We are excited to be back in the series in Genesis. This past Sunday, we saw how God's dream—that his people would reign with him—is absolutely unstoppable. To listen to John's sermon, go here.
New Ministry Year Starts on Sunday, September 11th. We will be sending out all the details over the next two weeks, but please mark your calendars for Sunday, September 11th as the new ministry year will being. We will launch new Christian Formation opportunities for adults, children, and youth as well as community groups and growth groups. Please be in prayer for the Lord to be with us as we move into this new chapter together!
In case you missed it, Linn sent out a Grace Kids Update yesterday with key information about the new ministry year.
Community Group Leader Training Palooza 2022: Leaders at Grace are gathering for Community Group training September 9-10. On Friday the 9, we'll gather for a casual dinner at 6pm as we learn and grow together. We'll talk about community and what it means to belong and welcome in a group context, begin to name our unsaid and unmet expectations, as well as what forms discipleship can take in and outside of a community group. Saturday we will meet at the Layne for a light breakfast before Dan Huie leads us in some silent time with Jesus as we lean into the love Christ has for us. We'll end with discussion over lunch. Please email jamie@graceseattle.org to register or with questions.
Growth Group Training: Last year we had a soft launch of growth groups and this year we want to continue to invite more people to join this intentional community. Growth groups are a way to grow in our love for Jesus as we see how much we are loved! These are high commitment discipleship oriented groups of three people that will walk alongside you for a year or more as you ask questions about what it means to flourish under Jesus' care while making a rule of life. John and Jamie will offer a short morning of orientation and training for those who are interested on Saturday morning September 24 at the church office (parking available). Please email jamie@graceseattle.org if you are interested in registering or have questions.
Sexuality and the Church. Grace is blessed to partner with Revoice, whose mission is "To support and encourage gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other same-sex attracted Christians—as well as those who love them—so that all in the Church might be empowered to live in gospel unity while observing the historic Christian doctrine of marriage and sexuality."
The Revoice conference is always a gift, but only comes once a year. Revoice is starting some chapters that help engage the LGBTQ+ Side B community at the local level and we have one starting in Seattle! The kick off for the Seattle chapter will be Sunday, September 4th at 12:30pm. Enjoy some barbeque, connection, and fun! Contact Dan Huie at dchuie83@gmail.com for information and for location.
Dinners for 7 Fall and Winter Dates: Come join others for fellowship around a dinner table near you! Our new hosts and dates are:
Friday September 23- Morses' home in Renton
Saturday October 22- Spaith's home in Bellevue (Kids welcome- Instructions on sign up form to register children)
Monday November 7- Andrews' home in Northgate
Saturday January 7- Taylor's home in Greenlake Sign up HERE for the spot(s) you need. Questions? Email jamie@graceseattle.org
Many of you have been praying for Bishop Todd Hunter as he took a much-needed and well-deserved sabbatical over the summer. Here is a brief report from him.
Here is the book about Anglicanism John mentioned several weeks ago. This book will be great to read in preparation for the fall class on the "Gifts of Anglicanism".
Learn to pray more regularly! One of the best gifts of the Anglican tradition is the Book of Common Prayer. Find out more about this rich resource in this podcast. To join others in our denomination in this daily prayer, you can download the app here.
Find a Spiritual Director. For centuries, spiritual directors have helped Christians draw closer in their relationship with God. If you'd like to find out more about spiritual direction, contact the staff at Soul Care Seattle or consult our Diocese's listing of spiritual directors.
Please be in prayer for Jamie Afshari, as she begins the ordination process to become a deacon.
Sundays
We will hold in-person worship and livestream this week at 10:15 AM.
Grace Kids Summer Schedule: Grace Kids will have one class downstairs for Walkers through Age 4 during the worship service for the remainder of the summer. All children need to be checked in through our KidCheck stations. All other classes are closed for the remainder of the summer and will resume September 11 along with our Christian Formation Classes at 9 AM. We cannot wait to have your children back in class! Contact Linn@graceseattle.org with questions or to volunteer.
Connect
Updates to Giving Statements: For 2022, financial giving records will be in Planning Center. More details on how to access your giving for this year will be coming soon. For any questions, please contact Alyssa.
Young Adult Group: Brent and Phoebe Williams host a weekly meal to help grow community for those either new to the city or seeking friendship. Anyone who considers themselves "young" or "adult" can join us for lunch in Eastlake on Sundays after church. For those living or working in South Lake Union, downtown, or the University District, it should be a quick bus ride on the 70. Reach out to Brent Williams at brent.williams333@gmail.com for the specific location or if you have any questions.
Book Club: Stephanie Pommer leads our book club for Grace. The next book is The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings. Future titles include: The Good Rain: Across Time & Terrain in the Pacific Northwest by Timothy Egan, and Little Eyes by Samantha Schweblin. To join, email Stephanie at stephanie@graceseattle.org.
