Grace Episcopal Church 
104 North Washington Street
North Attleboro, MA 02760
About Our Rectory
How many of you have walked by the rectory of Grace Church lately and wondered why we have allowed it to become such an eyesore? I am betting that the answer is all of you! In a way, each one of you shares ownership of this property, and you deserve to have an answer. But first, a little history...

The rectory was built in 1958 at a time when it was the custom for Episcopal churches to provide housing for their priests as part of their compensation package, thus enabling them to be near the church. We used to say that this allowed the priest to keep his eye on the parish, yet also allowed the parish to keep an eye on the priest! The authors of the wonderful book titled A Century of Grace reported the following:
"At the Annual Parish Meeting of January, 1957, a building committee was empowered to proceed with the expansion of the church property. Acquisition of land south of the Parish house and removal of homes was a slow process but an addition to the Parish House and construction of a new Rectory began late in 1957. By the fall of 1858, Rev.Edgar D. Romig moved into the new rectory (the old rectory had been sold and moved to the corner of Park and School Streets...) Many of us have entertained the wish that they had made this land a parking area!

The last of our priests to reside in the rectory was Rev. Robert Brandt, his wife Norma, and their children. Wanting a little more privacy, Father Bob and his wife Norma received vestry approval to purchase a home with a yard for the kids to play in, and their housing allowance was applied to their mortgage. Prior to that, Rev. Sinclair Hart and his wife Nancy raised their four daughters in the rectory.

Ever since that time, the rectory has been treated as rental property. As such, it went to the bottom of the to-do list, and funds were not allocated to its upkeep. Money has always been tight and has been used to pay day-to-day operating expenses for the church. Occasionally necessary minor repairs were made by willing parishioners. A few years ago, many of us were able to go into the rectory to get it ready for the next tenants. we painted walls, polished the floors, replaced the kitchen floor, installed a new stove, and made it ready for a new family.

Most recently the Rogers family has lived in the rectory. Many of us know Mike as "the gruff guy" who supplied the muscle power to build the handicapped access ramp, and who also gave his time one summer, just a few years ago, to single-handedly remove and repair every single window on the first floor of the office spaces. This saved us the huge expense of replacing them with new windows. Working closely with Will Merigold, Mike was a key factor in the completion of our office spaces.

It is safe to say that the Rogers family has met and overcome many challenges. Mike now works full-time for Vista, a company owned by our own Bill Carlson, where he is a valued employee. Grace Church has continued to support the Rogers family through good times and bad. This is what sets us apart from a secular landlord. At this time the Rogers family is in the process of getting current on their rent.

Recently Father Phillip sat down with Mike Rogers and they developed a more realistic plan for the immediate future of both their families. Phillip then called Veronica to discuss best options. Following this meeting and telephone conversation, Phillip met with members of the vestry to present the latest plan and to ask for our continued patience.
For the time being, Mike and Robyn will continue to stay in the rectory while they actively look for another place to live. Mike will make necessary repairs to the rectory, with each project completed to be checked by Lyle Pirnie. The Rogers family will continue to stay current with rental payments. Meanwhile, Bob Dorn has offered to give of his time and expertise to work on one of the exterior walls. He will analyze the best way for us to refinish the wood.

We are all dismayed by the delay in Phillip's move to the rectory. This was not an easy decision for anyone involved.
But In his heart, Phillip strongly feels that this is the proper course of action. When the time finally arrives, and Phillip, Veronica, Victoria, and Phillip Jr. can take up residency in the rectory, we know that we can count on everyone to help us make it a home worthy of their wait.

Important: parishioners need to know that the minutes of all our vestry meetings are available. Please see Sherry or me if you want to read about any of the issues we discuss in open session.

Submitted by Barbara Hanson, Vestry Sr. Warden

 
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WORSHIP WITH US

 

Holy Eucharist Service

Saturdays

4:30pm

  

Holy Eucharist Service

Sundays

9am

through Labor Day


 

Please join us for  

fellowship and refreshments following the 9am service

 

JOIN US - UPCOMING EVENTS

Painting Memorial Raffle
- Extended!

Back to School Shuffle
- August 19th

Lobster Lunch Fundraiser
- August 28th

Sunday School Registration
- September 6th

Return to Regular Worship Hours
- September 13th

Sunday School Classes begin
- Sunday, September 13th @ 9am

Welcome Back Picnic
- September 13th


Summer Pledge

 


Please remember to keep your pledge current, even if you are on vacation in some exotic port of call. Happy summer to everyone!
 

Quick Links
STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE 2015

Questions:

Please call the office at 508-695-5471 or email Sherry at office@gracechurchna.org  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
August

Ryan Bauschard

August 1
Kyle Pasquel
August 2
Matthew Mangili
August 3
Debbie Bordne
August 7
Amy Mahoney
August 9
Austin Pensinger
August 9
Donna Castillo
August 10
Maureen Merigold
August 17
Brian Kelley
August 22
Richard Tinkham
August 24
Dylan Pensinger
August 25
Ken Dumas
August 26
Marjorie Cull
August 27
Emily Miller
August 31

Don't see your birthday listed? Please let us know by calling or emailing the parish office so we can add your special day to our database. Click on the email link below:

office@gracechurchna.org

 

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CELEBRATING OUR DEACON

Last Sunday we were pleased to honor our very own Deacon Skip Almon on the 30th anniversary of his becoming a deacon.

