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Save the Dates
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Art Squawk:
Kelly Denton-Borhaug, on the Camino de Santiago,
Sunday, September 29,
3:00 pmDiocesan Convention:
October 4-5,
Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Book Group:
Sunday, October 6,
at Topher G's,
6:00
Noonday Grace:
Monday through Friday,
12:00 pm,
beginning October 7
Vestry Meeting:
Sunday, October 13,
after church
Grace Talent Auction:
Saturday, November 9
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Sunday, September 29, at Grace
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Eucharist, refreshments, Art Squawk
We celebrate the Eucharist at 10:00.
The gospel gives us the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Poor Lazarus begged outside the rich man's gates, and the rich man took little notice. Poor and rich lived side by side--fellow humans but clearly separated. The tale offers many avenues for reflection: which side are we on? What does God think and do about such divides? Where is God working even now in our world rent by sharp divisions? How are we participating in God's work to bridge such chasms?
After the Eucharist, we will enjoy refreshments and conversation as we get ready for Art Squawk. Downtown will be a festive place on Sunday!
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Art Squawk
| |  We'll welcome visitors this Sunday
Hoopla! Destination Downtown is an Allentown festival that will take place September 27-29, and it's the occasion for the next quarterly Art Squawk. The neighborhood will be full of people enjoying the opening of the new exhibit at the art museum (American Wildlife Art) and other festivities. For more on Hoopla, click here.
Grace will have our doors open as well, so visitors can enjoy our beautiful church and we can offer hospitality. The Rev. Dr. Kelly Denton-Borhaug has agreed to show her photos and describe her one-month pilgrimage in northern Spain. She will focus especially on the "messages" of the Camino ("the Way")--notes that pilgrims leave for each other, statues and sculptures along the route, and other communications that express and shape the meanings of the pilgrimage.
She will offer her presentation at 3:00, and everybody is welcome!
If you are able to assist with hospitality (bringing and serving food, being present in the church) for this event, be in touch with the Rev. Beth Reed. |
Grace Community Foundation
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Here are the August numbers
The pantry continues to serve a deep need in our neighborhood. In August, we served people in these categories: - Families: 316
- Adults: 595
- Children: 425
- Seniors: 28
There were 112 people who visited our pantry for the first time. |
Adult Faith Formation
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We're off to a fruitful start
Seventeen people of Grace met last Sunday night, and we talked about when we first became aware of race and racism. The stories were fascinating, as we heard different experiences from people who grew up in the Jim Crow South, San Francisco, Long Island, Northeastern Pennsylvania, New York City, and the Lehigh Valley.
The book group is something of a film group this fall, as we are using some videos and films to help us look at racism and immigration issues.
The graphic below is from the film Cracking the Codes (see website), which we are watching and discussing over two sessions. In other sessions we'll learn more about immigration and consider Grace's possible roles and responses, given our location in a neighborhood with about 50% people of color, many of whom are recent immigrants.
Jack M is taking a lead on this project this fall, and all are welcome! Our next gathering is Sunday evening, October 6, at Topher G's house near the Allentown Fairgrounds, at 6:00--consult the parish directory for the exact address or call the church. The other fall meetings are November 3 and November 24, both at Jack and Jean M's home in Macungie.  |
Grace's Talent Auction
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Plan on Nov. 9, and bring a friend!
Mike A and Tony V are taking the lead on a new fundraising event for Grace--a Talent Auction.
Parishioners and others will donate their talents or skills, or examples of these, such as artwork, and participants will bid on them. Some items will be in a silent auction, and others in a live auction. There will be food and drink and a festive atmosphere.
Mike and Tony have organized similar events before, and they've prepared sign-up sheets for various committees as well as for donations. These are in the hall; you can also call the church office on weekdays between 8:00 and 1:00 to donate or volunteer (610-435-0782).
Sample donations: two hours of child care, a home cooked dinner, Christmas present wrapping service, art you or an artist have created, the use of a vacation property, the use of a vehicle, etc. If you have any questions, check with Mike and Tony! (Hint: They are not looking for yard-sale items!)
Grace is a small congregation with a large mission in the city, and raising funds will help keep our missions thriving.
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Noonday Grace
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Daily prayer begins October 7
In the spring, John Paul M had the idea of opening our building five days a week to our neighbors who work and live in downtown Allentown--to provide a place and time of quiet prayer in the middle of the city.
A small group has been working on this effort, and it will begin on Monday, October 7. Each day at noon, our doors will be open for a brief service (readings, silence, prayers). All are welcome to bring a lunch and eat together afterward in the gathering space.
When you are out and about during the week, consider adding this time of quiet to your routine. Bring a friend or neighbor. Take a flyer or card (available soon) and post it or give it to someone who may be interested.
People of Grace will be visiting local businesses and employers to let them know of this opportunity. If you have other ideas on how to publicize this event, please call the church office at 610-435-0782.
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New Resources at Grace
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Check out the hallway library
Mary Louise B took the lead on creating a small library of spiritual and religious books for people of Grace to use. With a bookcase donated from Addison B's Lehigh University office, and a few books from their home library, Grace now has a new educational resource. The bookshelf in in the hall on the way to the gathering space.
If you have books to share (in good condition, on topics of prayer, spirituality, scripture, recovery, spiritual practices, ethics, meditation, church history, social justice, theology, liturgy, community outreach, sacraments, music, etc.,), please bring them to church and put them on the shelf.
If you see a book on the shelf you'd like to borrow, please write the title and your name and the date in the record book provided. Read it, return it, and check it as returned in the record book. That's it!
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