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Ministries
of Grace Episcopal Church
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The
Youth of our parish assist in our worship by serving as Acolytes.
The
normal age to begin serving is 12, however younger children who are able to
follow instructions and who can remain attentive for the whole time that they
are serving on the altar, may join the acolyte group with rector
approval.
The
entry level of service is as a torchbearer.
Acolytes then progress into different levels of service as they grow
older and learn new skills. More
advanced acolytes are expected to help the newer members.
A head acolyte, who is a senior member, is also chosen each year and
assists in the training of junior members.
Acolytes
must commit to attending meetings and practices that are frequently held after
the 9:30 a.m. service, but may be held at other times especially as we prepare
for Christmas and Easter. They must
also commit to serving as they are schedules, or to find a replacement if they
are going to be unavailable.
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There are several opportunities for adults to
participate in educational opportunities in the parish.
Times and locations for these classes will be announced in Church and in
the Church bulletin before they begin and are based upon the interests and needs
of the parish.
Inquirer?s
Class is offered
periodically for those new to the Episcopal Church as well as for those who
would like to learn more. These
classes are led by the rector and will cover Church history, beliefs, and an
explanation of liturgical celebrations.
A
Bible or book study
in
the Christian faith is generally provided during the Lenten Season, which begins
in the late winter/early spring.
These classes are generally held after
the Wednesday evening Eucharist, starting around 7:30 p.m. in the conference
room of Newell Hall. All adults are
encouraged to participate in these gatherings where we can learn from each other
and our lives in Christ.
Special
Topics
are occasionally presented after Church in Fenwick Hall, which will offer an
opportunity to present a guest speaker or general discussion of interest to the
parish family.
If
you would like to learn more about these opportunities, please speak to the
Rector.
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Reserving
a Sunday to provide the Flowers or pay the cost of the Candles, Bread or Wine is
a nice way of remembering a loved one or to give thanks for someone or something
special in your life. A sign-up
sheet for each is posted at the back of the Church so that everyone has the
opportunity to reserve a date that may be special to him or her.
Your special intention will be noted in the Sunday bulletin and in the
Prayers of the People for that day.
ALTAR
FLOWERS are ordered by
the donor from their favorite florist, or you may make up your own arrangement.
Flowers should be delivered to the Parish Office no later than 4 p.m.
Friday before the Sunday you have chosen.
CANDLES,
BREAD AND WINE are
paid for by giving a donation of $20.00 or more to Grace Church.
You will receive an envelope in your Grace Church mailbox in which you
may place your donation. The
envelope can then be placed in the collection plate.
You may also mail your donation to the Parish Office but make sure it is
marked with the date of the Sunday you selected and that it was for the Candles
Bread and Wine.
For more information, contact
the Parish
office, 609-894-8001
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Altar Guild
Altar Guild members are responsible for setting and
cleaning the Altar for Holy Eucharist for two services on Sunday and one on
Wednesday evening. The Guild also serves at Weddings, Baptisms, Funerals, and
other special occasions. Members
take much pride and pleasure in vesting the Altar, checking linens, cleaning and
polishing brass, and in general doing whatever is necessary to keep the Altar in
proper order. The Guild meets four times a year to complete a thorough cleaning
and to schedule the services for the next quarter year.
Volunteers receive training and will generally work with
another member, especially until they are comfortable with the various
assignments. Anyone interested in helping should talk with the Rector to receive
more information.
For more information, contact
the Parish office, 609-894-8001
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Chalice Bearers
The
Chalice Bearers serve at the Lord?s Table by assisting the priest in the
service of Holy Eucharist.
They routinely help with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist to the
congregation and leading the congregation in the prayers of the people.
During special occasions, such as Baptisms and Confirmation, they will
assist the priest as they are directed.
The Diocese licenses Chalice Bearers upon the request of the rector.
Anyone interested in this ministry should speak to the Rector who may be reached
through the Parish Office at 609-894-8001.
