Office Hours. The parish office hours are Monday - Friday, 9am to 2pm. Office is

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1 Grace News Weekly Updates from Grace Church Millbrook Worship Christian Education Sunday Services: 8am and 10am Wednesday Healing Eucharist followed by Bible Study: 10am Bilingual Spanish/English Service: 3rd Sunday of the month Sunday School will resume back on September 16th Confirmation second Sunday of the month will resume back on October 14th Office Hours The parish office hours are Monday - Friday, 9am to 2pm. Office is office@gracemillbrook.org. For more information on Grace Church happenings, make sure to read Grace Notes:

2 Advent Study - Journeying the Way of Love Wednesday mornings 11 a.m. 12 p.m. in the choir room. For Advent we will pause our study of Paul, and look at the first two chapters of Luke. Luke's gospel provides a pattern for understanding how we can live the Way of Love as individuals, as families and friends, as a community, and out in the world. Chat with Father Matt These are the drop-in hours with something on your mind or heart on Wednesdays 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. If you would like to make an appointment for other times, please call the office. Daily Prayers and Meditations Last year, when the congregation joined together in reading The Path,an abridged version of the Bible, Grace Church sent out a daily with a reading and prayer. We have also sent out daily meditations written by parishioners at various times.

3 A number of people have expressed interest in continuing to receive daily meditations and prayers by . There are a variety of online meditations and prayers available, most of which can come to you by every day. If you are interested in receiving such daily material, here is information to help you. Forward Day by Day is sponsored by the Episcopal Church. They have several offerings including daily meditations and guidance for praying the daily office. General information about these options can be obtained here: Information about receiving Forward Day by Day by can be obtained here: They also have an app for your phone:

4 Center for Action and Contemplation Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest, ecumenical teacher and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation. You can receive his daily meditations in your by going to the site below and clicking on "sign up" in the upper left corner. Grace Church Events FRIDAY, DEC 7 MILLBROOK AT HOME Join your local community for a potluck lunch and presentation by Grace Year Fellows. Grace Year Fellowship is a residential, August-to-August program sponsored by the Grace Episcopal Church that brings recent college graduates to Millbrook for a year of reflection, discernment, professional development and service. Young adults ages live together in intentional community, study spirituality, leadership and justice, and work with local organizations.

5 Friday, December 7th, noon at the Grace Church Millbrook Rectory. This is a special lunch that we have to host at a different location. If you can, please bring a salad, side-dish or a dessert to share. Lunches in 2019 will take place at Maura's Kitchen as usual. We are rapidly approaching Dec. 8 th and the annual Grace Church cookie sale. In order for its continued success we need to ask for your help. Please speak to one of our cookie ladies, (Lynda Boissey, Jean Hayes, Barbara Rudy, or Pam Freeman) after church, or sign up on our poster in the parish house. We are requesting that each holiday baker make 6 dozen of their favorite festive cookie and deliver them to the sale early Sat. Dec. 8 th (8-10 a.m.) or if more convenient, Friday afternoon between 2 and 4 p.m. If you need one of us to pick up your donation, call Lynda at

6 Confirmation Class will meet at 11:15 Sunday, December 9

7 Connect - will be meeting this Sunday, Dec. 9, from 4-8pm at the vicarage. We will do a short guided meditation/discussion on spirituality, followed by cardmaking in the Parish Hall, then will head back to the vicarage for dinner and a conversation on human trafficking facilitated by one of our members. We'll conclude with a short debrief and poem or song sharing. Stewardship at Grace Church We had excellent participation during our Consecration Sunday service this past week and the Celebration Luncheon that followed. We hope all of you enjoyed our Stewardship activities during and leading up to this very busy day. As part of the Stewardship process, several of our parishioners shared their experiences regarding how Grace Church impacts their lives, how they feel about participating in church life and why they support the church with a monetary pledge. We know many of you have similar thoughts and feelings. We also know that parishioners support Grace Church in many different ways, but your pledge helps the Finance Committee and Vestry make sound budgetary

8 decisions when developing the annual budget and throughout the year. We can't thank you enough for making a pledge for And, if you haven't had the opportunity to do so yet, please feel free to contact the office for a pledge form. Or, you can find one at the back of the church on Sunday. Thank you for understanding the importance of providing a strong financial foundation for the many spiritual activities and programs of Grace Church. Sincerely, The Stewardship Committee If you have requested Stewardship Pledge envelopes they are in the back of the church with your name on it. Christmas Flowers: If you wish to give Christmas flowers in memory of a loved one or as a thanksgiving, you may pick up a form in the back of the church. Please note that the Parish Office must have your request no later than Friday, December 14th in order for it to be printed in the Christmas bulletins. For more information, speak with one of the Altar Guild members.

