Dear Friends,

As I write, I am struck by the word. It is a familiar word to each of us, but we may not often think of its meaning, friendship. In our faith one of the truths that consistently comes up is that we are a people of relationship and union with God and one another. We love one another, forgive one another, pursue Kingdom growing together.

I am thoughtful about as Epiphany has been staying with me. The welcoming of the wise ones by Mary and Joseph into their home – what a moment that must have been. These strangers, clearly ‘other’ by look, dress, speech. But they were welcomed across the threshold, none-the-less. As we consider relationships, maybe we bridge to the word friendship. Aristotle helps us navigate. Aristotle did quite a bit of writing on friendship. P. S Wadell in their work, Friendship and Morality, presents the categories explored by Aristotle as “…friendships of pleasure, friendships of usefulness or advantage, and friendships based on goodness and virtue.” These categories may surprise us, offend us, or may quickly make us think of people in our lives and what place they hold as we relate. One thing I have experienced at Grace is strong desire for authentic relationships and community, really friendships.

Back to the wise ones for a moment. When they came upon that threshold they offered no pleasure, usefulness or advantage and their goodness or virtue was unknown, but they were welcomed, invited in by Mary and Joesph. I would add for relationship/friendship to begin and grow there is a moment, a need for risk where each starts to know and be known. Following risk is discovery and understanding of what type of friendship may be growing. How are we moving through life? What do we value? Do we share common virtues and morality commitments?

As we may grow friendships of goodness and virtue we beautifully experience this Christian love and union God calls us to. Wadell asserts, “Friendships formed from virtue have greater moral possibilities than friendships formed from usefulness or pleasure.” We deeply know and as Christians cannot help but act for the Kingdom together. Now, this does not mean it is no fun – no pleasure, no gain or advantage – but it does mean as we have fun and might experience advantage we also may experience friendship that takes us to new places as we share virtue and take action in our religion and spirituality. We may also grow in our ability to support one another in our journeys.

As we are beginning this new year we will move through small group and programming opportunities – Sacred Ground, Italian Dinner, and Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner to name a few. I invite you to risk and experience them, to know fun and be surprised by what you gain. And to be wowed by the deep camaraderie, love, and oneness in which we may grow.

What is your threshold to cross as we begin this year?

Peace,

Lisa+

Join Us Sunday!

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

Our Pre-K– 6^th Grade.

Adult Formation | 9:00 a.m. | LaVielle Room  

Sunday: Incarnation

Informational Meeting for Sacred Ground Small Group Experience

This is an 11-part series weaving American’s history of race and racism while also focusing on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they connect with European American histories

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/

This program will consist of twelve sessions lasting approximately 1.5 hours.

Interested? Come to an informational meeting this Sunday, January 11 in the Library following the 10:00 a.m. service. At this meeting time we will find a time for the group to meet that works best for all. Please contact Lisa with questions.

Children, Youth & Family Corner

Sun, Jan 25 - Annual Meeting at 10 a.m. One service all together for all ages at 9 a.m. Activities for children during the meeting in the LaVeille Room.

Jan 31 - Feb 1 - Winter Youth Retreat

with other diocesan parishes. Open to 8th - 12th graders. Grace youth only pay $25!



Sat, Feb 7 - Elegant Italian Dinner, Mission Trip Fundraiser. Please email Dianne (diannecasey@sbcglobal.net) to sign your young person up for a volunteering spot (Cooking and Prep - 2/5, Serving - 2/7) 

Mark Your Calendars

January 13

Women's monthly Book Group 10:00 a.m. We will discuss The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood.  Library copies are available if you are interested, please see Ruth Owler or Michele Nicosia.  

January 14

Grace on the Go’s next adventure: We will start the day with lunch at Schafly Tap Room. From there we will proceed to a tour of the Old Cathedral on the riverfront. Ending the day with a tour of the newly renovated Old Courthouse.

