Timely Grace
The Weekly Pulse of Grace Episcopal Church, on the Capitol Square
February 1, 2008
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	Contents
Worship Ministries
Camp Webb
Pancake Races
Ash Wednesday
Brunch for Bibles
Lent
Feb. Book Club
Meals on Wheels
Forgiveness Workshop
Estate Sale
Spirituals Gifts


A thank you to Eliot Raymond - who spent the earlier part of his Snow Day helping to fold and label the newsletters on Wednesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	Shelter Meal February 4th
Even if you are unable to serve at our shelter meals, you can still help out by making a donation or preparing a specific dish to drop off at church. Contact Sarah Watts for each meal's specific menu and needs or consider writing a check specifically for shelter meals. Make all checks out to Grace Church and indicate "Shelter meal" in the memo. THANKS! Sarah and Sparky Watts: togracesheltermeal@gmail.com or 244 9424. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	Altar Guild
Mark your calendars! We will be meeting in the Guild Hall in between the two Sunday services this Sunday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	Winter Fest
Madison's Annual Winter Fest will be taking place this weekend. Please note that the Capital Square will be closed and street parking may be limited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	Choir Appreciation
Rector's Guild will be giving an appreciation luncheon for the Chancel and Junior Choirs on Sunday, February 10 after the 10A.M. service in the Guild Hall. Due to this special event, Coffee Hour will be held in the Undercroft (lower level in the hallway near the classrooms) that day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Offering envelopes are now available at the back of church for those who requested them. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	Grace Food Pantry Needs You (and your twist ties)
The Food Pantry repackages bulk items such as rice, flour, sugar and beans and we need twist ties to close up the plastic bags we use. Please scour your cupboards, garbage bag boxes, and other hiding places for all those twist ties you don't use! We will put your twist ties to good use! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	Coffee Hour is looking for volunteers
Many thanks to the parishioners who have volunteered as hosts for Coffee Hour these past few months. Pat Pollock brews the coffee but we are always looking for new smiling faces - serve with a friend, your family, or just yourself! You can sign up in the Guild Hall or contact Amanda Farrow or Carol Schmid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	This Week's Worship Ministers
Acolytes (7:45) Pat Pollock (10:00) Allie Dyer Nabu Mukasa Martha Ferris Maggie Johnson Clair Johnson Eloit Raymond Lay Readers (7:45) Pat Pollock (10:00) Michael Ferris Deb Anken-Dyer Eucharistic Ministers (7:45) Pat Pollock Barbara Wood (10:00) Carol Schmid Barb Karlen Mitch Nakaue Prayers of the People Judy Rose Ushers John Schmid Chuck Dyer Bob Longstreth Sue Saunders Tellers Michael Ferris Judy Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

	Sunday Schedule
7:45am - Holy Eucharist, Rite I 8:45-9:15am - Junior Choir rehearsal 9:00am - Adult Education programs 9:15am - Church School (ages 4-12) 9:15am - Adult Choir rehearsal 10:00am - Choral Holy Eucharist, Rite II 11:30 - Youth Group 12:00pm - La Santa Misa (Holy Eucharist in Spanish) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ash Wednesday Services

Services for Ash Wednesday, February 6, will be held at 7:45am, 12:10pm, and 6:00pm (with music).

Worship Ministries Council

altar guild, acolytes, ushers, lectors, eucharistic ministers, healing prayer, and music ministers

For who? Anyone! Whether you are currently involved in any of the worship ministries or not - this is a chance to find new volunteers as well as discuss current organizational and communications hopes and concerns. This includes altar guild, acolytes, ushers, lectors, eucharistic ministers, healing prayer, and music ministers.

Being involved in any of these minitries is easy. In most cases, commitments are just one Sunday morning per month and training is provided.

Deacon Carol Smith and Rev. Patrick Raymond will be meeting with leaders, participants, and interested volunteers after both services this Sunday.

Bishop Miller Addresses Camp Webb

As many of you know, Camp Webb launched a fundraising campaign last fall in an attempt to raise desperately-needed funds for a 2008 camping season. Bishop Miller has issued a statement regarding Camp Webb and the future of the diocese's outdoor ministry. A handful of copies of Bishop Miller's letter will be available at the back of church but you can click on the link below to view the letter online.

A Special Message

Baptism/Confirmation

If there are any families or persons interested in having a Baptism or being Confirmed (must be 16 or turning 16 within the next 6mos) this year, please contact Angie Brellenthin or Rev. Patrick Raymond for more information.

