Messenger
November
– 2008
PH. 314-821-1806, Fax 314-821-7404
VARIETY OF GIFTS
. . .
"Now there
are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; …” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
We owe God everything. We start by recognizing that we are all part of God’s great creation – that everything we have – time, talent and treasure -- is a gift from Him – that these gifts are to equip us for doing His work in the world. We can learn from the strangest of sources – Rush Limbaugh is on target when he talks of “talent on loan from God.” In truth, these gifts are on loan—placed in our stewardship! Our task is to manage those gifts – to use them for ourselves, for our family, for our faith community, and for all of mankind.
We are expected to give from our first-fruits, not our leavings. Each one of us – man, woman, and child – is called to examine what gifts he or she has and determine what in time, talent and treasure he or she will intentionally and unconditionally return to God for the good of His kingdom. The real dialogue is with God, through prayer – and it is intensely personal and often uncomfortable.
Several years ago, Chris Kurth defined stewardship as “what we do with what we have, after we have said, ‘I believe’.” Like the disciples, each of us is asked who do we think Jesus is? Having made that individual determination, the unspoken follow-up question is how do we respond? How do we show that Jesus, present in our lives, makes a difference? The ideal would be to see each one of us – man, woman and child – prayerfully respond with a portion of our substance, not our leftovers, to the extent we are able. Rest assured – whatever happens, God’s work will continue – but the breadth and depth of our “group” output will be directly proportional to the level of commitment and degree of participation from all members of our faith community.
All too often, with imminent budget issues and maintenance requirements, we lose sight of the equally important gifts of time and talent. Grace folk have repeatedly demonstrated themselves to be a warm, loving community in their group response to individual catastrophic needs. We need to remember that there are also opportunities to minister in many ways to our brothers and sisters who may be suffering in quiet desperation – the pastoral care ministries are always looking for volunteers, the unloved children in the City and County Detention Centers cry out for help – and on and on! We can be the face of Christ to our brothers and sisters, if we will but open ourselves to the possibility to serve.
In truth, it’s not about the money – it’s about the
giving. 
Ron
Jones
Workshop Youth!
Episcopal Tools and Talent Gathering for Youth Leaders
November 8,
8:30 to Noon
Grace Episcopal Church,
Free Lunch (‘til 1pm) for all who register in advance
Email: pastorbeckyragland@gmail.com
or therevemily@sbcglobal.net
Or call Grace Episcopal at 314-821-1806
Join the discussion:
-Group Dynamics and Visioning,
-Contextually Relevant Spiritual Formation,
-Mission Trips & Retreats,
-Organizational Skills, Making it Fun,
-Networking across Parishes, and Sharing Resources.
Morning
ends with a roundtable discussion with youth leaders from around the diocese,
including the Rev. Becky Ragland (Diocesan Youth Commission), Kevin Williams
(Emmanuel, Webster Groves), Jerry Butler (St. Stephen's, Ferguson, and the I-70
Corridor Youth Project), Isaac Arten (St.Michael&St.George, Clayton), the
Rev. Emily Hillquist Davis (Grace, Kirkwood), Matt Pressen (Holy Communion,
U.City), Muriel Morley Jahn (St Peter's, Ladue), Barbi Click (Christ Church
Cathedral), Florrie Kohn (St Timothy's, Creve Coeur), and we hope to see you,
too! Questions??? Contact Rev. Emily Hillquist Davis: (314) 821-1806 or therevemily@sbcglobal.net
NEW YEAR, NEW SERVICE Reminder
The Contemporary Family Worship Team has been hard at work preparing for our 3rd Sunday service that begins on January 4, 2009. By the time you read this, you should already have a few details, like our official name, general format, etc. We are VERY excited to have this opportunity to create a new way to celebrate God’s blessings. Keep us in your prayers and give the new service a try in January.
