eNews for January 3, 2019

NEWS FOR OUR PARISH COMMUNITY January 3, 2019

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Weekly eNews

Inside this Issue (Download pdf here) This Sunday's Schedule

From the Rector

Adult Formation

Adult Classes

Preparing for Sunday

Outreach Clothes Closet

Episcopal Youth Community

Upcoming Events

Daytime Book Group

Third Thursday

Women's Retreat

Take Note

Coffee Hour

Lost and Found

Celebrating God’s Gift of a New Year at GSL

New Year Greetings from the Rector Now that we have ushered in 2019, January 6 at GSL will commemorate the end of the twelve days of Christmas and mark the feast of the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ with worship and learning offerings. In addition to three communion services (8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.), formation classes for adults, youth, and children will resume at 9:30 a.m. after the 8:45 a.m. breakfast prepared by the Crossmen.

I am delighted to have collaborated with my fellow clergy and the newly-formed adult formation advisory committee to offer the range of large and small group classes and programs scheduled for Winter-Spring 2019. (Stay tuned for the full schedule!) We are privileged to begin this year’s weekly Parish Hall Forum (Sundays 9:30-10:15 a.m.) featuring the Reverend Katherine M. Bush (January 6) and Rabbi Micah Greenstein (January 13 and 20). Then, on January 27, the Wardens, Vestry, and I will reflect on “A Vision for Grace-St. Luke’s Parish” as a result of the January 4-5 Vestry Retreat.

The new year at GSL invites all, who physically are able, to gather weekly for all that we offer to support our daily spiritual formation, discipleship, and response to the baptismal call to make the light and love of Christ known in all spaces of our lives. I look forward to and encourage any and all opportunities to engage God and deepen connections among us. May we never forget that each day and each year is a gift from the Creator God, and that the collective offering of our time, talent, and treasures to support life at Grace-St. Luke’s is bound to grant us a year of even more blessings.

God’s peace and looking forward, The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector

Adult Formation

Adult Formation Classes Parish Hall Forum: “Poetry: Light and New Beginnings”) with the Rev. Katherine Bush. Join us for conversation in this hinge moment at the start of a new year and as we move from Christmas to Epiphany. Our readings and discussions will include time for personal resolutions and community reflection.

To view this Sunday's full schedule: see below.

Preparing for Sunday This week's readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 · Ephesians 3:1-12 · Matthew 2:1-12 · Psalm 72:1-7,10-14 www.gracestlukes.org/discover/this-sundays-texts/

Upcoming Events

Daytime Book Group (Jan. 10) Our next discussion is January 10 with When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This is an open group…no invitation or requirements other than a love of reading. We meet in the Red Room from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Bring a sack lunch. The group is facilitated by Janie Morris (morrishome1@bellsouth.net) and Carol Ann Mallory (cam2269@aol.com). A list of books for upcoming months may be found at www.gracestlukes.org/events/daytime-book-group.

Third Thursday (Jan. 17) Third Thursday is set for January 17! Make sure to make your reservation for this fun evening. We can promise you good fellowship opportunity over appetizers, beverages, and a catered dinner ($15 per person). Then our interesting speaker—parishioner Matt Crow. Come hear how Matt teamed up with Christy Yarbro and John Vergos to re-start the popular independent bookstore Novel. Expect a humorous account of taking on retail giant Amazon and answering the question “What could possibly go wrong?” Reservation deadline is Tuesday a.m., January 15. Call the office (272-7425), email lucy@gracestlukes.org or sign up online at www.gracestlukes.org/events/third-thursday.

2019 Women’s Retreat (Feb. 22-24) Saying Yes to Joy: The Rev. Amy George, associate rector at Grace St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, will again be our wise and witty guide as we consider “joy.” Where is it? What is it? Who is it? This concept resonates deeply as we all yearn in different ways for the essence of “joy.” For more information and to register, visit www.gracestlukes.org/events/womensretreat.

Take Note

Volunteers Needed for Coffee Hour!

Coffee Hour Teams are a great way to show GSL's wonderful hospitality and get to know your fellow parishioners! All parish members are encouraged to participate. Members may sign up with friends or by him/herself to work with up to three others for any given Sunday. You can get all the details and sign up by following this link: www.gracestlukes.org/coffee-hour. For more information, please contact Kim Motschman Cribb at kmtschmn@hotmail.com.

Lost and Found Dear friends of lost items: Take a look in the credenza in the entry way (outside Lucy's office).

Found items are located in the top left drawar and bottom cabinets. If it is a smaller item, like a piece of jewelry, contact Lucy (901-252-6333 or lucy@gracestlukes.org).

Children & Youth

Episcopal Youth Community January 6: Feast of Lights at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 4:45-7:30.

Biscuits and Bible: This Wednesday morning Bible study is a favorite for our Middle School students. We meet from 6:45-7:45 a.m. to explore the Gospel for the week and its relevance to our lives. Breakfast is provided, and all are welcome, regardless of church or school attendance (early pick-up is available for non-GSL students).

We have an exciting sign-up only event for Middle and High School students: the Ski Trip!

The sign-up link can be found at https://www.saintcolumbamemphis.org/ski/. The Ski Trip registration ends January 6.

Email Addison Combs (acombs@gracestlukes.org) for more information.

Outreach Ministry

Calvary’s Room in the Inn Clothes Closet Calvary Episcopal Church hosts A Room in the Inn every Saturday night and they serve over 200 breakfasts to homeless people in the downtown area every Sunday morning.

These community programs at Calvary are in need of our donations.

They are in need of Men’s & Women’s Clothing: Old jeans, socks (even single socks), underwear, shoes or sneakers (size 9 or larger for men), sweaters, T-shirts, coats, slacks, warm jackets, rain gear, warm hats and gloves, blankets, sleeping bags, and toiletries.

A box is located at the GSL LeMaster entrance.

Please place your donations in it to be taken to Calvary!

Thank you!

This Sunday at GSL Join us for worship, formation, and fellowship.

8:00 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 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 Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Atrium I 3–6 year olds: Pre–K, JK and SK Location: Atrium I (Green Room)

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Atrium II 6–9 year olds: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade Location: Atrium II (Purple Room) Project Purpose 4th–5th Grade Location: Yellow Room 9:30 a.m. – Christian Formation classes for youth Rite 13 6th–8th Grade Location: Red Room J2A 9th–12th Grade Location: Room 212 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist Following the 10:30 service – Coffee Hour in Trezevant Hall Nursery – The nursery is available from 7:30 a.m. through the end of the 10:30 service Episcopal Youth Community (details above).

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/

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