Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 7. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!
The collect for All Saints’ Day is beautiful:
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
I love the image of being “knit together,” and I recognize how unusual it feels in these days when so much around us seems to want to pull us apart or pit us against one another. Sitting outside on Halloween night and seeing so many children running, laughing, and playing reminds me that there is so much beauty in the world! And what is more beautiful than the reality of recognizing our interdependence with one another.
Perhaps All Saints more than any other day reminds us that we can feel more than one emotion at a time. It is a holiday (a holy-day) when grief and joy, sadness and hope, hold hands and walk together toward the future life God not only intends for us but also offers here and now. So, let this day remind you of how we are all held, and let us remind you of how the love of God holds us all together, no matter on what side of the veil we happen to exist at any given moment.
Stuart+
We have reached the point when we can shift our framework around use of masks. That being said, we remain vigilant with our need to take care of ourselves and one another. Remembering our last email with the vestry and medical team’s conversation, beginning November 7, All Saints’ Sunday, we will shift to the new framework.
Our weekly Compline service will move from Thursday to Tuesday evenings each week beginning November 9. Compline prayers and fellowship happen at 8:00 PM on Zoom. The link is found in the on the calendar section of each newsletter and on the Grace@Home page of this website. All are welcome!
Save the date for a special book launch and conversation on Wednesday, December 15 for The Heart of a Calling: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness in Congregational Ministry. The conversation and book signing will begin at 6:30 PM, following dinner at 5:30. If you want to purchase a copy of the book, you can use this link now to purchase early from Crossroad Publishers before it is available more widely through online booksellers.
Beginning Wednesday, November 10 we will again be able to share meals together in the parish hall! On the menu November 10 is turkey meatloaf (vegetarian entrée TBA), mashed potatoes, green beans and carrots, rolls, and red velvet cake. Dinner will be available at 5:30 PM. You may pack your own box to go if you wish.
Adult meals are $10/each and youth meals (grades 6-12) are $5/each. There is no charge for children 5th grade and under. Payment may be made at each dinner, or online in advance. Information for online payment will be shared when you submit a meal reservation form. Make a meal reservation no later than noon on Monday, November 8.
In order for preliminary budget work for 2022 to begin, we ask that everyone return their pledges by Sunday, November 7. Follow up calls will begin on Monday, November 8. Extra pledge cards are available at church, can be printed at home, and your pledge can also be made online. Our goal for the 2022 campaign is $1.1 million and our current pledge total is $558,179. Thank you for your continued support of Grace Church!
Please turn your pledges in this year with an intentionality worthy of our commitment to each other.
This holiday season, Grace is once again helping support the Family Promise Christmas Store. 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. This year’s store will operate December 7 & 8. Whether shopping for a toddler, elementary-aged child, or teenager, we hope that each family will leave with not only wrapped gifts, but with the knowledge that they matter.
If you would like to donate toys you can shop directly from the Family Promise online wish lists: Amazon preschool list, Amazon school age list, Target list OR bring new, unwrapped toys to Grace Church and place them in the collection box in the greeting area.
Funds can be donated online, use the designation box and select “Christmas Promise Store.” Limited in-person volunteer opportunities are also available. For more information visit the Christmas Promise Store website or email Valerie Butts.
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