five years on...

Commemoration of Richard Hooker[1]
 
To Everyone at Grace Church –
 
This past Wednesday marked the fifth anniversary of our shared ministry at Grace Church.  Much has happened in those years:  deaths of long-term Parishioners, new Members of the Parish, Covid-19, online and hybrid worship, the creation of the Spear Playground, construction on our buildings, and over all, growth.  That so much has taken place so quickly is a tribute to your faith and to you, the Parishioners and to the Parish of Grace Church.  Thank you for all we have accomplished and thank you for the privilege of being your Rector.
 
Five years has gone quickly.  Despite a few difficult moments, they have been a good five years, and I am looking forward to continuing our shared ministry with each of you. 
 
As we begin to turn our focus to deepening our ministries, the world needs us to remain faithful to our Baptismal Covenant:  to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves; and to strive for justice and peace among all peoples, respecting the dignity of every human being.  Part of the work of the Gospel n this time of dehumanization and divisiveness is providing a model and a space that is genuinely welcoming to all.
 
 
A reminder that the clocks change this Sunday morning!  At 2:00am, November 5, daylight saving time is out and standard time is in, and will last until March 10.  Please remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night.
 
Stewardship:  The Stewardship letters for 2024 were mailed out last Friday and we are already receiving pledges for next year!  Thank you!  Next year our focus will be on what happens inside our buildings and on deepening our ministries to our Vineyard Community and beyond.  Thank you for your generosity and for being part of Grace Church!
 
Speaking of Stewardship and of being good stewards, we have a question about pledge envelopes.  The minimum order for the printed envelopes we’ve been using is 100 differently numbered envelopes.  We’d like to move to a different system of envelopes:  if you’d like to use this new system next year, please email Heather Raveling, our Parish Administrator, at [email protected]
 
Speaking of programs that feed and nourish us, Terri Culletto is holding a bread-making workshop and book signing tomorrow morning, Saturday, November 4, at 9:00am in the parish Hall.  All are welcome.  If you’ve ben at Coffee Hour, you know how good Terri’s bread is – come learn how to do it and/or improve your bread-making skills.
 
The Vestry is on Retreat tomorrow from 11:00am – 2:00pm.
 
In order to ease the parking congestion on Sunday mornings, we have asked the Town of Tisbury for Parking signs for Sunday that will say something similar to “Sunday Parking for Grace Church only 7:30am – 12:30pm”.   Stay tuned….
 
For at least the last four years, Grace Church has had a digital Advent Calendar on our app.  This is an update on the paper Advent Calendars, and they’ve been fun.  Each day has a photo, poem, video clip, or a link to something within the theme of Advent.  If you have an Advent photo, song, poem, or recipe that you’d like to share with the Parish, please send them to me at [email protected].
 
Also, our Advent Party will be on Saturday, December 10 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Parish Hall.  Please save the date for a little Cheer, some Carols, and good Company.
 
Construction:  The concrete has been poured for the steps leading up to the main Church entrance.  The lower steps are next and the final piece is the concrete slab between them.  Jeffrey from the Lyn Hovey Studio was here on Tuesday to look, measure and plan for the protective glazing for our stained glass windows.  He/they will be back with the glazing.  The work on the side (slanting) bell tower roofs is being finished as I write, and the Cross on the bell tower is scheduled to be painted gold next week.
 
God bless you all,
 
Stephen+
The Reverend Stephen Harding, Rector


[1] http://satucket.com/lectionary/RHooker.htm
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