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200 W Lang St, Alvin, TX 77511-2396 I 281-331-5657 I 281-331-1355 I www.gracechurchalvin.com
O ne Go d — O ne Fami ly — O ne T ab le November
2016
The Outpost
Catch us on Facebook Grace Episcopal Church Alvin
In this Edition
Birthdays & Anniversaries Page 2
Rector’s Article Page 3
Vestry Candidate Bios Page 4
Calendar Page 6
Parish Prayer List Page 7
The First Thanksgiving
In November, the holiday that is foremost in everyone's mind is, of course, Thanksgiving. It is a wonderful time of families gathered, feasting, of sporting events and the remembrance and celebration of all the good that has been a part of our lives for the past year.
When we think about the first thanksgiving, we think about that time in 1620 when the colonists and the Indians gathered to celebrate the harvest. The Indians taught the pilgrims how to grow native food, and gardens were planted that probably contained onions, turnips, carrots, herbs, corn, and pumpkins or squashes.
The meat that was served consisted of wild game. Turkeys, quail, and venison were staples. The turkeys may have been stuffed, with chestnuts or onions and herbs. The feasting went on for three days. It celebrated a time when colonists and Indians worked together and survived the early days of colonization.
Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book, a women's magazine, began petitioning presidents in 1827 to create a national holiday. Abraham Lincoln was the president who inaugurated the national holiday in 1863 as a way of uniting the country in the midst of the Civil War. Hale printed Thanksgiving recipes and menus in her magazine and published cookbooks to help plant the idea in the minds of women.
This Thanksgiving, I hope you will remember Sarah Hale and Abraham Lincoln and their quest to unite the country in the middle of strife, and pray again for our country now which is again in the middle of much division. Give thanks for the good things that have happened during the past year, and pray for those things that still need healing.
May our Lord be with you as you celebrate and enjoy Thanksgiving this year.
Nan+
Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 6th.
Daylight Saving time officially ends at 2:00am Sunday, November 6th. Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night. It’s also a great time to change the battery in your smoke detectors.
Parish Election Meeting
November 13th.
Our parish election meeting will be held Sunday, November 13th. between the services. This year, we will elect 3 new vestry members to three-year terms, and 2 new members to fill two unexpired
two-year terms. We will also elect one new delegate to Diocesan council. Vestry candidate bios can be found on page 4.
Game Night, November 18th.
November Game Night will be hosted by the Bergmanns, 312 Sycamore, Alvin, on Friday, November 18th, at 7:00pm. Bring a favorite game and snack. Beverages will be provided. If you’re not a game player, just come
to socialize with your Grace family.
Ministries
Altar Guild Director:
Janice Bell [email protected]
Fellowship & Pastoral Care Council Mary Smith, [email protected]
Liturgy & Worship Council Bryan Foulk, 281-827-5977
Janice Bell, [email protected]
Media & Communications Council Donna Tate, [email protected]
Jo Nell Parker [email protected]
Mission & Outreach Council
Spiritual Formation Council Sandra Green, [email protected]
Lay Ministry Scheduler: Vicki Ennis, 281-585-4660
Verger: Bryan Foulk
Vestry: Jim Callan, Senior Warden [email protected] Jo Nell Parker, Junior Warden [email protected] Janice Bell, [email protected] Brian Foulk, 281-827-5977 Sandra Green, [email protected] Glennie Hefner [email protected] Tommy Peebles, [email protected]
Income $121,766.99
Expenses 127,721.30
Gain (Loss) ($ 5,954.31)
Helen & Charles Wreyford 15
Elizabeth & Jim Reimer 25
The Office:
Mailing Address 112 W. Lang Hours: M-F 9:00-1:00
The Staff
Interim Rector: The Reverend Nan Doerr [email protected] Organist & Music Director: Paul Humphrey [email protected] Parish Administrator: Danny Hermann [email protected] Nursery Attendant: Claudia Pouncey 281-840-3547
Outpost Edi tor : : g r ac ec h u r c h o u t p o s t @g m ai l .c o m
1 Charles Lamb
4 Jim Reimer
5 Gary Turner
6 Ruth Fitch
13 Joanne Fisher
13 Russell Thatcher
14 Jeremy Lamb
16 Buster Schapper
17 Anna Arendell
17 John Evans
18 Deborah Bruner
22 David Anderson
27 Melodi Meshek
28 Tom Clark
Ha ppy Birthday
Grace Episcopal Church
One God One Family One Table
Vision
Grace Episcopal Church seeks to deepen relationships with God, bring
individuals together into a family that builds up one another in love and support, and actively serve our
neighbors and community. Mission
In this family of faith God brings together individuals in all stages of
their spiritual life to form an inclusive family. As a family, we encourage
growth in relationships with God, others, ourselves, and the creation, in that we:
Practice invitation to God’s table,
Welcome and incorporate those who come,
Work together to worship the Lord in powerful liturgy,
Challenge, encourage and teach one another, and
Build one another up for ministry in and beyond the church.