PANCAKE RACES!!!!

SHROVE TUESDAY-FEBRUARY 5th

A pancake supper will be served at 5:30pm. At 6:30pm you can race or cheer on your friends as participants don scarves and aprons, and run the length of the Guild Hall flipping pancakes in frying pans as they go! Fun for ALL ages! Children 5 and under are free. Children 5-12yrs old - $3.00, all others - $5.00. Family rate - $10.

If you are interested in helping, contact Kenn JeSchonek at 848-1273 or kennjes@charter.net.

Ash Wednesday

As is traditional in many churches, the ashes imposed on Ash Wednesday will be created by burning and pulverizing the fronds used in past years' Palm Sunday liturgies. If you have any such palms at home or elsewhere and wish to include them, please bring them to Grace this Sunday, February 3. (Look for a 'palm collection basket' near the back of the pews in the church.) More importantly, please plan to take part in one of our three Ash Wednesday liturgies on February 6: at 7:45 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (with music).

Brunch for Bibles

The Youth Group will be putting on a Brunch for Bibles after the 10am Eucharist on Feb. 17th. It will be a 4-course, Italian-themed brunch prepared and served by the Youth Group with proceeds going towards the purchasing of age-appropriate Bibles for the Sunday School Children. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Tickets are on sale now: there will be a sign-up sheet in the Guild Hall where tickets will also be distributed at that time.

"No other foundation: inhabiting the stories of scripture"

Next month, Grace Church will be hosting three special bible studies lead by our Bishop Steven Miller. Bishop Miller will be comparing the different passion narratives offered in the Gospels. Each evening will include a light meal, Eucharist and study. The dates for these studies are Wednesday evenings, February 13, 20, and 27. Parishioners and clergy from other area Episcopal churches have been invited. The evening will begin to a Eucharist at 5:45pm, dinner at 6pm, and study/discussion starting at 6:45pm.

Note: Good Shepherd and St. Andrew's will be providing dinner on the 13th and 20th. Grace will prepare the dinner on the 27th - anyone willing to help out with this should contact Rev. Patrick Raymond.

February Book Club

We will hope for a break in winter weather Tues. Feb. 12 @ 7 p.m.: Frank and Mary Ann Cook (again) host a meeting at their home, 4477 Crescent Rd. in Fitchburg.

Dissolution, a compelling mystery, is our book selection. Author C.J. Sansom explores the sixteenth-century English Reformation -- a dramatic time of social upheaval and corrupt institutions -- when established monastic communities were dissolved using the authority of the new head of the church, King Henry VIII. The author's hero, a legal expert with a disability, must investigate the murder of a royal official inside a troubled monastery.

Dissolution is widely available: the public library system has nine copies. Amazon.com offers it new for about $11 and used copies for less.

Meals on Wheels: February

100 days of grace

Once again, Grace Church will be delivering meals to Madison residents on Sundays in February. Drivers needed for east- and west-side routes, beginning at 11 or 11:30 a.m.(Sundays); each takes roughly an hour to complete. Please contact Francine Hartman, 241-3039 or fmhartman@mac.com for more info or to sign up. (Good for youth service hours too!)

Forgiveness Workshops with Dr. Gayle Reed

Dr. Reed, former psychiatric nurse and University of Wisconsin graduate with a PhD in Educational Psychology. She currently teaches several classes on the topic of forgiveness, as well as individual consultations. Dr. Reed will be preaching on Sunday, February 17th, and leading two subsequent workshops on February 24th and March 9th (9am and 11:30am both dates, in the library).

Estate Sale

100 days of grace MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK More volunteers needed for the Estate Sale Feb. 22-23. Call work coordinator Louise Cunningham (230-3090) and let her know the shifts you can work.

Spiritual Gifts Workshop
Weren't able to make last November's Spiritual Gifts Workshop? St. Andrew's will be hosting another workshop on March 8th. These workshops are a great way to identify your particular gifts and discover how you can use them in both your church and the community. More information and registration materials are available by contacting Kristin Matuszak at togracechurch@gmail.com

Contacts

Grace Episcopal Church is located at 116 W. Washington Ave. in Madison, WI. Our office is open weekdays from 9am to 3pm. Phone: (608)255-5147

All general emails, including any announcements, should be directed to togracechurch@gmail.com.