This Sunday, the Gospel contains two agriculturally themed parables. These readings give us more reason to celebrate the seeds of faith which have been sowed this year at Grace.

We will begin the celebration at 9:00 am with Young and the Restless Chapel. Here is an example of one way this parish is growing faith in the youngest people God is putting in our path. This vibrant worship uniquely engages infants and toddlers in stories of faith and in relationship with God. 

But the Chapel service isn't the only thing to celebrate. We offer Choral Holy Eucharist at 10:30 am that engages the hearts and minds of those for whom the Anglican worship style resonates. The development of a strong, generous and open community occurs here while we pray and sing as one.

But there is even more to celebrate! We literally offer seeds of faith each Sunday at 10:30 am with the Abundant Life Garden Project. All children are welcome to come and learn about God's work in creation, through the soil and rain, the sun and our own hands. They also tend to the garden which benefits the weekly Sunday meal program at St. Peter's, Beverly. From seeds as little as our children, God produces an abundant crop.

Sunday, we are celebrating the gift of being chosen to bring the love of God to the students in the 4th grade class of the Nathaniel Bowditch School. At 11:30 am on Sunday, there will be a special Coffee Hour as we remember the wonderful year we've had with the Grace Church/ Bowditch School Partnership, hosted by another wonderful group of kids, the Girl Scouts! Come view the booths and video presentation as you enjoy the refreshments.

What? Really? Even MORE to get excited about? 

At 5:00 each week, we provide a way stop, if you will, for people in their search for a more intimate relationship with God, creation and humanity. Our Celtic Meditations is an oasis in the week, a place of refreshment with God. This ministry of radical welcome engages your heart in ways like no other. In just six months, we've offered a unique place of belonging.

Join us Sunday as we celebrate, give thanks, have fun and rejoice in the ways God has used

this parish church in Salem

to plant and nurture the seeds of faith.

 June is Pilgrimage month. It is hard to underestimate the importance of journey or pilgrimage to Celtic Christians. It was central to how they understood the spiritual life. Their understanding may be best expressed in the concept of peregrinatio: a journey without a specific end or goal in mind, a journey undertaken not from duty or necessity but from a passionate inner desire, a journey into the unknown, a journey that is essentially an inner journey to the true self which is in Christ, a journey that must be undertaken, a journey that brings us to our promised home. This is what journey or pilgrimage meant to Celtic Christians. They took seriously the command of God to Abraham in Genesis 12:1 to leave their own place and journey to the land God would show them. As St. Columba said, they sought to leave everything and go on "perfect pilgrimage" in imitation of Christ.

One of the most well known pilgrimages is the Camino de Santiago. Jonathan Simcosky is coming on Sunday to reflect upon his journey which led to the remains of St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The scallop shell, often found on the shores in Galicia, has long been the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. As the symbol of the Camino de Santiago, the shell is seen very frequently along the trails. The shell is seen on posts and signs along the Camino in order to guide pilgrims along the way. The shell is even more commonly seen on the pilgrims themselves. Wearing a shell denotes that one is a traveler on the Camino de Santiago. Most pilgrims receive a shell at the beginning of their journey and either attach it to them by sewing it onto their clothes or wearing it around their neck or by simply keeping it in their backpack During the service Sunday evening, one may choose from a collection of shells to take home as a token of your own heart's trek.

All are welcome to come to this service of healing and prayer.