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Christian Education for children aged preschool through ten years old coincides
with the 9:30 a.m. service. The curriculum is based on ?Godly Play?. The
program has three important components:
1.
A
Chapel Service begins at 9:30 a.m. in Nowell Hall. The children participate in
a short service focused on a parable or sacred story from the bible. The goal
of the lesson is to teach children the art of using religious language, parable,
sacred story, silence, and liturgical action to help them become more fully
aware of the mystery of God?s presence around them and in their lives.
2. At
a specified time each week, the teachers escort the children to join the full
congregation at the church. They will sit together in the front of the church
and participate during communion.
3.
Immediately
after communion they return to the hall to respond to the story through
play, a craft or an art project. Their service ends with a snack.
Dismissal is at approximately 11:15.
Participation in
the Chapel and Sunday School Program is at the parents? discretion, but it is
highly recommended. Parents deserve a time to be able to worship undistracted
by the natural energy and curiosity of their children. At the same time,
children can utilize that energy and curiosity in a learning setting geared for
their age.
Classes are held
from September through June. Youth may join the program at any time during the
year.
Volunteers are
welcome and needed for our Christian Education program. Adults and older
teenagers can volunteer and everyone receives training.
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Circle of Prayer
The Circle of Prayer is a dedicated group of people
who pray daily for Grace Church and those in need.
The group meets once a month after Wednesday evening Eucharist to review
and update the current prayers list. The
prayer list is divided into sections, which include intentions for everyday and
then specific intentions for each day of the week.
Members make a commitment to then use that prayer list in their daily
devotionals.
All parishioners are invited to add prayer intentions, such as for those who are
ill or have a special need, by calling the Circle of Prayer contact person, who
is listed each Sunday on the bulletin, or by calling the Parish Office at
609-894-8001. The Contact Person
then uses a telephone tree to contact other Circle members so that the intention
can be added quickly between update meetings.
For more information, contact
the Parish office, 609-894-8001
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Each
Sunday after the 9:30 Service, all parishioners are welcome to gather for
coffee, light refreshments, and an opportunity to talk with each other.
Volunteers are needed to be the ?Coffee Hour Host(s)? by selecting a
Sunday to prepare the beverages, set up cups, napkins, etc. and to bring the
refreshment. A sign-up sheet is
located at the back of the church.
Before
your turn comes up (or before you sign up), stop by the kitchen after service
and whoever is there will show you around.
You will learn how to use the coffee machine and where the other
supplies and utensils are kept.
The
Coffee Hour Host is responsible for the following:
1)
Make or buy
refreshments such as donuts, bagels, cakes, brownies, etc. for about 30
people.
2)
Brings a cold beverage
for about 10-15 children.
3)
Come before the 9:30
service to begin to brew 2 pots of regular coffee and one of decaf (more may
be made later). Set up the counter with paper cups, sugar, sweet n low, cream,
spoons and stirrers, napkins and plates if needed.
4)
Attend service, but
leave quickly after the service to finish putting out the beverages before
people come over.
5)
Service the counter as
needed during the coffee hour.
6)
Clean up after it is
over.
For more information,
contact the Parish office, 609-894-8001
Flea
Markets are held twice a year in the Spring and Fall.
All parishioners, and those you know, are encouraged to drop off any
unwanted household items, linens, toys, clothes, books, furniture, etc.
Unfortunately, we have learned that large exercise equipment does not
sell and prefer that it not be donated.
Watch your bulletin for drop off times and locations.
We
also ask for volunteers to help price items before the day of the sale, people
to carry items to the Church the day before the sale and out the morning of the
sale (around 6:00 a.m. for you early birds), people to work the tables from 8
a.m. to 3 p.m. (or any portion of that time), and people to clean up after the
sale.
The
youth sponsor a hot dog and soda sale and adult assistance is needed to help
them. A bake sale is also held at the same time and donations of baked items are
welcomed (and go fast!), as well as help to service that table.
Monies
from this sale are used to fund the annual Vermont Retreat.
