eNews for August 26, 2020

News for our Parish Community

eNews

August 26, 2020

In Jesus, All Shall Be Well.

Julian of Norwich (1342–1416) reflected on a neardeath experience and recognized her need for a deeper love of Jesus. She has gifted the spiritual journeys of innumerable travelers with a famous response that came from her prayers: "'But Jesus, who in this vision informed me of all that is needed by me, answered with these words and said: ‘It was necessary that there should be sin; but all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.'" I believe that when followers of Jesus inevitably stumble, fall short, suffer, and are unwell, for whatever reason, faith calls for intentional courageous efforts to care for self in mind, body and spirit, all with God’s help. August 30 marks “Wellness and Recovery Sunday” at GSL. The day features a 9:15 a.m. virtual prerecorded interview with Dr. Monty Burks; during the 10:30 a.m. service, the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke will offer the homily. Follow this link to learn more about the day, and let us always be mindful that in Jesus, all shall be well. – The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector Explore and engage life at GSL and invite others for the journey! Our Vision is to be a thriving community of hope, belonging, and healing through worship, parish life, and service, and who rejoices in the love of Jesus to transform the world.

Virtual Offerings

Thursday, August 27, 8 until 8:15 p.m. Compline (Night Prayers) via Facebook Live.

Wellness and Recovery Sunday Virtual Formation Offering, August 30, 9:15-9:45 a.m. via Facebook Live and YouTube Live.

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 30, 10:30 a.m. Livestream Service of Morning Prayer including sermon and music via the GSL website and Facebook Live.

Tuesday, September 1, 8 until 8:15 p.m. Compline (Night Prayers) via Facebook Live.

Event Details. For important details about each of these and more, follow this link to Virtual Offerings and watch for the Friday Looking Ahead eNews.

Take Note: New Highlights

Wellness and Recovery Sunday, August 30. Christian Formation offering 9:15-9:45 a.m. via Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Guest preacher at the 10:30 worship service. Details below and on our Wellness and Recovery Sunday webpage.

From Lament to Hope: Preparing for a Time “When Life is Good Again” Sign-up details for this small group discussion facilitated by Dr. Dan Pigg. Details below under Adult Christian Formation.

GSL Reading Together: Zoom Discussions for August Books & September Book Announcement. The discussion dates and times for the books Wonder and The Book of Joy can be found under Adult Christian Formation along with details about our September book, Crazy Christians.

Children's Formation Sign-up Details. Read below under Children's Christian Formation for details about signing up for all the great offerings this semester.

A Message from our Senior Warden. Read Sr. Warden Simon Wadsworth's August message to the parish by following this link.

GSL Fall 2020 Parish Intern, Mrs. Jessica Abell. In early September, GSL will have the privilege of hosting Mrs. Jessica Abell to serve as Parish Intern for three months. Appointed to GSL by Bishop Phoebe Roaf, Jessica is in the process to be ordained a vocational deacon. Time among us will include a variety of observing, training, and serving in worship, pastoral and formation roles as organized and supervised by the Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector. Follow this link to learn more about Jessica and expect an update once she begins limited-hours ministry at GSL. Former Curate Appointed Priest-in-Charge. Our recent former curate, the Rev. Meredith Day Hearn has been appointed priest-in-charge at Indian Hill Church (Episcopal & Presbyterian) near Cincinnati, Ohio, effective August 24. Follow this link for the congregation’s announcement and join Meredith+ and Jackson in celebration of her call to new ministry since leaving GSL in June.

Contemplative Prerecorded Worship & Music Events, Sunday 5:30–6 p.m. Read details below under Worship and Music.

The Messenger Magazine.

The August-September issue is available for download by following this link . Included in this issue is a copy of Life at GSL—Fall 2020 Guide, a comprehensive publication of Christian formation offerings for all ages through December, a schedule of contemplative prerecorded worship and music events through December, and more.

Ongoing events, less-recent news, and more, explore below: Worship and Music, Christian Formation, Community Life, Outreach , Social Justice, and Stay Informed.

Worship and Music

Worship: Online and In Person. Join us this Sunday mornings at 10:30 for livestream and in-person worship as we celebrate and recognize Wellness and Recovery Sunday. Limited space is available

for in-person worship in order to maintain social distancing requirements. Online reservations are required on this and every Sunday for the limited-capacity seating by ushers. For safety reasons, we are unable to accommodate those who have not signed up in advance. Click here to sign up for Sunday, August 30. Compline (Night Prayers) is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. via Facebook Live. Visit www.gracestlukes.org/worship for more about worship, and to explore past and upcoming services, follow this link.

Contemplative Prerecorded Worship & Music Events, Sunday 5:30–6 p.m. Beginning September 13, virtual meditative services will be offered by the clergy for those watching in a more contemplative setting, enhanced by candles, icons, intentional moments for silence, and instrumental music.

Offerings scheduled at this time also include occasional recitals, concerts and choral services. For the fall schedule, follow this link.

Christian Formation

Children.

This fall’s offerings for children and families will be spiritually rich, varied, and so much fun! To SIGN UP and read about all we have in store for your children — Traveling Model Altar, Prayer Table Kit, Sunday Prayer Table (via Zoom), Children’s Activity Bags, and Outdoor, In-Person Gatherings for Families — follow this link: www.gracestlukes.org/childrens-formation.

