almost-christmas greetings

December 23, 2023
 
My Friends –
 
I hope you are all well and that the run-up to Christmas Eve and Christmas is not too crazy.  The big news is that the exterior construction is at a stopping point:  we have protective glazing over our stained glass windows, the round window in the South wall has been re-installed, we have railings on our new concrete stairs, and we are going to re-open the main Church entrance on William Street for Christmas.
 
Many thanks to Michael Carroll, Mark Shea, Onez Oliveira, Island Concrete Systems, Lyn Hovey Studios, and all the others who worked on the Church – it’s beautiful.  And thank you all who contributed so generously to make the work possible.
 
At this point, we are going to pause the construction for a little bit, while we exhale, regroup, receive our reimbursements and see what still what needs to be done.  We aimed high, and with your financial help and your patience, we have achieved much.  Thank you.
 
Advent & Christmas Service times for this year are:
 
December 24: 9:00am Advent 4
December 24: 5:30pm Family Eucharist
December 24:8:00pm Carols; 8:30pm Eucharist
December 25. 9:00am Festive Eucharist
 
Please feel free to invite a friend or friends to join us to celebrate Christmas.
 
December 26-29 Parish Office closed
 
December 29 3:00-6:00pm Community Supper preparation
 
December 31:  8:00am First Sunday of Christmas, said Eucharist
                        10:00am First Sunday of Christmas, choral Eucharist
 
January 2, 2024:         Parish Office reopens
 
Community Suppers: Thank you to everyone who helped prepare 59 meals for our neighbors last night!  This is in addition to the 20 meals prepared by a different group of Grace Church  Volunteers for the guests of the shelter.
 
Yes, there will be a link to the NORAD Santa Tracker on our website tomorrow.  NORAD will be able to tell you where Santa Claus is on his trip to the Vineyard and beyond.  At the moment, their website is counting down to Christmas Eve…
 
If you haven’t visited our Facebook, App, or Instagram pages recently, check them out!  You can
Follow us on Facebook:  Grace Church MV AND Grace Church Lobster Rolls
Follow us on Instagram:   gracechurchmarthasvineyard
 
In accordance with our By-Laws, Notice is hereby given to the Parishioners of Grace Church that the Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 21, 2024 in the Parish Hall as part of the 10:00am Service.  This is where the business of the Parish is conducted:  acceptance of the Annual Budget, Election of Vestry Members, Reports of the Committees of the Parish, and any other matters concerning the Parish.
 
Thank you for the gift of your life in the ongoing life of Grace Church.  We would be diminished without you, and I am very glad that you are part of Grace Church.
 
I wish each and every one of you a Happy Christmas and all my best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year.
 
God bless you,
 
Stephen+
The Reverend Stephen Harding, Rector