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Grace Notes
May 2015
Grace Episcopal Church
106 Lowell St.
Manchester, NH
FAITH IN THE THIRD SPACE
Two years ago I received a gift certificate from a parishioner
for services at a local spa. After much procrastination (a spiritual
gift I embrace and possess fully!) I decided to use the certificate on
my birthday this past March. I made a late afternoon appointment.
Then went straight from office to spa, dressed in a “God collar.”
When I arrived at the spa the professional assigned to me
that day immediately inquired about the God collar. Not a surprise, as when you wear clericals out and about in the world at
large it’s as if you are wearing a sign that says, “I’m an eager listener. Talk to me.” The woman was kind enough to ask first (many
people don’t) if it was OK that she took this time I had scheduled
for myself to relax to instead engage in theological dialogue. I told
her I was happy to converse and so we ended up, over the course of
an hour, talking about the Bible, our faith in Jesus, and how we applied our faith to our roles as mothers of young children.
After leaving the spa I realized I had engaged in something I
had learned about in London, an experience called “Faith in the
Third Space.” “Faith in the Third Space” basically means finding
God, in conversation or otherwise, in a place other than home or
church. All of us have found faith in a third space—in bars, coffee
shops, restaurants, museums, work environments, or the theater.
Our savior Jesus Christ used “third spaces all the time.” Whether
he was at the beach, walking on a road, or hanging out a the local
well he struck up conversations with others that intrigued, engaged, and stirred up people’s faith. Jesus, when you think about
it, spent more time out and about looking for people to engage with
him than waiting at the temple for people to come and find him.
Jesus had a knack for going to people where they were and making
others feel safe. Anywhere he went he invited people to feel comfortable owning what they thought about life, faith, and God.
We are blessed to have a beautiful space called Grace Episcopal to come to and find friendship, faith, rest, and spiritual energy. But after coming here to church to find solace and rejuvenate
our souls we then need to ask, where is God calling us to go? What
third spaces in our lives, in our city, in the world need our energy,
our vision, our love?
Let’s get out there into third spaces, own our faith, and look
Jesus. My bet is if we engage faith in third spaces we’ll see him
everywhere we go. And others will see Christ in us.
Marjorie xo+
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UPCOMING EVENTS
FELLOWSHIP POT LUCK SUPPER
Thursday, May 7, 2015
5:30 – evening service
6 PM - dinner
Entertainment to follow
PLEASE SIGN UP (on kiosk in Great Hall)
Or email rsvptograce@gmail.com
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME! the Fisher Cats game that is. A
block of 25 tickets have been purchased for the game on Saturday, June
20th at 7:05 PM. Star Wars is the theme for the night with the team
wearing special jerseys and ball caps. Fireworks will follow the game.
We would love for you to join Grace Church for an evening of
fun. Tickets for this event are $11 for each person. To get your tickets,
please see Rich and Teddi McIntosh or email us at heathbar1959@aol.com
LAY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AT RUNDLETT MIDDLE SCHOOL
CONCORD, NH
MAY 9TH, 2015 FROM 8:30 am to 4:30 PM
This day long event is especially designed for the Lay Leadership in our
Diocese. Seminars ranging from an introduction to the structure and
canons of the Episcopal Church, A Warden's Round Table, discussions
around Clergy Compensation and Benefits to an opportunity to meet
Dwight Zscheile, author of the book The Agile Church are being offered.
Further details and a link for registration can be found under Congregations/Lay Leadership on this website. For questions, contact either Canon Judith Esmay at judithesmay@gmail.com or Lynn Eaton at
leaton@nhepiscopal.org.
SHAWL KNITTERS TAKE NOTE— Our final gathering for the year before
summer hits will be on Monday, June 1st at 7 PM. We are gathering on this day
rather than the week before so that all can enjoy Memorial Day weekend. We
welcome new members and invite any and all interested in learning to knit or
crochet to join us for our gathering in the Parish Library on that day.
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Faithful ,
Malachi reminds us to bring our first fruits to the house of God so that
there will be food there. This scripture defines the mission of the church,
serve others and bring the Lord to them. Through our clergy, our building,
fellowship, outreach, and advertising, Grace Church does just that.
