Rooted to Thrive
Those planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish; they shall still bear fruit in old age.
Psalm 92:13-14
The approaching bicentennial of our parish offers an opportunity to reflect not only on 200 years of faithful ministry, but also on the future God is calling Grace Church to embrace. One phrase captures that vision well: Rooted to Thrive. This theme honors the past while reminding us that 200 years is not a finish line. It is a foundation. Just as trees flourish because of deep roots, the ministries of Grace Church have grown and endured because generations of faithful parishioners planted, nurtured, and sustained them.
Among the treasures of parish history is a small journal from an 1898 gathering of the St. Mary’s Guild of Grace Episcopal Church, the Ladies’ Guild at the time. Its pages record the faithful efforts of parishioners who understood that the future of the church depended upon their commitment and generosity.
One entry begins:
“The young ladies of Grace Chapel, Gainesville, Ga., were organized into the Junior Guild, May 1897. Their object being to work for the advancement of the church.”
At the beginning of 1898, the guild consisted of seven members. Their officers included Miss Mary Chastain, Miss Helen Johnston, Miss Virginia Morino, and Miss Lizzie Lumpkin. The members also agreed to meet monthly and to contribute ten cents at each meeting to support their mission.
Ten cents may seem insignificant today, but those young women understood an enduring truth: stewardship is not measured by the size of any one gift. It is measured by the faith, commitment, and vision behind it. Through their prayers, service, and generosity, they invested in a future they would never fully see.
Nearly 200 years of parish life stand as testimony to the faithfulness of countless people just like them. Generations before us gave to support the ministries that continue to shape lives today.
Now another significant moment stands before the parish.
The next two years represent a watershed season as Grace Church prepares to step fully into its third century of shared ministry. Third century! What ministries will emerge in the years ahead? What lives will be touched through the church’s witness? What stories will future generations read about the people of Grace Church?
The answers depend, in part, on the commitments made today.
A pledge is more than a financial commitment. It is an act of faith. It is a declaration of hope in God’s future. It is a way of planting roots that will help Grace Church continue to flourish for generations to come.
As prayerful consideration is given to a pledge for the 2027 budget, all are invited to place their names alongside Mary Chastain, Helen Johnston, Virginia Morino, Lizzie Lumpkin, and the many faithful parishioners who have sustained this church across nearly two centuries.
Through participation in the Rooted to Thrive Stewardship Campaign, Grace Church can honor its past, strengthen its present, and prepare to thrive in its third century of ministry.
Rooted in Christ, Grace Church is called to thrive.