Therefore those who participate on the retreat are expected to be
available for service at the flea markets.
It?s
a lot of fun ? and don?t forget to come out and find a treasure for
yourself!
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Grace Church maintains a Food Bank in the Fenwick Hall
kitchen area for people who come in to the office in need of food.
The office staff operates it on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. to
noon. It is supplied by donations
from parishioners.
At the back of the Church each Sunday
is a wicker basket in which to place donated items.
They are then blessed as part of the offering during the service.
A list of items needed is posted on the Sunday leaflet, but you may bring
in anything that you feel appropriate. We
ask you not to bring perishable items due to space restrictions.
Make your shopping trips a time to
serve God and others by picking up something for the food pantry each time you
shop. Collectively we can feed a lot
of people. Call the Parish Office at
609-894-8001 for information and hours of distribution.
Items that are frequently needed:
| Tuna Fish |
Mayonnaise, Ketchup |
Spaghetti Sauce |
Peanut Butter |
| More Tuna Fish |
Mustard, Kool Aid |
Sugar, Bread |
Potatoes |
| Soup, Ramen Noodles |
Diapers, Baby Food |
Coffee, Tea |
Rice, Pastas |
| Soap, Shampoo |
Parmalat Milk |
Laundry Soap |
Toothpaste |
| Cereal |
Deodorants |
Juice |
Jelly |
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Grace Guild
Grace Guild has been an integral part of the parish
since 1939. The group?s purpose is
to unite the women of the parish in a program of worship, study, service and
fellowship. Meetings are held on the
third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. (following Holy Eucharist).
Meetings usually include time for fellowship and refreshments, a business
meeting, and prayer.
The activities of Grace Guild may vary from year to year
and have included:
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Roast Beef Dinners
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Italian Nights
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Pot-luck dinners
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A holiday party for the youth of the parish following Advent
Lessons and Carols
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Setting up for Maundy Thursday Dinner
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Pentecost Celebration
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United Thank Offering
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Confirmands? and Bishop?s reception following Confirmation
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Christmas Party for the women of the parish
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As Christians,
we are called upon to pray for one another in times of need.
After Church services on Sunday, you may receive healing prayers for
yourself or for someone you care about by speaking to the Rector. The Rector
alone will know your concern unless you choose to share it with others.
Members of the parish are invited to join the Rector in these prayers.
The prayers are held at the altar rail after the Rector finishes greeting
people at the back of the Church.
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The Lay Eucharistic Ministers of the parish have a special ministry,
which is to bring Communion to those who are unable to attend church services.
People serving in this ministry rotate Sundays and are asked to share
information about the parish with the people they visit. Training for those
interested in this ministry will be provided. The Diocese licenses these
individuals after being recommended by the Rector.
The Grace Church Men?s Club is an informal organization open to all men
of the parish. At this time there
are no formal meetings, however meetings will be held as needed.
The Men?s Club has been involved in the following activities:
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
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Mother?s Day Breakfast and flowers
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Pig Roast
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Bishop?s Reception
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Barbecued Pork Sandwiches at Pemberton Day
All men are invited to participate in these and other activities
when they are announced.
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Music is one of the cornerstones
of worship at Grace Church, with an emphasis upon congregational singing.
It is the mission of the musical leadership to offer to God the very best
of our time and talents and to enable every person to worship with heart, soul,
and voice. Special effort is made to
honor both the ancient and modern liturgical traditions of our denomination by
incorporating music that is reflective and inclusive of the rich diversity of
our membership.
We
at Grace Church are committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through
art and music, and meaningful expressions of offering our thanks and praise to
Almighty God. Grace
Church is a parish in which the celebration of the Eucharist is a primary focus.
Music embraces a wide variety of worship styles and is planned according
to the three-year lectionary with hymns and music selected from the Hymnal 1982,
Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS) Volume II hymnal, the Wonder, Love and Praise
Hymnal, and various other sources.