We, your Vestry, are writing to you share our concerns regarding the
funding of parish budget. In total our pledges, loose and special offerings
(i.e. those gathered on Easter), and other income (i.e. rental of space for
various events) will not cover the 2015 budget or unexpected expenses
that might occur. Your Vestry, in good faith, approved additional funds to
pay for the costs of those who serve the congregation in worship, most
especially our Associate Rector and our marvelous organist, Ken Grinnell. At our most recent meeting one Vestry member observed that if each
pledging member increasing their offering by $18 a week we would be in
much better shape. Also because of the harsh winter not all pledges have
been paid up to date. So if everyone gave a bit more and/or caught up on
their promised pledges we would be on more solid financial ground.
What is this wider mission to serve God in the world calling us towards?
Under Marjorie's leadership, the Vestry has been learning, sharing, and
exploring ways for Grace to go even further in our service to others outside our four walls (“faith in the third space”). Marjorie's trip to London
has encouraged us to reflect and pray what God is calling us to do within
our city and the world at large. Additionally Bishop Rob has challenged
our Vestry to focus more time on the mission of our church. You will be
hearing more about our ideas for mission and we encourage all to explore
how they can join in this exploration through committee service.
Please reflect and pray over this letter and consider if you are able to further support the work of Grace Church in our community by increasing
your financial support.
Sincerely,
Mary Sargent, Linda Heath, Nancy Johnson, Ed High, Richard Feren,
William Bochinski, Jason Carignan, Lauren Cline, Barbara Hermann,
Ann Hewins, James Higgins, Miclena Linares, Jill Porter
Kevin von Braun
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GRACE CHURCH NOON DAY BOOK GROUP
Join the book group for study, enlightenment, discussion, food, and an experience to be community as we explore our faith through books. We gather
at noon in the Parish Library to enjoy a potluck meal and an hour or two of
conversation and discussion. On May 19, 2015 we will be discussing two
books: the Misremembered Man by Christina McKenna and Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford. We will finish out the current season on June 16
with Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. Questions? Email Martha.manley@comcast.net.
To all parishioners:
The Grace Church Prayer Ministry will now carry each name on its
Prayer List for a 2 month limited time period unless the person
requesting the prayers renews their request.
Did you know that local fresh foods are grown and sold by farmers through Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success
(ORIS)?
The four farm stands run during June through the Fall. Also, ORIS
farmers sell at the Manchester Farmer's Market on Thursdays that
is in the parking lot right outside our church! We pass this on to
all so we can support both our hardworking refugees and immigrants as well as fresh produce.
Take note of the following farm stands which will run June through
September (with a possible extension into October, weather permitting)
Mondays 2 – 5 PM: Manchester Community Health Center (145
Hollis Street)
Tuesdays 3 – 6 PM: Kalivas Park (Lake Avenue/Spruce Street/
Chestnut Street) featuring Common Earth Farms
Wednesdays 3 – 6:30 PM: Lafayette Park (92 Amory Street)
Saturdays 9 AM – Noon: JFK Coliseum parking lot (303 Beech
Street)
OUR OWN NANCY JOHNSON will have over 20 of her original
pastel art work on display at Manchester City Hall Gallery starting
April 30 and running through to the end of June. It will be on display at City Hall during business hours. Please come and view
Nancy’s beautiful art work.
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.MILESTONES
Happy Birthday to the following April and May birthdays celebrants!
