Please put this Friday night, May 16, on your calendar--it's the Annual Scholarship Benefit Auction for Grace Montessori School. The event will be held at the Allentown Brew Works at 7:00. It features a silent auction, a live auction, hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and music. Admission tickets are available at the door for $30.
 
All proceeds benefit the school's scholarship fund, which exists because our parish and our school value economic diversity. Our school offers scholarship assistance to about one-third of its students. Some money comes from grants from local foundations, and a sizable amount comes from a single fund-raising event, the Annual Scholarship Benefit Auction.  
 
Please plan to attend if at all possible and support early-childhood education for children in our neighborhood. Members of the vestry will be there, and previous participants can attest that the evening will be a delightful one!

Each week in the pantry, before food distribution begins, this prayer is prayed, in English and in Spanish:
 
Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of life today.
We thank you that we are here,
and that we are neighbors.
We pray for everybody in need--
in need of food, in need of a job, in need of child care,  
in need of health, in need of friends, in need of justice.
Help us to care for each other,  
and help our country make choices that will benefit all her people.
Bless this food and bless our time  
and bless our city and bless our families.
In your holy name, we say: Amen.
 
Dios misericordioso, te damos gracias por el don de la vida de hoy.
Le agradecemos que estamos aquí, y que somos vecinos.
Oramos por todas las personas necesitadas--
en necesidad de alimentos, en la necesidad de un trabajo,
con necesidad de cuidado de los niños,
en la necesidad de atencion de la salud,  
en la necesidad de amigos, en la necesidad de justicia.  
Ayúdanos a cuidar de los demás,
y ayudar a nuestro país a tomar decisiones que beneficien  
a toda su gente.
Bendecir esta comida y bendecir a nuestro tiempo
y bendecir a nuestra ciudad y bendicir a nuestras familias.
En tu santo nombre, decimos: Amen.

If you haven't visited the pantry lately to experience this part of Grace in action, feel free! The pantry is open every Friday from 9:00 to 11:00 and the third and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9:00-11:00.

The Fundraising Committee led a successful yard sale on May 3, and they are planning a repeat on Saturday, June 21.

Again, Mike A and Tony V will host it; they live near the intersection of East Texas Road and Brookside Road. This location will enable nonparishioners to shop and support the work of Grace. Chris D is coordinating the event; please contact him for details regarding donations and help.

Another simple fundraiser is in progress: coupons to use when purchasing plants or flowers at Dan Schantz's. The greenhouse will donate 20% of each purchase made with a coupon to Grace Church. The coupons are in the hallway at church--take some and share with friends! Or, email the church office and a sheet of coupons can be sent to you.