Dear friends:

What an exciting time at Grace Church! The THRIVE team (congregational vitality team) has started us off with some great extra hospitality at our Thursday 6:26 Concerts and they have invited the rest of the congregation to join in on the fun. Speaking of the 6:26 concerts, have you seen the roster? Come check it out.

Grace is blessed to be adding faces to the staff. Emma Koch is serving as a summer Intern. She received a Lily grant to spend time in a parish and she chose us. Kendall Batten Kalantzis has joined the staff as our new Formation / Christian Education Director. Please take a moment to welcome both of them to Grace.

Peace,

Shawn

I have lived in Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Seoul, South Korea, and most recently, Atlanta where I completed my Masters of Divinity at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. My research focused on the function of religious symbols in culture, gender, and embodiment. I was seminarian at St. Bart's Episcopal Church in Atlanta. I love being outside as much as possible (though this may be tempered as I rediscover Chicago winters), growing veggies, reading novels, and going on brew tours with my husband Apostolos. I am thrilled to join the staff as Director of Lifelong Christian Formation and to work with the community to create programming that validates and nurtures the spiritual journey at all ages.

I'm a rising fourth year undergraduate at the University of Chicago, majoring in Religious Studies. Originally from Baltimore, I was raised an Episcopalian and formally confirmed my first year of college. I have worked the last two years as a peer minister for Brent House, the Episcopal ministry center at U of C, which has included everything from preparing meals, to organizing events and administrative work, to implementing ways to increase our ministry. I have also served as a student advisor for UChicago's spiritual life office, giving input on programming and engaging in interfaith dialogue. In addition to working for Grace this summer I will be doing research on new types of Christian communities emerging in the U.S. I am an avid baker and can often be found with sweets on my person (available for distribution of course.)

A former member of Grace passed away June 10, 2015. Carl Eric Johnson, 60, died of a rare form of cancer after a long fight. Carl's funeral will be Tuesday, June 23, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 Chapel St., Portsmouth, NH 03801.   

May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace and rise in glory. 

Daniel Shea Wall will be ordained to the

Sacred Order of Deacons
in Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
Saturday, the twentieth of June
two thousand and fifteen
at eleven o'clock in the morning

at 

On Thursday evenings at 6 o'clock or so through the summer, different groups of parishioners will set out a pretty table on the front lawn and offer a cool drink, a tasty treat, and a cheerful greeting to all who pass by - along with an invitation to come in and hear the great music that begins at 6:26.

Friends and neighbors of all ages drop by the table before, during, and after the concerts, attracted not only by the cookies and lemonade, but by the friendly people gathered on the lawn around the table.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? It is! Not only that, it's a great way to invite neighbors to taste and see and hear the joy of Grace.

This little hospitality table is a product of the Thrive program. The CAT survey last year revealed that the people of Grace want to invite people into our community, and this is one simple way to do just that.

Over the summer, different groups of parishioners will serve as hosts. The outreach committee has already signed up to host, and two other ministry groups are talking about it. How about you? It's easy and fun. Click here to contact Jim Redden for more information.

Plan to join us for a Ministry of Fun outing at Austin Gardens for the performance of To Kill a Mockingbird, Saturday, July 11. Show is at 8:00PM but come early (around 7:15) to enjoy appetizers and beverages with us. Tickets are $20 (special price for Grace Church). Please give cash or checks (payable to Sue Wells) to Sue Wells or Joan Anderson. Hope to see everybody there. This is always a very special evening!

Grace Episcopal Church is sponsoring the Eighth Season of Concerts@6:26 throughout the summer.  Each Thursday through August 20, we will sing Evensong beginning at 6:00 p.m., followed at precisely 6:26 p.m. with a thirty-minute recital to be offered in the Gothic-Revival splendor of Grace Episcopal Church.  There will be a freewill offering, half of which goes to our outreach programs. Click here for more information, including the full program.