9 Grace Episcopal Church Millbrook, New York 3328 Franklin Avenue Celebramos la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe 12 de Diciembre de :00 PM Servicio Compartiremos la cena después del servicio si puede traer un plato para compartir Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12, :00 PM Service We will share a meal after the service; if you can please bring a dish to share.

10 EPIC is celebrating the close of a wildly successful 2018 on Friday, December 14th at 6pm in the Parish Hall.We invite you to join us and meet the fabulous EPIC members and their families. Kindly RSVP to abby@epicjustice.org. Christmas Pageant News Rehearsal Schedule: ALL SUNDAYS before the pageant following Communion (Dec 2, Dec 9, Dec 16). Children will leave after Communion as usual. These will most likely run until 12. Final rehearsal will be the morning of Sunday Dec 23. Children should be at church SHARP at 8:45 to dress and do a final run through. We will need the following adult help: Set Up/Break Down: Set up Saturday, Dec 22; break down following church Sunday Dec 23. Coffee Hour: Provide cocoa and cookies, set up, clean up Costumes: The costumes could use some refreshing; it would be helpful for someone to take

11 a look and see what the sewing needs might be. Prepping children with costumes (Sunday, Dec 16, during rehearsal) Getting children dressed and ready (Sunday, Dec 23, 8:45) Let Dawn Galente know who is able to help with any of the above! Christmas Eve Services Needed 5:00 PM Chalice 2 - Needed Ushers: Needed 8:45 PM Acolyte: Needed 3 Chalice 1 Needed Please let Evelyn know as soon as possible if you are able to serve.

12 Epiphany/Epifania Come join the Three Kings as they visit Grace Church in Millbrook on Epiphany Sunday, January 6 at 10 am. Songs will be sung and presents handed out for children. And a stay for a festive celebration with piñata and games following the service in the Parish Hall. Ways to Help Neighbors Near and Far This Christmas As one way of giving to other families and children in need, families of the Preschool and Grace Church are collecting donations of the following items for Grace Smith House in Poughkeepsie: Please note, the following must be NEW clothing items.please deliver items to the Parish Office or Preschool no later than Friday, December 14. Thank you! Infant blankets, onesies, socks, etc. Children socks, underwear, t-shirts

13 Adult pajamas, slippers & flip-flops, bathrobes, sweatpants & sweatshirts, socks and underwear Alternatively, gift cards to dollar stores, superstores, gas stations, local grocery stores, etc. are welcome! Established in 1981, Grace Smith House is a private not-for-profit domestic violence agency, which provides both residential and non-residential services to victims of domestic violence and their children.about Grace Smith House: Christmas is coming soon! Help Food of Life Pantry If you would like to donate to the St. Thomas turkey fund, just make the check out to "Food of Life Food Pantry"- in memo write turkeys - food pantry! Please mail checks directly to St. Thomas, 40 Leedsville Road, Amenia, NY Thank you for your continuing support of the Food of Life Pantry!

14 Neighbors in Another Country Please collect coins (or other cash or check contributions) for Advent for the Episcopal Relief & Development Gifts for Life. Our Goal is to reach $ by December 21 st. Christmas Gift Package includes two goats, clean water, care for two Moms and Newborns and one savings and loan group membership. Flyers are in the back of church for more information. Collections are due into the office by December 21 st. Neighbors in California As you know, the current wildfires in California have become the most destructive in the state's history. Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California as they coordinate with local congregations to provide emergency support to those impacted by the wildfires in Northern and Southern California. The US Disaster Team is in daily communication with the dioceses through coordination calls to organize response efforts. We invite you to support our ongoing work with the impacted dioceses.

