News for November 29-December 5
The School for Christian Practice Retreat
The School for Christian Practice is an intentional framework that nurtures the community’s mission to seek reconciliation and wholeness with God and one another in Christ. By centering ourselves in our practice of prayer, we can grow in our awareness of our union with God and one another, and we can foster a spirit of transformation in our personal lives and in our community.
The four key topics our School will focus on: Practices of Prayer; Stages of Faith and Development; Scriptural Proficiency; and Sacramental Ethics. These four focus points are essential in the way we understand ourselves as Christians, and they will form the basic framework for our shared work.
If you’d like to learn more, please explore The School for Christian Practice webpage and plan to join Fr. Stuart Higginbotham for retreat and conversation on Sunday, December 6 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. To receive the retreat Zoom link, please register at the link below on or before Friday, December 4.
Advent at Home
We are glad to offer this resource for Advent at Home this year: An Illustrated Advent for Families: Do Not Be Afraid. This resource explores the angels’ message in the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” This phrase is an instruction God gave to God’s people throughout their history, and it’s a message God continues to give to us today.
This Advent, we invite you to explore what it looks like to hold hope when life feels really uncertain, to bring peace in the face of fear, to practice joy when everything seems burdensome, and to choose love, when sometimes, it’s just really hard. You’ll be invited to wonder more deeply about this classic story, to imagine some of the details that aren’t filled in for us, and to make connections to your own context this season. We hope this Advent devotional will help you share in conversation about fear and how God invites us to not be afraid.
The devotions are written for children and adults of all ages and include scripture, reflection, coloring pages and possible activities to explore. Please contact Cheryl to get your copy today!
Grace Family Christmas Tree
Several years ago we began a tradition of decorating a Grace Family Tree in the parish hall. This year’s tree will be put up in the nave so that we may enjoy seeing it during our livestreamed worship services.
If you are new to Grace, or simply haven’t yet contributed an ornament, please bring one by the church and put it in the box located by the red doors of the Grace Center facing Brenau Avenue. Make sure to write your name, and perhaps the year, somewhere on the ornament or on a ribbon attached to the ornament. At the end of the season, ornaments are stored at Grace to be put back on next year. Don’t miss this chance to leave a small Christmas legacy at Grace.
Draw a Nativity
Grace Church invites all children and youth (12th grade and younger) to submit original artwork depicting the nativity that we can share in various ways during services and on our Facebook page during the Christmas season. Please use colored pencils, paint, crayons, pencil, or markers to draw a nativity scene on an 8.5×11 piece of paper. Don’t forget to include your name and age/or grade!
Submit artwork by Sunday, December 13: give it to Cheryl Kelley during Christian Formation on Sundays, put it in the box located by the red doors of the Grace Center facing Brenau Avenue, or scan (at 300 dpi or higher and saved as a .jpeg image or .pdf file) and email it to Jennifer Williams.
Christmas Flowers & Greenery
Beautiful flowers and greenery enhance our celebration of The Nativity of Our Lord at Grace Church, and you can help make that celebration special. Contributions to our Christmas flower and greenery fund may be made in thanksgiving for or in memory of loved ones, friends and family. Notice of your donation will be included in the worship bulletin on Christmas Eve.
If you would like to make an offering, please submit both the online form and your donation on or before Sunday, December 13.
Formation for Families and Friends of All Ages
Don’t forget we are gathering outside on Sunday mornings following worship for a time of study, fellowship, and fun. Our intergenerational Sunday School is open to families and parishioners of all ages! We meet in the Grace Center parking lot from 10:10 – 11:00 AM. Children must be accompanied by a parent. Registration is required. Register at the button link below and bring a chair and your mask!
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