Date: January 31st 2010

Messenger

February 2010

The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by aseason of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.  It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored tot he fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. 

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word (BCP p.264).

Ash Wednesday Liturgy
February 17th - 12 noon and 6 pm

Lenten Quiet Day
Saturday, February 20th - 9 am to 1 pm

Lenten Wednesdays
February 24th through March 24th
Holy Eucharist – 6 pm
Light Supper - 6:30 pm
Teaching Series: The Eucharistic Life – 7 pm

Bible Study: The Gospel of Luke
Sundays – 9 am

It is our tradition in the Episcopal Church to fast on Ash Wednesday, and to observe the 40 weekdays of Lent and of Holy Week (except March 25th) by special acts of discipline and self-denial (BCP p.17).  The Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it.  Confessions may be heard at anytime of the year, but many find it helpful as a part of their Lenten disciple. Please contact a member of the clergy if you wish to schedule an appointment.

VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS – January, 2010

Treasurer Mike Heyer reported that pledge income for the month of December 2009 was under budget by $10,579 or 24.4%. Year-to-date pledge income also was under budget by $23,421. YTD total revenues were under budget and total expenses for the month of December were over budget by 40% due primarily to various property-related expenses. Net revenues for the month were under budget by $9,000 and net revenues YTD were at breakeven as a result of the Vestry vote to balance revenues and expenses. Current cash reserves would cover 1.66 months of budgeted expenses. Sunday attendance continues upward, now 13.2% over last year.

After reviewing a proposed budget for the year 2010, the Vestry voted to:

- increase our Diocesan assessment to 7% of our 2008 operating in come
- make staff adjustments to result in savings of $20,000;
- eliminate staff raises for the year 2010;
- increase the line item for Mission & Outreach from $4,100 to $8,700;
- keep $8,000 for sealing and striping the parking lot in the budget and not take from reserves.

The Vestry agreed to present a deficit budget of $10,000 to the Parish.

The Vestry agreed to hold the Annual Meeting between the two services so that more people would find it convenient to attend.

The Senior Warden reported that 165 pledges have been received for a total commitment of $404,525. The average pledge is $2,451. The median pledge is $1,500. There remain eleven past pledgers who have not yet responded. Twenty of the pledges are new for 2010 and 76 have been increased from last year.

The appointments of Stan Boyle and Chris Mars to the Endowment Committee were approved.

Vestry 2010

Dick Entenmann, Sr. Warden
Julie Grossman, Jr. Warden
Mike Heyer, Treasurer
Tim Cenova
Jim Davis
Elizabeth Kaul
Chris Kurth
Jan McMichael
Denise Miller
Marty O’Leary
Tom Petrie
Brian Roche
Weezer Weir
Rev. Todd McDowell
Rev. Emily Davis

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Thanks to a resolution authored by our own delegate Betty Bowersox, the Diocese is beginning an electronic library on a web page where all can access resolutions of recent diocesan conventions.

The Convention Resolutions Library at this time contains each passed Resolution from the 170th Convention held last November. Resolutions from previous years may be added.

Now we all have easy access to some of the work done by our Delegates to Convention.  Remember this resource when discussing Resolutions in October for the 171st Convention!!

http://www.diocesemo.org/diocesaninfocenter/resolutionslibrary.htm
http://www.diocesemo.org/diocesaninfocenter/resolutionslibrary.htm>;

Diocesan News

Feb. 13 is the annual Celebration of the Ministry and Witness of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen. This year the Dismantling Racism commission has organized a panel with graduates from the Anytown program. 8:30-noon at St. Peter's Ladue. RSVP encouraged. There is a little bit more background on the Anytown program in iSeek.

The two scheduled Dismantling Racism trainings are March 12-13 in Columbia and July 9-10 in St. Louis.

HANDBELLS TO CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

On Sunday, February 14, the Gloria Deo Handbell Choir from Grace Church will move all their tables, bells, etc. downtown to Christ Church Cathedral to play for their 11:15 am Eucharist. Nine handbell choir members will be playing two selections at that service as an outreach project before our ‘quiet time’ during Lent. Also please note that the annual handbell concert this year will be at Grace on Saturday, April 24 at 4 in the afternoon. Please put that on your calendar and plan to attend.