15 Please continue to pray for all those impacted by the wildfires in addition to our church and other partners as they reach out to their most vulnerable members and neighbors and begin the initial relief and recovery work. Contributions to the US Disaster Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development provide critical emergency assistance to those most in need. Forms can be found in the back of the church! Help Spread The Word About Grace Invite a neighbor to church.advent is a wonderful season to discover or rediscover faith in God and hope in Christ.Let people know they are truly welcomed here! If you have any pictures of the parish please send them to Diana Bellissimo at lillymoorefarm@gmail.com so she can post them on our facebook and instagram account.

16 Christmas at Grace Church December 23 rd 10:00 a.m. Christmas Pageant during Service After the pageant, we will have cookies and hot chocolate in the Parish Hall! December 24-5p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service December 24-8:45 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service with Carols and Choir December a.m. Christmas Day Service

17 WELLNESS Gentle Yoga Movement In this class, we are looking to create a sense of health, happiness, and well-being. In addition to yoga, we incorporate aspects of Pilates and Somatic Movement. The benefits of this practice include building strength, improving balance, increasing flexibility, developing core muscles, relaxation, and peace of mind. We also like to have fun! This class is suitable for beginners. Try a class for free to see if you like it. Price $86/ 6 classes Thursdays from 10:30-11:30am in Grace Church Parish Hall. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - Tai Chi w/ James Moretti 8:30 a.m - 9:30 a.m. - Grace Church Parish Hall

18 Dance - Semester 1 September 17th - December 20th Grace Church Parish Hall- Heather Houlihan-Guarnieri Monday 4:00-5:00 p.m. - Combo II Ballet & Tap Monday 5:00-6:00 p.m. - Tap II Monday 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Tap III & Tap IV Tuesday - 6:30-7:45 p.m. Adult/Teen Tap Thursday 1:00-2:00 pm Adult Tap Coping with Life Alone Beginning Experience is offering a weekly support program, Coping with Life Alone, for persons of all ages grieving the loss of a spouse through death, divorce, or separation. It is helpful for those in the early stages of grieving this loss, as well as for those who are further along in their grieving process. The program's facilitators have themselves experienced a divorce or the death of

19 a spouse. It will be held on Sundays from 1:00pm- 3:30pm, from Sunday, October 14 th,through Sunday, December 9 th, at GraceChurch, 3328 Franklin Avenue, Millbrook, New York Please call and register in advance. For information or to register, please call Beth at Community Events Carols by the Fireside, The Millbrook Community Festival Choir, Directed by Daniel Michael Koch, featuring Soprano, Robin Clifford & Baritone, Will Doneza: Sunday December 9, 7:00 pm, reception with choir and musicians immediately after. Free to the public- donations appreciated, all are welcome! Join our Meals on Wheels team! We are looking for those with a heart to care for our Seniors who are shut in and in need of a hot meal and a warm smile. Drivers, cooks and kitchen help for Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings are most welcome. This is a much needed ministry, and so very important to Seniors. Volunteers from all our local

20 Churches and the broader community are welcome. You will meet salt of the earth people and you will also be serving folks who will be thrilled to see you! You'll love it! Contact us at ; or check the Lyall website for more information. Additional details: Volunteers can work in the kitchen where cooks prepare the meal, kitchen helpers make sandwiches and package the lunch bags and meal trays, and drivers deliver the meals to our clients in the Millbrook area. We prepare meals Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except holidays and during bad weather) from approximately 8:30-10 AM, Drivers start their rounds at 10:00. If you could volunteer a day a week or a day per month, or even as an occasional fill-in, let us know by calling

21 COME ONE and ALL! The 13 th Annual Millbrook Library Holiday Silent Auction will take place from November 30 th to December 15 th. Stop by to view the gorgeous items and holiday gifts on display in the gallery of the Millbrook Library. On November 30 th the auction will kick off with a wine, cider and cheese preview party from 6-7:30. So while you are out enjoying the Millbrook's Parade of Lights stop by for some holiday shopping and festivities. You can continue to visit the library to view and bid on your favorite items, until the closing evening of December 15 th. That night the bids will be closed, winners announced, and refreshments served. It will be another time to mingle with friends and family and share in the holiday excitement! {This event is organized by the Friends of the Millbrook Library. All proceeds go to support the many programs of the Millbrook Library that are not funded by its operating budget.}

22 Grace Church Millbrook 3328 Franklin Avenue, PO Box 366 Millbrook, NY Office Phone: Fr. Matt's Cell: (203) Fr. Matt's Want to change how you receive these s? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list