Grace Notes: October 18, Blessing of the Animals

AN EARLY FALL HARVEST

Friends, we have an abundant "harvest" taking shape around Grace. What I mean may not be what you think at first. Harvest usually refers to tangible produce that ripens for picking. I'm thinking more in the intangible world. These are things we sense or feel, think or imagine. So, what is Grace harvesting these days?

One Harvest is our growing children. This coming Sunday is "Youth Sunday," when our older children, our Spiritual Fishers, step up to serve — acolyte, lector, greeter, usher. They have been doing this for a while, and now we see their confidence has grown.

Another harvest is our Outreach Program. We've been collecting items for the Showers of Blessing Ministry. The founder, Jordan Verdin, will be with us at the 10 o'clock service this Sunday to share the story and receive our "harvest" of gifts. It's not too late to add a gift. Just bring it Sunday. The desired items list is below.

A small but mighty book discussion group continues meeting on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom. We are reaping a harvest of learning about humility. Did you know that humility makes it easier to confess wrongdoing and to accept forgiveness? And did you know that the most dangerous temptation is judgmentalism? Judging another's behavior, mind, or heart is entering dangerous territory because only God can "weigh all things." Humility teaches radical acts of love by taking radical responsibility to act in love. But radical renunciation is not necessary to grow humility. We don't have to go live in a desert cave or mountain hermitage. We can practice humility right here in the world. Humility is an attitude of the heart, a conviction of the mind that believes that all beings are beloved creatures of God. Didn't we have a wonderful and sweet celebration of blessing our beloved pets last Sunday? That was surely a harvest of love.

Now all you gardening types know that there are fall crops too. I mean crops planted in the fall to harvest in the spring. That, my friends, is like our coming Stewardship season. We will continue planting seeds for our flourishing. Early next year we will reap a harvest of joy, anticipating another year of growth and blossoming.

The Christian life is a journey. Yes, mostly that is an intangible adventure, a symbolic trip through liturgical time, through Kairos, God's time — time outside of time. Many harvests occur through this time as we mature in our understanding of Christ's call to us. Yet we live in this time day to day, week to week, being in community with folks like and unlike us, with people we might not see anywhere else, some we might disagree with over some issues of the day. But Grace People are connected through love by God's amazing Grace, God's endless harvest of joy and fruits of the Spirit that we grow through service and participation and prayer.

So I close by recognizing our most generous harvest of Grace — our fellowship. Thanks to all for being your own beautiful selves.

In Christ's Love,

Nancy+

Upcoming Services & Book Studies

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Youth Sunday

8:30 a.m. — Spoken Holy Eucharist

10:00 a.m. — Holy Eucharist with music
(The 10:00 a.m. service is live-streamed on YouTube)

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

4:00 p.m. — To Love as God Loves Book Study via Zoom

ZOOM LINK

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Healing Service with Eucharist

10:00 a.m.

Bible Study

10:45 — 11:30 a.m.

We will be studying the previous Sunday's lessons.

Thursday, October 29, 2026

Contemplative Prayer Group

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

In the Sanctuary.

(Service information can also be found on our website.)

Sunday Volunteers

Weekly readings can be found on the Lectionary Calendar website. During the Season after Pentecost (Ordinary Times), we read from Track Two.

Meal Train

If anyone needs meals or you need help with the Meal Train sign-up, email Shoshana Aguilar at shoshana.aguilar@gmail.com.

Flowers for Sunday are provided by Michael & Kelly Carr in celebration of Sarah & Peter Carr's birthdays.

Altar flower sign-up sheets are available on the Nursery bulletin board in the Coach House and can be dedicated in honor of or in memory of a special person or occasion. The recommended donation is $40. There are still empty spots available!

We Pray For...

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, we pray especially for William E., Tammy L., Michael S., Doris, Corey, Mirasol, Everett, Elizabeth H., Don W., Ted, Carole, Jenny, Megan, Elizabeth, Jeff, Dana, Nancy, Jack & Family, and Pope Leo.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Church of the Province of Central Africa. In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for St. Paul’s, Yuma, and for migrants and all who minister to them: Lord Jesus, when you multiplied the loaves and fishes, you provided more than food for the body; you offered us the gift of yourself, the gift which satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt, but you poured out your love and compassion on the migrant crowd, welcoming them as brothers and sisters. Amen. In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60).

Prayer List & Ministry

Please contact Pam Wheatland to add a name to the prayer list. Names will be on the list for four weeks and/or ongoing by request. If you are interested in being a part of the Prayer Ministry, please contact Pam Wheatland to be added.

North County Clergy Meeting at Grace

Grace is hosting the North County clergy meeting on October 27, and we will be providing a potluck lunch. If you'd like to provide food, please contact the office. We need someone to make a dessert.

Election Day Prayer Vigil, Nov. 3

Tuesday, November 3, from 9:00 to Noon in the church.

Dìa de los Muertos, Nov. 1

Once again, we will be setting up an ofrenda in the church on Dìa de los Muertos "Day of the Dead." Drop off your loved ones' (humans & pets) photos at the office or in church by Sunday, October 25. You can give your photos to either Sydney Smith or Cynde Durnford-Branecki.

Humanity Showers

During October, the Outreach Committee will collect items from the Humanity Showers wish list. Humanity Showers is a homeless outreach hosted weekly at local churches to provide for a variety of basic needs, including Showers, clothing, and food. Please join us in supporting this servant ministry! There will be a basket in the church to drop off your items.

This Sunday, we welcome Jordan Verdin from Humanity Showers as a special guest speaker at the 10:00 a.m. service. As is our custom, the plate this Sunday will be given to Humanity Showers. Visit their website www.humanityshowers.org for more information.

Emergency Contact Information on Realm

We now have the ability to add an emergency contact person and phone number to your profile on Realm. Go here for instructions. Please contact the office if you are not on Realm or need assistance logging in.

Visit the Calendar Page on our website for all upcoming events.

Convention Youth Program: “And Also with You”

Youth in grades 6–12 are invited to St. Bartholomew’s in Poway on Saturday, November 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a day of games, fellowship, food, and service! Led by the Youth Leadership Council, participants will explore this year’s theme, And Also with You, through the Parable of the Mustard Seed, discovering how small acts of faith can help grow a world where there is enough for everyone. Go here for more info.

Eucharistic Minister Training, Nov. 12

Eucharistic Visitors are licensed lay ministers who extend the Church’s sacramental life to those who are unable to attend worship in person. This online training prepares participants to serve with reverence, care, and pastoral sensitivity as they bring Holy Communion to parishioners in homes, hospitals, and care facilities. Clergy and lay leaders are invited to attend and discern this meaningful ministry of presence and connection. More info.

Online Prayer Service for Our Nation’s Elections

On the night before the midterm elections, join Bishop Susan Brown Snook and Episcopalians from across the Diocese of San Diego for an online service of prayer. Together, we will place our communities, our nation, and one another in God’s care, praying for wisdom, peace, compassion, and the well-being of all people. In a season that can bring uncertainty and division, this service offers space to turn our hearts toward God and remember the hope and unity we share in Jesus. All are welcome to join us online at 6 p.m. on November 2. More info.

Brahms' German Requiem, Nov. 1

Johannes Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) is one of the great masterpieces of the choral repertoire, offering a message of comfort and hope to the living rather than mourning for the dead. Presented in Brahms’ own four-hand piano accompaniment, this intimate version preserves the work’s profound emotional depth and musical grandeur while allowing the text and choral writing to shine with remarkable clarity. Tickets $20 ($10 for students) at stbartsmusic.org

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