News for our Parish Community
eNews
August 15, 2019
This Week and Beyond
BLTs, Blessing of the Backpacks, Episcopal School Sunday, Parish Hall Forum (Aug. 18) Episcopal School Sunday celebrates the ministry of Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School. It is the time to give thanks for the school—its faculty and staff, volunteers and students. Join us during the 10:30 a.m. service for this grand celebration! (More) Parish Hall Forum: Join Fr. Ollie Rencher and Mr. Thor Kvande at 9:30 a.m. for a conversation about the ministry of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School (1947), its partnership with Grace-St. Luke’s Church (1940), and highlights of what makes GSL a unique and important community in Memphis. (More) Blessing of the Backpacks: Every proud owner of a backpack is invited to bring it to the 10:30 a.m. service, where the clergy will bestow a special blessing on each one as a good wish for a happy and successful school year. Each blessed backpack will receive a tag as a memento, too! (More) BLTs: In honor of our school, the Fellowship Committee is the host for some good old southern fare—BLTs. All are invited to join us for lunch after the 10:30 a.m. service in Trezevant Hall. We’ll be serving up tasty BLTs featuring delicious tomatoes, lettuce, savory bacon, and the BLTs wouldn’t be complete without the “Mayo.” (More) Childcare in the nursery is available for any who would like it.
Newcomers' Gathering (Aug. 18) All visitors and members who have recently joined GSL are invited to the final in a series of Newcomers' Gatherings this summer! The date is August 18. Join us as you continue to meet other folks in the parish, as well as discover ways to engage the community in a deeper way. For more info and to RSVP, follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/2019NewcomersGatherings.
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Wellness & Recovery Sunday (Aug. 25) The Infinite Value of a Painful Past: Interweaving his personal experience as a recovering person with the principles of Christian living, Father Stuart Hoke will focus on the miracle of Redemption—so visibly and actively at work in circles of Recovery. Please join us and invite your friends and loved ones who are in recovery, and those who have not yet found this way of life, to join you to celebrate and to hear this life saving message. The Rev. Stuart Hoke will lead the Parish Hall Forum and preach. More at www.gracestlukes.org/events/recovery-sunday/
Acolyte Training (Sept. 8) Acolyte Warden, Grant Adams, and the Clergy will host a training and refresher session for all children and youth acolytes on Sunday, Sept. 8, at 11:45 a.m. This liturgical ministry is open to and required for 4th-12th grade members and newcomers. A new revised Acolyte Customary (instruction manual) will be provided as a key resource for roles and responsibilities. Beginning with a pizza lunch, the session will end by 1 p.m. To register by Wednesday, Sept. 4, sign up here [www.tinyurl.com/2019AcolyteTraining] and for more info, contact Grant Adams (grant.adams at gmail.com, 901-527-0083).
Rally Day (Sept. 8) Mark your calendars for Rally Day, a parish life celebration for all ages to learn more about the worship, formation, fellowship, and service (in-reach and outreach) opportunities, and how to get involved and connect with others. This grand event will include live music, a slideshow, ministry area leaders, and more. Spread the word about this great way to celebrate life at GSL and to see what’s ahead for Fall.
GSL Night at the Levitt Shell (Sept. 12) Save the date. Details will be available soon!
Sign Up for Exodus TODAY! (Sept. 27-29) Exodus is a Friday to Sunday excursion for GSL parishioners to The Gray Center, an Episcopal Camp and Conference Center north of Canton, Mississippi. In the beautiful lakeside setting of Camp Bratton-Green, participants can connect with God and fellow parishioners, and do as much or as little as they want. For more info AND to sign up, visit www.gracestlukes.org/events/parish-weekend/
Children & Youth
Episcopal Youth Community Sunday, Aug. 18, 9:30-10:15 a.m., All ages youth, Sunday formation in the Red Room
Sunday, Aug. 18, 2-4 p.m., All EYC at St. Columba
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 5-7 p.m., Jr. High EYC
For more information, contact Director of Youth Formation Amzie Williams at awilliams@gracestlukes.org or 901-252-6326.
Sunday Morning Classes During the summer months, kids craft time with Ms. Julie & Ms. Sharon is downstairs in the Yellow Room for Sunday School age children (3 years to 5th grade).
Take Note
Changes in Thanksgiving & Christmas Service Times Thanksgiving Day, November 28
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist Christmas Eve, December 24
4 p.m. Children’s Christmas Pageant with Holy Eucharist 7 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Prelude 6:45 p.m.) 10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II Christmas Day, December 25
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist *Nursery available Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Eve at 4 & 7 p.m.
August Messenger Follow this link for the Messenger, our monthly newsletter: www.gracestlukes.org/the-messenger/. Inside this issue: Acolyte Training, Altar Gifts, Athletics, Blessing of the Backpacks, BLTs, Calendar Highlights, Christian Formation, Choir Registration, Contemplative Prayer, Episcopal School Sunday, Exodus Signup, Holy Baptism, Looking Towards Sunday, Message from the Rector, Newcomers' Gathering, Public Theology, Recovery Sunday, School News, Summer Office Hours, Youth News
Around the Diocese
Podcasting Spirituality: An 11th Step Recovery Retreat The retreat begins at 4 p.m. on Friday and ends about 5 p.m. on Saturday with a closing recovery Eucharist. Dinner Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturday are included in the cost. There will be guided meditation, an open 12 step meeting at the fire pit, free time for exploring the vast grounds, s’mores, a time for fellowship and much more. For more information (www.facebook.com/EpiscopalRecovery) and to sign up, visit www.podcastingspiritualityretreat.eventbrite.com.
This Sunday at GSL
Join us for worship, formation, and fellowship (Aug. 18) 8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist 8:45 a.m. – Delicious home-cooked breakfast. 9:30 a.m. – Christian Formation classes for adults (details above) 9:30 a.m. – Christian Formation classes for youth in the Red Room (details above) 9:30 a.m. – Christian Formation classes for children Nursery
Infant Room (Newborn–Walking) Toddler Room (Walking–Potty Training) Little Lambs Room (Potty Training–Atrium Ready) Location: Church Nursery with the Nursery Staff Kids Craft Time (3 yrs to 5th grade) 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist Following the 10:30 service – BLTs in the Parish Hall Nursery – The nursery is available from 7:30 a.m. through the end of the 10:30 service 5:30 p.m. – Holy Eucharist More about Christian Formation at GSL
Children: www.gracestlukes.org/sunday-school
Youth: www.gracestlukes.org/youth-formation
Adults: www.gracestlukes.org/sunday-morning/