Volunteer Musical Opportunities
The
Adult Choir:
is a friendly, cheerful, and dedicated group of approximately 20
individuals who meet to rehearse every Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
The Adult Choir provides musical leadership during the 9:30 a.m.
Eucharist and during all special worship services.
The Choir has also participated in various Diocesan choir events.
The
Junior Choir: is an energetic group of children who rehearse on Sundays from
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Junior Choir sings primarily on special occasions such as Baptisms,
The Advent Lessons and Carols service, The Christmas Eve Family Eucharist, and
the Easter Vigil.
Instruments:
An ad hoc group of adults and children offer their time and talents to
God by playing a variety of musical instruments during worship services.
This group has consisted of trumpets, flute, oboe, guitar, and percussion
instruments.
Choir
Director: Gregory
Deane Smith (609)273-6263 or gregorysmith2@comcast.net
Organist:
Derrick M. Goff
We
are always looking for more singers and instrumentalists.
If interested, please speak with Greg after the 9:30 a.m. service.
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Nursery
A nursery is available in the school during the Sunday 9:30 a.m.
service. It is for newborns through ages 2 or 3, depending on whether a
child is ready for Children's Chapel. Volunteers are needed!
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Occasional
Ministries
Throughout
the year there are many opportunities for parish family members to offer time
for service in the parish. These
opportunities are announced as requests for help to do specific projects around
the parish. Frequently the time
needed will be just an hour or two and having many volunteers make the projects
go quickly and with much joy. Many of them are great for youth to participate in
as well so that they can be a family event.
Here are some of them that you will hear about:
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Church
Breakfasts and Suppers ? help with set-up and clean up |
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Gardening
and Yard work
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Decorating the Church for Christmas, Easter, etc.
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R
Repairs around the Church
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B
Baking for special receptions and the flea markets
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T
Telephone calls to share important information (such as funerals)
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D
Driving people to church or activities
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A
Addressing and Mailing
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T
Typing or Computer work
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T
Telephone calls and shopping for those not able to leave their homes.
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If
you have a special need or know someone that does, please make that need known
to the Rector, the Wardens, or to a member of the Vestry.
In
every situation, you will be given the information you need to complete the
work. You will also be assisting
Grace Church in fulfilling our Mission!
Outreach
Ministries
Grace
Church has been blessed to participate in several ministries outside of our
parish. Three are listed below.
These opportunities happen at different times during the year and require
commitments only at those times. They
will be announced in Church as they occur.
Holiday
Food/Gift Baskets:
Grace Church members have prepared holiday baskets for Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and Easter to be distributed to families in need identified by a
specified outreach organization. Volunteers
are asked to sign-up and are given suggested contents and the size of the family
and ages of the children in the family. Sometimes
these baskets are of food; sometimes they are for gifts to the children.
It varies with the holiday and the need.
For larger families, a couple of volunteers may work together to put
together the items. It?s a wonderful way to share with those less fortunate.
It is also a good family project to highlight the true meaning of these
seasons.
Interfaith
Hospitality: Sponsored by a variety
of churches, this ministry provides shelter and food to homeless individuals and
families throughout the year in
Burlington
County
.
Those who are housed are also engaged in work and school activities so
that they may one day find their own housing.
Grace Church members have been assisting the Methodist Church In
Pemberton where a weeklong stay is provided in rotation with other churches.
Volunteers
from Grace Church sign up to go each night to help serve dinner, clean up after
dinner, assist children with homework, talk with adults about their day, and
join in recreational activities. The
whole family can participate in this opportunity.
It?s a wonderful way to remember the blessings we have received while
serving others.
Readers
Readers
are needed for services for both the Old and New Testament readings.
Through this ministry we are fed by hearing the Word of God.
Don?t
be intimidated by having to stand up front. You will be able to receive some
helpful tips from current readers. If
you enjoy reading the scriptures, and would like to share this Good News with
others, this may be the ministry for you. If
interested, please speak to the Rector.
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Stewardship
Through
our faithful stewardship, we have formed a community of caring, loving people
who share time, talent and treasures. God
calls us each day to be faithful stewards. We
have been blessed in so many ways at Grace Church.
