Stories of Grace- A Parish Blog Archives - Page 4 of 4

A Grace Journey

August 8, 2018 by AdminAccount 0

My journey with Grace Episcopal Church began sometime in the year of 1972. I started attending church with my future mother-in-law, Frances Linn, who had been a member of Grace for awhile. I had been raised in the Reformed Church in Holland, so Grace was a breath of fresh air for me. Father Bill O’Brien’s sermons were refreshing, relatable, and inspiring–I had found a home! A real seal on the deal was the wonderful way children of all ages were welcome at the communion rail–so different in my previous church. “Come unto Me”.

Rick and I were married at Grace in December, l972. Our children Erin, Sarah, Rob and Andrew soon followed, and all are baptized members of Grace. I started teaching Sunday School at elementary level when my children were of that age and taught for 15 odd years–in every space that was available–choir robe room, space in undercroft, day care center–so wonderful to finally see a future of designated Sunday School rooms! Remembering all of the fund raisers–Valentine’s Day Lunch, Tulip Time meals, Rummage sales, Christmas Bazaars. I feel that we are now more focused on outreach at Grace, and I love that.

When Jen Adams arrived on the scene, our youth education needed a lift–and she was it! My girls were older, but the boys benefited from this new influx of energy–my Rob came home from a youth group meeting and said, WOW, can she play soccer! My youngest, Andrew, was part of the first mission trip the group took–to Jamaica, to do work on the church that the Christofferson’s attended there. Very exciting for our young people.

And then, as life happens, we were thrown for a loop–we lost Rick in an accident. The girls were in college, Rob, 16, and Andrew 13. Tough at any age. We were upheld by Father Tom Toeller-Novak and Jen. The children wanted Jen to do Rick’s service and we were blessed to sit with her and share tears, laughter and stories about our husband, father. The homily Jen gave was spot on and so comforting–more of Grace giving grace.

A few years after Rick’s death, the Stephen Ministry was starting up again at Grace and I thought I might be able to give back through this ministry–I am so glad I made that decision as it has been a gift for me. I started taking my grandson, Dawson, to church with me a couple years ago and now my daughter-in-law, Megan, and I are teaching Sunday School–full circle!

Andrew and Megan, my daughter Sarah and Brian were married in Grace church. All four grandchildren, Dawson-7, Eli-almost 3, Pierce-1, and Eleanor-4, have been baptized at Grace. We are now fourth generation and I cannot be more pleased and happy.

I am proud to say I am a member of Grace Episcopal Church–I believe we have been a constant in our commitment of inclusiveness–early on. We are finding ways to help make life a little easier for those in need. Rev. Jen has been a beacon in our Holland community with her activism in the LGBT area–I am so excited about this mission! This church of grace, this family of Grace, has been a constant in my life. I have been blessed by being a member of this community. It seems there is nothing we can’t accomplish with the power of God’s love with us and in us…Go Grace!! Another 150 years!!

Submitted by Judy Linn

Growing up at Grace

August 3, 2018 by AdminAccount 0

In celebration of 150 years of Grace, I wanted to write a little about all the joys being involved at Grace, for even a sliver of that time, has brought me. I was born and raised here in Holland and started attending Grace Church when I was ten years old. Grace provides many great ways for a ten year old to get involved in the community. I was an acolyte for several years, helping the service run smoothly. I sang in the youth choir directed by the ever-wonderful Jen Wolfe. I went to Sunday school, eventually joined youth group, and volunteered with Feeding America. Grace gave me simple things, like friends outside of school, but also fostered my curiosity about the bigger questions in life.

One of the highlights of my time at Grace was going on the youth pilgrimage in the summer of 2012. Pilgrimage allows high school students to travel to England, backpack a portion of the Canterbury Trail for a week, and end up at the Canterbury Cathedral. The trip provides an avenue for spiritual growth through historical education and self-reflection. There were days when we all felt deeply connected to each other and days when we would have given anything to be alone, as happens when you spend a lot of time in close quarters. There were days when travel went smoothly, and there were days when we got horribly lost. Many of the trails were unmarked or had us cutting through sheep fields while hoping not to anger any sheep or shepherds.

