News for June 8: Town Hall Meeting and more

Date Posted: June 6, 2025

Town Hall Meeting This Sunday

From time to time, I call a special meeting to focus our attention on key aspects of our community’s life. Given our preparations for our upcoming Bicentennial and other important updates, this is one of those times!

I encourage you to attend the Town Hall Sunday, June 8, at 9:30 AM in the parish hall. June 8 is also the Feast of Pentecost, so this gives us a wonderful focus point to reflect on what it means to be a Christian community.

At this meeting, we will highlight the following items:

Our Context: looking at current demographics and trends
Worship and Prayer: looking at services and other opportunities for imaginative practice and music
Education and Formation: looking at the School for Prayer and Spiritual Practice and a new Discipleship Mentor Ministry
Updates on our Digital/Web-based Resources: looking at ways we can enhance and connect
Buildings & Grounds Update: looking at key campus updates and timeline
Planned Giving: looking at the 1828 Society and development work
Staff and Administrative Updates: looking at key updates for future sustainability
Participation: looking at our newcomer and membership framework, and community life
Pastoral Care: looking at communication and connection
Outreach and Community Ministries: looking at our enhanced framework and committee work
Bicentennial Celebration Calendar: looking at a broad outline of our timeline
Committee and Organizational Structure: looking at our communication and ministry support

As you can see, the full scope of our parish’s life is broad and complex, and I look forward to highlighting key aspects in these areas, both to make sure everyone is aware and also to encourage greater participation as we share our gifts and strengths.

We will share a slide show that will be available later for those who cannot come—but this really is one of those times when it would benefit us all to be together for a key update.

I am enormously grateful for all the ways this community shares and supports. It is a blessing to be part of a community that encourages us all to share our gifts and, as the Prayer Book says, “grow into the full stature of Christ.”

I look forward to seeing you all!

Blessings,
Stuart

Communion

We are enjoying fresh baked bread for Communion during June and July! The bread on June 8 is lovingly made by Karen Klas. 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 will give us a wonderful opportunity to delve more deeply into this rich resource in our practice of faith.

June 8: Psalm 104:25-35, 37

Summer Solstice Sound Bath

As you may know, June 20 is the Summer Solstice, the longest day (or shortest night, depending on which eye you look out of) of the year. To mark this moment, and to have a space for prayer during the summer, Rebecca Turk will return to Grace to offer a Sound Bath.

We will gather in the nave on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 PM for our time of meditation, stillness, and healing. All are welcome to participate!

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.

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!