Come to Grace on March 2 anytime between 9:30 AM and 12:15 PM for a delicious pancake breakfast!  We will have gluten-free pancakes and sugar-free syrup.  We are trying out our idea of an ongoing coffee hour on Sunday mornings.

Heading to the Handel Week Concert that afternoon and afraid after the 10:30 service is too late for you?  Come at 9:30 and join the fun.  

The breakfast will end by 12:30 so that we can have the Parish Hall and kitchen cleaned up by 1PM for the Handel Week pre-concert lecture and concert.  

Food will be provided.  You are also free to bring a breakfast dish to share. You can also give a small donation towards the cost.  

We need volunteers to set up, cook, serve and clean up.  Click here to sign up to volunteer. 

-Shawn and the vestry

P.S. Bring your palms so we can get them ready for Ash Wednesday.

Are you a young person or adult interested in exploring your faith life, learning more about the Episcopal Church, or even taking the next step of your spiritual journey? Or do you know someone who is? Last Sunday, February 23rd, Grace began "Finding God, Finding Grace," a 10-week faith formation series open to all. We meet after the 10:30 service in the small groups meeting room next to the Parish Hall, or in Nick's office.  Throughout this series we will explore our place in our scriptures, traditions, and the life of the church. Those who choose may conclude the series in confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of faith by the Bishop, but all are welcome. Interested people should speak to Shawn, Nick, or Eric.

Ursa Ensemble - a mixed chamber music group of young people from Chicago

Program: Britten's Phantasy Quartet, Brahms' Horn Trio, A selection of Bach Chorales arranged by several of the Ursa members.

When: Saturday, March 1st, 7 pm

Where: Grace Episcopal Church

Cost: Free will donation

Why go: A lovely complement to all that Handel music!

For more information, please visit their website ursaensemble.com.

7AM (with Eucharist)

12:15PM (brief service without Eucharist)

6PM (A Hands-On Ash Wednesday Service for Children and Others)

7:30PM (with Eucharist and Choir)

"Ashes to Go" is a somewhat irreverent title for a very serious attempt to make use of our rich liturgical tradition in a day of public witness and evangelization. In the last few years, various congregations throughout the diocese have made use of Ash Wednesday to offer the prayer of the church to commuters and others, engaging them with a brief and invitational encounter with one of the most evocative symbolic gestures of the season.

The origins of our liturgical tradition include ritual observances and prayer in the public square. I believe it is appropriate for us to rediscover the potential power of some of these elements for own time and cultural context. There is a vast hunger in our world for the presence of the Lord Jesus and for a declaration of the truth that we are finite and human creatures, dependent on a loving and merciful God. The rites of Ash Wednesday can be a powerful tool to offer just this message to folks who would never walk through the doors of our churches to experience it. I hope many of you will join in offering this ministry to people outside the walls of our churches. Christ is there.

Please email me for more information. Feel free to chat with Nadia Stefko, Bill Voss, John Seaton, Flora Green, Barbara Larsen, Weeks Ringle or Walter Thorne about their experiences with this ministry.

Ash Wednesday is March 5th this year.  Suggested coverage times for volunteers:

The book study group organizes itself around authors who focus on living more fully from one's soul in the second half of life. The life of Christ is often used by such authors as a paradigm for this.

Next book announced!  We will be learning about Tibetan Buddhism and the psychology of Carl Jung. The book we chose describes the basics of each and compares the two.

The Essence of Jung's Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism: Western and Eastern Paths to the Heart by Radmila Moacanin. The text of the book is only 107 pages, so we should be able to complete our discussion of it in three or four sessions.

Our next discussion will be Wednesday, April 2 at 7:30 PM at the home of Bets Howland and Dennis Zavac.

In preparation, please read chapter 1 - "Buddhism." We recommend also reading the conclusion and coda at the end of the book, which gives a good overview.

It is said by students of Jung's psychology that Jung brings added life to Christianity. We hope that will be your experience as well.

Radmila has a solid grounding in both Tibetan Buddhism and Jung's psychology. She has a PhD in Psychology and practices in Southern California. She knows the Dalai Lama personally and was with him when he learned he was to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Please email Bets & Dennis with any questions, or to join the group.

NOTE: If you click on the image below, or the link above to order the book, Grace will receive a portion of the sale price.

March 2nd 10:30am Service:
ACOLYTES: Tim Edwards, Joe Ratz
MC/LEMS:  Eric Biddy; Jim Redden, Helen Thomason, Bob Vogler, Sue Wells, Lascelles Anderson
LECTORS: Ade Onayemi, Marilyn Wardle
INTERCESSORS: Helen Thomason, Ted Reichardt    
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Scott Garman, Flora Green, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta; Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: Jill Gimesky
USHERS: James Redden, Flemming Bovell, Linda Reynes, Jim Groll
GREETERS: Stephanie Bailey, Heather Bovell, Paul & Cathy O'Kelly
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Pancake breakfast
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Pancake breakfast