Weekly News from Grace Episcopal Church: April 17, 2025

Holy Week and Easter at Grace

Maundy Thursday:
April 17 at 6:15 p.m.

This family-friendly, child-inclusive evening begins with a simple, communal meal, followed by communion and foot washing. We end the evening with the Stripping of the Altar. A watch will be kept at the Altar of Repose in the sanctuary until 10:00 p.m. Nursery will be available.

Good Friday: April 18

Noon (in person and on livestream) and 7:00 p.m. (in person only and no childcare).

Easter Day: April 20

5:30 a.m. Lay-led Easter Sunrise Service

This prayer service includes readings and songs, following a multi-sensory approach. We begin by a warm fire near the baptismal font and follow by reading stories in the narthex, which lead us into the “tomb” (the sanctuary). We then conclude the hour-long service by processing back outside into the light and celebrate by eating hot cross buns.

Celebration of the Feast of
the Resurrection of our Lord

8:00 a.m. (in person only) and 10:00 a.m. (in person and on livestream)

10 a.m. service is child-friendly; an Activity Station will be available. There will be no Sunday School, as the service is for all ages.

After the 10:00 a.m. service, there will be a festive coffee hour and an outdoor Easter Egg Hunt. Childcare will be available during the service.

image: Crucifixion (detail) by Duccio di Buoninsegna

For more infomation visit:

https://www.gracehere.org/pages/lent-holy-week-and-easter

Share the schedule with friends and family.

Upcoming Events at Grace

Click on a link for more details.

Coffee & a Psalm
Mondays at 10:00 a.m.

Note: Coffee & a Psalm will not take place on Easter Monday

Youth Café Night
Thursday, April 24 at Coquette, Winslow Green

Cathedral Day
May 3 at St. Mark’s Cathedral, 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Exploring Spirituality’s Vital Relationship with Resilience
May 6, 13, 20, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Men’s Group Spring Gathering & Potluck
May 7, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

A Book and Chat Group for Parents
May 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Second Monday of each month

Save the Dates: August 28 – September 2
Annual Grace Men’s Group backpacking trip

For more infomation visit:

https://www.gracehere.org/events

Click here for a full calendar of events.

In Memoriam

Debbie Hill

Debbie Hill died peacefully on Monday evening, April 13th, and leaves behind a wealth of memories for many at Grace Church.

In June 1992, Debbie and her husband, Steve attended a home service which launched what we now know as Grace – indeed they were Founders. To know Debbie was to know generosity, a dedication to community, and a commitment to exercising her own gifts. Debbie cared deeply about the welfare of others. She found ways to manifest that care whether being a scorekeeper for high school wrestling matches or cross-stitching name tags for Grace members. When Steve drove one of the Hill Moving Service vans cross-country, Debbie would often be at his side stitching the personalized tags for Gracies.

They also generously moved some of the clergy called to Grace from long distances away. They bought blocks of tickets to live performances at the Admiral Theater to share with those who might never have such an opportunity. Serving others was clearly a guiding principle for both of them, and they made a great team. Debbie, herself, was a force – a woman with strong opinions, determination, and a heart for doing good in the world. Hers was indeed a lived faith.

We will celebrate Debbie's life at a memorial service at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 21st at Grace Church.

Mary Lee Gross Memorial

Friday, April 18, 12pm – 4pm
at the Bainbridge Performing Arts Center

The Gross Family cordially invites you to gather with us to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, Mary Lee Gross. We hope you can join us to remember her and share stories and comfort with her family and friends from across the wide path of her adventurous journey. We are forever grateful for the impact she made on all of our lives.

Youth Café Night

Thursday, April 24

For 7th – 12th grades. Games, Hot Drinks, Sweet Treats at Coquette, Winslow Green

Sponsored by Grace & St. Barnabas Episcopal Churches with the other Open & Affirming churches and youth organizations of Bainbridge Island.

Faith Formation in May

Exploring Spirituality’s Vital Relationship with Resilience

A three-part seminar at Grace

Tuesdays, May 6, 13, 20, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m

Join Counselor & Spiritual Director Nita Baer as we consider works of Dr. Lisa Miller, John Philip Newell, and others, who inform our understanding and nourish our relationship with resilience. Free. All are welcome. Please email Kim Cockroft sign up: kim@gracehere.org.

Men’s Group Spring Gathering & Potluck

Join the Grace Men’s Group for a Spring Gathering & Potluck on Wednesday, May 7 at 6 p.m. in Walker Hall.

Visit this link for more information and to sign up.
You may also email Eric Matthews or call him at 206-718-2254.

For more infomation visit:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4FADAD22ABF85-mens4#/

Help us solve a mystery!

We are looking for the identity of the person who created this piece of art at the Parish Retreat last October. If you created this lovely piece, would you please email Kim Cockroft and let her know? Thank you!

Help Support Chaplains on the Harbor

Throughout the month of April, the Outreach/Faith in Action ministry will continue to receive donations of the following items for our neighbors served by The Freedom Church of the Poor, aka Chaplains on the Harbor:

hygiene wipes (baby wipes) • new warm socks and underwear • peanut butter • warm hats & gloves (winter)

We would also like to thank Pam Hobert and her knitting group. Pam and her husband Geoff brought in THREE bags of cheerful and cozy hand-knit hats and scarves to help keep our neighbors in Grays Harbor warm.

Donation baskets are in the narthex by the kiosk.

Kathleen Abell and her son picked up 60 pounds of donations for Chaplains on the Harbor this week!

Thank you for your generosity!

“Resettlement With Grace” Update

The Ahmadi family of six is now settled in a Kent Airbnb as the RWG team continues to search for a 3-BR apartment by April 29. Fulfilling the requisites of affordability, safe neighborhood, good schools, nearby mass transit, and groceries is a full order. Stay tuned for a list of needs for an unfurnished apartment. Because we now anticipate rental support may be needed for a longer period, monetary donations to Grace are greatly appreciated.

Click here to donate online through Realm, or write a check to Grace Church with RWG in the memo line. Contact: Email Kathy Deasy or call (928) 606-3410.

Cathedral Day

Saturday, May 3 at St. Mark’s Cathedral, 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Advance registration requested

If you have attended the Foundations Class and are seeking confirmation and have not signed up yet, please email Kim Cockroft and Eric Mason as soon as possible. Likewise, if you have family members coming with you to Cathedral Day and they would like lunch vouchers, please email Kim or Rev. Eric if you have not already done so.

Cathedral Day is a “family reunion” for Episcopalians from across western Washington—a time for connecting across communities, experiencing your cathedral in a new light... and having a lot of fun. There’s something for everyone—no matter your age!

A liturgy of Holy Eucharist with the rites of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation for candidates from parishes near and far will begin at 10:30 a.m., opening with a grand, colorful procession of parish banners.

Following the service, all are invited to enjoy lunch from food trucks and participate in activities for all ages. (Food truck lunch is free with advance registration.) Afternoon activities include face painting, demonstration of the Mighty Flentrop, paper airplane launch from the organ loft, docent-led tour including the crypt, a walk through the Greenbelt, and more!

For more infomation visit:

https://saintmarks.org/about/cathedral-day/

More info and registration