For a while now, we have been watching the increasing number of cases of the Delta variant of the Covid virus, and uncertainty has been rising. We hoped we had reached the supposed end of our struggle with this virus, but that appears not to be the case. We do believe there is a reasonable and faithful way to respond.
On Tuesday, the CDC sent out new guidelines calling for everyone to wear masks indoors in counties where the real-time risk of infection is high or substantial. Hall County has been identified as an area of high risk, and the caseload at the medical center is steadily rising. Because of this, we now ask that everyone wear masks indoors until the rate and risk of infection decreases. This includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, due to the risk of transmission.
The Grace Church parish office will reopen beginning Monday, August 2. Office hours will be Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
Current members of the Altar Guild will meet with Father Stuart on Thursday, August 5 at 11:00 AM in the Sacristy area. This will provide an opportunity to see where we are and how we are planning to proceed for the upcoming year.
This is a great opportunity for anyone to learn about the vital services Altar Guild provides at Grace. All interested parishioners are invited to attend.
On Monday, August 2 from 12:00 to 1:30 PM we will gather on the COG playground for a classic ice cream social to celebrate Ansley Forrester’s retirement as director of Children of Grace preschool. All current and former COG families are invited to attend!
The preschool is also putting together a gift that includes words of thanks & love, pictures (drawn or photographs), letters, etc. from you and/or your COG students and alumni. If you have a token of love to include, please contact Meg McPeek or drop them by the parish office on or before August 2.
The Outreach Committee continues their annual school supply drive. Supplies requested are: #2 pencils with erasers, spiral notebooks, glue sticks, blunt tip metal scissors, 16 or 24 ct. Crayola crayons, washable markers, wide rule filler paper, pocket folders with brads, Crayola colored pencils, cap erasers, highlighters, pencil boxes, zip lock bags (sandwich, quart or gallon), hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, index cards, and boxes of facial tissue.
On Sundays, supplies can be left in the wagon in the lower foyer beside the narthex. Beginning Monday, August 2, supplies can be dropped off in the parish office Monday – Thursday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. (Please do not drop donations off in the preschool office.) Checks or online donations will also be accepted. Make checks out to Grace Episcopal Church with “school supplies” noted in the memo line. For online donations, choose outreach as the contribution type and note “school supplies” in the memo box. All donations are requested by Sunday, August 15. Thank you for your continued support of this annual outreach effort!
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us Sunday, August 15 as we kick off the new program year! Christian Education classes for children, youth, and adults will meet from 9:30-10:30 AM. Students, teachers, and school administrators of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks/satchels to be blessed at the 10:45 AM service.
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