The many pages of this booklet offer opportunities for all of us to share
our time and our talents. This page
will talk about stewardship in financial offerings.
The Grace Church Vestry has adopted a commitment to strive towards tithing,
defined as 10% of our income. This
tithe is the standard set forth in the Bible to remind us that all of our
resources come from God and to freely offer back what has been given to us.
As we say at the time our offerings are given at the altar, ?All things
come of thee O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.?
Every
year in the fall, we conduct our stewardship campaign, which consists of
testimonies from parishioners of their stewardship journey and the distribution
of pledge cards to recommit our financial resources for the upcoming year.
All members are asked to prayerfully consider what God is asking them to
give before signing these cards. Additional
cards for children in a family are available upon request if you would like your
child to learn this type of sacrificial giving as well at an early age.
The budget from Grace Church for the following year is based upon anticipated
expenses with adjustments made based upon the receipt of signed pledge cards and
our actual receipts from the previous year.
The expenses of keeping our parish buildings repaired continue to rise.
Our pledges enable us to continue parish activities and maintain our buildings.
Therefore each of our pledges is very important for the parish.
A
pledge card is provided to new members. You
are invited to submit it in an envelope either in the offertory basket or mailed
to the parish office. Every person
who has signed a pledge card will receive envelopes with an assigned number for
bookkeeping purposes. You will
receive quarterly and an annual statement of your giving in your parish mailbox.
For
further information or questions, please speak with the Wardens, any member of
the Vestry, or the Rector.
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Tellers
(Offering Counters)
This is an important responsibility that requires
individuals who are good with math and have the ability to learn some basic
accounting procedures.
The
tellers are responsible for gathering all the collections and any other income,
posting donations to the appropriate accounts, and ensuring that the receipts
balance with the postings.
Tellers also take the deposit to the night depository at the bank.
The accounting sheets used by the tellers are given to the Treasurer who
enters the information into the bookkeeping system.
Tellers
work in pairs, and due to the confidential nature of the work and the handling
of cash, require the approval of the Rector.
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Tuesday's
Child Preschool
Tuesday?s Child Preschool
has been a community provider for the Pemberton School District since 1998.
The school is fully funded by the Department of Education and the
Department of Human Services under the State of New Jersey?s Abbot vs. Burke
Supreme Court Ruling. This ruling
acknowledged that children in less affluent communities were receiving fewer
resources, impairing their ability to learn.
Under this act, Tuesday?s Child provides at an excellent preschool
program to Pemberton Township children three years of age at no charge to their
parents. Our program is open from
6:45 am to 6 p.m., 245 days per year, and supports 11 full-time and 5 part-time
employees.
60
students are currently served in four classrooms, each with a certified teacher
and a teaching partner. In addition
to the teaching staff, we also have one full time and one part-time family
worker to support family involvement in their education and to refer families to
resources available in the community if needed.
While
Tuesday?s Child is financially independent from Grace Church and has its own
Board of Directors, it is one of our ministries as well.
The Board meets the first Tuesday of the month. This excellent program would not have been possible without the
Church?s willingness to open its doors to house the program and to share our
vision for a better community. We
regularly pray for its staff and children, and at times are called upon to
donate for special non-reimbursable needs.
The
school is an equal opportunity employer and is in need of substitute teachers.
Members of the parish are invited to apply for all open positions on a
competitive basis.
To contact the school:
tuesdayschild@comcast.net
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United
Thank Offering (UTO)
United Thank Offering is an organization founded by women of
the Episcopal Church in 1889. It has become a world wide effort to aid
in ministry for compelling human needs throughout the world. Last year,
more than $3,000,000 was awarded to 147 projects in the US and overseas.
We ask that you spend some time this fall to reflect on your many blessings.
Each time you give thanks, drop a few coins or bills in the UTO box or
envelope. On Sunday, Dec. 5, we will
hold an "ingathering" to collect your donations. Your money
and prayers have built churches, made needed renovations, fed the hungry,
clothed the poor and provided shelter for the homeless. The power
of the "blue box" is unlimited.