I particularly remember one day when we got lost in a town and had to cut through a shopping center to find the trail again. It was the first time we had seen a densely populated area in a while. The experience of lugging our packs through a large hallway under the harsh fluorescent lights while people around us went about their shopping was so strange that we later decided we must have collectively dreamt that it happened.

Throughout the trip we spent time with many other congregations, visited sites important to the history of our church, and learned as much about our faith and ourselves as we could. Most nights we were hosted by another church for Eucharist, but some nights we held a service by the campfire. The communion bread was the same white bread we’d used to make sandwiches for lunch, but the adults somehow made sure there was always real wine…

Four years ago I moved to the East Coast for college. There I joined my campus’ Episcopal chaplaincy where I met so many lovely people who shared my beliefs and values. Grace is an incredible representation of the Episcopal Church, and because of this I have been able to connect with people no matter where I’m living. However, I am always excited to come back to Grace when I’m in Holland. It is a place where I have always felt welcomed, wanted, and loved. I will be forever grateful that I found a home at Grace.

Submitted by Katie Polik

Reflections on Guilds

July 25, 2018 by AdminAccount 0

When my husband and I moved our family to Holland and Grace Episcopal Church in 1974, the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) was the coordinating body for all women of the church. It was the best way to get to know each other as well as to learn about the various ministry opportunities for women. At that time women, were limited in their roles; most vestries were comprised of only men and the ordination of women was still a few years from being approved by the national church.

Some women were members of the Altar Guild, also known then as the Rector’s Guild. One had to be invited to join this service guild by the priest, and no non-Altar Guild member would have ever dared to venture into the sacristy or sanctuary.

The other guilds provided a vital platform for social interaction and communication for the women of the church. Our Grace Church ECW had three such guilds:

St Ann’s – for young, stay at home moms
St. Elizabeth’s – for older women and empty nesters
St. Mary’s – originally established as a study guild

All of these guilds worked together on fund raising projects to purchase unbudgeted needs of the church, including our current china and silverware. The guilds also coordinated and staffed the huge annual rummage sale and held periodic bake sales as well.

A representative from each guild served on the ECW Board, which met monthly and, among other business, determined how the thousands of dollars from its fundraising initiatives would be spent. Often the priest would drop in on a meeting with his suggestions for spending the monies.

St. Mary’s is the only remaining women’s guild and continues its heritage as a study guild. In the beginning, members gathered in homes, but membership grew over time. When church renovations added meeting spaces, St. Mary’s meetings eventually moved to the forum room.

The Guild meets on the first Monday of each month. Each calendar year, members submit program ideas, calls are made to potential speakers, and magically we end up with wonderful programs. Our meetings are open to everyone and we encourage guests, whether they are members of Grace or not. Even men are now welcome!

Our meetings begin with a prayer or inspirational reading, and members sign up in pairs to hostess a meeting and bring refreshments.

Some examples of our recent programs include:

Singalong led by Steve Jenkins
Talk presented by our Holland Mayor
P.E.T. program
Instructional visit to Herrick Library
Tour of Windmill Island
Trip to St. Gregory’s Abbey in Three Rivers
Tour of Castle Park
Book Study
Presentation by Paul Trapp on the history of Grace Church

Each year we also spend one meeting making Christmas gifts for the shut-ins of Grace Church. And we celebrate the holidays and enjoy a special evening of socializing with an Epiphany party/potluck at someone’s home every January. Each member brings a gift that is delivered to either Women In Transition or Harbor Humane Society.

We welcome anyone to learn, pray, and play with us.

Submitted by: Jill Mendenhall (with help from Val Ambrose)

Inspired by Grace

July 12, 2018 by Jennifer Adams 0

From Mary Matrosic, Vestry Member

Mary Matrosic is the inspiration behind Inspired by Grace, a series of programs for our 150th anniversary that will enable Grace parishioners to share their passions and talents with our community, beginning on July 15.

When I started thinking back on the nearly 20 years I’ve been part of Grace, I thought about all the people I’ve met only to discover – either early on or years later – that they do something really cool or interesting on the side. The idea for Inspired by Grace came from that.

One of the first people I met here for whom this was true is Carol Rickey, who is an amazingly gifted water colorist. In fact, one of our favorite paintings that hangs in our house is a Carol Rickey watercolor. But you might not know that Carol has this talent until you know her awhile. She has so much to share.

