Dear Friends,

Can somebody please explain to me how something can be both new and improved? Anyways, this week I am thinking about what new things might be afoot and how I can improve my life by deepening my faith. For some, their relationship with the Holy One might be new. The Church acknowledges this by making the first Sunday after the Epiphany a celebration of both our Lord's Baptism and offering Holy Baptism to new Christians. For others, renewing their commitment to following the Way of Love will improve the quality of their lives. The Church acknowledges this by considering Epiphany to be a time when we manifest God's love in mission.

Aspects of our faith can be both new and improved I guess, but I am not so sure how it works with detergent. I hope this is one of the many mysteries we can explore together during this season of Epiphany!

In the Way of Love,

Debbie

This Sunday

Parish Prayer List

Please keep the following in your prayers:

Jeremy Parker, Cindy Rhodes, Ariana Ortega, Ron, James Phillips, David Stonehouse, Linda Layne, Daniel Brundige, Whitney Goodhue, Evan Wagner, Garrett Graves, Gerald Tucker, Allison Mascolo, Melissa Glassman, The Bishop-Tanquay Family, Max Joyce, Inga and Todd and Family, 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, Afghanistan, and Ukraine; 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. week's e-news. If you would like to add someone to our prayer list, please email gcis1@verizon.net.

Christmas Memorials and Thanksgivings

In loving memory of:

Sandra Erskine

Mary Florence Barnes

Gordon and Ruth Shemkus

David and Lena Schnopp

The Birchmore Family

The Tucker Family

Anne Busteed

Louise and William Collins

Jon Papps

Barbara Hawkes

Marc Hawlena

The Faria Family

The Seelig Family

The Cole Family

Anne and Pitt Willand

Edith Abbot

Madeline Thomas

Edward and Mary Carter

The Moar Family

The MacNeil Family

The Skeadas Family

The McNamara Family

Betty and Bill Gaither

George Harris

Carlton, Verna and Martha Topliffe

Marion and Neeva Beasley

Alvin and Persis Watts

Robert Rhodes

Helen Watson-Felt

Colin Felt

Dick and Elisabeth Thomas

Alice Watson

Catherine “Ma” Bertrand

Juan and Maria Garza

The Wagner Family

The Wendler

The Phillips Family

Bob McDonough

Jeff Wells

Mildred Weir

Judy Rhodes

Guy and Blanche Ambrifi

John Ambrifi

Reginald and Mary Perrott

Tommy Perrott

Norman and Vera Young

Natalie and Gary Young Jr.

In thanksgiving for:

The birth of Isamu (Sam)

Melby-Thompson

The ministry of Hugh MacKay

Helen Harris

Blessings of friends and new life

Jena and Colby

Gordon and Beth

Mikey and Mary

New Outreach Endeavor:

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem



The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem have a new home! As of January 9th, we will open our doors to these 20 or so delightful children aged 6 to 12 each weekday afternoon from 2-6 when school is in session.

The BGCGS mission statement reads as follows: “We believe that all kids deserve a safe, fun and supportive community. At the Boys & Girls Club we nurture, value and inspire our young people. We build usable skills, enhance self esteem and promote a culture of high expectations.”

Their mission helps us fulfill our own. Equipped with our experience with the Bowditch School Partnership, we can open our hearts as well as our building to this well respected organization.

To welcome them, we will stay after church on the 8th and make banners and other items of hospitality over refreshments. May God be with us as we partner with BGCGS in nurturing and inspiring our young people.

January 8th: Gifts for Grace from the Magi

On January 8th, as we celebrate both the baptism of Jesus and the arrival of the Kings, we will again bring gifts for the church building. Some suggestions for needed items this Epiphany:

Bricks:        For $100 you can buy an engraved brick

Flowers:     For $50 you may have flowers on the altar

Altar Items:  

Candles - Either make a donation or speak to Laura Beasley -Topliffe as to where you may order altar candles.

Gluten free communion wafers.

Celtic Service:

Bic type lighters are always needed

Tea lights

Gluten free flour

Fellowship: Coffee

Antiracism: Books for the Little Free Library

Anything else you’ve noticed that would be helpful!