Annual Report Includes 2008 Evangelism/Hospitality Report by Mistake

Evangelism/Hospitality ministry area co-chair Christie Boyle regrets that she erroneously included last year’s report in the 2009 Grace Annual Report distributed at the annual meeting on January 24. The correct report is available in the narthex.

HELP FOR HAITI

+ + +

THE KIRKWOOD MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE is supporting a second “food packaging event” on Saturday, February 13, from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at Glendale Lutheran Church, 1365 North Sappington Road.

+ Kids Against Hunger has already sent more than one large shipment of protein-rich food bags through the United States Navy to Haiti, and this “packaging event” is to REPLENISH THAT SUPPLY TOWARD THE GOAL OF SENDING SEVERAL SHIPMENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

+ KMA has already supported one previous event at Glendale, on January 23. The event involved more than 80 persons from nine area congregations. The result was 102 boxes containing 22,032 meals.

+ If you wish to provide funds, it costs $50 to provide 260 meals. Checks may be made out to Kirkwood Ministerial Alliance, Glendale Lutheran Church (for matching funds from Lutheran Foundation) or Kids Against Hunger and brought to the packaging event or sent to the treasurer of Kirkwood Ministerial Alliance – Rev. Jay Kanerva, Glendale Presbyterian Church, 500 North Sappington Road 63122, or Rev. Steven Albers at Glendale Lutheran Church.

+ All food stuffs and materials will be provided for the packaging event.

+ Individuals are asked to sign up for two-hour slots: 9a.m. to 11a.m. or 11a.m. to 1p.m.; 1p.m. to 3p.m. Approximately 20 persons are needed for each time slot. We’ll do this on a first-come basis.

+ Pastors (or designated persons in the congregation) are asked to get names of individuals who wish to participate AND the time slot they prefer and call the office at Glendale Lutheran Church (966-3220) or email office@glendalelutheranchurch.org with those names and times as soon as possible.

Also, as you already know, Grace is accepting monetary donations to be passed along to Episcopal Relief and Development for Haiti. The Episcopal Diocese there operates some 254 schools. Most of those grounds and remaining buildings are being used to shelter and aid those who need it. Drop your check off to Grace, with Haiti in the memo line.

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Episcopal Dicese of Missouri
Leadership Conference

Saturday, March 6, 2010
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

St. Martin's Episcopal Church
15764 Clayton Road
Ellisville, MO  63011

The Rev. Devon Anderson, Executive Director for Episcopalians for  Global Reconciliation, and trainer in the art of Public Narrative will be guest speaker and trainer.
 
This conference is devoted to lay leadership ministries within the congregation. The workshops are especially meaningful for elected leaders, but all congregational leaders will benefit from the presentations.

Cost:           $15 per person (includes lunch)
Check-in:      8:30 a.m.
Registration: Mail:  Return enclosed registration form
                  Email: rweisenborn@diocesemo.org
                  Information:  Contact the Rev. Canon Dan Smith at:
                  edsmith@diocesemo.org
                  Email: rweisenborn@diocesemo.org
                  Phone: 314-231-1220 Ext. 1373

DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Shrove Tuesday—Pancake Supper

Please join us for our annual Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 16th. We will be serving from 5 pm to 7 pm, with a contemporary service, and burning of palms.

Cost is $5 per person, children 6-18 and adults over 65 are $2 each, or a maximum total cost per family of $15. Proceeds go to Trinity Hot Lunch.

David Jayne is coordinating the cooking crew, so if you like to help, please contact him.

Rector’s Study Group

Fr Todd McDowell leads the series Good News for All: the Gospel of Luke.

Luke's Gospel is uniquely inclusive, involving all people.  The Good News is for the outcast and the establishment, for the religious and those searching.  Luke speaks to women, to men, to the strong and healthy, to the weak and dispossessed.  Its relevance today inspires faith, spirituality and action. 

It’s never too late to join our group of learners! Sundays, 9:00am – 9:50am, LaVielle Room.

Coming ‘round Right: A Quiet Day of Lenten Preparation

Saturday, February 20th, 9am to 1pm (Our program concludes with soup lunch –free– at 12:30pm.)
 
