Date: April 21st 2010

Messenger

April 2010

Alleluia. Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

What a glorious proclamation we make in these the Great Fifty Day of Easter. You have heard it said many times – we are an Easter people – and indeed we are – we live our lives in and through the resurrection. Yes we proclaim the risen Christ throughout the year - but never more boldly as during these 50 days.

What a wonderful experience this journey has been for me and I hope for you as well. It was my first year to walk with you as a pilgrim during this our most holy of days. Holy Week and Easter Sunday were beautiful, mysterious, powerful, humbling, and healing. Eight days filled with our rich traditions, music, and rituals. I am so thankful to be with all of you and counted among the people of Grace!

I am also happy to be able to announce that we have hired Angela Bader as our full-time Parish Administrator. Angela comes to us having served in the Episcopal Church for the past eighteen years: 15 years at Emmanuel Church and 3 years as Bishop Rockwell’s Executive Assistant.

For the past few years Angela has been considering a change, longing for something new, which led her to apply to Grace Church. Over the last few weeks we have been working with Emmanuel Church to provide for a good transition process. With that in mind Angela’s first day at Grace is scheduled for May 19th.

Although the hiring process took some time, we were very fortunate to have so many well qualified people apply for the position. I would like to thank the personnel committee and the seven parishioners who conducted the interviews of our final candidates.

I hope that all of you will join with me in welcoming Angela in May. We will plan on introducing her to the parish on a Sunday in May.

Yours in Christ,
Todd +

Note from your Editor:

Due to an administrative problem, this month's Messenger was extremely delayed in publishing. We apologize to all contributors, and will endeavor to correct this problem for next month.

News from the Landscaping Committee

As spring approaches look around outside Grace and you will notice a few changes: the columbarium has been refurbished and is now full of beautiful, lush perennials and a new Japanese Maple! The beds in front of the Church have been cleaned out and replanted. Trees have been trimmed and bushes pruned. But this is just the beginning of our efforts to spruce up Grace…

This spring our goal is to finish re-landscaping the front of the Church, our sign and the west entrance. We are asking parishioners to help sponsor our efforts by donating plant stock. Representations of the master landscape plan are on display in the Narthex, next to sign-up sheets where you can agree to purchase a shrub. Plants and shrubs have been carefully selected for disease resistance as well as drought, heat and cold tolerance.

We are hoping to plant in late April so don’t wait to sign-up! There is also a sign-up sheet for anyone who wishes to help with bed preparation, planting, watering and occasional weeding. Thank you in advance for your support!

Progressive Dinner

Please put May I on your calendar to attend the annual Progressive Dinner.

Tickets are $15.oo per person, and will be available after each service, starting April 11th. Cocktail party at 5:30 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM, with dessert to follow.

VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS – March 2010

Junior Warden Julie Grossman reported that a comprehensive review of the church heating and air-conditioning system has been completed and the needs are many and urgent. Treasurer Mike Heyer presented a very preliminary Cost/Benefit & Return Comparison Analysis for upgrading and/or replacing all or parts of the HVAC system but cautioned that the information requires much more refinement before any decision-making process can begin. A capital campaign may be considered in order to fund the extensive work.

Representatives of the Episcopal Church Foundation presented a proposal for assisting Grace Church in developing and conducting a capital campaign.

Treasurer Mike Heyer reported that pledge income for the month of February was under budget by 26 percent. Total revenues were under budget by 23 percent and expenses were also under budget by 11 percent. Current cash reserves would cover an estimated 1.46 months of 2010 budgeted expenses.

Rev. Emily Davis asked the Vestry to review her current responsibilities so that she might devote more time to her duties as Vicar to St. Thomas Church for the Deaf.

Father McDowell reported that a decision on the hiring of a Parish Administrator is expected by mid-April.

Chris Kurth announced members of the Mission Initiative Committee are: Carla Kurth, Dick Entenmann, Vince & Michelle Nicosia, Sue Nixon, Becky Wooldridge, Denise Miller and Fr. McDowell.

