Greetings to All Grace Family Members:

WORSHIP NOW OPEN IN THE GRACE SANCTUARY

With last week’s Thanksgiving service, the Grace sanctuary is now open for weekly worship services. We shall continue to live stream, as well, so that those who wish to worship from home can do so.

Thanks to all those who enabled last week’s Thanksgiving service to go so well. The Worship Team under the able leadership of Jen Cheesman, welcomed, registered and seated all participants.

Singers stood behind plexiglass barriers, thanks to Keith Huyer’s craftsmanship. And there was a beautifully decorated Harvest Communion Table at the front thanks to Kathy Watt.

It was wonderful to be in each other’s company, even if social distancing is required and singing isn’t allowed.

As we adjust to being back in the sanctuary together, please let us know that you will be there in person. Masks and hand sanitizing will be our “new normal.” To ensure that everyone is safe we have increased our cleaning to regularly sanitize all high-touch surfaces.

To register attendance, please call the office at 705.734.0760 or email. Messages are checked regularly. We continue with our livestreamed worship service. To join us from home click on the Grace Website or go through YouTube.

UPCOMING WORSHIP

This week – Sunday, October 18 at 10:30 am at Grace

We welcome Jeffrey Dale at our worship service for a conversation about the Youth ministry he is carrying out for the Shining Waters Regional Council. We will also be recognizing Ethan Bates as recipient of a scholarship from the United Church of Canada through the Toronto United Church Council (TUCC). For the livestream service, click Grace Website or YouTube.

This week – Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 pm – Shining Waters Online

Celebration of Ministries service via YouTube. The service will include Ordinations, Admission of clergy, and Celebration of Licensed Lay Worship Leaders.

Next Week – Anniversary Service at 10:30 am at Grace

On October 25, we welcome guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. HyeRan Kim-Cragg.

HyeRan Kim-Cragg holds the Timothy Eaton Memorial Professorship in Preaching at Emmanuel College.  She comes to Emmanuel from St. Andrew’s College (Saskatoon) where she held the Lydia Gruchy Chair of Pastoral Studies and, prior to that, she and her partner David served the United Church as overseas mission personnel to Korea.  She is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea and has served in pastoral, teaching, and intercultural leadership capacities with the United Church of Canada for the past twenty years. We look forward to having her with us.

Offerings

We continue to receive offering via: envelopes left in the church mailbox at the Grove Street entrance to the parking lot (cheques only, please; no cash), PAR (preauthorized bank withdrawals), e‑Transfer, PayPal (donation button on Grace Website), and donations left in an envelope on Sunday mornings at the church. We are grateful for your continued support of the ministry of Grace.

UPDATES AND NEWS

Fabulous Food Fair Coordinator Needed!

The Stewardship & Finance Team has cancelled the Harvest Dinner for this year due to COVID‑19 precautions. However, it’s still possible to safely carry on the Fabulous Food Fair in a different format. Donations of preserves (jams, jellies, sauces, etc.) and/or baked goods can be done at home then brought to the church. Drive-through pickups can then be organized for orders to be filled. There’s still time to put this favourite fundraiser in motion, but a coordinator is needed. Can you help? Please contact Dave Thomas at 705.722.7848.

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Functional Fitness Fanatics Class – Mondays & Thursdays, 9:30–10:15 am

As a result of COVID‑19, we will continue with Zoom Fitness Classes, which can be done right in your own home. All you need is a computer and the Internet. This class is great for anyone who would like to increase their quality of life through functional strength, cardio, flexibility and balance. Please contact Doreen at 705.728.5815 or dtef1@yahoo.com.

Progressive Theology Study Group – Tuesdays, 7:15 pm

Plans are all set for our series on the Seven Grandfather teachings (via Zoom). For more info, please contact Bette McCracken at 705.721.5156 or Dave Collacutt at 705.436.1093.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study at 9:30 am

This group has resumed (via Zoom)! This is an old tradition, originating in the local rural communities from whom we’ve received so many members over the years. It’s a lectio divina structured meeting, coordinated by one of our wonderful wealth of Ministers/Emeritus/VAMs. We generally follow the lectionary, so it’s a great “heads up” for Sunday’s sermon—sometimes! We’d love you to join us. Email the Grace Office to be added to the Zoom list.

PRAYER LIST

Available by email from the church office. For updates or additions, email the Grace Office or call Barb Mercer at 705.728.6734.

For sharing news and information,
email the Grace Office or call 705.734.0760.