Fr. Stuart shared in a recent email to the parish that we will forgo in-person gatherings and continue worshiping and connecting online until May 24. In that email he issued a challenge for us to light a candle at dinner each night as we gather in our homes and also requested that we keep up with our contributions to our shared community. You can read the full text of his message and view videos from both Ft. Stuart and Bishop Wright here.
Zoom is a video conferencing tool that allows users to meet online, with or without video. When you “join a meeting” you can both see and hear other participants, something you can’t do with Facebook Live. Participants can join a meeting via the desktop client or use a mobile app on your phone or tablet, or even just use your phone.
Grace has been using this platform successfully for Compline on weeknights, for staff and vestry meetings, and even our prayer yoga classes met using Zoom last Monday! This week, we plan to move Morning Prayer and Godly Play to Zoom, and some of our other small groups as well.
You can find some general instructions on how to use zoom here; for more information visit the zoom help center. We also have a couple of parishioners who have kindly offered to assist those who have questions, please email Jennifer Williams to request help.
This week, please continue to check our Grace@Home page for the latest on formation resources and worship updates. We’re focusing on creating opportunities for all of our small groups at Grace to meet virtually so we can check in “face to face” and remember how we stay connected to one another even when we can’t be physically together. Watch for email invitations to online group meetings and check Grace@Home for links to classes meeting on Zoom (Like Yoga and Centering Prayer).
If you’re a part of a Grace group that would like to meet virtually, please contact Cheryl to get set up. (PSST — check Zoom out because we’ll use it for worship this week!)
With no opportunity to pass the plate during worship, we have had several questions on how best to make pledge payments. The office mail is picked up daily so pledge payments can be mailed to Grace Episcopal Church, 422 Brenau Ave., Gainesville, Georgia 30501. Pledge payments can also be made online. If you have any questions please email Reba Page.
We are extremely grateful to all who have pledged their support for the Future of Grace campaign. However, with prayerful consideration, the Bicentennial Committee has made the decision to postpone our campaign until 2021 in light of COVID-19 and its impact on our life in and outside of Grace.
We will send out more details in months to come regarding pledges already made, but all who have made pledges will have the opportunity to revisit their pledges prior to the campaign being finalized. Please feel free to reach out to Jason Voyles or Tate O’Rouke with any questions or concerns.
Hi Grace Church Friends,
As we live in the uncertainty of this week and month, I have found some solace in recalling events from this past year. I hope that these familiar sights and sounds will bring some more joy to your day!
Will Gotmer
Director of Music/Organist
This post highlights some events and news pertinent to the upcoming week.