Julie Grossman announced members of the Property Committee are: Jim Davis, Peggy Capriglione, John Dokos, Tim Engelbrecht and Jim Willis.

Rector’s Forum Group

Fr Todd McDowell leads the series Good News for All: the Gospel of Luke.

Luke's Gospel is uniquely inclusive, involving all people.  The Good News is for the outcast and the establishment, for the religious and those searching.  Luke speaks to women, to men, to the strong and healthy, to the weak and dispossessed.  Its relevance today inspires faith, spirituality and action. 

It’s never too late to join our group of learners! Sundays, 9:00am 9:50am, LaVielle Room.

 

To All Parish Teens,
The annual car wash is coming up soon!  We always have a good time – especially if it's a hot day.  This year it will be held on May 8th from 10 – 2 at Tom’s Service located at 400 N. Kirkwood Rd.  There are two shifts available -- one from 10 until noon and the other from noon until 2.  It is our last fund raiser before the mission trip, and we need everyone to participate that day.  Please make sure there is an even distribution of workers between both shifts.  As an added incentive, I will buy lunch for anyone working both shifts that day!  I'll send a notice in early April to confirm who is working and when.  By the way, we washed over 50 cars last year and raised $1,008 -- a missioner record.  Thanks for your hard work and support this year. 
Tell your friends and parents to come and support us!
Mike

Change of locations!

Our High School Youth now meet downstairs in Youth Room #9 on Sunday mornings instead of at Kaldi’s – less noise, and we have our own cool coffee & hot chocolate machine now!

Sunday Morning Christian Formation

FOR CHILDREN & TEENS

Sunday School 9:00AM – 9:50AM.
Nursery open every Sunday 9:00am – 11:30am.

FOR ADULTS: The Rector’s Forum

Good News for All: The Gospel of Luke
Luke's Gospel is uniquely inclusive, involving all people.  The Good News is for the outcast and the establishment, for the religious and those searching.  Luke speaks to women, to men, to the strong and healthy, to the weak and dispossessed.  Its relevance today inspires faith, spirituality and action.  Whether you have been a part of a regular bible study, or never explored the bible with a group; all are encouraged to join with us on Sunday mornings from 9am – 9:50am in the LaVielle Room.  Please call Todd with any questions.

Christian Formation on weekdays …

First Mondays of each month—(excluding January)
6:30-8:30p.m. – Holy Ground – Women’s Spirituality & Pot Luck
Join us for divine potluck, deep sharing, spiritual exploration of various kinds, and an intimate Eucharist.

Tuesdays
9:30-10a.m. – Holy Eucharist – Informal (Kean Library)
10-11:45a.m. – Women’s Study Group (Kean Library)
A rich delving into all kinds of books! We read, discuss, share, and talk about faith, theology, and life. Contact Susan Leach for details.

Wednesdays
8:30-9:20a.m. – Mystics and Meditation (in the Sanctuary upstairs)
Moving from intellectual pursuit to spiritual practice, we begin with 15 minutes of discussion, proceed to 15 minutes of lectio divina focusing on mystical texts from the Bible and beyond, close with 20 minutes of centering prayer/meditation, and depart in silence. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Emily with questions.
9:30 am—Morning Prayer Service

Second and Fourth Wednesdays
Noon – 1:30p.m. – Grief Group
We gather with Rev. Emily and Rev. Doris Westfall at St. Matthew’s 2 miles north of Grace Church (1551 Bennett Ave. in Warson Woods, zip code 63122) to eat and chat, read about and discuss our own experiences of grief and mourning, and to encourage and support each other. All are welcome. Call Rev. Emily for details.

Diocesan News

The Companion Diocese Relationship Committee is calling the diocese to prayer during the elections in Sudan this April.

