Grace Welcome Brochure - Grace Episcopal Church

Welcome to GraceIf you are visiting, exploring, wondering — we hope this will help. If our mission,described below, and our ministries described within, draw you toward Grace,then we would be delighted to have you join us in this journey of faith.Mission and PrinciplesGrace Episcopal Church is a community united by a belief in God’sgrace, and a shared commitment to four principles of faith —Inclusion, Service, Discovery and Gratitude!InclusionWe believe that God values and unconditionally loves all people. With Jesus Christ as ourmodel and teacher, we strive together to create an inclusive community. We value andunconditionally welcome all who wish to share our table.ServiceWe believe in a shared ministry in which clergy and laity serve and lead together. Welook on our church community as extended family, and we accept the responsibility andwelcome the privilege of sharing our gifts, resources and lives with each other, our largercommunity, and the world.DiscoveryWe believe in a living faith. We are willing to try new things and consider new thoughtsto keep our traditions alive and vital. We want to strengthen our relationship to God,both as individuals and as a community. We embrace the challenge of inevitable change,understanding that our growth may not be easy, but trusting and remaining open to God’sfuture for us.GratitudeWe believe in the fundamental goodness of Creation and the original blessing of life.With a grateful heart, we commit ourselves to praising God, to conserving the naturalworld, and to experiencing the beauty and simplicity of creation through our Gracecommunity and our daily relationships.inclusion • service • discovery • gratitudeGrace Churchwas born on a sunnySunday morning inJune, 1992, whensixty-five churchfriends met toworship and pray andseek a new way tobe the church in theworld. They took up acollection for prayerbooks, hymnals anda very large coffee pot, and set off in faith on ajourney that would have surprising results.The hope and joy that filled that morning haveflourished and grown into a church that numbersmore than a thousand people and toucheslives worldwide. A new building completed in2003 is a springboard for ministry and an anchorfor the lives of all who come to the tall frontdoors seeking peace, a deeper knowledge ofGod, and a safe and welcoming place for theirchildren to grow into young adulthood.In worship and prayer, in service to those whoneed help and compassion, in song that lifts theheart, and in warm hospitality, Grace Churchcontinues to live joyously and to celebrate fullythe life and world God has provided.Grace Happens… Be Ready!Grace Episcopal Church • BainbridgeOur Clergy & StaffBill HarperRectorArienne Davison Associate PriestAnn StricklandMusic & ArtsCandee HealdOffice AdministratorDebbie RimkusChildren’s MinistryEric MatthewsBuilding ManagerMary Kay Thompson CommunicationsMalinda WagnerAccountantVestryDon WarkentinWardenMary Kay Dolejsi WardenMichael SherryFinanceJulie ShryockTrustee for DevelopmentBarbara PorterHuman ResourcesDavid MoenTrustee at LargeJon PayneTrustee at LargeRuth Blaney Matthews Membership & ServiceLynette BaischClerkProgram MinistryKristen LahnerFaith DevelopmentJay MitchellBuildingMairead ShuttOutreachPetra VelieParish LifeAssociate ClergyMary Petty Anderson Nancy EdwardsBill MaxwellDick MiddletonJim PhinneyGerry Porter

PASTORAL CAREWhen there is that unforeseen need – a crisis, a death, a suddenhospitalization, please tell us. Call the office first. If it’s an after hoursemergency, dial 10. Otherwise, contact Bill or Arienne.Bill Harper, 206.799.1675, Bill@gracehere.orgArienne Davison 206.499.5939, Arienne@gracehere.orgGrace Prayer CirclePrayer needs of our community go out to Prayer Circle members viaemail, and are spoken aloud during Sunday services. To join the PrayerCircle, or to ask for prayers, send an email to the Grace prayer list.Prayerlist@gracehere.orgGrace Eucharist Ministers – aka “GEMS”GEMs are licensed lay persons who administer the chalice at all services,lead intercessions and psalms, and may take communion elements toshut-ins. Ruth Blaney Matthews, 206.842.6390, r.blaney@usa.netSOUL SCHOOLSoul School cultivates opportunities and practices that deepen andenrich our Christian faith through art, learning and culture.Kristen Lahner, 206.201.3250, rklahner@comcast.netTuesdays with GraceCheck Grace publications and web-site calendar for programs andschedules. gracehere.orgEarth and SpiritThe Earth and Spirit group promotes awareness and care for God’screations through its many programs. Current programs are listed onthe Grace Website, under Faith Formation.Marcy Lagerloef, 206.842.8942, mlagerloef@seanet.com.Wednesday MorningsAt 10am each Wednesday the Sanctuary is available for 30 minutes ofsilent meditation; after which we gather for a simple, informal service at10:30am and then pour the coffee and enjoy an hour of inspiring Biblestudy in Walker Hall. Candee Heald, candee@gracehere.orgWomen’s Early Readers Book GroupThis group chooses unique, varied books that inspire and challenge.All women are welcome. 