We do have some technical needs such as a new CD player, newer laptop computer to help with video and graphics. If you have any talent in these areas or know of good deals or donations, please let us know! We still need singers and musicians as well—you don’t have to be a professional, just love to play, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect and neither do we (and it’s a good thing, too!)
If you have any questions, or would like to share your
talents in ANY way, please contact Leah Giessing at 314-650-7417 or Leahmygies@prodigy.net 
Giving…
I would
like to get some help from Parishioners with The Trinity Hot Lunch Program for
November and December. Around Thanksgiving, grocery stores have big
sales on
If you spend $50 you
can get a turkey for .29-cents a pound or There About. If we could get
10-15 Frozen Turkeys we have plenty of Freezer Space to keep them, until we
cook them for the folks on November 9th and December 14th.
Terry weirterry@hotmail.com
GOBBLE GOBBLE
November means Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving means food and lots of it. Probably more than most of us really need. But – hard to accept – there are people right here in our area who will not have enough to eat on this day of feasting or, for that matter, many other days.
What can you do?? Take that Outreach envelope you’ll find in your pew and put in a generous donation, or write a check designating it for “Outreach.” The money goes to provide food for needy people through KirkCare, Task Force for the Hungry and the Trinity Hot Lunch program. Do it now. Your turkey and dressing will go down a lot easier. Happy Thanksgiving.
WILL YOU HELP?
The holiday season is coming faster than a freight train going down hill and Women of Grace need all the help they can get to make this year’s cookie & candy event a success. We need contributions of home baked goods, especially Christmas cookies, candy, jellies – whatever is your particular specialty. Also this year we’re selling gently used costume jewelry, books, CDs and DVDs. All proceeds go to outreach and church projects.
Please fill out the form below and place it in the Women of Grace mailbox or give it to Marty O’Leary, Christie Boyle or Shirley Browne.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I will make or bake _____________________________________.
I will donate ___________________________________________,
I will make phone calls ___________________________________.
I will help on the day before the sale (Dec. 5) _________________.
I will help on the day of the sale (Dec. 6) _____________________.
(Name)________________________(Phone #)_________________
Have You Done Your Do’s?
If you’re a woman who attends Grace Church, you are a member of Women of Grace. Sure, you may not be able to attend all of our meetings and functions, but you’re still one of us and we welcome you whenever you are available. We don’t charge dues, but a $10 contribution from each Grace woman helps us “do” quality programs and projects. Even more important, we support outreach efforts like the deep water well for Lui, KirkCare Mother’s Day food collection, the annual Mission Trip, Haven of Grace, Church Women United of Kirkwood and various church needs like the refrigerator and paint for the kitchen and new tables for Albright Hall (to be purchased). We need your support to keep these programs and projects going. Please send your $10 Do’s to Melissa Osborne at 674 Hawbrook, 63122 or just place in the Women of Grace mailbox. And a big THANK YOU for your support.
Safeguarding God’s Child Workshop 
(vital
information. No cost.)
required by the Episcopal Church for clergy, church
employees, and those volunteers who regularly supervise youth activities.
Strongly recommended for
Vestry members & Sunday school teachers.
Saturday,
November 8, 1 to 4p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in
A note from our curate Rev. Emily:
I
am one of the trainers offering these workshops for the prevention of child
sexual abuse. They are chock full of information about how abusers work
themselves into a position of trust to take advantage of children. I
encourage all parents to attend at least the first half of this workshop –
though the whole thing is worthwhile.
The Rev. Emily Hillquist
Davis+, Grace Episcopal &
Choral
Evensong
In Honor of Laura Cobb
Sunday, November 2nd
4 PM
The Choirs of Grace will sing this service in
honor of our fellow musician, Laura Cobb. Many of our college singers are
returning to join us in honoring their dear friend.
We have invited The Amatures, Laura’s A capella group at
An
offering will be taken to help the Cobb’s with medical expenses.
Please
join the choirs and Laura’s family for an afternoon of wonderful music.
