Dear Grace Family,  

I want to share with you about Camp Firebird, the summer camp of the Diocese of Missouri. I have the joy of being a co-director of this special Camp! But first, a reflection about families: the life of a family today is a busy life and a full life. And into this busyness, we know that children and youth regularly find themselves in spaces where they feel they must “get it right,” as the loving adults in their lives guide, teach, and protect them. Consider - grades, expected behaviors, test results, sports practices and competitions, music performances. All beautiful and important things, and yet, what is the counter-cultural role of church in the life of a young person? What if church was a place where we were not asking our young people to achieve a certain thing, but to be present, to be loved, to engage with God in a way that makes sense to them?  

This kind of culture is what we are intentionally creating at Camp Firebird! 

The healthy relationship between parish life and camp life is crucial for the formation of our young people into the likeness of Christ. A child who goes to camp and has a powerful spiritual experience but goes home to an unfamiliar or inaccessible church life, can be disappointed and feel dismissed. They may start to wonder – was what I experienced at camp even real? And a child who has the privilege of growing up with vibrant faith opportunities in their parish but doesn’t attend places where they can experience Jesus on their own, or with a big bunch of peers and caring adults, may have a faith that seems at times exactly like their parents – and they may wonder, is there anything more? Have I just believed because I’ve been told to?  

Christian summer camp, and Camp Firebird in particular, provide an affirmation to children and youth in their faith exploration, “rubberstamping” what their local parish church is already offering to them. Camp Firebird does this by offering an Episcopalian week long overnight camp for rising 2nd - 10th graders, providing for them the spaciousness of nature; the loving care of staff; play in the pool, lake, high ropes, hikes, streams; deep and age appropriate spiritual formation in small and big groups, and the Christian rhythms of morning and evening prayer. In this freeing and novel week, children and youth - and the adult staff – are shaped heartily in the love of Christ. We ensure safety by the implantation of rules and expectations, and, there is the time for all at camp to take stock, ask the big questions, and to experience the deep and abiding love of Jesus for themselves. 

Peace,  

Erin 

Join Us Sunday!

Sunday School | 9:45 a.m. | Lower Level

Our Pre-K– 6^th Grade.

Adult Formation | 9:00 a.m. | Library
4/26: Post Vestry Discussion

5/3: The Ascension, why do we care?
5/12: Getting ready for Pentecost

Mark Your Calendars

Annual Handbell Concert!!!!

You are invited Sunday, May 3 at 4:00 p.m. in the Nave for the Annual Handbell Concert. The three handbell choirs, St. Dunstan, All Saints and Gloria Deo choirs have been working hard to prepare music to share with you. This event will be followed by a reception in Albright Hall. Please put this on your calendar and plan to attend!!

Grounds Clean Up

We are asking any and all parishoners to help maintain and polish our grounds and gardens! On Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. come and go as you please. We ask that you please bring your own supplies like gloves, rakes, clippers, and etc. We look forward to coming together to help our campus thrive.

Grace on The Go

Grace on the Go will visit the Anheuser Estate in Kimmswick, MO on Friday, May 15 for our last outing before summer break. It costs $10.00 payable at the tour. If you need a ride, meet at Grace at 9:30 a.m. We will have lunch at noon at the Blue Owl.

Manna Bags

Join us at another Manna bag packing event for unhoused St. Louisans between services on May 17 in Albright Hall. Please email Stephanie Prewitt at stephanienolte@yahoo.com for more information. Items that we are looking for, water bottles, protein bars, hats, snacks that can withstand heat that are prepacked and small, travel size wipes, travel size tissues, travel size toothpaste and toothbrushes. Please drop off supplies in the parish office.

Children, Youth and Families

Erin Pickersgill is the co-director of the Diocesan Summer Camp, Camp Firebird. Spots are filling fast so please sign up soon to ensure your young person has a place. Grace would love to contribute to your child's camp costs! Register and see the promo video here: https://diocesemo.org/camp-firebird

• This Sunday, May 3- "Thank you" Brunch for Sunday School Teachers and Youth Leaders after the 10 a.m. Service in the Youth Room. Please RSVP to Erin Pickersgill.

• May 10 - All Ages worship together in the 10 a.m. Service / no separate formation offered

• May 10 - Youth @ Grace! 5 - 6:30 p.m., Youth Room, including dinner, games, Bible study and compline.

• May 17 - Manna Bag Making between services in the Albright Hall; last separate Sunday morning formation for young people before the summer.

• Older children and young people encouraged to join the new intergenerational choir, led by our new Music Director, Cameron Graham! Email him with any questions. 

• We are now recruiting for and training youth acolytes, readers, crucifers, and torchbearers! Please contact Erin or Mary Merriweather (marymerri2002@yahoo.com) to register your interest!

• Dates for Family Nights this summer and Youth Nights are on the fliers below; please mark your calendars and plan to bring a friend.

EYC Alumni Reunion

Calling all college kids! The EYC class would love to see you and catch up for our last day of Sunday school. Please join us on Sunday, May 17, at 9:45 am, in the youth room. Alumni and current EYC students are all welcome and encouraged to attend. We'll have snacks! Hope to see you there!

Birthdays and Anniversaries 


Did we miss your Birthday or Anniversary? Email office@gracekirkwood.org and we will add it to the messenger! On the first Sunday of the month we will have a special blessing for all Birthday and Anniversaries.

Altar Flowers

Help us adorn our worship space by sponsoring altar flowers. Please sign up for a Sunday on the bulletin board in Albright Hall. Your donation can be made in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a special occasion. Please contact Kirkwood Florist for payment. (314) 965-8440

Alert Knitters!! 

Hi, Great Knitters!! You have donated quite a collection of beautiful items for donation. Keep it coming. We can produce some wonderful hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, etc. for those who are out in the cold. If anyone would like to get together for a knitting group, sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board just above the basket. Remember there is plenty of yarn to use in the closet in the LaVielle Room.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 3, 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, April 30
Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. / Choir Room

Sunday, May 3

Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. / Nave
Coffee hour following each Service

Adult Formation 9:00 a.m. / Library -

Children and Youth Formation 9:45 a.m. / Lower Level - The Ascension, why do we care?

Gloria Deo Handbells 11:20 a.m. / Nave
Handbell Concert 4:00 p.m. / Nave - with reception to follow

Tuesday, May 5

Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Wednesday, May 6

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

St. Dunstan Handbells  4:00 p.m. / Nave

All Saints Handbells 7:15 p.m. / Nave 

Thursday, May 7

Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. / Choir room

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.

Quick Links:

Grace Church Website

Grace Church Photo Gallery

Grace Church Prayer List

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

The Episcopal Church

The Anglican Communion

Episcopal News Service

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  

http://www.gracekirkwood.org