1st & 3rd Sundays, 8am in the living room.Rachel Yobs, 206.842.9965, rachelyobs@comcast.netDiscernmentDiscernment offers an opportunity for compassionate listening as youare considering personal change.Beulah Downing, 206.780.8008, bdowning@seanet.comGrace LabyrinthOur outdoor labyrinth provides a quiet space for contemplation. Followthe path on your own or join us for full moon or candlelight walks. Thelabyrinth is located on the northeast corner of the property next to thegarden. Fran Moen, 206.842.6665, fmmoen@gmail.comMUSIC & ARTSGrace Music CircleVocalists and instruments provide music for worship services at Grace.Rehearsals 8:40am every Sunday.Kids SingKids rehearse with Ann Strickland and provide music for special worshipservices at Grace. Thursdays: 4:30 rehearsals, 5:30 pizza dinner.The Gallery at GraceGrace’s art gallery exhibits a broad range of work from artists within the Gracecommunity and beyond. Open for viewing Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 2pm,Sunday mornings, or by appointment.Ann Strickland, 206.842.9997, annie@gracehere.orgGRACE KIDSOur programs for children offer creative and loving environments where theycan find friends and grow in faith.Debbie Rimkus, 206.842.9997 x16, Debbie@gracehere.orgNursery, Children up to age 4Young children are welcome in the service or in the Nursery, open everySunday during the 9:30am service. Available every Sunday.Godly Play, Preschool – 4th GradeDeveloped by an Episcopal priest and educator, Godly Play leads childrengently into an awareness of Jesus and the principles of Christian faith usingstory-telling and reflection. *Godly Journey, 5th – 6th GradeGodly Journey will use video clips, music and art to explore the issues of lifeand faith that matter to middle schoolers. *Teen ProgramsTwo Thursday night teen programs create connection and community withGrace’s bigger kids and their friends, and opportunities to reflect about lifeand faith. Laughter, conversation and food!For teen program email updates: grace@gracehere.org., 206.842.9997Rite 13 Grades 6 – 8Meet Thursday at 5:30* for conversation and laughter. Dinner at 7pmwith the Alive and Well group.Bill Harper, 206.799.1675, Bill@gracehere.orgAlive & Well, Grades 9 – 12Meet Thursday night for dinner at 7pm,* conversation follows.Kathie McCarthy, 206.842.8628, healingworks@kathiemccarthy.comSummer ProgramsSee weekly eNews or Website for Summer Camp info.* No regular programs on the first Thursday of each month or mid-Maythrough mid-September.TRIBESTribes are the way we make connections with one another on a smaller scalewithin our larger Grace family. Tribes host Sunday services, gather to buildcommunity, and assist with pastoral care.Andrea (Andy) Houser, 206.842.9494, andy@bihouser.comMEMBERSHIP & SERVICEWelcome TableNewcomers! After the 9:30am service on Sunday, grab a cup of coffee andvisit the Welcome table to learn a bit more about Grace membership andprograms. Ruth Blaney, 206.842.6390, r.blaney@usa.netGIVING AT GRACEAnnual GivingThe costs of Grace ministries – salaries, programs, utilities, music,building maintenance, taxes and coffee – are met entirely by Gracemembers. Help make Grace Happen through your confidential pledge.No amount is too large or too small for inclusion!Julie Shryock, 206.842.6741, shryock6741@aol.comPlanned GivingHonoring the role of Grace in your life through the Grace Endowmentfund, bequests, memorials and celebration gifts. Naming Grace in yourwill sustains Grace ministries far into the future.Martin Garthwaite, 206.855.3140, martin@garthwaite.bizOUTREACHGrace gives 10% of its income to outreach programs both local andworld wide. Grants are given on an annual basis. Current OutreachGrant Partners and Programs are listed on our website, under Ministries.Mairead Shutt, 206.399.3641, maireadshutt@gmail.comPARISH LIFE/PLACE FOR GRACEParish Life helps to build that sense of community we feel at Grace.We participate in men’s and women’s groups, dinners, retreats, picnics,campouts and other activities, we learn about ourselves and each other.We deepen our connection to the community and to God.Petra Velie, 360.297.1653, pjvelie@gmail.comLandscaping GroupWork parties or individuals help maintain the grounds around Grace.Ken Wesley, kenwesley1949@hotmail.com& Holly Renfrew,hollyrenfrew@yahoo.comTrails of GraceWork parties create and maintain the trails around Grace. Nate Thomas,nate@archthom.com & David Moen, moen6665@bainbridge.netTeam FlowerArrange flowers for Grace worship services and holidays.Jan Jeffcoat 206.842.5263, janicejeffcoat@msn.comOFFICE & COMMUNICATIONSOffice Administrator, Candee Heald, welcomes visitors to Grace witha warm and gracious smile. The office is open Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 2 pm,closed Mondays. candee@gracehere.org 206.842.9997 x17Friday Friends at GraceDrop in on Friday mornings at 10:30am for coffee and fellowship, andto meet congenial new friends as you lend a helping hand folding theSunday bulletins. candee@gracehere.org, 206.842.9997 x17Want to know more?Visit our website at www.gracehere.org or sign-up for weekly eNews atthe membership table during Sunday coffee hour.Revised 20120510Welcome to Grace0 -Grace Episcopal ChurchBainbridge Island, Washington