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Reflection

"I am not accustomed to rejoicing in things that are small, hidden, and scarcely noticed by the people around me. I am generally ready and prepared to receive bad news, to read about wars, violence, and crimes, and to witness conflict and disarray. I always expect my visitors to talk about their problems and pain, their setbacks and disappointments, their depressions and their anguish. Somehow I have become accustomed to living with sadness, and so have lost the eyes to see the joy and the ears to hear the gladness that belongs to God and which is to be found in the
hidden corners of the world.

"I have a friend who is so deeply connected with God that he can see joy where I expect only sadness. He travels much and meets countless people. When he returns home, I always expect him to tell me about the difficult economic situation of the countries he visited, about the great injustices he heard about, and the pain he has seen. But even though he is very aware of the great upheaval of the world, he seldom speaks of it. When he shares his experiences, he tells about the hidden joys he has discovered. He tells about a man, a woman, or a child who brought him
hope or peace. He tells about little groups of people who are faithful to each other in the midst of all the turmoil. He tells about the small wonders of God. At times I realize that I am disappointed because I want to hear 'newspaper news,' exciting and exhilarating stories that can be talked about among friends. But he never responds to my need for sensationalism. He keeps saying: 'I saw something very small and very beautiful, something that gave me much joy.'

"This is a real discipline. It requires choosing for the light even when there is much darkness to frighten me, choosing for life even when the forces of death are so visible, and choosing for the truth even when I am surrounded with lies. I am tempted to be so impressed by the obvious sadness of the human condition that I no longer claim the joy manifesting itself in many small but very real ways. The reward of choosing joy is joy itself. Living among people with mental disabilities has convinced me of that. There is so much rejection, pain, and woundedness among us, but
once you choose to claim the joy hidden in the midst of all suffering, life becomes celebration. Joy never denies the sadness, but transforms it to a fertile soil for more joy."

Henri J. M. Nouwen in

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

10:00am  Midnight Run (Memorial Hall)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

8:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite I)

9:30am Holy Eucharist (Family Service)

10:10am Church School Classes Begin

11:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite II w/choir)

12:30pm Coffee Hour to welcome Fr. Owen

2:00pm AGC! Rehearsal (Memorial Hall)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

4:30 AGC! CircusSchool (Memorial Hall)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

9:30am Staff Meeting (Rector's Office)

7:00pm Boy Scouts (Memorial Hall)

7:30pm Vestry (Patterson Hall)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

4:30 AGC! CircusSchool (Memorial Hall

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

4:30 AGC! CircusSchool (Memorial Hall

7:30pm Choir rehearsal (Choir Room)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

8:00am Holy Eucharist (Rite I)

9:30am Holy Eucharist

10:10am Church School/refreshments

11:00am  Holy Eucharist (Rite II w/choir)

followed by coffee hour in Memorial Hall

2:30pm Amazing Grace Circus rehearsal (Memorial Hall)

WELCOME TO FR. OWEN

At coffee hour following  our new rector's first services with us on Sunday, September 15, we'll welcome Fr. Owen  and his family with "A Taste of Rockland," a selection of treats from our favorite places throughout the county. Please join us!  

Fr. Thompson comes to Grace from Trinity-Saint John's Church in Hewlett, NY, where he has served as rector since 2005.  He received his Masters of Divinity from General Theological Seminary (New York, NY), holds a Masters in Educational Communication and Technology from New YorkUniversity and a Bachelor of Arts in English from HobartCollege.  Fr. Thompson is the son of the late Rt. Reverend Herbert Thompson Jr., Bishop of Southern Ohio (ret.), whose ministry motto he has adopted as his own, "To reconcile. To heal.  To Liberate.  To Serve," and the late Ruselle Thompson, a former operatic soprano, who he thanks for his "singing voice."  Fr. Thompson's wife, Jonna, is a holistic health practitioner, and they have two young sons Ridley and Carter.

CHURCH SCHOOL BEGINS SUNDAY 

Our church school classes begin this morning and run through June 8, directly following 9:30 am service and lasting 45 minutes to one hour.  Classes combine a lectionary-based lesson and choir instruction. The church school is a cooperative program; we need the participation of many parents to keep things running smoothly!  Most of our teachers are parents; parents can assist teachers in the classroom, and parents bring refreshments for everyone to enjoy every Sunday. Registration forms and syllabi are available following the 9:30am service -- new form must be filled out each year to ensure that we have current information on your child(ren). If you would like to know more about our church school and how you and your family can be involved, please contact Lainie Murrell at 845-825-6236 or gracekidsnyack@gmail.com.

SENIOR YOUTH GROUP STARTS THIS WEEK 

Our active Senior Youth Group is for high school aged youth. The group meets on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm in the Fenton room at Grace. Curriculum includes teambuilding activities, topics related to spiritual growth, and community service.  If you would like to be added to the youth group email or would like more information, contact Moriah at moriahso@yahoo.com.

THE COFFEE CONNECTION

Our coffee hour ministry of hospitality is where we welcome guests & newcomers, catch up with old friends, and strengthen the bonds of community that make Grace Church so special.  Coffee hour between the 9:30 and 11:00am services is already generously handled by families of the church school, but this year - when we hope to welcome many new families - we want to make doubly sure that coffee hour following the 11:00am service is equally abundant in both food and fellowship. With your help, we'd like to establish a corps of helpers who will host coffee hours on a rotating basis.  No need to come early or make coffee - just bring some simple and tasty treats, and be the welcoming hand of Grace as parishioners and guests come in for coffee. "Lifetimer" or relative newcomer, you're bound to find the experience is a great way to share your love of Grace Church.  If you'd like to know more, or to sign up for a Sunday, please contact the office: (845-358-1297, parishoffice@gracechurchnyack.org or look for the sign up sheet available at coffee hours.

SAVE THOSE TRAVEL-SIZE TOILETRIES

There's a collection bin available in the narthex for your donations of travel-size soaps, shampoo, hair conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes & toothpaste for Midnight Run meal bags that are distributed to the homeless in New York City. We can also use donations of sandwich baggies, napkins, and lunch bags.

Help with Midnight Run meal preparation this Saturday, September 14 at 10:00am in Memorial Hall. 

AREA BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE CRITICALLY LOW

Please support local blood drives if you can -- there is even a drive today across the street at St. Ann's (through 2:00pm). Some additional options in coming weeks include: Thursday, 9/19/13  at St. Gregory Barbarigo  (25 Cinder Road, Garnerville 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm); Sunday, 9/22/13 at JCC Rockland (450 West Nyack Road, West Nyack 10:00 am - 2:30 pm); Friday, 9/27/13 at Rockland County Court House (1 South Main Street, New City 10:30 am - 3:00 pm) and Friday, 9/27/13  Congers-Valley Cottage Ambulance (122 Kings Highway, Congers  3:00 pm - 7:30 pm). Please spread the word. Info at 800-933-BLOOD.

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Parting Thought 

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in the present instant. Take peace. The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within reach, is joy. Take joy.  

Fra Giovanni (From Letter to a Friend, 1513)