Grace is a second home. The roots are strong enough to hold the branches through many seasons and storms. I'm leaning on the strength of this tree of life and know it will hold me. ~Nancy Peregrine
Annual Giving concludes
Dear friends,
On Sunday, November 18, we will gather up and give thanks for the pledges committed for 2019. I am grateful for the 177 pledges that have been made, including 10 new pledges, for a total of $482,254, or 82% of our goal.
If you have not yet pledged, please take time this weekend to make a commitment to give in 2019.
The gifts you offer to God at Grace allow us deepen our roots of faith and hope, and spread branches of love, service, and discovery. Click here to read about why I give.
We have a rich, full Advent season planned, with Tuesday evening sessions for adults and children. (Nursery care will be available for children 4 and under.) Advent is a time of preparation, a time of getting ready; this year, our theme is Expecting, Waiting, Listening.
We will gather from 5:30-7:15 pm on Tuesdays (December 4, 11, and 18) with guest speakers engaging our adults in Walker Hall and and with Wren gathering with our kids in one of our classrooms. Details about our Tuesday evening guest presenters will be available soon.
On Wednesdays of Advent, beginning on December 5, we will study and reflect on “Songs of Waiting and Expectation” during our Midweek Bible Study following our 10:30 am Healing Eucharist. Each week, we will turn our attention to one of three canticles in Luke’s gospel.
Here are two other special Advent events to get on your calendar right now:
December 2, 1:30 – 3:30 pm: Advent House Blessing and Wreath Making. Join Wren and her family to make an Advent wreath for your household to light as we wait and watch together during this season. Bring greens and clippers to share, and email Kim to reserve a metal wreath form and candles. (Bring your own if you have them.) We’ll enjoy cider, mulled wine, snacks, and good company as we build wreaths together. Advent is the beginning of a new year in the church’s calendar, and we’ll celebrate that new beginning with a house blessing in Wren, Isaac, and Eli’s new home.
December 23: Our Christmas Pageant will take place during the 9:30 liturgy. Angels, get your wings ready! Parents, please let Kim or Wendi know if you can to add your skills (or passion) to the team of Pageant Parents. After church on December 2, children who would like to have a speaking part are invited to meet Kim in her office. Pageant practices will be from 4:30-5:30 pm on two Thursdays, December 6 & 13 (the 13th will be our dress rehearsal).
Look for a complete Advent program schedule on our website next week.
SANDWICHES FOR SEATTLE THIS SUNDAY
Make and distribute lunches, with love
This Sunday, kids in grades 5-8 will construct sack lunches in Walker Hall and then travel to Seattle to distribute them with love to Seattle's homeless community. To register or get more information, contact Kim.
Other family service opportunities this season include a trip to NK Fishline on November 28 and a clothing drive for KIAC - Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center. Click here for details.
FAMILIES, CHILDREN & YOUTH
RSVP now for Parents' Night Out and the Youth Overnight
RSVP now for Grace’s Parent’s Night Out and to save your place at Grace’s Youth Overnight on Friday, December 7. Kids will join in an evening of crafts, games, and dinner from 6-8:30 pm. Youth grades 6-12 should plan to arrive at 5:45 pm and will enjoy games, snacks, midnight prayers, and a french toast breakfast.
To confirm our plans for laser tag, we need a minimum of 20 youth to RSVP by November 23. So RSVP ASAP!
This Sunday, the Rev. Mary Petty Anderson will join us to preach. Mary has been an Associate Priest at Grace since 2008 and going forward, will be associated with the Rev. Britt Olsen at St. Luke's, Ballard. If you're new to Grace and haven't met Mary, read more about her here.
BIBLE STUDY
Reading The Book of Ruth
During Wednesday Bible Study on November 21 & 28, we will continue our reading of The Book of Ruth. Bible Study meets from 11:15 am to noon, immediately following our 10:30 am Healing Eucharist. We will reference Who Are You, My Daughter? Reading Ruth Through Image and Textby Ellen F. Davis and Margaret Parker. Join in for one or both sessions! Contact Wren with questions.
Our Streets of Seattle program provides a warm, healthy dinner each month to the Seattle homeless community. We are actively seeking volunteers for our next dinner on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Get more information on our website, or go straight to our signup page.
Sharing in Advent with Iglesia de la Resurrección
This year, a Giving Tree will be in Grace’s narthex from November 18 to December 17. We’ll purchase presents for children and holiday meal gift cards for farm-working families in Mount Vernon. Our friends at Iglesia de la Resurrección will distribute the gifts in December.
On November 25, our friend Baudelina Paz, lay pastor at Iglesia de la Resurrección and organizer of Resurrección summer camp, will be our guest preacher.
EARTH & SPIRIT
Climate and Energy Forum:
How local businesses are responding to climate change
Where & When: 10-11:30 am Saturday, November 17 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church. Climate change is a global problem, but solutions can start right here at home. Find out how local business are working to prevent and prepare for climate change in the course of doing business. Maybe it will change your own business or consumer choices. For details, see the Grace website or the Bainbridge Island Climate, Sustainability, and Energy Forum website.
Work party at Moritani Preserve
Bainbridge Island Parks and Recreation has extended an invitation for volunteers to join them for the last work party of the year at Moritani Preserve on Saturday, December 1 from 10 am to noon. What a wonderful way to begin Advent, and a great opportunity for families to work together outdoors! If you'd like to attend, contact Marcy Lagerloef.
PLACE FOR GRACE
Saturday Work Party
When & Where: 9 am to noon November 18. We will focus on clipping back ferns in the front gardens and removing grass from the front paths. People are encouraged to bring hoes or similar weeding implements to use on the grass in the front paths. Info: Martin Garthwaite, martin@garthwaite.biz.
When & Where: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, November 20 at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. As it does every year, Bainbridge Island-North Kitsap Interfaith Council will hold a special all-ages interfaith service on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Get complete event details here.
PARISH LIFE
Men's Group Christmas Party
The Men's Group Christmas Party will take place at 6:30 pm Friday, December 14 at the home of Proctor Schenck. Save the date, and keep an eye out for details.