Dear Friends,

I write this as we are walking through midterm elections. These hold critical issues and stir my sense of gratitude and responsibility as I have voted. While this is happening, I am also about three-quarters through the biography James Monroe by Tim McGrath. As you know, James Monroe was our fifth president, serving two full terms from 1817-1825. One of the major milestones of his tenure was the signing of the Missouri Compromise in 1820.

The Missouri Compromise centered the balance of power between slave-owning states and free states. The leadership of the time allowed for a little-known senator from Illinois, Jesse B. Thomas, to propose an amendment that would bubble up through the ranks and become the Missouri Compromise. Thomas’ amendment allowed for slavery in Missouri while banning it above the 36^th parallel – which forms the southernmost edge of Missouri. What an inventive compromise to bring everyone to closure on the vote. This Compromise worked for 30 years as states continued to be admitted to the union.

I have been learning through this biography some things that underline relationships, leadership, and moving in a direction. The Missouri Compromise highlights all three. These also somehow converge for me with this election. With Monroe, and with his predecessors – as well as in our now – everybody did not get along politically. We think our now is bad, but whew. These folks had some hate and anger as they found their way. What I see as the Missouri Compromise was discovered is the reality that all of those in leadership – in groups, as individuals of both high and lower rank – listened. They listened when they agreed, they listened when they did not. Everyone had their turn. They vehemently opposed one another and broke bread together at the end of the day. Monroe uniquely to prior presidents, approached issue and circumstances by listening before ever attempting to persuade and trusting conversation would lead to discovery of solution. Such patience, and such value for others.

In this season, may we know patience, value of other, and listening more and more.

Peace,

Lisa+

Collect For Guidance, Book of Common Prayer, p. 832

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Charitable Giving

There are many ways to make gifts to charities, from the typical means of giving cash, writing a check or putting it on a credit card. But there are a number of ways to make such gifts that might be more tax efficient. Over the next several weeks we will cover a number of such strategies.

Gifting of appreciated securities from a taxable investment account – Donating long-term (held for more than one year) appreciated securities (i.e. stocks, bonds, or mutual funds) directly to a qualified charity allows you to bypass federal and state capital gain taxes that would apply if you were to sell the security and then send a check to a qualified charitable organization. If you itemize, you will be able to deduct as a charitable contribution the full market value of the security donated.



Please review with your professional advisor which charitable giving strategy might be best for your situation. There might be dollar limits to the strategies that should be discussed with your professional advisor.

Join Us Sunday!

Sunday School | 9:55 a.m. | Lower Level

Our Pre-K– 6^th Grade

Adult Formation | 9:00 a.m. | Library
This Sunday - Digging Deeper

Youth at Grace | 5:00 p.m. | Youth Room

Mark your Calendars

Bishop's Visit

Sunday, November 22, one service at 10:00 a.m. - Bishop will meet with Vestry at 8:30 a.m. in LaVielle Room, all are welcome. Bishop to meet with Confirmands at 9:15 am in the Library.

Advent Wreath Making

Sunday, November 22, in Albright Hall at 9:00 a.m. and after combined 10:00 a.m. Service. All are welcome.

Diocesan Convention

Saturday, November 14, is our annual convention. All are invited to our Saturday offerings.

Cookie and Jewelry Sale

Saturday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The Grace Jewelry/Christmas Boutique is better than ever and part of the Holiday Cookie Sale. Please donate Jewelry before Sunday, November 29. Jewelry can be dropped off in the box label “Jewelry” in Albright Hall. We usually collect Christmas items at the same time but you have already been so generous that we are out of room! Thank you so much for your support!

Sign up sheet below for cookies. Deadline for cookie drop off is December 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. You may store your cookies in the kitchen freezer prior if needed.

Sign up for fall 2026 coffee hour - 10:00 a.m. service

Children, Youth and Families

• Sunday School is available every Sunday from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m., in the lower-level classrooms, for K-5th grade. 

• Our nursery is available during our 10:00 a.m. Service for newborns - preschoolers.

• YAG (Youth at Grace) is on the first three Sundays of the month, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. YAG is for all middle and high school students (6th - 12^th grade).

• Looking ahead: All Age Advent Wreath Making - Sunday, November 22nd, between services in Albright Hall. Cookie & Jewelry Sale - Saturday morning, December 5th, with volunteer opportunities for youth on 12/4 and 12/5. 

• Are you wondering how to support our children and youth program? Please reach out to Erin to see how you can help!

If you are a family at Grace with babies, children or youth, please take some time to get on Erin's Family E-News which comes out weekly!
 Email erin.pickersgill@gracekirkwood.org

Walking the Mourners Path 
Begins week of November 9th


Walking the Mourners Path is an 8-week small group workshop based Christian grief program. Grief comes from loss in a variety of ways. Loss or separation may be through death, change of relationship, job, housing, finances among other situations or circumstances. We grieve in our now because we love. Grief is love in the now our separation. This group will seek to meet for 8 consecutive weeks while seeking to accommodate schedules.

Contact Lisa by email, text, or phone if you are interested in participating or have any questions: lisa.corry@gracekirkwood.org or 978.590.8382

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost - Proper 27

November 8, 2026

8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.



You may also join us at 10 a.m. through Facebook @GraceChurchKirkwood

or on our webpage at www.GraceKirkwood.org

Nursery Sunday hours are 8:45 a.m until 11:15 a.m. each Sunday.

Thursday, November 5
Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Sunday, November 8
Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. / Nave

Coffee hour following both services
Formation hour 9:00 a.m. / Library- Digging Deeper

Sunday School (K-5) 10:00-10:30 a.m. / Lower level

Gloria Deo Handbell Rehearsal 11:15 a.m. / Nave

Youth at Grace 5:00 p.m. / Youth Room


Tuesday, November 10

Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Wednesday, November 11

Men's Breakfast 8:00 a.m. / Spencer's Grill

St. Dunstan Handbell Rehearsal 4:15 p.m. / Nave

All Saints Handbell Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. / Nave


Thursday, November 12

Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Mission Statement

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey,

Grace Church welcomes you as we follow Jesus together through a life of worship, love, and action.

Our Core Values

Worship: We believe worship is the heart of the church, shaping and connecting us with one another and God. In our Christ-centered worship and sacrament, we learn and grow spiritually.

Love: We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where each person is seen, heard, valued, and accepted.

Action: Service within and beyond our parish enriches our faith, strengthens our community, and keeps us relevant as we spread the word of God.

The iMessenger is a weekly publication of Grace Church. If you have information you would like included, please contact the church office by Wednesday before noon.

 Office@GraceKirkwood.org 

Grace Episcopal Church

514 East Argonne Drive

314-821-1806  

www.gracekirkwood.org