Dear Friends,

This Sunday, we will have our annual commemoration of St. Patrick. One of our favorite local musicians, Larry Young, will be with us to offer us music in the Celtic tradition.

When we remember Patrick, we recall the myths around him: explaining the theology of the Trinity using a sprig of clover, the way he and his men changed into deer while praying the Lorica as others lay in wait to kill them. These myths highlight some of the things we know about this saint, such as his deep theological understanding of the mystery of the Godhead and the power of prayer to protect and direct

Patrick was also a great evangelist. Having been in captivity in Ireland, he knew of the culture, language and images familiar to his captors. Upon his escape and then return as a priest and bishop, Patrick upheld their beliefs and translated them into the power of the resurrected Christ. He started where they were, respecting their culture, and then offered his understanding of that through the lens of Christianity.

This Sunday, as we pray the Lorica and hear a bit more about Celtic Spirituality as it relates to our Gospel for the day, may we too grow ever closer to the Triune God.

In the Way of Love,

Debbie

This Sunday

Parish Prayer List

Please keep the following in your prayers:

For the peaceful repose of the souls of Diane Rowand Burns and Frank Goodhue, Jr., and for Jeremy Parker, Deb Young, Diane Rowand Burns, Cindy Rhodes, Ron, , Linda Layne, Daniel Brundige, Evan Wagner, Garrett Graves, Gerald Tucker, Allison Mascolo, Melissa Glassman, Max Joyce, Inga, Henry, and Lucas, Mel, Melissa Glassman, Corey MacNeil, Helen Phillips, Zan Duffy, Dianne, Sarah Colvin Duffy, Michael Towey, Jenny, Loretta and Kris, Deb Papps, Derek Fuller and Family, the people of Palestine, and Ukraine; for the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, the Salem Public Schools and for an end to racism, war, anti-Semitism, gun violence and oppression. If you have prayer requests, please email regathering@gracechurchsalem.org by Tuesday at noon for publication in that week's e-news.

Knitting Group Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

Love to knit? Want to learn how? Looking for something to do during these dark winter evenings? Come to Grace Church and join others as we knit together as an outreach activity. We meet from 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the Common Room. We hope to see you there!

Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent

(from The Episcopal Church)

Throughout Lent, come along with us as we explore Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent, produced by Hillary Raining and Jenifer Gamber. You can find resources mentioned below at iam.ec/lifetransformed.

Sunday, March 19

Today’s Practice: Watch the Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining’s video at iam.ec/lifetransformed for Week 4. The rest of the week's meditations are found at that site.

On This Land: A Lenten Anti-racism Retreat

Holy Week Schedule

April 2: Sunday of the Passion - Palm Sunday at

10:00 am and 4:00 pm

April 6: Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 pm

April 7: Good Friday service at 7:00 pm

Easter Services

April 8: Easter Vigil at 7:00 pm

April 9: Easter Day at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm

Lambing Season: A Miracle on the Farm

Every spring, the miracle of birth occurs on farms. Grace church parishioner Jane Stewart,who works on a local farm, has graciously extended an invitation for four small groups to come and see newly born baby lambs on two dates in April.

The groups are limited to ten persons and are carefully spaced so as not to stress the animals. Interested parishioners (and friends) need to sign up in advance.

Peggy Carter has offered to manage the signup sheet. The available time slots are:

Saturday, April 15: 10:30 to 11:30/12:00 - 1:00

Saturday April 22: 10:30 to 11:30/12:00 to 1:00

To signup, please see Peggy after church or email her at Margaret_Carter@comcast.net with you time slot preference(s).The address is Goats to Go, 201 Pond Street, Georgetown, MA. Visitors coming to see the baby lambs should dress for the weather, wear old shoes or boots, leave dogs at home, and carpool if possible.

Don't delay in signing up as this is a unique opportunity and slots are limited!

Grace Church in Diocesan Newsletter

The article about Hats OFF that our journalist in residence, Lou Ann Faria wrote is in this month's diocesan newsletter. You may find it here.

Mrs. Diane Burns, 90, of Salem passed away on Saturday, March 11th, 2023 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late James C. and Margaret (Little) Miller. She was the beloved wife of James Burns, with whom she celebrated 20 years of marriage.

Mrs. Burns was a lifelong resident of Salem, graduation from Salem High School. After graduation she met her first husband, F. Elliott Rowand, and they began their family. Diane took pride in raising her children and taking care of the home. She later began dedicated to her volunteer work at Salem Hospital. She was also a member of Grace Church and the Salem Yacht Club.

Later in life Diane met her second husband, James Burns, and enjoyed traveling around the states. They would often make the drive to Florida to visit family, making stops along the way. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. A Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother- she will be dearly missed.

Diane is survived by her children; David Rowand of Salem, Dana Rowand and his wife Ann of Beverly, and Deborah Lewis of Danvers, and her brother William Miller of Beverly, in addition to many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her first late husband F. Elliott Rowand, her second husband James Burns, and her brother James Miller.

Services for Diane will be held at a later date.