Ministry Fair, annual giving update, climate voters guide, Jack O'Lantern Jam, and more
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weekly eNews | October 19, 2018
Image courtesy of Daiga Ellaby via Unsplash.
THIS SUNDAY: GRACE MINISTRY FAIR
Discovery and service: Where do you fit in?
Grace is an active community with a wide variety of service opportunities. Wondering where your skills might fit in?
Come to the Ministry Fair during coffee hour after the 9:30 service on October 21.
You’ll be able to connect with program ministry group leaders, ask questions, find out about upcoming plans, and sign up to volunteer. It's an exciting time to get involved at Grace, and there are so many options – not to mention wonderful people. We hope you'll join us.
Nathan Lemon via Unsplash.
ANNUAL GIVING
The friendships and fellowship I've been connected to at Grace provide a critical link in connecting me to a larger experience of faith, service, and community. Shifting the center of my faith to say "I belong" to the big picture of God's love is something Grace is teaching me in this next stage of my life. That's why I pledge my support to Grace. Join me! ~Brian Steyer
As of Thursday, October 18 we've raised $242,445. That's 41% of our $592,000 goal!
And...the clock is ticking toward our November 18 deadline. We can go deeper. So join Brian and contribute today. Here's how:
Volunteering with our kids and youth is a wonderful way to water our roots at Grace. There are many ways to give of your time on Sunday mornings and beyond, from serving as a greeter to being a "classroom friend" to sharing your gifts as a visiting artist, musician, or storyteller.
Please let Kim know if you're interested in spending some time with our younger members, and she'll send you a sign-up sheet that will help you give of your time and talents in a specific way.
One immediate need: we could really use help with our upcoming intergenerational event, the Jack O'Lantern Jam. Can you help with organization or event setup? Please contact Kim, kim@gracehere.org. Thank you!
Past, present and future:
We all learned so much last week at the Instructed Eucharist! The interaction of our children was wonderful. If your child would ever enjoy being a reader, please let Kim know.
This week, we'll be returning to our regular Sunday programming.
~Thank you for sharing your children with us!~
YOUTH
Going Gaga
Last week, our youth worked with Martin Garthwaite to plan the construction of a Gaga Ball pit at Grace. Our next step is to rototill the area where the pit will be constructed.
Do you have a rototiller with tines behind the front wheels, or might you be able to rent a rototiller to help us prepare the ground for this project?
Contact Martin or Parish Administrator Diane McGrew to lend a hand. Thanks!
Are you getting our Youth Group emails? If you have a child in grades 6-12 but are not receiving Youth Group emails, let's fix that. Contact Lindsay and she'll add you to our Youth Group distribution list: communications@gracehere.org.
EARTH & SPIRIT
Climate Voters Guide:
Forum tomorrow at EHCC
This week's headlines showed startlingly rapid climate change projections. But two state and local votes next month could help you make a difference and put us on a path toward hope, justice and healing. Earth & Spirit invites you to learn about them at the Climate and Energy Forum.
When & Where: 10-11:30 am Saturday, October 20 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church
State Initiative 1631 proposes the enactment of a carbon emissions fee of $15 per metric ton of carbon beginning in January 2020 to fund various environmental projects.
The Bainbridge Island Safe Access for Everyone (SAFE) Mobility Levy is a seven-year, $15 million tax levy designed to fund non-motorized projects on Bainbridge Island.
When & Where: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 20 at Grace.
A crisp autumn morning will be perfect for putting the Grace grounds to bed. Put on your work clothes and join the party. We'll focus on weeding, cutting back, and fall cleanup.
When & Where: 9 a.m. Thursday, October 25 at Bremerton Backpack Brigade, 3424 6th St., Bremerton
Fill a backpack, fill a need: join Outreach Ministry Leader Liz Powell for a visit to the Bremerton Backpack Brigade to assemble backpacks.
Each week Bremerton Backpack Brigade – one of Grace's 2018 Outreach Grant recipients – fills backpacks with practical, kid-friendly foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, shelf-stable milk, and juice. It's a huge, largely volunteer effort. Come be a part of it!
On November 15, Mom's Morning Retreat will pause from our regular programming to make blankets and scarves for local children entering foster care, most of whom have no possessions except the clothes on their backs. We are providing a gift of comfort and dignity.
We are seeking fabric donations!
One yard of cotton flannel (a print and a solid together) makes a blanket; two yards of a heavy-weight plaid cotton flannel makes three scarves for teens.
You can leave fabric in the marked basket at Grace or join us from 9:30-11 am November 15 to help sew. Bring a portable sewing machine, iron, sharp scissors, or simply yourself. We'd love to meet you. For more info, contact Jenny Lange, langejj@msn.com.
* ~Mom's Morning Retreat is part of Bainbridge Island's One Call For All campaign. Look for your red envelope to help women and families. Thanks for your support!~
2018 Outreach Grants
The Grace Outreach Committee is delighted to once again announce our 2018 grant recipients.
Bremerton Backpack Brigade, Chaplains on the Harbor, Episcopal Relief & Development, Give to Heal, Housing Resources Bainbridge, Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center, Kossoye, North Kitsap Fishline, PeaceTrees Vietnam, St. Luke's - Edible Hope, Streets of Seattle, Warm Hearts, and our Youth Group.
Congratulations to these diverse groups, and thank you for the important work you do.
EVENTS AND PARISH LIFE
First annual Jack O'Lantern Jam
When & Where: 5-7 pm Sunday, October 28 at Grace
People of all ages, it’s time to get your autumn on! You are invited to Grace’s first annual Jack O’Lantern Jam. We’ll have pumpkin carving, a potluck supper, groovy music, dancing, and more fun than you can shake a corn stalk at.
Please RSVP here so we know how many pumpkins to procure. You'll also find complete event details on our RSVP page along with a list of suggested potluck items and small donation ideas.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Ecclesiastes & Dessert
When & Where: 7 pm Tuesday, November 6 & 20 at Grace
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!"
The writer of Ecclesiastes doesn't mince words but instead goes on to catalog everything that is devoid of meaning – a rather exhaustive list that may leave you stunned (and bummed out).
So why is this book in the Bible? Why read it now, when it feels like there's already enough bad news in the world? Is there a pivot point of hope?
Join Martin Cockroft to discuss this puzzling book (with the help of a few modern writers). If you wish, bring a dessert to share, for "there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry" (Ecclesiastes 8:15).
Church Grace…Church Grace Bainbridge Island…Grace Church Bainbridge Island…what the what, Facebook?
If you’re active on social media and noticed some blips this week with our Facebook presence, it’s because we’re in the process of phasing out a couple of old profiles and pages.
For instance, The doppleganger-esque page “Church Grace Bainbridge Island” is genuine, albeit inactive. So don't be alarmed by it, but also don't become attached because if Facebook smiles upon us, it will soon merge into our official page, Grace Church Bainbridge Island.
Thanks for your patience during this process, and please like & follow Grace Church Bainbridge Island if you haven't already.
