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