GraceLife Distribution List: GraceLife (gracelifeseattle@googlegroups.com) is an email group designed to foster spontaneous generosity and hospitality among anyone and everyone who regularly attends Grace. The distribution list allows anyone who signs up to send out an email to the larger group. It is designed to be used to let others know about a party you’d like to invite others to join, a game night you’d like to host, a request to borrow something, a post to give goods away, a need you’d like to ask for help from the larger group, etc. If you are interested in joining, please email Nicole.
Listening Prayer (Lectio Divina) at The Layne: A small group that meets with the intention of building a community around the Word of God. We are currently praying through Scripture that is focused on heaven. For more information about Listening Prayer go to www.soulcareseattle.com. Meetings are at 7pm at The Layne. RSVP to Shelly Morse at shelly@soulcareseattle.com if you plan to attend a meeting: September 22; October 27; November 17; December 14; January 26; February 16; March 23; April 20; May 18.
Half-day Retreat schedule at the Layne (Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) 2022: September 24, Oct 1, Oct 22, Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10 2023: Jan 14, Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb 25th, March 4, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6, May 20 These retreats are available to those who would like to experience silence & prayer in community. You will start, and end, as a larger group, but then you will have personal time to do any of the following: contemplate the prayers and writings that are given to you, walk in the beautiful parks around The Layne, or rest on the porch or other areas in the house.
Why a silent retreat? How many of us are truly at home with ourselves? Ourselves; free of distractions, defenses, calendars, and performance is likely the last person we are comfortable to spend time with. Often we are terrified to discover who we are or who we are not. Into this very fear, Jesus our Good Brother and the very son of God, says, "Come to me... and I will give you rest for your souls" (Matt 11:28-30). We want to invite you to join us - even make a practice of joining us - as we face together the fears of solitude, stillness, and silence and say "yes" to Jesus' invitation to rest - to be at peace, and know yourself as his beloved.
Registration is now open for all Half Day Silent Retreats Sept 2022 - May 2023. Please register to attend at www.soulcareseattle.com. If you have any questions email renee@soulcareseattle.com.
Weekend Silent Retreats: November 4-6, 2022 and February 24 – 26, 2023
The weekend Silent Retreat tradition continues! These retreats are our opportunity to rest in the beauty and quiet of Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center, to seek the face of God, and find yourselves held in Jesus' loving gaze. This is good for the soul. Really good! Participants will meet one-on-one with our retreat leaders on Saturday and Sunday as a way to check in, see how the retreat is going, and to provide prayer materials for your retreat. There are trails nearby, amazing views of Puget Sound, warm fireplaces, and your own bedroom/bathroom for your privacy and relaxation.
"God never tires of giving, nor can He exhaust His mercies. Let us not tire of receiving." St Teresa of Avila
Register early as space is limited and often fills up! We have 8 spots available Cost: $250.00 Scholarships are available Deadlines: For November 4-6, 2022 – please register by October 16 2022 For February 24-26, 2023 – register anytime, but no later than February 4 2023 To register: Email Nicole@graceseattle.org; For questions: Email: renee@graceseattle.org
Serve
MinistrySafe Training for all Child and Youth Volunteers: For all our child and youth volunteers (and to anyone interested in volunteering), the Diocese of C4SO requires we all participate in Sexual Abuse Awareness Training. This is available to us from our Diocese for free through MinstrySafe where a personalized link to the training videos and quiz is available. If you are a volunteer and have not yet received a personalized link to participate in this training, please email Miss Linn (linn@graceseattle.org.) We need to have completed the videos by the first week of September. Thank you!
Livestream Tech Volunteers Needed: Andy Maier, who has faithfully led our livestream efforts, will be taking some much-needed paternity leave at the end fo the month. In order to keep our livestream available every week, we are in immediate need of several volunteers. It's a great crew and a wonderful way to serve the church. Please contact Jess for more information.
Breakfast Sandwiches for Unsheltered Teens at New Horizons: New Horizons Ministries has a request of partnership for Grace Church Seattle.
“We are looking for small groups to prepare breakfast sandwiches once a week. Ideally, a group would come in on a Monday or Tuesday morning (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM) for 2- 3 hours. They would prepare 80 – 100 breakfast sandwiches, pack them, and then put them in the freezer and refrigerator. We are looking to start making the breakfast sandwiches in April.”
We are asking groups to provide the eggs, cheese, sausage patties, and English muffins. New Horizons would provide all the spices for groups to use. Volunteers must have their Washington State Food Handler’s Permit, ($10 fee). The Serving the City team is working to also partner with other churches for this effort. If you have any interest or questions, please email Rebecca Ifland at rebecca@graceseattle.org.
New Horizons Youth Shelter has an opportunity for meals to be prepared and delivered once or twice a month for the youth that utilizes their services. Prepared meals would need to feed 40 youth (teenaged to young 20-year-olds) in family-style containers. If you are interested in supporting this opportunity please reach out to Rebecca Ifland at rebecca@graceseattle.org.
Blessings to you, Grace Office
Weekly Calendar at a Glance Sun 9/4, Worship - 10:15 AM
