Sunday Forum
Sundays at Noon in the Lower Level Forum Room
Led by Rev. Christopher Roe, Director of Spiritual Formation & Community EngagementJoin us in this season of reflection, discovery, growth, and discernment as we gather once again for the Adult Forum series and explore the theme “Gracious Hope” with one another. In the midst of busy schedules, changing landscapes, new dimensions, and of course the ever-looming election, what does it mean to be a people of Grace, a community of Hope, and a witness to the liberating works of “Gracious Hope” in our local, regional, and global community?
This week we begin our journey of viewing democracy as a spiritual practice, and we look at what it means to be “The Church” during a particularly charged time in our world, and more particularly what it is “The Church” has to offer our nation in this election season. Through the lens of a Quaker leadership approach and the roots of our own Episcopal identity, this is sure to be a rich and meaningful session. All are welcome to join in our weekly gatherings at noon in the Forum Room. Next gathering is this Sunday, October 6!
For more detailed information about other upcoming Forum gatherings, click here!
Creation Care
The next Holy Hike that Grace folks and friends of Grace can participate in is on Saturday, November 2 at 1pm, honoring All Souls Day. The Holy Hike will take place at Maple Hills Cemetery, 200 N. Lake St., Cadillac, MI. If you want to carpool, meet in the parking lot of Grace at 11am. For more October Creation Care info, click here!
Fall Grace Reads
Wednesday Mornings, September -October 2024
Our next Grace Reads is The Greatest Prayer by John Dominic Crossan.
“Every Sunday, the Lord’s Prayer echoes in churches around the world. It is an indisputable principle of Christian faith and distills the most essential beliefs required of every one of the world’s 2.5 billion Christians. In The Greatest Prayer, Crossan explores this foundational prayer line by line. Addressing issues of God’s will for us and our response, our responsibilities to one another and to the earth, the theology of our daily bread, the moral responsibilities that come with money, our nation-states, and God’s kingdom, Crossan reveals the enduring meaning and universal significance of the only prayer Jesus ever taught.” John Dominic Crossan is Professor Emeritus at DePaul University. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Historical Jesus, How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, and The Power of Parable.
Suggested Reading Schedule:
Wednesday, October 9th Reading Chapters 7 and 8 and the epilogue!
Community Men’s Bible Study (aka Beer and Bible)
River Place Community Room, Alternate Mondays (4:00-5:15)
Next gathering is Monday, October 7
Beer & Bible, the men’s Bible study group began at Grace Episcopal Church and has in the words of its current host, Paul Trap, “been meeting most of this century.” Paul says, “We are enriched by members of multiple faith traditions bringing a diversity of opinions and interpretations. The open group is currently studying the epistles of John to the early churches in Asia Minor and discussing the intersections of faith and politics. While this fellowship is focused on careful study of scripture, it is also marked by debate, diversions and digressions as we seek to understand God’s will in our lives.” Beer & Bible meets in the 5th floor Community Room of River Place at 9th & River from 4:00 to 5:15 PM on alternate Mondays. An invitation is extended to all men seeking a better understanding of God’s word and his call to serve. For more information and schedule of meetings call Paul Trap (616) 396-6492
Growing Into Worship
Led by Jonathan Shotwell, our new Director of Children and Youth Ministries
10:30am Growing Into Worship gathers in the back pew and processes in to begin!
Youth Group
Led by Jonathan Shotwell, our new Director of Children and Youth Ministries
Youth will meet THIS Sunday, October 6, from 12 – 2pm. Grab a slice of pizza from the commons and head downstairs to the youth room! All 6th-12th graders are welcome to join, feel free to bring friends!
We will be sending out a Weekly Newsletter that is called Grace to You. If you do not receive this, please email the church office at gechurch@graceepiscopalholland.org to get your email added! After we send out, we will be posting it here as well.
Vestry
Support for Ukraine through Episcopal Relief and Development
Episcopal Relief & Development continues to provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine, working with our Anglican partners in Europe and ACT Alliance (a global coalition of over 140 faith-based organizations). Follow the link below to contribute knowing that your gift will help provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies and other needed assistance. You can follow this link to get to ER&D’s contribution page. You may also make a contribution to Grace with “Ukraine” in the memo and we will make the contribution to ER&D.
Grace Refugee Co-sponsorship
This fall we are looking to co-sponsor a refugee family with St. Francis and All Saints churches. At this time, we have been blessed with all the furniture and lamps and kitchen items we could have hoped for – a big thank you to so many who kept this ministry in mind! We are now shifting our focus to gift cards from Meijer and Target for the purchase of towels and linens and a new set of queen size mattresses, to be purchased once we are paired with a family. Please drop off any gift card donations at the office during the week, or leave them in the offering plate during services. Thank you!
Communities across West Michigan (including Ottawa, Kent, and Muskegon Counties) are beginning to welcome more than 280 adults and many children who are newly arrived from Afghanistan. We’re finding ways to help now – read on and also stay tuned for more!
Contact the Church Office if you would like to be part of a “Refugee Ministry Leadership Team.” This is the group that will meet regularly with leads from the other congregations to coordinate efforts with each other, Bethany and Lighthouse. We need a few more folks to help out with coordination and planning.
Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA) has a new legal clinic to serve the legal needs of the influx of newcomers to achieve safety and stability. LIA is the only nonprofit law office in Ottawa County serving immigrants and refugees regardless of income. Financial support is needed as soon as possible for this clinic to offset significant legal fees, translation and interpreter costs, and hospitality expenses. LIA will provide over half a million dollars of legal services at no cost to refugees. The Clinic designed by the LIA Legal Team will provide every refugee with the appropriate legal services to transition from temporary humanitarian parole status into full asylum status. Applications must be made for asylum for refugees who would face persecution, torture, or worse, if they returned to their home countries. Refugees have 1 year from the date of entry into the United States to apply for asylum. Learn more about the program by visiting the Refugee Program page on LIA’s website at https://lia-michigan.org/legal-services/refugees/ or by emailing admin@lia-michigan.org
You can make a contribution through Grace’s Beyond Grace Fund or directly to LIA.
Bethany Christian Services – Refugee Resettlement Program
Refugee resettlement is the work we have done and hope to continue with St Francis and now All Saints, Saugatuck too as we Co-Sponsor a family. This is a six-month to one year commitment that does NOT involve providing housing. It is a way for us to offer support before the Parish House is again available. Bethany secures housing and a team of people (folks from each church) collectively supports a refugee family. We’ll prepare their apartment with necessities, welcome them at the airport, and provide other services such as English tutoring or cultural assistance. Follow the link above to learn more. If you are interested in serving on a Resettlement Team contact the Church Office as we explore the possibilities.
Thank you, Grace for helping people who have lost so much, find welcome and home again.
Food Club with Community Action House
Grace has partnered with Community Action House and we are proud to say that we make up a large part of the volunteers of Food Club. They are still always looking for help and it is a great way to get connected with Grace folks & the greater Holland community. THANK YOU, Grace for feeding hungry people! If you are already signed up to serve, Thank You! If you’d like to serve (generally once a month) but haven’t yet signed up, contact the Church Office.
If you’d like to learn more about Food Club and Opportunity Hub, look here.