Save the Date! To meet the needs of parents and children to be together in a safe way, we will offer outdoor, in-person, socially distanced gatherings, as local conditions allow. Our first gathering is planned for Sunday, September 27, 2-4 p.m. on Anchor Hill (the grassy area adjacent to the Anchor Center at Peabody & Lemaster). Watch for sign-up details in future eNews.

Youth.

Wednesday, August 26: Noonday Prayer on Insta Live @gsl.youth.

Sunday, August 30: Zoom Compline 6 p.m. | Roses and Thorns Check-In.

Celebration Sunday, September 13: Zoom Compline 6 p.m. | Roses and Thorns Check-In. If you are interested in participating in GSL youth activities, please email Amzie Williams at awilliams@gracestlukes.org and visit www.gracestlukes.org/youth-formation.

Adults.

Visit www.gracestlukes.org/adult-formation for the exciting fall lineup of Sunday morning formation offerings, Wednesday evening offerings, and more.

GSL Reading Together: Zoom Discussions for August Books & September Book Announcement. Join in the discussions of Wonder on September 8 and The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World on Wednesday, September 9. GSL Reading Together is one of many ways to connect to life at GSL around a common subject. The GSL Reading Together book for September is Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus by the Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. For sign-up details and the book list thru December, visit www.gracestlukes.org/gslreadingtogether.

To sign up to receive the GSL eNews, go to www.gracestlukes.org/news/weekly-enews/.

From Lament to Hope: Preparing for a Time “When Life is Good Again”, facilitated by Dr. Dan Pigg. Sitting with lament, contemplating the mystery of divine providence, realizing our limitations along with our hopes, dreams, and fears connect us in 2020 to an important period in the history of Israel/Judah which is also our history. Life will be “good again,” but we have to trust the process of time. Lament is important to living into God’s future and ours. Class participants will explore that movement over our four weeks of meetings via Zoom. For more information and to sign up, visit www.gracestlukes.org/midweek-formation.

Wellness and Recovery Sunday August 30. Christians and all people are called to strive for wellness of mind, body and spirit, which includes paying attention to any addictions that may be occurring in our lives or the lives of others. The 10:30 worship service will highlight the significance of this day with guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke, and special prayers during the service. At 9:15 a.m., join us online via Facebook Live and YouTube Live for a conversation with Dr. Monty Burks, Tennessee State Director of Faith-Based Initiatives.

All Ages.

Celebration Sunday: Are you Ready??! Formation, Stewardship, & Connections.

On September 13, 9:15-9:45 a.m. online, the Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector, will introduce an exciting season of events. The clergy and lay leaders will reflect and invite members to a connective, creative, and spiritually rich life this year at GSL through a lively and engaging video to lift a tired heart, thrill an eager mind, and center a beautiful soul. Plan on seeing familiar faces, laughing a bit, and becoming encouraged that COVID has only made us even more conscientious about remaining connected and resilient as a faith community.

Community Life

Pastoral Care Ministry Invitation.

The clergy and several lay pastoral care ministers proactively reach out weekly to parishioners in various meaningful ways. The scope of this vital ministry to our more than 500 households include phone calls, cards, notes, meals, and companionship to households expecting a child. If you are interested in serving others in any of these ways, email Lay Pastoral Care Coordinator Jocelyn Busby (jocelynbusby at gmail.com) or contact the Rev. Ollie V. Rencher (901-252-6320, orencher@gracestlukes.org).

Pastoral Care.

To alert the clergy of a pastoral matter concerning yourself or a parishioner, including any medical procedures, contact the clergy confidentially via 901-252-6320 or pastoralcare@gracestlukes.org. For hospitalizations or emergencies concerning a member, contact the 24/7 Clergy-on-Call phone line at 901-252-6334.

Keeping GSL Strong and Sustainable. Your sacred gifts of time, talent, and treasure are keeping GSL strong and sustainable. While parishioners are striving to practice self-care and care for one another during the COVID-19 pandemic, individual and household financial gifts also are supporting administration and operations, worship offerings, personnel, and much more. For ways to serve and connect at GSL in any season, contact Stewardship Associate Chapman Morrow (901-252-6328, cmorrow@gracestlukes.org) and visit gracestlukes.org/onlinegiving.

Prayer List and Prayer Requests. To submit a prayer request for the Prayer List, you may contact Parish House Receptionist & Ministry Associate Abby Huber (ahuber@gracestlukes.org, 901-2526336) or complete the online Prayer Request Form (www.gracestlukes.org/prayerrequest).

Outreach

Outreach Grant Applications Due August 31.

The GSL Outreach Grants process is open with the application and details located on the Community Grants webpage . We are seeking “servant ministry partner” agencies whose mission aligns with our focus areas: feed/clothe/shelter the needy; care for the sick; healing brokenness in the world. GSL will award one “impact” grant of $7,500 and one “major” grant of $5,000 in each area. If you have questions, email outreach@gracestlukes.org.

Stay Informed

eNews. Visit gracestlukes.org to subscribe to the parish eNews to receive weekly, seasonal, and emergency pastoral notices from the clergy or other leaders. Visit episwtn.org to subscribe to the West Tennessee Diocesan Communicator, and for access to beyond-local news from The Episcopal Church, visit episcopalnewsservice.org. Spread the word about these key communication platforms.

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