What's new at Grace | May 17, 2019

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weekly eNews | May 17, 2019

Join us in Mount Vernon!

Dear friends,

On Monday, Kim and I met with Baudelina Paz to plan for Camp Resurrección, a summer day camp for children of farmworkers in the Skagit Valley. As we shared lunch, Baudelina spoke about her role at Mount Vernon's Iglesia de la Resurrección, where camp will take place. Among the ways in which Baudelina serves her neighbors, she interprets in immigration proceedings, acts as a guide for those who need help completing forms or accessing healthcare or community resources, and operates a food pantry and clothing closet.

At camp this summer, Baudelina will share more about good work taking place in the Skagit Valley by inviting a different community leader to speak each afternoon to older camps, youth crew members, and adult volunteers. We will hear about how friends in the Skagit Valley are seeking justice, caring for those in need, and offering hope to people who are discouraged.

This year's Summer Camp theme is "Our Good World," and I'm excited to once again learn from and partner with those who are seeking goodness and sharing compassion in challenging circumstances.

I can't wait to see you in Mount Vernon!

–Wren

P.S. We need your help to host Camp Resurrección, which runs July 14-19! See below to find out how.

How you can help at Camp Resurrección

Come for one day (or more) and host an activity station with other adults,
Come for one day or more to prepare lunch and snacks in the kitchen,
Serve for several days (or for the week) and stay in the house that Grace has rented for adult volunteers,
Volunteer on one of our prep teams, collecting a in kind donations, ordering materials, organizing art materials, or shopping for snacks.

Contact Kim Cockroft to serve with or to support Grace's team in Mount Vernon.

CONFIRMATION 2019

Celebrating Grace Confirmands

This Saturday, May 18, Nita Baer, Andrea Barrineau, Kim Cockroft, Brearley Curfman, Locke Curfman, Lyra Cromwell, Emily Hung, Heather Paar, Joe Paar, Chuck Power, Cara Reinke, Olivia Vessenes, Jillian Webb, and John Webb will be confirmed at St. Mark's Cathedral at 11am. Interested in joining the fun of Cathedral Day? Register here to participate.

GRACE GIVING

And Now...For Something Completely Different

As we celebrate Grace Church’s 27th birthday, we invite you to support our 2019 Spring Appeal.

In lieu of a fundraising event, auction, and paddle call this year, please consider making a generous gift to help Grace continue to serve our community. With your support, we will reach our goal of $52,000 needed for our 2019 budget of $592,829.

Inclusion, Service, Discovery and Gratitude

We are a family of worship, learning, and service and a haven for people seeking peace, healing, friendship, and hope. Your offerings make space for new possibilities. We are simply grateful to you for your past and future generous gifts.

Please join us and go to www.gracehere.org/online-giving or fill out a giving card located in the narthex. If paying by check, please write "Fill the Gap" in the memo line.

Blessings to you!
Wendy Tyner and Julie Shryock, Co-chairs

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Camp runs Tuesday, July 9 through Friday, July 12 from 1-4 pm

This year's Grace Summer Camp theme is Our Good World, and as always we'll offer many traditional and beloved camp activities – games, music, crafts, storytelling, trail hikes, and service to our community – all provided in the context of love, friendship, and wonder. This is the laid-back, simple camp experience of your memories, where kids can be kids.

Click the button to register, and email Kim Cockroft with questions.

Don't miss the chance to serve with Grace Camp (July 9-12, 1-4 pm)
Pick one afternoon or several to open Grace's doors wide to the children of our community!

Contact Kim Cockroft to lend a hand.

YOUTH

Camp Crew Leader Meeting

Sunday, May 19 | 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Attention Grace Summer Camp and Camp Resurrección crew leaders! Please plan to attend our first Crew Leader training this Sunday after church in the Living Room. Questions? Email Kim.

Celebrating Our High School Seniors

On Sunday, June 9 as we celebrate Pentecost, we will gather around Grace’s seniors to pray for them as they look to (and beyond) graduation. We will also present each one with an Ethiopian cross. If you/your senior plans to participate on June 9, please email Wren to let her know.

FAITH FORMATION

“Yet even at the grave we make our song…”

Planning for Memorials at Grace

Thursday, May 30 | Noon-1 pm, Living Room
Bring a brown bag lunch and join Wren for a discussion on planning for our memorials.

We’ll join in conversation about how prayer, song, Scripture, and story weave together to shape our burial liturgy. After the hour of discussion, Wren will offer some “homework” to allow you to take note as you consider your own memorial and burial. Contact Wren with questions, wren@gracehere.org.