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APRIL
Jok Leek
Richard Matthews
Bob Bell
Mallory McQuade
Donna McQuade
Edward High
Jason Carignan
Mark Thomas
Yan Leek
Linda Garrish Thomas
Janet Mills
Samuel Thomas
Sam Rousseau
Jane Van Zandt
Anay Leek
Tom Suckley
Barbara Ware
Tom Nagle
Karen Furtado
Brianna Harvey
Janet Keegan
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MAY
Madlyn Gregoire
Owen St. Onge
Linn Krikorian
Lyn Marino
Louis Hudon
Carter Beck
Tim Lassonde
Rilla Cartier
Sally Addison
Dwight Simmons
David Roy
Edie Cummings
Megan McIver
Dottie Koch
Yar Leek
Ian Blenkinsop
Fiona Stagnaro
Michael Duffy
Holden Kreiger
Bob Swanson
Leighton Ricker
Robert Garneau
Quinn Turner
Matthew Costley
Other Milestones:
Baptisms: Sebastian Ellsworth Cline (April 5)
Marriage Blessing: Renny Gabriel Widrew and Martha Lindley Davies
Widrew (April 19th)
Confirmations and Receptions: Allyson Marie Lavoie,
Kristen Stacey Lavoie, Matthew Jacob Richards, Steven Botana, Paul
Walter Gumbs, Jason R. Carignan, Miclena Bonner Linares, Edward
Sisson (April 5)
Burials: Houghton Carr, (March 28)
Joan Barr Smith (April 11) Robert Michael (April 18)
Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them
wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when
discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may
thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Book of Common Prayer, page 830
If you don’t see your birthday listed that means that we do not have it. Please call
the office so that your special day can be acknowledged – or if we have it wrong,
please let us know that also.
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Vestry Notes—April 2015
The Vestry gathered on Wednesday, April 15th at 7 PM in the
Parish Library. We began with a prayer by Marjorie and the
reading of the Norms.
The Clergy Report, which covered Marjorie’s service for both
March and April, was reviewed and accepted by the Vestry.
The Treasurer’s Reports for February will be e-mailed to the
Vestry for an electronic discussion and vote of acceptance.
The Vestry discussed the need for the Planning and Finance
Committee and Personnel Committee to meet to jointly develop and recommend a plan and procedure for a performance
review process for our employees.
Cost estimates for the Kitchen Renovation were presented to
the Vestry by Brent Stagnaro. The next step for the project is to
have plans and permit sets specified that will be reviewed and
accepted by the Property Committee. $2000 was allocated for
this next step.
A lengthy discussion about when and how the project would be
conducted followed. It was decided that the renovation would
begin after the money needed was available. A fund raising
project will begin in the early fall. The project, which will take
roughly 60 to 90 days to install, would hopefully begin in the
early winter.
The Vestry would like to have some discussions about mission
to center around our Kitchen Renovation. We discussed how a
commercial kitchen would allow us to be able to welcome and
serve people in any number of ways.
The Vestry reviewed the Committee reports. The meeting was
adjourned after a closing prayer at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Johnson, Clerk
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AND THOUGHTS
Trash to Treasure -- Part I
When we prepare meals at home, we prefer fresh and non-processed
food that we can process ourselves. It gives us more variety. And it
gives us the added benefit of compost. We have a bin in our backyard where we put the fruit and vegetable peels, seeds, etc. to let it
compost, and then use the resulting soil to nourish our lawn and gardens.
I also can do one more thing with our compost. Sometimes, before I
dump it, I will add water to the bucket and squish it to make juice
from the scraps. I then pour the juice through a strainer and save the
liquid in a large jug. Every couple of weeks I will dilute some of the
liquid and water our house plants. Ever since I started doing that, the
leaves have become greener, the foliage is thicker, and the flowers
have become more colorful and more numerous.
One last thing I’m guessing is that most people don’t think about
what happens to the residue that results after our bodies have processed what we ate. In a city like Manchester, it’s just “flush” and
it’s gone, heading to the sewage treatment plant. But what if some
place doesn’t have the sophisticated technology that we do?
One town I learned about (I think it was in South America) also had a
two-step process, but recruited help from Mother Nature for the second part. They had a preliminary filtering plant that removed the
lumpy stuff, and then sent the remaining liquid into a nearby wetland.
The plants took the “nutrients” out of the water and the growth was
lush. Plants, bugs, and animals are plentiful.
Sometimes nature is a good partner to help us turn trash to treasure.
Dick Feren
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10th Annual Dr. Seuss Breakfast
The Outreach Committee sends a huge thank you to all of you who offered your time, talent, and treasure to make the 10th Annual Dr. Seuss
Breakfast a success. We could not do this project without your help.
