Last night, we had our first virtual choir rehearsal. Larry had prepared great warmup and vocalization exercises to begin our Zoom session. Larry was in the church building playing, and we were each at home, muted, singing along. For me, seeing him at the keyboard near where we usually rehearse helped me feel as if we were there in person. I suspect for him, just seeing our faces, voices muted, was disconcerting.
One advantage to this kind of rehearsal is that you clearly only hear your own voice with the accompaniment. As you sing along, you can hear those places where you are spot on and work to get that part second nature. You can also hear those spots that require more work. You can attend to them without worrying about disturbing the person next to you.
We will be sending in our own recordings of our parts to the anthem, "Have you heard God's voice?" arranged by Frederick Chatfield with words and tune by Jacqui G. Jones
The piece challenges us to listen to how God wants us to use our voice to speak up for justice and peace. Just as Larry will take each of our unique voices and blend them together to create this anthem, may our voices be raised as one, in the Way of Love.
In the Way of Love,
Debbie
This Sunday
This Sunday, in a continuation of the speech by Jesus as to how a community of faith relates to one another, he answers Peter's question about forgiveness and then tells a parable that brings the subject home.
At 10:00 am, Debbie is preaching and Helen Watson-Felt and Barbara Layne are assisting. Our last evangelism epistle comes from Luke Tanguay. Please join us via Zoom or on Facebook Live. Following the service will be some announcements.
At 4:00 pm, Joanna Troy is sharing a reflection during Celtic Evensong. Ryan Patten, Eric Wagner, and Debbie Phillips will be playing music from the Celtic and Episcopal traditions. This service will be livestreamed on Facebook Live.
If you would like to offer a 2-3 minute reflection for upcoming services, please email [email protected].
Please join us wherever you are
in your search for meaning.
Everyone is welcome at any and all services at Grace Episcopal Church
Upcoming Service Leaders
September 20:
Steve Allen, lessons Caroline Watson-Felt, prayers
Paul Massari, Celtic Evensong
September 27:
Tom Gaither, lessons Cynthia Duda, prayers
TBD, Celtic Evensong
October 4:
Brian Fizer, lessons Katie LaBonte, prayers
Paige Nalipinski, Celtic Evensong
October 11:
Andrew Bishop, lessons Luke Tanguay, prayers
Emily Motherwell, Celtic Evensong
Conversations: Systemic Racism
The leadership of Grace Church has committed to facilitating conversation that enables us to consider how racism impedes our growth as individuals, as a faith community, and as a country. They will be hosting small, virtual “cottage meetings” that will help us begin to examine this spiritual subject. Racism is so embedded in all aspects of our lives that we can miss its impact on our lives. This conversation will open up ways for us to free ourselves from its control.
You will receive information and invitation to these conversations in a few weeks, with most of the meetings occurring the last two weeks in September. These will be small, safe groups to voice our stories, concerns and hopes. This is one of the roles of a community of faith, to walk with one another as we strive to fulfill God’s dream. Please step out in faith and join us as we consider how we can live in a liberated and loving world.
Healthy Initiative
We asked members of Grace Church Salem to either take up a healthy challenge the month of September, or to sponsor someone who has. We have people from 1 to 93 joining in this challenge. Our 1 year old is committing to taking a nap each day after lunch and is looking for sponsors to motivate her to do that (I suspect it's more her mother who is looking such motivation!) Our 93 year old has committed to walking up and down 250 stair steps every day (roughly 20 flights of stairs! Debbie is very grateful for her mother's participation and hope you'll join her in sponsoring her mother.) Other routines people are taking on are laughing each day, running, walking, and working out. We have 25 fitness friends who have taken up this challenge.
A number of people are cutting out less than healthy habits instead (I call these the Lenten people). These include smoking, drinking diet soft drinks, snacking after 9, checking the phone first thing in the morning, coffee and ice cream.
Every bit of the money received goes to support the administrative costs of our partnership with the Bentley School, an elementary school of the Salem Public Schools. We've already bought books for the scholars involved in our summer book clubs and we are getting ready to start a pen pal program. The monies we receive will defray the cost of stationary, postage and management of the program. The Dean of Student Success is already excited about the success of our partnership and is working with me to plan other fun endeavors.
Many of you have already committed to sponsoring these fitness friends. Although the challenge began last week, there is still time to start yours. If you'd like to either take on a challenge or be a sponsor, contact [email protected] to get more information, or simply send your gift to Grace Church via check or through paypal on our website. Please make a notation that it is for the fitness challenge.
Yay team! Let's get healthy for our own sake and for our schools!
New Bentley Endeavor
Beginning in 2 weeks, about 20 Grace Churchers will be penpals to a class from the Bentley School. Each week for 6 weeks, letters will be exchanged via the mail. The scholars will be learning how to write letters and we will be learning what life is like for them.
If interested in being a penpal, please let Debbie know.
Weekday Services at Grace Church
Need a quick pick me up? Why not log into our Facebook page on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 am for morning prayers? An evening service is offered each Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