Prayer Service and Eucharist, Vigil preparation. At 12:00 noon we'll celebrate Eucharist on Saturday, April 10, at St. Timothy's Church, Creve Coeur. We hope to have our friends and new mission partners from Blackmore Vale, Diocese of Salisbury, UK join us by Skype.(Skype is a free computer-to-computer video or audio chat software.) We're also working on a simultaneous gathering at Lui Cathedral in Sudan.
Prayer Vigil. Lui, Sudan, is eight hours ahead of Missouri; a prayer vigil is scheduled from 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 10, through 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 13, (Central Time).
We have an online sign-up sheet for the vigil. Send an email for instructions/password, and please include your name/parish. Not online much and still want to sign up? Call 314-255-1387 with your name/parish/phone and we'll add you to the sign-up sheet.

Many, many thanks to those who helped with Trinity Hot Lunch Program in March. A plea went out for servers and you came through for those in need. Each month we need servers, cooks, shoppers & donations.

Please consider becoming a regular in any capacity. We always need food donations as well as helpers in the kitchen cooking and serving the 2nd Sunday of every month. We cook in the kitchen at Grace from 9-11 am on the Sunday we serve, and we serve our meal at 2:00 at Trinity Episcopal Church.

If you have any questions or would like more information please call Gale Theis at 314-952-4333. Please consider getting involved in this outreach ministry! 

The Episcopal School for Ministry

 The Summer term at the Episcopal School for Ministry begins on Saturday, 17 April.  Courses being offered this summer term are: Liturgy with professor Ralph Mc Michael, the Dean of the School. Preaching with professor Barbara Willock; andChristian Spirituality with professor Rod Wiltse.
 
The School meets at Eden Seminary on five Saturdays, one each month:

17 April from 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. with lunch.    
15 May from 09:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. with lunch.
12 June from 09:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. with lunch.     
17 July from 09:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. with lunch.
21 August from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The fall term begins at 11:00 a.m. There is lunch and an afternoon program ending at 3:00 p.m.
 
If you wish to register for the summer term telephone the Offices of the Diocese of Missouri – 314/231-1220 – and ask to speak to Cory, the registrar.
 
Morning Prayer is offered each Saturday of each term at 07:45 a.m.  The Holy Eucharist is celebrated each Saturday of each term at 11:15 a.m.  (First and last Saturdays of each term are exceptions).
 
You may also register for the full three year program which includes Friday evenings from 06:00 p.m. to 09:30 p.m. of each of the weekends listed above.

 

Grace on the Go is going……

Wildflower Walk at Shaw Nature Reserve with Grace on the Go

Saturday, April 24 marks the return of this very popular outing led by Dick Russell, assisted by his wife Susie. They are expert at recognizing and discussing all manner of growing things, and no matter which area he chooses, the setting is beautiful.

Sign up on the kiosk in Albright Hall to join Grace on the Go for the wildflower walk and lunch at Hawthorne Inn in nearby Labadie. If you wish to carpool, meet in Grace’s parking lot by 8 a.m. If you prefer to drive directly to Shaw Nature Reserve, the walk will start at 9 a.m.

For more information, please contact Stan or Christie Boyle at (314) 821-5421, or boylech@sbcglobal.net

 

Mother’s Day Drive for Kirk Care

At this time of increasing requests for services, Mother’s Day is a perfect opportunity to honor or remember your mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter, sister, godmother, friend, boss, employee by making a donation of a bag of groceries, Shop ’n Save card, or a check to Kirk Care. Empty bags will be distributed after each service on April 18, April 25 and May 2 and collected during the week prior and on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9. Stapled to each bag will be information regarding the drive, suggested donations and a form for you to complete to honor or memorialize your special person or persons.

Your donation will become a special part of our Mother’s Day offering. As always, we will send a card to each loved one in whose honor a donation is given, telling her of your gift given in her name. On the Sunday after Mother’s Day, we will pray for those in whose memory or honor these gifts were donated.

Please join Women of Grace and Grace’s Kirk Care Board Representatives in this simple and special way to honor your mother or other special person and also those in need on Mother’s Day.

