EPISCOPAL ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE . . .  lick here for all resources

Individuals, congregations, and small groups can download Advent- and Christmas-themed graphics, a customizable video, curriculum, children’s offerings, podcasts, and much more from The Episcopal Church’s annual resource page. See individual listings on the page for resources available in Spanish and French.

We extend a special invitation this year to participate in Forward Movement’s AdventWord, an online Advent calendar that asks individuals, ministries, and congregations to reflect on a single word each day of Advent. Find Canva graphic templates for use in posting the word and a reflection on social media.

Throughout Advent, The Episcopal Church’s social media channels will include posts with basic information about church history, tradition, and more.

Additional resources include the following:

• Customizable Advent promotional video for your congregation

• Artwork from Episcopalian artists depicting Advent and Christmas collects

• United Thank Offering Christmas gratitude game and printable letter to Santa

• “Preparing to Become the Beloved Community” Advent curriculum

• “Prophetic Voices” podcast series for Advent

• “Lesson Plans That Work” for Advent

• Video showing how to make an Advent wreath

• “d365” devotions, written by students and those who work with them

• “Las Posadas: A Journey with Mary and Joseph” churchwide Christmas pageant

• “An Advent Prayer Vigil for Refuge and Home,” a liturgy from Episcopal Migration Ministries

• “Journeying the Way of Love” Advent curriculum

• Episcopal Relief & Development Advent toolkit and St. Nicholas Day resource

• “Advent: Stories of Movement and Migration,” a podcast series with discussion guides and more from the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS . . . It’s that time of year again! The Altar Guild is getting ready to decorate the church with beautiful flowers and greenery for Christmas. We’d love your help in making this season extra special. Could you please donate to help us buy the flowers for our celebrations? You can pick up a Christmas Flower donation envelope in the Narthex this week. Just place it in the collection plate or return it to the church office. Make sure to write ‘Grace Episcopal Church’ on the check and include ‘Christmas Flowers’ in the memo. Thanks a bunch, Altar Guild

ADULT EDUCATION AND STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AT GRACE CHURCH . . .  
 
LECTIONARY STUDY GROUP
Every Sunday as we gather together in worship, we hear various readings from both the Old and New Testaments which form our understanding of God and inform who we are as God’s people. The challenge that many of us encounter as we hear Scripture during worship is that without some familiarity or context, the readings can be difficult to understand. The Lectionary Study Group is an opportunity to discuss themes and prepare for the Sunday liturgy with others in community. This is not a Bible Study, but a lectionary reading group for those who are hoping to gain some background with the readings before Sunday and ultimately to deepen their worship experience.
 
Lectionary Study Group meetings will be on Zoom on the following Thursdays at 7 PM:
December 4 and 18
 
STUDY GROUP WITH BISHOP CARYLE HUGHES, XI BISHOP OF NEWARK
Subject content to be determined
 
Bishop’s Study Group meetings will be on Zoom on the following Tuesdays at 7 PM
January 20 and 27
February 3 and 10
 
SACRED GROUND
Sacred Ground is a film and readings based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family history, economic class, and political and regional identity. The program is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
 
Sacred Ground: Meetings will be on Zoom on Thursdays at 7 PM except where noted.
April 16, 23, 30
May 21 and 28
May 31 Sunday hybrid meeting after church service.
June 4 and 18
June 21 Sunday hybrid meeting after church service.