The Cat in the Hat (a.k.a our own Lauren Cline) mingled with all the children
and read stories. Nancy Frankel entertained as Corky the Clown and a guest
storyteller, Larry Frates, entertained us
with stories and caricatures. The many
artistic endeavors included face painting, murals, Dr. Seuss hats, and a variety of other crafts. Students from the
Central High Art Department joined
Grace Church parishioners in helping
with the art projects. More parishioners
signed families in, cooked and served
breakfast, and cleaned up.
Thanks to all of you.
On Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m., at Concord’s South Congregational
Church, the 18-member Tall Granite Big Band will perform a fundraiser Swing jazz concert benefiting New Hampshire Kids For
Peace. This is a local inter-faith organization, with roots in Jerusalem, that last year brought 18 sixth-grade NH kids -- Jews, Christians, and Muslims -- to a summer camp for 10 days along with 18
kids from NH/VT to learn to respect each other's religion, culture,
background. The NH organization is co-led by the Rev. Richard
Dutton and Rabbi Robin Nafshi of Concord’s Temple Beth Jacob.
There is a $ 15.00 donation for the concert. Contact Robin Nafshi
(ravnafshi@gmail.com or 228-8581) or Dick Dutton
(rdutton@tds.net or 526-4541) for more information.
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Dinner with "The Agile Church" Author Dwight Zscheile
When Friday May 8, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Where NH Audubon's McLane Center 84 Silk Farm Road Concord,
We are excited to offer an evening with best-selling author Dwight J. Zscheile
(People of the Way and, most recently, The Agile Church). Mr. Zscheile will
be presenting a seminar at the 2015 Lay Leadership Institute but registration
space is limited. In order to share his wisdom with a larger audience, Dwight
has graciously accepted our invitation to be the Keynote Speaker at our first Pre
-Lay Leadership Institute Dinner on Friday evening, May 8.
This evening, to be held at NH Audubon's lovely McLane Center, includes a
dinner buffet, beverages and dessert. Gluten-free and vegetarian options will
be available. We'll have an opportunity to hear Dwight's thoughts on the challenges we face as a Church, focusing on ways to participate in God's mission
through innovation and experimentation. Cost for this event is $28.00 per person. Checks may be made out to the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire and
sent to: Lynn Eaton, 63 Green Street, Concord, NH 03301. Seating for the
event is limited to 100. Register early!
Call Lynn Eaton at 224-1914 or by email at leaton@nhepiscopal.org with any
questions or for more information. Space is limited and on a first come, first
serve basis. There will not be assigned seating. Payment is due upon registration.
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Grace Episcopal Church
106 Lowell Street
Manchester, NH 03101
Tel (603) 622-9813
Fax (603) 669-6044
gracechurchmanchesternh@gmail.com
www.gracechurchmanchester.org
Clergy
The Rev. Dr. Marjorie Gerbracht-Stagnaro, Rector
The Rev. Richard Matthews, Associate Rector
Vestry
Linda Heath, Warden
Mary Sargent, Warden
Nancy Johnson, Clerk
Ed High, Treasurer
Richard Feren, Assistant Treasurer
William Bochinski, Jason Carignan, Lauren Cline, Barbara Hermann, Ann Hewins, James Higgins, Miclena Linares, Jill Porter,
Kevin von Braun
Staff
Mark Cleveland, Director of Music
Ken Grinnell, Organist
Carter Beck. Organist
Justin & Nicole Otto, Church School Coordinators
Marlene Thompson, Parish Administrator
Jill Porter, Bookkeeper
Emery Freethey, Sexton
Susan Senneville, Nursery Care Giver
Newsletter
Lauren Cline
Lauren6997@yahoo.com
Next Newsletter Deadline
May 15, 2015
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Grace Notes
Grace Episcopal Church
106 Lowell Street
Manchester, NH 03101-1625
www.gracechurchmanchester.org
May, 2015
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage Paid
Manchester, NH
Permit No. 246