While exploring Matthew Fox’s book Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic–and Beyond, we recognized that our conversations continually returned to the way our image of God affects and shapes our image of ourselves and one another. Of course, our images of God and ourselves and others are intrinsically linked. Our theology (understanding of the Divine) and our theological anthropology (our understanding of ourselves rooted in our awareness of the Divine), as it were, shape the way we understand the world around us.
We wondered what it would be like to shape a monthly class from January through April that intentionally focused on images that were nurturing to each one of us. To that end, we will have four sessions in 2022 to engage in these conversations, all on the second Sunday of the month at 6:00 PM on Zoom: January 9, February 13, March 13, and April 10. The link is located online and in the parish newsletter.
A new class for adults, facilitated by Kevin Boyd and Dan Scott, will meet at 9:30 AM on Sunday mornings in the parish hall, beginning January 9!
We will take a direct look at what brings about meaning in our lives. What are the mechanisms, the inner workings, and what does our common Christian Faith offer us in answering such important questions? We are attempting to provide a construct that reaches out toward our fundamental nature as God’s Children and grounds us as Believers. We expect this to initially be very direct, straight forward, and serve as a spring board to other amazing applications such as parenting, coping with suffering, and the hope that has been given to us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Plus! There will be socials!!
Voting for the 2022 vestry election will be done in advance of the Annual Meeting, and we will announce the four new vestry members at the meeting on Sunday, February 6 at 9:30 AM. The eight vestry nominees this year are: Nate Early, Julia Greene, Rob Jaeger, Beth Neidenbach, Sally Pittman, Nancy Richardson, Frank Rinker, and Stephanie Wells. You can learn more about them in the parish newsletter.
This excellent slate of nominees has been vetted for qualification by the Nominating Committee. As you know, one third of the vestry members rotate off each year, therefore the election of the vestry is a pivotal moment in the life of a parish community. The twelve people you choose as your vestry take their place in partnership with the rector and staff to provide for the life of the entire parish. They not only approve the budget, they also work diligently with the ministry clusters to support the spiritual health of the community regarding Administration, Participation, Compassion, Formation, and Liturgy & Creative Expression.
As for voting, we trust the community to adhere to the parish bylaws, which, in conjunction with the Constitution and Canons for both the wider Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, govern our lives as Episcopalians. The bylaws (Section 3.4.5) state that “All members who are confirmed communicants not less than sixteen (16) years of age shall be qualified to vote. It shall be acceptable to publish this qualification requirement and ask each participant to self-certify entitlement to vote.” Each member of Grace Church who meets those qualifications is entitled to return one ballot.
Ballots will be available at church on Sunday mornings, January 9, 16, 23, and 30, or in the parish office Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. If you would like a ballot sent to you, please email Fr. Stuart asap and we will drop one in the mail. An online ballot is also available, see your newsletter for details.
All ballots must be returned by Wednesday, February 2.
I am excited to share with you that Lynn Swanson will be staying as the permanent Music Director & Organist at Grace.
As you know, Lynn began in September as our interim, and in these last three months she has worked diligently to strengthen both our Sunday worship services as well as host community events, such as the Christmas concert for the University of North Georgia and the Messiah Sing-along. Already, the community has begun to see how her strengths and gifts enrich our common life. Looking at 2022, Lynn and I are working intently on ways to continue our focus on Sunday services, and we will be paying close attention to other areas where the Spirit is inviting us to explore, beginning with reforming the Friends of Music Committee.
Please join me in continuing to welcome Lynn as we all give thanks for the common life we share.
Blessings,
Stuart
There will be no meal or program on Wednesday evenings in January.
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
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