On November 6, we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints’ with a visitation by Bishop Rob Wright, our diocesan bishop. We will share in the Celebration of Holy Baptism as well as Confirmation for both adults and youth at the 10:45 AM service. During both services we will also offer prayers for all those in our lives who have died.
Bishop Wright will also lead a special Sunday forum at 9:30 AM in the Parish Hall, so we invite adults and youth to come and share in that conversation.
Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 6. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour.
Bring your favorite Thanksgiving side dish to share (savory or sweet) and join us in the parish hall on Wednesday, November 16 at 6:00 PM. We’ll enjoy delicious food and each other’s company as we give thanks for our parish community.
Grace Church will provide turkey, a few starter sides, and drinks. Please let us know how many people (including yourself) will attend from your household on or before Thursday, November 10. Sign up online.
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for an escape room experience on November 13! We will have lunch together after church and then shuttle over to Against the Clock in downtown Gainesville. Space is limited to 18 people. Contact Rev. Mary Demmler by November 10 for all the details.
Our ingathering for the 2023 stewardship campaign is Sunday, November 6. Pledge cards are available at the church. You also have the option to submit your pledge online at the link below. How will your gifts be woven in to our Connected Community?
Shoe Drive to Benefit Homeless Students in Gainesville City Schools
There is a sizable homeless student population in Gainesville City Schools. Our outreach committee met recently with the liaison to these students, Ms. Abbegale Malone, MSW, who is based at Fair Street School. The most pressing need is for shoes. New or gently used athletic shoes in these sizes may be brought to the parish office Monday through Thursday between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM or to worship on Sundays. We will collect these until mid-December and then deliver them to Ms. Malone to be available to the students. Men’s size 6; Women’s sizes 9 and 9.5; Boys and Girls sizes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Donations for the Hispanic Alliance
Our Outreach partner, The Hispanic Alliance, is requesting donations of children’s winter coats and baby clothes (new or gently used), as well as infant formula. Your help in supporting our Latino community would be very much appreciated. Items may be dropped off at the parish office Monday through Thursday between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM or to worship on Sundays.
Empower, Give, Be Merry
Each December Family Promise of Hall County partners with local businesses, churches and volunteers to provide a store full of new toys so families may select gifts for their children at drastically reduced prices. These partnerships enabled Family Promise to offer Christmas support to 133 families and 345 children in 2021. This year the Christmas Promise Store will invite families who are receiving support through the Child Preservation Program (a part of the child welfare system) and Family Treatment Court (a part of the family court system) to shop at the store. These programs strive to keep the family unit together with the intent of avoiding foster care placement.
Grace is once again helping support the Family Promise Christmas Store, which will operate Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10. If you would like to donate toys you can shop directly from the Family Promise Amazon or Target online wish lists OR bring new, unwrapped toys to Grace Church and place them in the collection box in the greeting area no later than November 30. Some volunteer opportunities are also available.
For more information visit the Christmas Promise Store website.
Look ahead to upcoming opportunities for prayer, worship, and community!
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