Celebrating Community

Dear Friends,

Homecoming Sunday is always a special time for me as an interim. It means a chance to meet people who have been away throughout the summer, it means the return of our programs and ministries, and of course our children. As a clergy friend of mine put it, “while Advent may be the start of the liturgical year, Homecoming Sunday is a gracious start of the program year.”

We can have such a good start because of the early preparation work of many people: Dennis Kratz and the incredible volunteers who braved a sticky Saturday in September before the storm to make both church and parish center full of fall color, and outside and inside “to-do” lists accomplished. Spike, Marci, and Sadie Altman, Mad Schuster and Liz Taylor have created classrooms ready for students to “Bee-Long to Jesus”. (The children were so preoccupied that it was hard for them to break away and return to church.) Thank you to Elaine Williams who has revived all the “soft spaces” in the church and the parish hall. (They were well used on Sunday the 7^th!)

The vestry has authorized the hiring of Melanie Hill for 8 hours a week as our communication staff, tending our social media, the website, and print communications. Melanie along with Elaine Williams who has led the overall communications effort including the calendar and a revived electronic newsletter, we have gotten the word out about the vibrant, engaging and mission-focused community that is Grace Church.

There is so much for which to be thankful surrounded by such incredible and dedicated volunteers. There is a full fall of ministry ahead of us, opportunities to reach out to people who need the sort of community we are and can be to people in any kind of need. We are skilled at offering, food, clothing, and shelter. We are shyer about saying to people we know, who have need for a community that does not judge, only welcomes and supports by prayer and presence... please come and see.

 Fall will give us opportunities like the Blessing of the Pets and the Rummage Sale, for people who are new to come alongside us with no expectations, only a cheery welcome. Let’s keep celebrating community by reaching out to those who need community the most.

God’s peace and keeping,

Mary+