff R vacuums the gathering space and halls on the main level weekly. Addison and Mary Louise B clean the bathrooms weekly, with support from Hillie and Joe C when they are away. Kathy Y has been handling coffee hour needs in her quiet and helpful way, and Ellen R tends the green plants we use in church. David W tends to many "handy-guy" tasks, and Bob W is a wealth of info about the building needs in general. And he knows the magic of the pantry exterior door! Eleanor T and Jean W make sure we have cleaned and pressed altar linens. Barbara S helped out in the office this week and last week and several times through the fall. 

Then, of course, there are the special projects that also take a lot of muscle: thorough cleanings scheduled throughout the year, decorating and un-decorating the worship space, garden clean-ups. As Sarabel C used to tell us frequently, "many hands make light work." It's true, and the work of many hands benefits parishioners, visitors, and all who use our spaces.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori sent a message to the entire Episcopal Church. She encouraged us to pray this collect from our Book of Common Prayer (pp. 821-822):

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties. To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations. To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served. And finally, teach your people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head about all. Amen. 

Grace's book group started as a summer reading group several years ago, and each summer it reads and discusses a book or two about theology, the Bible, ethics, or a related area. In the winter it gathers to read a play or two, just for fun.