THIS WEEK’S READINGS
Ezekiel 17:22-24, Psalm 92:1-4,11-14, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10,14-17, Mark 4:26-34

THIS WEEK'S WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday

10 AM The Holy Eucharist (bulletin)

Today we welcome The Rev. Joyce McGirr as our visiting priest.

SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . is held at 10 AM each Sunday for grade school age children (kindergarten to 5th grade). After their lesson and activity, the children will join the congregation for communion. The next meeting of Sunday School will be on July 14.

ABOUT THE SEASON AFTER PENTECOST . . . The Season after Pentecost is the “ordinary time” of the Church, the time of the Church’s pilgrimage on her way to the Kingdom of God. During these weeks between Pentecost and Advent the Church explores her life, role and place in the narrative that began with Creation (and the fall) and leads to the Redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Church by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost to be Christ’s Body, carrying out Christ’s mission, until his coming again.

FATHER ANTHONY WILL BE ON MILITARY LEAVE . . . from May 10 to August 16 as he attends the Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. Father Anthony will learn skills expected of every officer in the US Army in addition to training specific to chaplains. He will return to Grace Church right after Labor Day. Please hold Father Anthony, Paula and Anthony III in your prayers.

UPDATE FROM FR. ANTHONY . . .

June 8, 2024
 
Dear friends,
 
Greetings from Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC!  I’m grateful to finally have a little time to write to all of you and to provide an update.  
 
My time at Fort Jackson is going well, and I am already nearly finished with the first part of the course. The past three weeks have been challenging physically and mentally, but I am learning a lot of new things and I have met some wonderful people. There are 94 students attending the course from a variety of traditions, evangelical Protestants making up the largest group. Approximately 70 percent of the students have had prior military experience and about the same percentage are Army Reserve or National Guard with the remaining student body on active duty.  There are three other Episcopalians attending the course and two other people from New Jersey.
 
My days are typically 13 hours long and consist of physical training, lectures, marching formations and other military drills and exercises.  I have enjoyed learning about Army writing and briefing procedures and many of the lessons on effective leadership. I dislike marching in the middle of the day when it’s ridiculously hot and humid and being yelled at by a 25 year old drill sergeant. Since most days begin with a 4 AM wake up time, I often feel tired by 2 PM. We aren’t permitted to drink much coffee to avoid dehydration issues which makes the afternoons a bit challenging.    
 
Some of the more interesting events have been outside of the classroom. I have completed one obstacle course that involved a number of physical exercises (my platoon came in first place!) and I repelled by rope down a 40 foot wall.  Last week I experienced the gas chamber which is an exercise in trusting your equipment and remaining composed when feeling pain and fear.  We have completed an easy one mile ruck march and a more challenging 2.5 mile ruck in full uniform with a 30Ib pack. In the upcoming weeks we will have a 5 mile ruck march then a 10 mile ruck in early August.  Pray for me.
 
On Sundays we are permitted to explore local churches within 25 miles of Fort Jackson.  I have visited two Episcopal churches, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, a Greek Orthodox parish and a general Protestant service on base. I look forward to visiting other churches while I am here and exploring more of the local area. 
 
My love and appreciation for the Episcopal Church has only deepened since I arrived here.  I am thankful and proud of our liturgical tradition, our theology and our efforts to be an inclusive and welcoming church.  Every denomination has its problems and the Episcopal Church is no exception, but I am thankful to call the Episcopal Church home.
 
I miss all of you and I look forward to returning to Grace Church in September.   I have already created a parish schedule for September 2024-July 2025, and I am excited for the adult formation opportunities and fellowship events that are planned.   We will continue to build excitement around youth ministry and celebrate our services with reverence and devotion.
 
God bless all of you. I will send another update in July.
 
Peace,
Father Anthony+