Dear Friends,

This evening, a group of us will gather again on Zoom for our weekly Bible Study. We actually have more of an encounter with scripture, as we share what in the passage we are looking at either evokes, provokes or stirs up in us in the moment. It is based on an African approach to Bible Study.

This morning, we resumed Morning Prayer after a long hiatus. The readings for Morning Prayer follow along "in order" so to speak, so you will often hear passages not often read on Sunday. Today, as Eric was reading, I heard him say, "So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple." For some reason, the image of Jesus hiding in the temple to avoid rock throwing took me by surprise. Of course, that would be the sensible thing to do, but I don't think I've heard of Jesus "hiding."

I love how Scripture continues to speak to us today from wherever we are, leading us deeper in relationship with the Holy One. I haven't figured out yet what the reading is trying to say to me today, and I may never, but it did cause me to spend quite a bit of time thinking about the Jesus Movement.

In the Way of Love,

Debbie



This Sunday

Parish Prayer List

Please keep the following in your prayers:

For Nancy and Christine, Claire Smith, Heather and Prescott,, Ariana, Sheridan, Faith Aroko and Family, Jesse Hurst and Family, Angela Williams, Neal and Maureen Joyce, Arthur, Jane Thompson, Deb Young, Cindy Rhodes, Ron, Gerald Tucker, Allison Mascolo, Melissa Glassman, Max Joyce, Marc Britt and Francie Hill, those battling cancer, especially Faith’s friend and the Princess of Wales, for Mel, Corey MacNeil, Dianne, Michael Towey, Jenny, Loretta and Kris, Deb Papps, Jennifer Beal, Derek Fuller and Family, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and their ministries, for Ukraine and Haiti; the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, the Salem Public Schools and for an end to racism, war, anti-

Semitism, gun violence and oppression. In thanksgiving, we pray for our Worship Leaders, for this beautiful day, for rest and refreshment, and for creation.

If you have prayer requests, please email prayelistlist@gracechurchsalem.org by Tuesday at noon for publication

in that week's e-news.

The Season of Creation to begin September 1

“A special note about this year’s theme: We have decided to capitalize Creation for several reasons. Our theme this year emphasizes that Creation is not an object that has been created for human use, but rather a subject that we are called to relate to and collaborate with as fellow creatures. By capitalizing Creation, we refer to both the created order and the mystery of God’s continuing act of creation. We acknowledge the whole created order, or the whole cosmos, including all living and non-living parts of God’s Creation, showing our theological respect, reverence, accountability, and interdependence with the natural world.” - Season of Creation Ecumenical Committee.

At Grace Church, we will observe this season liturgically, and in action and advocacy. Let us together discern our place and responsibility in God’s created world.

September at Grace Church in Salem

Morning Prayer is read Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 am.. This 20 minute service is a wonderful way to set your mind on sacred things at the beginning of the day. This is a lay led service. Please let Debbie know if you’d like to learn how to lead the service from the Prayer Book and would be willing to lead once or twice a month.

The Knitting Group meets each Tuesday at 7:00 pm. This group continues its mission of fellowship, outreach and fundraising as it meets to share time with one another and craft objects needed by students in the Salem Public Schools and beyond. No experience required.

Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 5:00 pm on Zoom. During the month of September, we will consider how the Gospel reading for the upcoming week is speaking to us about our interrelatedness to Creation and our responsibility for its care. Please come and share your experience and understanding of Creation as a gift from our Creator. The Zoom link may be found on our webpage www.gracechurchsalem.org.

Choir Rehearsals are Wednesday at 7:30 pm. The choir is made up of volunteer ministers who lead us in the music of the service. Our choir rehearses each Wednesday and sings an anthem each Sunday at 10:00 am as well as on special holy days. If you’ve always wondered about choir, why not come to a rehearsal and check it out? All are welcome and no audition is required.

The Vestry will meet on Monday, September 16th at 5:30 via Zoom. We will receive a report on the work that has been done on the property over these last few months, as well as other scheduled reports.

Mercy, Mercy, Me: A Creation Retreat is scheduled for Saturday 21 September from 9-12. Participants will explore their own relationship with nature, learn about the effect the misuse and abuse of creation has on racism, and discern ways to prayerfully turn to Creation Care. This retreat is free and open to all.