News for June 15: Summer Solstice Sound Bath and more
Summer Solstice Sound Bath
We’re ushering in the start of summer with a relaxing and rejuvenating sound bath! Rebecca Turk will help us celebrate the season of light at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 18 in the nave. This sound bath is free of charge and open to the community.
For the most restful experience, bring your yoga mat, a blanket, and any bolster or pillow you prefer and experience the sound bath resting in Savasana. You may also choose to experience it sitting in the pews, and you’re welcome to bring a cushion or pillow to make you more comfortable.
Communion
We are enjoying fresh baked bread for Communion during June and July! The bread on June 15 is lovingly made by Carla Kantola. The wine is a port from Chateau Elan, a favorite of Beth Neidenbach & Jim Bradley
If you’d like to contribute three bottles of your favorite red wine (Georgia/local winery preferred), please contact Fr. Stuart!
A Summer with the Psalms
Each week’s sermon in June and July focuses on the psalm appointed for the day. This is a wonderful opportunity to delve more deeply into this rich resource in our practice of faith.
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer will not meet on Wednesday, June 18.
Parish Choir Update
The Grace Parish Choir thanks everyone for their enthusiastic support of our ministry. We will be on summer break beginning Sunday, June 22. We will return on Sunday, September 7. While the choir is away, our Sunday morning services will feature various soloists and duets.
We invite you to become a part of our choir beginning this fall. Choir membership is open to experienced choral singers ages high school through mature adult. This close-knit musical family is dedicated to bringing musical excellence to our services and presents a variety of choral literature from across the span of time. We sing for the 10:45 AM service most Sundays from September until the end of May and rehearse on Wednesdays, 7-9 PM. We will perform Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the Cumberland Chamber Orchestra in October, followed by Advent Lessons and Carols, and offer our 5th Annual Messiah Sing Along in December. We served as choir-in-residence at Exeter Cathedral, England, August 2024 and have been invited to serve as choir-in-residence at Wells Cathedral England July of 2027.
If you are interested in the work of the Grace Choir and would like to join us next season, please email Music Director Lynn Swanson.
Town Hall Meeting
Thanks to all who filled the Parish Hall to learn more about the full scope of our parish’s life! I loved hearing from so many about how the Spirit is nudging them to share gifts. Below is a link to the presentation for those who want to explore more. You’ll see key aspects highlighted in the coming weeks in your newsletter, so please see how the Spirit may be inviting you to explore.
And thank you…deeply…for all the ways you nurture our common life.
Blessings,
Stuart
Women’s Book Study
Our Accidental Saints summer women’s book study kicked off June 5 with discussion around the idea that God can be found not only in the “wrong people” but also in the imperfect, chaotic, and challenging aspects of life.
If you missed that first meeting, it’s not too late to participate! Catch up by reading chapters 1-6 of Nadia Bolz-Weber’s Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People, (that’s only 62 pages, the chapters are short!) and join us in room 115 of the Grace Center (youth room) on Thursday, June 19. We gather at 5:30 and begin at 6 PM.
Baseball Night
Join a group from Grace at Coolray Field on Friday, July 18 to watch the Gwinnett Stripers take on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Game time is 7:05 PM and fireworks will follow.
Tickets are $18 each and must be paid for by Sunday, June 29 to secure your spot. Sign up online!
Dates for Your Calendar
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
- June 24 Fellowship Gathering
- June 27 & 28 Matilda Jr. The Musical
- July 17 Women’s Book Study
- July 18 Gwinnett Stripers v. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- July 27 Backpack Blessing
- August 9 Inaugural Park Lecture
- September 7 CE begins
The Glimpses of Grace Podcast
We invite you to explore the podcast on Spotify (or your podcast app of choice) or here on this website!
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