On the first Saturday of Lent, our clergy Todd and Emily will lead a program for Grace parish and friends. Lent is a traditional season of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, discernment, and penitence that helps Christians ground themselves anew in God and prepares us for a deeper experience of Holy Week and a joyful celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. Our quiet day will discuss the history of Lent and offer meditations and exercises to help participants settle on Lenten practices that will be most relevant for their particular lives.

A sign up sheet will be on the kiosk in Albright Hall so we can make certain to have enough soup, but if you decide you can attend at the last minute, please come even if you are not signed up! We’ll be glad to adjust!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Sunday Morning Christian Formation

FOR CHILDREN & TEENS

Sunday School 9:00AM – 9:50AM. (High-School Teens meet at Kaldi’s.)
Nursery open every Sunday 9:00am – 11:30am.

FOR ADULTS: The Rector’s Forum

Good News for All: The Gospel of Luke
Luke's Gospel is uniquely inclusive, involving all people.  The Good News is for the outcast and the establishment, for the religious and those searching.  Luke speaks to women, to men, to the strong and healthy, to the weak and dispossessed.  Its relevance today inspires faith, spirituality and action.  Whether you have been a part of a regular bible study, or never explored the bible with a group; all are encouraged to join with us on Sunday mornings from 9am – 9:50am in the LaVielle Room.  Please call Todd with any questions.

Christian Formation on weekdays …

First Mondays of each month
6:30-8:30p.m. – Holy Ground – Women’s Spirituality & Pot Luck
Join us for divine potluck, deep sharing, spiritual exploration of various kinds, and an intimate Eucharist.

Tuesdays
9:30-10a.m. – Holy Eucharist – Informal (Kean Library)
10-11:45a.m. – Women’s Study Group (Kean Library)
A rich delving into all kinds of books! We read, discuss, share, and talk about faith, theology, and life. Contact Susan Leach for details.

Wednesdays
8:30-9:20a.m. – Mystics and Meditation (in the Sanctuary upstairs)
Moving from intellectual pursuit to spiritual practice, we begin with 15 minutes of discussion, proceed to 15 minutes of lectio divina focusing on mystical texts from the Bible and beyond, close with 20 minutes of centering prayer/meditation, and depart in silence. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Emily with questions.
9:30 am—Morning Prayer Service

Second and Fourth Wednesdays
Noon – 1:30p.m. – Grief Group
We gather with Rev. Emily and Rev. Doris Westfall at St. Matthew’s 2 miles north of Grace Church (1551 Bennett Ave. in Warson Woods, zip code 63122) to eat and chat, read about and discuss our own experiences of grief and mourning, and to encourage and support each other. All are welcome. Call Rev. Emily for details.

Calling All Long-time Members of Grace

Have you belonged at Grace for at least 25, 50 or 75 years? If so, please notify Christie Boyle (boylech@sbcglobal.net; 314-821-5421) or Janet Mika (macbub@swbell.net; 314-965-8148) to let us know how long. You may also leave a note in the 50th Anniversary mailbox at church.

Save May 23 for a celebration of 50 years at our present address. Grace moved from its previous location (now Eliot Unitarian Chapel) to our current one in 1960. Pentecost is a perfect opportunity to mark this occasion with a liturgical celebration followed by an all-parish picnic on our beautiful grounds. Stay tuned for more as the time draws nearer.

Grace on the Go Visits…

Missouri History Museum Exhibit on February 24

The exhibit, entitled “Race: Are we So Different?,” includes artifacts , photography and interactive activities and features two powerful videos. A recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch article stated, “‘RACE’ has won a number of prestigious awards and has drawn 1 million visitors... an amazing feat for a show devoid of dinosaurs and pirates.” According to museum president Robert Archibald, this exhibit asks if our ideas of race have any scientific merit and examines the consequences of “clinging to this non-scientific, non-meaningful way of discriminating between people.”

Join Grace on the Go at the History Museum on Wednesday, February 24. We’ll meet at Grace to carpool at 9:15 a.m. A signup sheet is on the kiosk in Albright Hall.

“Not Just Donuts” needs your help!

Our “Not Just Donuts” program is actually our coffee hour after services on Sundays. This program helps us to socialize with our fellow Parishioners, both new and old.