You can begin today by saying prayers of thanksgiving and
placing an offering in the Blue Offering Envelope.
Heavenly Father, source of all creation,
all love, all true joy; accept, we pray,
these outward signs of our profound and
continuing thankfulness for all of life.
Bless those who will benefit from these gifts
through the outreach of the United Thank Offering;
and keep each of us ever thankful
for all the blessings of joy and challenge
that come our way; through Him who is the greatest gift of all,
Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Ushers
The Ushers of Grace Church serve
each Sunday to welcome those attending services and assist with any presenting
need during the service. The Ushers
ensure that each worshipper receives a Sunday bulletin.
They also coordinate the presentation of the Bread and Wine for Communion
as well as the food basket. Once
Communion starts, the ushers will also guide people, pew by pew, to the altar
rail. During services, the Ushers
willingly accept any role deemed appropriate by the priest.
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Vermont
Retreat
This year we resumed
our two retreat schedule: the first for adults and the second for youth.
Goals for the retreats were:
- To experience
grace in God's creation amid the beauty of the mountains, listening to the
sound of nature and listening to God in the silence of our souls.
- To find grace in
our Christian community as we share community responsibilities and build and
strengthen our relationships with each other and with God.
- To experience the
grace we find when respecting other people's feelings and individual
differences.
- To discover the
riches of grace in our scriptures, and how that grace sustains us on our
life's journey.
- To experience
God's grace in our worship together.
- To enjoy the grace
of fun and laughter.
Once again we were
blessed with the music ministry of Fr. Bruce Stewart. A brand new blessing
was gourmet cooking n the adult retreat by chef Rod MacRae!
Learn more about the
Vermont retreat by clicking here.
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Vestry
The Vestry is an elected group of 12 individuals who
provide a central leadership to the parish.
The Vestry meets the third Monday of every month to specifically address
the needs of the parish with other meetings called by the Rector or Wardens as
needed. The following criteria for
those interested in serving on the Vestry at Grace Church:
1.
Worship regularly (every Sunday) in church:
2.
Be committed to attend and be able to attend Vestry meetings on the third
Monday of the month;
3.
Be committed to attend a yearly Vestry retreat;
4.
Be committed to personal growth in Stewardship;
5.
Be ready and willing to take an active leadership role in the life of
Grace Church;
6.
Be Baptized, Confirmed, and Pledging.
The Vestry has adopted the following mission statement for the
parish:
?The mission of Grace Church is to preach the
Gospel. We seek to utilize and
develop the total resources of the congregation to further God?s work.?
The
parish holds an Annual Meeting each year on the third Monday in January to which
all members are encouraged to attend.
At the Annual meeting, elections are held for a Warden and Vestry
members. Wardens serve two-year terms and Vestry members serve three-year terms.
The
Vestry has a Senior and Junior Warden.
A Warden is a lay leader of the community.
Wardens and clergy share the servant ministry within the church
community. The
Senior Warden serves in an advocacy role, supporting the rector and enhancing
the ministry of the rector. The Senior Warden is an advisor, counsel and friend
of the rector.
The Junior Warden has the critical responsibility of overseeing the
buildings and grounds of the parish.
The remaining Vestry members and the whole parish family support the
wardens.
Grace's Vestry
Joann MacRae...Senior Warden
Kathy Murray...Junior Warden
Sara Day...Secretary
Ingrid Welsh...Treasurer
Mike Gephart...Finance
Marge Herbert...Christian Education, Children
Scott Sabin...Youth Representative
Sadie Hampton...Parish Life
Helen Whitby...Outreach
Richard Shorter...New Membership/Welome
Sara Day...Communications
Lynn Sabin...Tuesdays Child
Joann Macrae...Property Committee
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Grace
Episcopal Church 43 Elizabeth St., Pemberton,
N.J. (609) 894-8001