HANDBELL CONCERT

The handbell choirs at Grace Church will present their 2010 annual concert on Saturday, April 24 at 4 pm in the nave of the church. Three choirs will be performing music ranging from the story of Noah to a peppy operatic selection. Following the concert a reception given by the choir members will be held in Albright Hall. Please put this event on your calendar and plan to attend.

Alliance on Mental Illness to Address Women of Grace

Date: Tuesday, April 20 • 12 p.m. Brown bag lunch and meeting
• 1 p.m. Program
The overall theme for the 2009–2010 Women of Grace programs is “Building Bridges: Acting on God’s Call.” April’s program is entitled “In Our Own Voice,” a recovery education presentation given by trained consumer presenters who tell their stories of recovery to groups interested in learning more about mental illness from people living with it. In addition, Mimi Haag, a member of the board of directors of Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI St. Louis, and our own Jody Walker will conduct a demonstration on mental illness. Join Women of Grace for this most interesting and informative program on April 20.

Women of Grace May Picnic Moved to Grace Church

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the last program of our 2009–2010 year will be held at Grace instead of Mudd’s Grove. Weather permitting, we will picnic on our beautiful grounds; otherwise, Albright Hall will be decorated festively for an indoor picnic. Our own Phillip Brunswick will present the program, “Building Bridges with Music.” Watch for more details in the May Messenger.

Confirmation Retreat

Our confirmands will be attending a retreat on the weekend of April 23/24 at the YMCA of the Ozarks, in Potosi, MO. They ask that you pray for them, and be ready to celebrate with them upon their confirmation on May 15, at Christ Church Cathedral.

Third Call to All Long-term Members of Grace

Have you been a member at Grace for at least 25, 50 or 75 years? If so, please notify Christie Boyle (boylech@sbcglobal.net; 314-821-5421) or Janet Mika (macbub@swbell.net; 314-965-8148) to tell us when you started. We’ll do the math! You may also leave a note in the 50th/150th Anniversary mailbox at church. Thanks to those who have already responded. Time is getting short for the rest of you, so please be in touch.

Save May 23 for a celebration of 50 years in our present sanctuary. Unlike our 150th year-long celebration, this is a one-time event to honor Grace’s move to this location in 1960. On Pentecost we will mark this special occasion with a liturgical celebration followed by an all-parish picnic on our beautiful grounds. Stay tuned for more details as the time draws nearer.

A community garden with the emphasis on Community!!

Imagine in your mind what a successful Grace Community Garden would be like. What would it look like? What would it grow? Who would linger and talk? Now imagine yourself in this picture and imagine the beautiful vegetables we could donate.

We will want to start small and smart with lots of good ideas and input so please help bring this from your imagination to Grace’s reality!

E-mail us at gracecreationcare@gmail.com or sign up at http://gracecreationcare.blogspot.com/ if you are interested in joining.

- Rob Holgate

 

A Bottle for Hummingbirds

By Bill Merritt, Camdenton, Missouri

Forget buying expensive, decorative sugar-water feeders. Now you can make your own for just a few bucks by using a recycled bottle. You'll be amazed at how fun and easy it is to make this one-of-a-kind feeder using a glass bottle. And with the copper accents, it's a decorative addition to your backyard, too.
What You Will Need
Glass bottle
5 feet of 4-gauge untreated copper wire
3 to 5 feet of 12-gauge untreated copper wire
Hummingbird feeding tube
Beads or other decorations
D ring or carabiner
Screw eye
Recommended Tools
File
Needle-nose pliers
Wire cutter

Let's Get Started!