With his family in attendance, Skip talked about the difficulties he experienced along the way. He credits Jackie, his wife, with being the biggest factor in helping him achieve his goal.  We presented Skip with a red stole that represents the theme of "Celebration!"

Now some words from Skip...

I have looked into the congregation several times this past year and have noticed many faces not there. I'm not talking about those who are on vacation, or who have taken the summer off. But of the people who have quietly slipped away and no one seems to have noticed. Those who have left will find it difficult to return. The longer the time of separation the more difficult it will be. And then rationalization will enter the equation.

We at Grace want to "grow" our parish. Well and good; but what do we do to retain those who have come seeking God's Grace? I contend there are those just wishing to be asked to come back. I ask those of you reading this to think of someone who might have "drifted" away. Call them and let them know you miss them. If there is a question that needs addressing please let me know. I have been called to do this ministry. Deacons were initially called to minister to those who have "fallen into the cracks" and been either ignored or overlooked. (Acts 6).

If you have slipped quietly away, please return. Expect a call, we miss and love you.

Your brother in Christ, Skip


 

What's New at Grace...

G Sharpe has asked for our help with the Back to School Shuffle. This is a wonderful DANA-sponsored event that allows families with young children an opportunity to gather free school supplies. What an easy way for Grace Church to make its presence known in the community! Just a reminder that she is looking for donations of bottled water, home-baked chocolate chip cookies, watermelon, and your time on Wednesday evening, Aug. 19th, from 5 - 9.

LITURGICAL PLANNING COMMITTEE RETREAT IS A SUCCESS!

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, members of the liturgical planning committee attended a special day of retreat held at the Retreat Center at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro. Rev. Rebecca Blair, rector of St. Andrews Church in New Bedford, was our facilitator. This committee, which is made up of the heads of various groups and committees here at Grace, has been meeting every Tuesday for the past year to help Phillip plan the upcoming services. The retreat provided a way for us to learn more about each other, to clear our heads, and to re-focus our thoughts on the year to come. A huge thank you to everyone involved for giving your time to this important mission.

THANK YOU GAIL AND BILL!!

Our narthex has received a much needed makeover from Gail Frigon and her son Bill. The first step in this process was to find a place to house those huge file cabinets that contain all the choir's music. Moving them was not an easy job, but our Fredy was able to pull this off single-handedly "with help from the Man upstairs!". They are now in the Emmaeus Chapel. Gail and Bill spent afternoons cleaning, dusting, and scrubbing the narthax, their hope being to restore the tiles to their original condition. Our resident artist, Gail, has purchased two huge urns and filled them with greenery that can change with the seasons.

Bill also spends many hours each week vacuuming the Sanctuary. So, on behalf of everyone in the parish, "Thank you!"

P.S. Gail has postponed the painting dedication raffle for a few more weeks. It is her hope that as attendance increases in the fall, there will be more people purchaing tickets for the option to put a bronze nameplate on the painting.

 


Are you willing to Host a Summer Coffee Hour?

Last summer we held a series of special coffee hours which raised quite a bit of money for our "Down with Debt campaign"...Root beer floats, "Jordan Marsh" Blueberry Muffins, Strawberry Shortcake Sundaes just to name a few...

Now is not the time to be shy - all ideas are welcome!  Let us know what you are willing to bring!

Please see the sign-up sheet in the Common Room


SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
August is here and it is time to think about getting the kids back to school - Sunday School included!
We have some events coming up and need your help:

The Back to School Shuffle is a great way for Grace Church to provide information about our Sunday School programs as well affirm our position in the North Attleboro community. If you can help us in any way, we would appreciate it. See below:

August 19th (Wed) - Back to School Shuffle from 5 pm to 9 pm
 NEED HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DONATIONS
 NEED BOTTLES OF WATER DONATIONS
 NEED WATERMELON DONATIONS
 NEED MONEY DONATIONS FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO GIVE AWAY
 VOLUNTEERS TO WORK THE TABLES

Sept 6th (Sun) - SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION 10 am - 11 am (after the 9 am Service)
Sept 13th - First Day of Sunday School Classes - 9 am upstairs
2015-16 Sunday School Calendar is now posted on the website

Note that anyone working with youth will be required to complete a Cori Check and complete Safe Church Training. Please contact G. Sharpe for details at Sharpy1957@comcast.net or 508-320-6485 if you are interested.


Summer Fundraiser - LAST CHANCE!
LAST CHANCE - Lobster Rolls/Chicken Salad Rolls
Eat-in or Carry-out: Friday, August 28th

Lobster Salad Roll - $9.00
Chicken Salad Roll - $7.00
Both include chips and a dessert. Eat-in or Carry-out! Pick up between 11:30-12:30pm. Please place your order as soon as possible directly to Joan at 508-695-9346 or htinkham@verizon.net. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the Down with Debt Campaign at Grace church.

Save the Date!

Mark your calendars now! We will return to having 2 services starting September 13, 2015. We are planning to have a welcome back cookout, (weather permitting).

Following the cookout, we will hold our first vestry meeting under our new format.
ALTAR FLOWERS

 

yellow-flower.jpg


 If you'd like flowers placed on the altar in memory of, in thanksgiving for, or in honor of a family member or friend, please notify Cyndee Williams or the parish office. A donation of $50 is what it cost us to purchase flowers from Nolan's but we can also work with a donation you are comfortable with.