Sunday, November 9-Our second Commitment Event will be held at 5:30PM. Look for invitations in the mail and come celebrate our Time, Talent, and Treasure returns for this past year and make a commitment for the coming year. Please drop your reservation form in Lois Russell’s mailbox, mail it in, or call (314) 821-1806, ext. 31 to leave a voice-mail message.
What Makes Grace a
After several marathon meetings reviewing candidate profiles, we have reduced the candidate pool to 32 individuals. We recently sent a package (containing the Parish Profile, example Parish Messenger, and a questionnaire) to each candidate, asking for a resume and questionnaire response within two weeks. We have some very strong candidates. To view a log of our week-by-week progress, please visit the “Rector Search” section of our web site (www.gracekirkwood.org).
We seek a spiritual leader that shares our values, helps us focus on our goals, and possesses the skills and experience described in the Parish Profile. Before discussing our goals (which we will do next month), we wanted to discuss our character and values.
As you enter Grace (either in the Narthex or basement), visit our web site, or read the Parish Messenger, you will find a friendly reminder of what makes Grace special…
Grace Episcopal Church strives to be a growing
spiritual family inviting others to share the journey of discovering and living
out God’s word.
We offer meaningful and joyous worship in the Anglican
tradition, Christian teaching relevant to everyday life, and diversified
fellowship and support programs that will enable personal and spiritual growth.
Our clergy, staff and members create a friendly, fun-loving and caring atmosphere.
The Parish Profile provided to candidates talks about past successes and shortfalls. We seek a rector that will help us practice the values described in our mission and frequently refer us to it. When we have difficult decisions to make, will our action(s):
- Promote being a growing spiritual family
that invites others to discover and practice God’s word?
- Enhance meaningful and joyous worship?
- Enhance Christian teaching relevant to
everyday life?
- Enhance fellowship and support programs
that further personal and spiritual growth?
- Promote our (clergy, staff, and members)
actions to be friendly, fun-loving and caring?
When a visitor asks about Grace, recall our mission when describing us. When you witness a parish member doing a good deed - thank them, and tell them that they are what make Grace a special place.
Please keep Grace in your prayers as we search for a passionate and dynamic rector that shares our mission, embraces us for who we are, and strengthens us for what we can become.
The Rector Search Committee
Upcoming Events for High School Teens
MIDDLE SCHOOL
FALL MIXER, SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 1ST,
7:30-9PM
There will be a DJ and refreshments
in Albright Hall. Invite all your
friends. Watch for more information in
the next couple of weeks. High School teens please put this on your calendar;
all proceeds go toward funding the Mission Trip.
Teen-Led Worship ― Nov. 16th ― 10a.m. service
All missioners need to participate.
Rehearsal: Saturday, Nov. 15th ― 9a.m. to noon. More
rehearsals to be announced.
Set-up the day of: Sunday, Nov. 16th ― 9a.m.
Lunch & fun to celebrate: after the service ‘til 12:30 or 1 pm
The Vine Presents 
Tools for Tough Times
Practical help
in this current financial crisis, including tools for:
11/2: “Living Paycheck to Paycheck”
11/9: “Housing Costs and Options”
11/16: “Affordable
11/23: “Food: Frugal, Fun and Filling.”
11/30: “Managing your Credit”
Local experts, helpful information, fellow community
members all coming together to offer joint support and practical tools for
people facing these tough times.
Sundays 1 – 2:30
@
33 N Clay at
Darst in
For more
information go to: http://thevinestl.blogspot.com/
Email: episcopalians@gmail.com or call
314.753.7911
Advent Lessons
& Carols November 29th at 4 PM
14th Annual Candlelight Service
foretelling the coming of the Savior.
Based on the ceremony which originated at
King’s College –
Prepare the way of the
Lord.
Make
a straight path for the One who comes.
Watch and wait, on the tiptoes of
your soul.