And then I thought about other people … people like Prescott Slee, who is the one person I want to talk to before I host a large dinner. He knows more about the art and science of hospitality than anyone I’ve ever known.

Jay Bylsma is another example. I’ve known Jay for many years and he’s always in the kitchen when there’s a big event at Grace. But I never knew he baked bread until I sat with him at the last annual meeting dinner and learned he baked the fantastic bread we were eating.

People do a lot of interesting things and most people are willing to share – would love to share – their knowledge and passions with other people. So whether we have a few people or a few dozen people attend our Inspired by Grace programs, I think it’s a great way to share our gifts with one another.

I am a big believer that creativity and creative inspiration are something we are given as a gift from God. It’s in us waiting for a chance to be expressed. For some people, it’s through hospitality, for some it’s cooking, and for some it’s being able to sit and listen to others or organize a project and solve problems in creative ways.

All of this is creativity and all of it inspired. And Grace feeds that part of us. I’m excited that Inspired by Grace is opportunity for us to share those gifts with each other even more than we do today.

I invite everyone to join us for our first Inspired By Grace program, a Drum Circle with Beth Trembley and Jennifer Wolfe on Sunday, July 15 at 11:30.

Helping People Pray

July 8, 2018 by Jennifer Adams 0

Reflections from Acolyte Coordinator, Paul DeConinck

As an acolyte I help people pray. This is what Rev. Jen tells new acolytes every year when we have training. I try to think of this every time I serve as an acolyte at Grace: acolytes are there to help people pray.

We are an important part of the church service. We assist the priest with their duties and are part of the rituals of the service. Being an acolyte during church service requires attention to what is happening during the service and responsibilities to a variety of tasks. But, I am always aware of the fact that, in addition to our duties, we are there to worship as is the rest of the congregation. In helping parishioners pray, I find deeper meaning in the service, readings, and sermon.

I find many joys from being an acolyte. I love the rituals of the service, the attention to detail, and most of all being able to work with a wonderful group of people. They are happy to be serving as an acolyte at Grace. We have children, teens and adults who serve as acolytes. I have enjoyed the relationships that I have cultivated with everyone involved. For the adults, I am happy to help coordinate when they can serve and assist them with their own leadership abilities.

With the teens and children, I have enjoyed helping them learn the ropes of being an acolyte. I am thrilled at seeing them grow into their duties, become more confident, and take on new responsibilities as they gain experience. I hope any guidance that I offer helps them as they become adults. I want them to have a positive memory of being an acolyte and their time at Grace Episcopal Church. So, maybe someday they might have children of their own and pass on those experiences to the next generation.

Being an acolyte has also given me the chance to become more involved in the life of Grace and helped me grow as a person. In addition to acolyting I have become involved with Creation Care, Worship Commission, and Vestry. Through these groups, I have gained the friendship of many people and have been able to help with a wide variety of activities in the church. I have also become the Acolyte Coordinator. I enjoy working with my fellow acolytes and Rev. Jen in coordinating the schedule, answering questions, and helping with training.

All of this has made Grace Episcopal Church my community in Holland. It has helped deepen my own faith and has given me a sense of purpose and satisfaction of being able to help.

And most of all it has shown me the importance of prayer and service to this church and the wider community. I hope that my efforts help when you come to Grace to pray.

Reflections As We Begin the Sesquicentennial

July 8, 2018 by Jennifer Adams 0

From Karen Wassink, Senior Warden

As I write this blog post, we are about to start of a year-long celebration of joy and gratitude for the first 150 years of Grace Episcopal Church of Holland.

More than a dozen years ago, Jay and I stumbled into Grace Church. We had left a church that had lost its soul. Hundreds of us left in waves and looked for a home, feeling sad and angry and orphaned. And so we came to Grace. In that very first hour, I felt a peace and strength and joy and spirit that I have never known in any church! The rites and rituals of Christian worship have always fed my soul. But here I also found an understanding of what it means to live as a Christian, not just worship as one. The consistent message of Grace Church–spoken, sung, preached and lived-out–is to follow the path of Jesus, to live as he would live and care for each other and this world as he taught.

In our years at Grace, we have made friends, worked alongside one another in a variety ways, had great fun at dinners, Holy Chow, talent shows, hayrides at Teusink’s, White Caps games, to name only a few. We have sung together, laughed, cried, created and sometimes just maintained.

