Our Advent reflections, celebrations, and service opportunities continue. This Sunday, we will remember Nicholas of Myra by leaving our shoes outside the door of the nave. You might want to wear warm socks!
Friday, December 7, 6 pm
Parents' Night Out and Youth Overnight Tonight! If you haven't done so, please RSVP now. Dinner, games, and fun for younger kids ... laser tag, midnight prayers, and French toast for the overnighters. Contact Kim Cockroft with questions or to lend a hand.
Tuesday, December 11, 6:15-8:15 pm
Family Soup Supper & Advent Programs After a family dinner, Wren will lead a children's program while guest presenter Kathie McCarthy leads an adult program, Listening: Zechariah's Song. We'll end with Evensong. Nursery care will be available.
Also, Wren is looking for help in the classroom on Tuesday evening. Contact Wren if you can join her with a reflective and energetic group of kids!
Wednesday, December 12, 10:30 am to noon
Healing Eucharist and Bible Study During Advent, our Bible study is following the theme of "Songs of Listening, Waiting, and Expectation," focusing on the three Canticles in St. Luke's Gospel. This week, we study The Magníficat with Maggie Finley, retired chaplain from Providence Hospice of Seattle. Read more about Maggie here.
Thursday, December 13, 6-8 pm
Youth Advent Party Youth grades 6-12: Join us at Grace for dinner, games, and cookie decorating for Streets of Seattle. Bring a wrapped white elephant gift (used or under $5). We’ll have some extras on hand – let us know if you need one.
Friday, December 14, 6:30-8:30 pm
Men's Group Christmas Party At the home of Proctor Schenk. RSVP and get complete event details here. Please RSVP by December 12.
For details and a full listing of Advent and Christmas programs, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Liturgies, see gracehere.org/advent-2018.
*You often hear from Kim regarding our Children & Families Ministry, but as Minister for Faith Formation, Kim develops our Adult Faith Formation programs too!
2018 ANNUAL PLEDGE REMINDER
A Note from the Treasurer
Please help us pay our December expenses by fulfilling your 2018 pledge by the end of the year. For tax purposes we must receive your payment by December 31 although we do not close the books on 2018 until January 31 (payments made in January will be credited to your 2018 pledge).
If you are transferring stock, please email or call the office and ask for the instructions sheet. If your institution is transferring a payment directly, please let me know since they often do not include the donor’s name.
In January you will get a statement from Grace detailing all payments made to Grace in 2018.
If you have any questions, please ask: Deborah Schenk, deborah.schenk@nyu.edu. Thank you!
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
During Advent, We'll Start with the Wreath Lighting
Every Sunday in Advent, we will meet all together for the wreath lighting, so please take your children into the service. They will depart for children’s programming and rejoin you for communion.
This Sunday, please be sure to dress your wee ones warmly! We are so excited that Earth & Spirit will be taking us outside on Grace’s trails! After our exploration, we will come back inside, leaving our shoes at the door. Why should we leave our shoes at the door? Does anyone know?
Please keep abreast of all our wonderful activities during Advent, including our pageant, and please don’t forget to check our book table in Walker Hall for books and resources to help you and your family enter more deeply into the Mystery.
Pageant Rehearsal on December 13
Our Pageant will take place during the 9:30 liturgy on December 23, and our next rehearsal will be from 4:30-5:30 pm Thursday, December 13. If your child is interested in participating, contact Kim.
OUTREACH
Ways to Serve this Season
Ongoing Thanks to all who so generously contributed to the Giving Tree, put up in partnership with La Iglesia de la Resurrección in Mount Vernon. As you see, the tree is empty (the lone tag now claimed), and the gifts are coming in.
Do you have a truck, van, or other spacious vehicle? We are making arrangements to deliver the gifts to Mount Vernon and will be seeking assistance. Contact Wren or Kim if you can lend a hand.
We continue our Warm Things Drive for Streets of Seattle, and our Children's Coat Drive for Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center. Bins are in the narthex.
December 18 | Streets of Seattle, 5 pm Help provide a warm, healthy dinner to members of Seattle's homeless community. Sign up to volunteer here.
December 28 | Super Suppers, 3 pm at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church Learn more on our Super Suppers blog page.
PARISH LIFE
Advent Wreath Making and House Blessing
Thanks to those who shared with Wren, Isaac, and Eli in their house blessing, and a special thanks to the Rev. Karen Haig, of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, for officiating. Photo by Marguerite Thomas. More photos are on our Facebook page.
PLACE FOR GRACE
Third Saturday Landscaping Work Party
Our next work party will be from 9 am to noon Saturday, December 15. Volunteers are always welcome. Information: Martin Garthwaite, martin@garthwaite.biz.
Festive front pot arrangement by Nancy Norton.
Site located for Gaga Ball Pit
After careful planning with Martin Garthwaite, we have identified a site near Grace’s playground where our youth can construct and enjoy a Gaga ball court. The wooden court sits light on the land, and will be assembled by youth, with help from Grace’s adults.
Thanks to a parishioner who donated use of a tiller, we are able to get started on this project before the end of 2018!
P.S. A Grace member wrote in to let us know that there might be "folks of a certain generation saying 'Huh???'" Here's an article with a bit of background on the game, which has been called a kinder, gentler version of dodgeball.
COMMUNITY
News and Events from Other Faith Communities
Women’s Schola of Bainbridge Island sings the Office of Evensong at 6 pm on the second Sunday of each month, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. Next Service: December 9 at 6 pm. More information here.
The 93rd Annual Episcopal Women's Epiphany Luncheon will take place Saturday, January 5 at St. John's Gig Harbor. More information here.