We will meet at Grace at 10:45. The tour at the Old Cathedral they are asking for a $5 donation.

Annual Meeting

Grace Episcopal Church's 167th Annual Meeting is quickly approaching on January 25, 2026.  Each year as we approach the annual meeting, we must, according to our bylaws, not only announce the annual meeting is coming but also announce nominees for vestry elections as transitions are taking place. As I mentioned before, the vestry has been looking at our bylaws with the intention of updating and providing greater clarity. As we have done this, we have fallen into some wonderful conversations about vestry size. I have also mentioned before there is no prescription through the Episcopal Church nationally or by diocese on what necessitates vestry size. This is discovered by each parish.

Currently we are having three people roll off an 11-member vestry. Our bylaws state the vestry may vary from 3 to 13 members. This allows for discernment in an ongoing way, likely informed by the needs and size of the church, for what the best size for the vestry is to contribute to the management of the church. In our discussions we landed on going back to a size that existed previously: an 8-member vestry. This takes us back to previous practice, but it also continues to allow our current parish size to have more than adequate representation and ability to carry out church management. Additionally, I see a strength of going to this smaller size once again to perhaps alleviate what may be for some a sense of volunteer fatigue. We are lifting our recruitment of volunteers with a heavy time commitment which may allow for some to have breathing room as they have been involved with vestry over the years while also perhaps providing greater energy for volunteering in other directions of ministry in and through the church. What we will be doing as we approach the annual meeting, as we have been talking about and you have seen in the iMessengers is to nominate delegates for diocesan level leadership. You will be hearing more through the nomination committee. Please consider getting involved!

On Sunday, January 25, we will have one service at 9:00 a.m. followed by the meeting in the parish hall - along with a light breakfast. 

We are looking for servers to help with this special event! If you or your children are interested please contact office@GraceKirkwood.org

Please note: This meeting is the only all-congregation gathering of the year where we reflect on 2025 and plan for 2026. This includes budget, programming, challenges, and hopes. We hope to see you there! 

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

Jewelry and Christmas Boutique

If you are putting away your Christmas items and you didn’t use something or are ready to rehome a Christmas item or items, we will have a container in Albright Hall to collect any sale-worthy items. We have room for a few more small totes packed with items in our space at Grace. We will keep collecting for a week or so to give you time to go through your Christmas items. We accept jewelry year round : ) We are all grateful to our fellow parishioners for their generosity. Questions? Ask Lucy, Carla H. or Liz S.

A Call for Nursey Volunteers

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help in our nursery during our Sunday Services. This is a wonderful way to serve the families that come to Grace. Please reach out to Lisa or Erin if you are interested in this important role. Please note that all nursery volunteers are required to complete a background check and the Diocesan Safe Church, Safe Communities training.

First Sunday after the Epiphany

January 11, 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.

Hunger Barrel Items Needed

Please remember our neighbors in need. Drop your non-perishable food items in Grace’s red hunger barrel in the narthex each Sunday. Your donations are distributed through food pantries at KirkCare and Trinity Episcopal Church.

You can collect these unused items for Trinity Food Pantry and the Person to Person Street Ministry to give to the unhoused. Then, when you return to Grace, deposit your bag in the marked box in the parish hall.

This Week at Grace

Sunday, January 11

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

Coffee Hour following both services in Albright Hall
Formation Hour 9:00 a.m. / LaVielle Room

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

Gloria Deo Handbells 11:20 a.m. / Nave

Tuesday, January 13

Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Book Group 10:00 a.m. / LaVielle Room
Vestry Meeting 7:00 p.m. LaVielle Room


Wednesday, January 14

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, January 15

Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. / Chapel

Our Prayer list requests and updates should be e-mailed to the parish office. Names will be left on the prayer list for one month unless the parish office is notified.

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

Grace Episcopal Church

514 East Argonne Drive

314-821-1806  

http://www.gracekirkwood.org