News for May 10: Youth Sunday, Bake Sale, Special Podcast, and more

Date Posted: May 8, 2026

News for May 10: Youth Sunday, Bake Sale, Special Podcast, and more

Youth Sunday + Bake Sale

Join us this Sunday, May 10, as youth take the lead. This is a special day where our young people share their talents, lead us in worship, and remind us why the future of our parish is so sweet!

Don’t forget to stop in the greeting area between the services for our bake sale benefiting the 2026 youth pilgrimage to Boston. Whether you have a sweet tooth or a competitive spirit, our Grace youth would love your support!

Children’s Chapel

Children’s Chapel is on summer break. The nursery will continue to be available to children age 4 and under during the 10:45 AM worship service.

Vacation Bible School Registration Now Open

Vacation Bible School is returning to Grace Church this summer! Kids 4 years old – rising 6th grade are invited to join the Snowball Mountain Challenge, June 22-26 from 9 AM to 12 PM.

With a unique winter games theme filled with snowboards and ski lifts and solid theology at its core, this VBS delivers joy and meaning in equal measure, teaching kids that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NRSV).

Cost is $25 for the first child, $20 each additional child. Registration now open.

VBS at Grace

LOTR Summer Study

Sr. Genevieve Lynn and Father Brandon will offer an intergenerational study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring during the CE hour this summer!

Recommended for readers age 11 and up, this study is designed for folks regardless of age to engage in conversation around Christian themes, symbolism and the work of fantasy. We will meet in the parish hall Sunday, June 7 and will run through Sunday, July 26,excluding July 5. Please sign up using the following link if you are interested in participating.

LOTR Summer Study

Graduate Recognition

The deadline to submit information for the graduate recognition slideshow is 9 AM on Monday, May 11! If you (or your child) graduated from high school or college in the fall/winter of 2025 or will graduate spring/summer 2026, please submit the online form at the link below.

Grace Church will honor graduates during the 10:45 AM service on Sunday, May 17!

Graduate Information Form

Charis Circles

You are invited to participate in Charis Circles this summer! Join us at 10:30 AM on June 17 and July 15. Please contact Meg McPeek, Assistant for Formation and Community Life, with any questions.

Please note: Charis Circles will not meet in May.

Christian Education

Regular Sunday CE classes are on summer break and will resume in August.

Spotlight on Service: Bloom Enterprises Featured on Glimpses of Grace

The latest episode of the Glimpses of Grace podcast marks the debut of a new series: the Grace Episcopal Outreach Mission Spotlight. This series aims to highlight local organizations making a measurable impact in our community through service, advocacy, and compassionate support.

Empowering Adults with Different Abilities

In this inaugural spotlight, host Bruce Leyton sits down with Cathy Drerup, Chairperson of Bloom Enterprises, faith-based nonprofit dedicated to ensuring adults with different abilities lead abundant, inclusive lives as contributing members of their community.

The conversation explores how Bloom moves beyond “just a program” to create a true sense of belonging through three core initiatives:

Midland Kru: A day program focused on personal development, spiritual growth, and active citizenship.
Midland Ice Cream Social: A mobile enterprise that provides associates with job skills training and a fair wage through its popular ice cream cart.
Community House Creations: An exploratory program that allows associates to discover new interests—from floral design to professional networking—and build their resumes.

A Culture of Caring

Throughout the interview, Drerup emphasizes that the mission is about more than just numbers; it’s about person-centered engagement. By breaking down barriers to access and fostering a “culture of caring,” Bloom Enterprises invites the Gainesville community to move from observing from afar to embracing a unified, diverse community.

Listen & Get Involved

You can listen to the full 19-minute episode on the Glimpses of Grace Spotify feed. To learn more about volunteering or supporting their mission, visit bloomga.org.