In recent years, Grace has undergone such wonderful changes! The new organ, the purchases of the Parish House and Grace House, assisting a refugee family, our first work as training ground for curates, not to mention the eagerly anticipated new parking lot! And there have also been among the people weddings, baptism, funerals, divorces, illness, and triumphs.

And through this long history have been great rectors and other leaders who have worked and cared and brought us all along. But the one who leads us now, Reverend Jennifer Adams, is a gift beyond measure. Reverend Jen has given her life to serve the Church, and half of that life has been as rector of Grace Episcopal Church. Her gifts of preaching and teaching and writing are so meaningful to us all. She can connect with those of any age! She is solid and steady and yet open and encouraging us all to grow and expand. She is a rare treasure and we are so grateful for her.

There is so much to reflect back on as we celebrate 150 years. And so much to look forward to as we continue on. What a joy and privilege and gift it has been to find Grace Episcopal Church. I’ve been an Episcopalian all my life; I just didn’t know it til about a dozen years ago. I am home.

Happy 150th, Grace Church!

July 8, 2018 by Jennifer Adams 0

From The Rev. Jennifer Adams, Rector

Welcome to the year-long celebration of Grace Episcopal Church’s Sesquicentennial!

On June 10, 1868 Grace was received as a parish in what was then the Diocese of Michigan. In honor of this milestone, on Sunday, June 10, 2018 our congregation launched “150 Years of Grace” with celebratory worship, the dedication of our new historical marker, a parish luncheon, and a recital by Jordan Van Hemert, grand-nephew of Vivian and Gerard Cook. The day was festive and full of thanksgivings. This year will be too.

This year we’ll celebrate and give thanks for all who were and are Grace Church, the ministries that have shaped us, the varieties of gifts given and received here, the challenges faced, and the ways in which this Episcopal congregation has shared its proclamation of Christ’s good news in this community and beyond. We’ll also be intentional about Grace forward, attentive to what Larry Wagoner, who visited us Sunday from the Michigan Historical Society, called “Grace’s Legacy.”

This Parish Blog, “Stories of Grace” will run all year and will be one of ways in which we gather and share stories. New posts will appear at least weekly and will include historical information, stories from parishioners, posts from previous Rectors, voices of Grace pilgrims, and more. Please read along with us and let us know if you have a post to share (favorite memory, event, perspective on how Grace has shaped you…) The blog can be accessed via the main page of our website and we’ll provide links on our Facebook page, in our digital newsletter, and in our weekly digital updates too.

150 Years of Grace will include parties, presentations, pictures from every generation of Grace, a ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign, ‘Inspired by Grace’ opportunities for creativity, monthly Grace Notes recitals, the building of LEGO Grace and more. Mark your calendars for some of the upcoming events listed below and stay tuned as this year unfolds!

July 29 Worship at Hope Church: Hope Church provided us with our first meeting space and we’re going to thank them on July 29. We’ll meet at and worship with Hope Church at 10:00 that day, with Rev. Jen Adams as the guest preacher and Grace as the coffee hour hosts. Our 8:15 service will be at Grace that morning.

September 9 Kick Off and Blessing of the Backpacks: As a new school year begins, we’ll bless backpacks, take our annual parish photo, and hold our annual Kick-Off Day picnic.

October 21 Oktoberfest: We’ll hold our annual and fabulous stewardship dinner, kick off the pledge drive and experience the world premiere of Stewardship the Musical: The Prequel (the final in the ‘Stewardship the Musical’ trilogy).

November 4 The Joy Huttar Memorial Organ Recital: Joy Huttar served as Grace’s organist from 1978- 2005 and as such is the longest serving staff person in Grace’s history. This concert marks the first of what will be an annual event in her memory. Mr. Alfred Fedak, Hope College graduate, composer and Minister of Music at Presbyterian Church on Capitol Hill in Albany, New York will be our recitalist. Al became an Episcopalian while worshiping at Grace decades ago.

November 10 – An ‘Inspired by Grace’ Retreat – A day long retreat with prayer and teaching on type, temperament and spiritual growth. More details as we approach the day.

With thanks for 150 years and uncountable blessings of Grace Church,

Rev. Jen

June 14, 2018 by AdminAccount 0

Happy 150th! – from the Rector