The 10 o’clock service portion of this program is in extreme need of volunteers to provide refreshments and clean up afterwards. It is set up after the 8 o’clock version, but there is no one to staff the 10 o’clock.

A suggestion is to see if perhaps groups of couples (2 or 3) would consider signing up for two or three times a year, with the option of switching dates as needed.

Please sign up for dates on the calendar in the kitchen, or contact Pauline Danner at church or at home(636-225-1294).

MURDER MYSTERY 2010!!

Friday, March 5
6:30 until ??

Murder and mayhem will be in the air on Friday night, March 5. That’s when the high school students will try to solve a culinary mystery at Grace Church. The Italian Dinner is over, but what secrets were left behind? Did everyone make it home that night? Are you sure? Hopefully not too many lives will be lost in this pursuit of the truth. A murderer may still be hiding in these halls.

Pray for our safe return. The murder (oops – fun!) begins at 6:30PM.

To those of you who plan to help solve this mystery – come hungry and remember – it’s much more fun if you dress the part.

The future of Grace is in your hands.

PS I must know exactly who is coming no later than February 14th or you’ll be left behind! E-mail Janet at JMurphHi@aol.com.

TRINITY HOT LUNCH

What a better way to say "I love you" than to give to those in need? We will be serving a hot lunch on Feb. 14 at Trinity Church in the Central West End. We serve up to 100 needy men, women & children each month. We need shoppers, servers, cooks and always donations! If you are interested or have any questions please call Gale Theis at 314-952-4333. 

Church School News

For the 2 Sundays that cover Kirkwood School District's Spring Break (March 21st and March 28th), the Church School will do combined classes for church school, more detailed information will follow.
 
April 4th is the annual Easter Egg Hunt (following the 10:00 am service).  They would love an adult helper or two to volunteer to assist.  If anyone is interested they may contact Peggy Capriglione at 314-965-9148 or djcjd@aol.com.  The children will meet in their Church School rooms after the 10:00 service to have an organized beginning of the hunt. 

Grocery Coupons Give Back to Grace!!

It is so easy to give back to Grace when you buy groceries! At NO extra cost to you! If you are a Shop N Save or Dierberg’s grocery shopper, you can purchase grocery cards at our table in Albright Hall after Sunday services. (If you don't have a check we will take credit cards). When you buy the coupons, 5% of your purchase goes to Grace at NO additional cost to you. If you are a Schnucks shopper, you can pick up an Escrip card at our coupon table and call the toll free number on the card and register for Grace church. OR, if you prefer, we will be happy to register for you and you can pick up the card the following Sunday. Once you are signed up, you can hand the card (that you can keep on your key chain) to the Schnucks cashier who then swipes it. Up to 3% of your purchase goes back to Grace. There is NO additional cost to you.

Everyone needs groceries and this a very easy way to Give Back to Grace. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Julie Grossman 314-965-2966

News of our Parish Family

Ruth and Garret Owler’s daughter Mary, had a baby boy, Wesley Robert, on December 22.  His parents are Dr. Robbie and Mary Fitch, Murray, KY.  They also have a 2 year old, Jackson.  Garrett and Ruth were thrilled to be there when he was born and all of their children went to Murray for Christmas with the new little one.

Do you have news of any of our family of faith? Please send us your news— births, graduations, deaths, illnesses, new grandchildren, new jobs, anniversaries, etc. Send to RHarri7176@aol.com.

Pastoral Care

Please call the Church office at 314-821-1806 to contact our clergy.

In case of an emergency at any time, dialing “7” when you hear our answering machine will connect you to the cell phone of the priest on duty (Father Todd or Rev. Emily).

If you are going to be in the hospital, please let us know. We will gladly make arrangements for prayers, anointing, and visits (as you wish).

We have lay visitors and Eucharistic Ministers ready to reach out, that we may seek and serve Christ in one other. Please help us know where there is a need.

Rides Available

If you need a ride to services on Sunday, or would like to volunteer to pick up someone in need of a ride, please contact the Parish office: (314) 821-1806.

Altar Flowers

New sign up sheets are on the kiosk in Albright Hall. Please consider signing up to donate flowers for our church. Help us keep our church beautiful, and keep our shut-ins who receive these flowers in our thoughts and prayers.