Advent
Dinner
following Lessons & Carols
Proceeds go to RSCM
Summer Camp Scholarships
It’s Time to Think “Bazaar”
This year’s holiday bazaar is scheduled for
Saturday, December 6 and it’s not too soon to start planning your contribution.
Are you handy at making candy? Do you ache to bake? Get those recipes ready.
Someone will be calling you. If you don’t know a measuring spoon from a
ramekin, you are still needed. Save your gently-used books, CDs, DVDs and
costume jewelry. We’ll have a special sale of those items. Marty O’Leary,
Christie Boyle and Shirley Browne are heading up this year’s efforts. If you
can help in any way, please speak to one of them soon.
Merry 
Christmas!
This year for
our Christmas celebrations, the Christmas Wreath, a symbol of faith,
strength, and eternity, will help us focus on the true meanings of
Christmas. When made of evergreen leaves and branches, the wreaths
symbolize hope and new life in the wintry months of the Christmas season. Our
congregation at Grace has been celebrating this joyous holiday together for
many years, and like the circle and evergreens of the wreath, we will be
continuing on for many to come.
Please join the celebration this
season at our
Annual Hanging of the Greens Party
December 21st
Following the 10 o'clock service
If you would
like to participate in making the wreaths and other fun holiday decor
creations, please contact Rachel Major at RMajor@stlouisco.com
Grace On The
Go
Christmas party
Please join us for
the Grace On The Go Christmas party on Sunday,
December 7 at the home of Collette and Dick Feldges,
Warm Scarves for Trinity Free Hot Lunch
Clients
Calling all knitters
and crocheters to participate in creating washable wool or synthetic fiber
scarves to be blessed at Diocesan Convention November 21 and 22, then wrapped
and presented to the free lunch clients at
Scarves should be
7" x 60" and navy, dark green, grey, black, or tweed. Instructions
and suggested patterns are in the narthex. Please return your completed scarves
to the collection box in the narthex by Tuesday, November 18, so they can be
delivered to convention by our delegates. If this drive is an amazing
success, the organizers could branch out to other food pantries and/or youth in
detention... if not this year, then next!
Grace on the Go to
On a perfect October day, 15 Grace parishioners
explored historic sites in
Women of Grace welcome a Favorite Visitor on November 18
Beth Vaccaro, resident counselor at Care & Counseling, will make her third visit to Women of Grace on Tuesday, November 18. A popular guest over the past several years, Ms. Vaccaro addresses topics that touch everyone’s lives and deal with our relationships with others. As is our custom, we will enjoy a brown bag lunch at noon (drinks and dessert provided) with Ms. Vaccaro’s remarks following at 1:00 P.M. Join us for an inspiring discussion.
On Sunday, November 23, Grace Church will collect its fall
United Thank Offering, more commonly known as “UTO.” UTO is a program of the Episcopal Church for
the mission of the whole Church, founded and administered by women since
1889. Please consider a generous donation
to UTO in thanksgiving for the daily blessings of our lives.
The Parish Calendar is fully on our website, so if you want
to know what is going on in our Parish, go to www.gracekirkwood.org,
and click on the Calendar link. If you
want to add something to it, contact Rebecca Harrison at Rharri7176@aol.com,
or call her at (314) 791-7149.
Poinsettia
The choirs will be taking
orders for Poinsettias on Sundays
November 9th, 16th and 23rd. Available will be 4” Pixie Red, and 6½ Deluxe
Red, Pink or Marbled.
Orders can be picked-up
on Sunday, December 7th.
Name:___________________________________________
Qty Type Price Total
|
|
4” Pixie − RED |
$5.50 |
|
|
|
6½”
Deluxe − RED |
$10 |
|
|
|
6½” Deluxe − PINK |
$10 |
|
|
|
6½” Deluxe − MARBLED |
$10 |
|
|
|
||
Please mail this
form along with a check to:
Grace Episcopal
Church
514 E.
ORDERS MUST BE
RECEIVED BY
MONDAY, NOV. 24th