OUTREACH

Streets of Seattle

Tuesday, May 21 | 5 pm, Grace Kitchen

Streets of Seattle welcomes volunteers this Tuesday! We provide a warm, healthy dinner each month to the Seattle homeless community.

We'll meet at 5 pm in the Grace kitchen and make a meal for 150+ and then head to Seattle and serve it at the Outdoor Meal Site.

If you would like to help prep the meal in the kitchen and/or come serve in Seattle, please sign up here (via SignUpGenius).

Service Sundays Coming Soon!

Sunday, May 26 | After the 9:30 am service
We are excited to introduce a new rhythm for Outreach to the parish. On the 4th Sunday of every month, starting May 26, we invite everyone to linger for an extra hour after the 9:30 am service to join together for community projects.

We will be putting our faith into action in various ways such as preparing meals, assembling food and hygiene kits, and working on the grounds at Grace. The projects may change from month to month, but there will always be something for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability.

Our hope is that this rhythm of service will engage the talents of everyone at Grace to live out our “Service” value. If you have questions or ideas please contact Heather Paar. We hope you'll join us on May 24 for our first Service Sunday!

Helpline House Needs

Most needed at the moment are broths (chicken, beef, vegetable), hearty soups, canned fruit (but not fruit cocktail), and jams & jellies (but not homemade).

You'll find a donation box in the narthex. Thank you!

EARTH & SPIRIT

Paris to Pittsburgh - to Bainbridge Island!

Thank you to all who came to last Monday's screening of Paris to Pittsburgh! There were some great comments and questions, including how to move from inspiration to action. Stay tuned for follow-up gathering in June.

A Climate Savvy Bainbridge Island: Preparing for the Effects of Climate Change

Tuesday, May 21 | 7-8:30 pm, Good Egg, 140 Winslow Way
Join a conversation on how we can prepare our island for the impacts of climate change. Led by Lara Hansen, EcoAdapt, Stacey Nordgren, Foresight Partners Consulting, and James Rufo-Hill, City of Seattle.

Next Climate and Energy Forum

Saturday, June 1 | 10-11:30 am, Eagle Harbor Congregational Church
Featuring a speaker from Our Children's Trust, the organization representing youth who are suing the federal and state governments over the destruction of the climate and their future.

PARISH LIFE

Men of Grace: June Gathering and a Day at Dabob Bay

Saturday, June 1 | A Day at Dabob Bay
Men of Grace, you're invited to a day of relaxation, storytelling, and friendship at Dabob Bay, hosted by Dick Shryock. Complete details and signup for Friday setup and the Saturday event are here, or contact Eric Matthews: eric@ericematthews.com or 206.718.2254. Recommended donation: $5.

Tuesday, June 11 | Men's Group Gathering
Save the date for our next regular Men's Group gathering on June 11. Details to come.

BlueGrace Jubilee: A Celebration of 27 Years of Grace!

Grace Newcomers' Dinner

Sunday, May 19 | 5-7 pm, Walker Hall
We love to welcome newcomers to Grace! Join us for a soup supper, a welcome by Rector Wren Blessing, and an opportunity to get to know others in the Grace community. After supper we'll tour our beautiful Graceland and share our stories. Children are welcome.

RSVP and send questions by email or phone: Mairead Shutt, maireadshutt@gmail.com or 206.399.3627.

Image courtesy of Ronda Broatch.

ACROSS THE DIOCESE

Cathedral Day 2019

Saturday May 18, | 11 am to 3 pm at St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle
Everyone’s invited to this day of fun and festivities at Saint Mark’s. The day starts with a grand procession of clergy, choristers, and confirmation candidates. Stay for food trucks, a new labyrinth, a bounce house, lawn games, and much more. Free! Register online here.

Creation Care Pilgrimage for High Schoolers

August 4-10 | Hike the Olympic Discovery Trail
Valerie Reinke and Ann Strickland join a host of other youth leaders on a 7-day pilgrimage for high schoolers from St. Mark’s in Seattle to the ocean at La Push. We’ll even spend our first night sleeping over at Grace! There will be hikes and many opportunities to explore parts of the Olympic Peninsula and learn from notable educators including the former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katherine Jefferts Schori, who will join us for the entire pilgrimage! Find details and registration here.

COMMUNITY

Courage on the Threshold: Embracing Life's Changes with Integrity and Grace

July 12-14 | St. Andrew's House Retreat & Conference Center, Union, Wash.

Join Courage & Renewal facilitators Emily Chamberlain and Karen Harding for an exploration of what it means to stand on the threshold with courage and attentiveness, listening for the next congruent step, and honor the threshold moments in our lives as an integral part of the process of transformation and change.

Early bird discount expires June 1. Find details and registration here.

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