File the ends of the copper wires so there are no sharp edges.
Take the 4-gauge wire and bend it at one of the ends to form a small circle. This should fit loosely over the opening of the bottle.
Insert the bottle in the circle, and make one more loop around the neck to hold it securely.
With the neck of the bottle securely in the two loops, wind the rest of the wire around the bottle. (This is where you have a little freedom to create your own design.) The wire should be loose enough to easily remove the bottle for refilling the sugar water, but tight enough to hold the feeder securely.
Bend the last 18 inches or so of wire upward to make a hanging hook and then fashion a loop at the very end to secure it, as shown.
Next, decorate your feeder using the 12-gauge copper wire.
Use needle-nose pliers and wire cutters to shape the wire as needed. Here's a design tip: To create the look of curling vines, wrap the wire around a pencil first and then attach it in pieces.
Use colorful beads or other adornments to complete your design. Remember, hummingbirds love red, so it's a great accent color.
Remove the bottle and fill it with sugar water. Then take your store-bought feeding tube and gently twist the stopper into place at the opening of the bottle. It should fit snugly to avoid leaking.
After you fill it with sugar water, place the bottle back into the copper holder. You might have to shake the bottle a little to dislodge any air bubbles. If it leaks, remove the feeding tube and try repositioning the stopper to get a more snug fit.

Ready to put your feeder to work? Make sure it hangs securely by hooking the feeder onto a snap ring or carabiner. Then put the ring through a screw eye and hang the entire feeder in the desired location. Now it's time to sit back, relax and watch for hummingbirds. Just don't forget to change the sugar water in the bottle every few days. (Or hopefully you will be changing it much sooner because you'll have so many hungry visitors!)

Looking for Hummingbird Feeding Tubes?
You can easily find them at bird supply stores and several places on-line. For example, you can find a 12-pack on-line at Amazon for around $12. If you can't find a local supplier, try doing a search on-line for "hummingbird feeding tubes" to find a source.
Choosing a Bottle
Glass bottles larger than 375 ml are heavy and more prone to leakage. Thus, they are not recommended for this project. Above all, the bottle must provide a tight fit for the stopper portion of the feeding tube you buy.
Anything less than an airtight fit will allow the nectar to drip from the feeding tube. Many soda and water bottles are a good fit for a commercial tube feeder assembly. Be sure to test the seal before you complete your design and add sugar water.

News of our Parish Family

Oscar Hunt, father of Gary (Becky) Hunt passed away on March 18th.
May he rest in peace, and light perpetual shine upon him.

Lisa Willis Fister, daughter of Diane and Jim Willis, has four pieces in a show at Maryville University.  The show titled La Palabra Anthology is the creation of artist, Rene' D. Michel-Trapaga and twelve of his artist friends who, in word and image, have created a world where anything and everything is possible.

Trees that pull up roots and travel to greener pastures, rescued dogs and cats, delusional folk that see "fallers," remarkable children, bank robbers, blue-eyed crows, distraught parents, spirited landmarks... There's enough in the La Palabra Anthology to keep you smiling long after leaving the gallery or putting the book down.

Besides the Joy of participating in this collaborative project, the artists' goal is to support Doctors without Borders, who provide medical help to those in need worldwide.  The exhibit is in the Library Gallery at Maryville and will run through April 7.

Do you have news of any of our family of faith? Please send us your news— births, graduations, deaths, illnesses, new grandchildren, new jobs, anniversaries, etc. Send to RHarri7176@aol.com.

Pastoral Care

Please call the Church office at 314-821-1806 to contact our clergy.

In case of an emergency at any time, dialing “7” when you hear our answering machine will connect you to the cell phone of the priest on duty (Father Todd or Rev. Emily).

If you are going to be in the hospital, please let us know. We will gladly make arrangements for prayers, anointing, and visits (as you wish).

We have lay visitors and Eucharistic Ministers ready to reach out, that we may seek and serve Christ in one other. Please help us know where there is a need.

Altar Flowers

There are new sign up sheets on the kiosk in Albright Hall to donate Altar flowers on Sundays. The schedule begins with the week after Easter Sunday, and is completely blank.

These flowers not only provide beautiful decorations on Sunday mornings, they also brighten the days of our ill and shut-in Parishioners.

Please consider signing up to donate flowers for our church.

Help us keep our church beautiful, and keep our shut-ins who receive these flowers in our thoughts and prayers.