Our Numbers:
As of September 30th.
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Vestry Volitions
The Vestry met on October 17th. Among topics of discussion were the pumpkin patch, the stewardship drive, and vestry elections. The next meeting is scheduled for November 21st.
From The Rector… November has a tendency to be a busy month especially with school activities. The fall weather is beginning to cool off and the days are getting shorter. Halloween is over, but even before Thanksgiving is here, there are already Christmas displays in the stores reminding us that the really busy season is almost upon us.
Since this is the month with our national holiday, Thanksgiving, I have friends who make it a habit to remember one thing they are thankful for each day dur-ing the month. I've never consciously done that, but I think it is a good practice, not just for November but for all year long. I am reading a book called "Sleeping with Bread" by Dennis, Sheila & Matt Linn. The subtitle is “Holding what gives you life.” The title comes from World War II where children who were orphaned and left to starve were brought into the refugee camps. But they had trouble sleeping until they were given bread to hold at night. It reminded them that "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow."
Being Roman Catholic, the Linns are used to "The Examen" which is designed for Catholics to prepare for confession. But they have adapted it to be "user friendly" to non-Catholics. They suggest that each evening as you prepare for bed, you think about your day and ask yourself two questions: 1) what has blessed me today? Or, what has given me the most joy? And 2) what was my greatest struggle today? Or what made me feel sad or helpless or angry? As we look as these questions, they help us determine what is life-giving and helps us find direction in life.
So I would like to challenge each of us to do this - to look at the things we are thankful for each day, or to try using "The Examen" each evening during the month on November. What insights can you find in your life, and what
blessings can you discover as you move through this month? One of the things I
think this can do for us is to remind us there are good moments in the midst of all the hustle and bustle that is already beginning to take over our lives - a way to slow us down and remember the good as well as the struggles.
Wishing each and every one of you a great (and productive) month, and a very happy Thanksgiving season.
In His Name,
Mother Nan +
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Page 4
Vestry Candidate Bios
Lionel Ortiz:
I am 50 years old and have lived in Alvin for 47 years. I have been married to Carolyn for 24 years and we have two children, Sands and Hannah. I have worked for Valero Refining Co. for 24 years in several capacities. My first experience with Grace Church was in 1989-90 when I was invited by Reg Ennis to visit. I lived across the street at the time and he would come and knock on my door on Sunday morning to make sure I remembered and wouldn’t back out. Later, after attending several churches in the area, I finally made my way back to Grace and felt comfortable and welcomed. Carolyn and I were confirmed in 2016. I am truly honored to be nominated for the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church.
Donna Tate: Grace Episcopal Church has been my faith home and faith family for about 26 years now. I raised both my children here. This faith family has seen me through good times and tough times, and it really is an important part of my life. I have done a little bit of everything at Grace over the years: Sunday School Teacher and Director, Altar Guild, Choir, Vestry, and I am now chairing the Media and Communications Council, where I coordinate some of our social media and the weekly Constant Contact email. I also work with the diocesan Safeguarding programs. If chosen to serve on vestry again, I will do my best to serve and support my church home and family, and seek God's will and purpose for my life, and this church.
Vestry Candidate Bios
Charles Lamb: I was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Alvin in 1967. I am a graduate of Hitchcock High School and Alvin Community College. I am a life-long Episcopalian, and have been a member of Grace Church for 49 years. I have been married to Frances for 49 years, and we have raised two children at Grace. I have been a Lay Reader and Chalice Bearer for 35 years. I have been a Vestry member for nine years. I have worked with teenage youth groups, on Every Member Canvasses, and as part of teams working on church repair projects.
Glennie Hefner: I have been married to my husband David for 37 years. We have 3 sons and 6 grandkids. We have lived in Santa Fe for over 20 years. I am a Vice President/Branch Manager for Alamo Title in Clear Lake. I started attending Grace about 15 years ago when my parents moved back to town and started attending. I have served on the Vestry 2 other times and as Senior Warden for 2 years. I have also been involved with many different ministries – Sunday School, DOK, Altar Guild, Pumpkin Patch, Stewardship, Youth Ministry, and many more. I look forward to working with the new Vestry & seeing where God leads us in the next few years.
Grace Church Sunday School
Children’s Classes All Ages of Children Welcome Sundays 9:15-10:15am
Adult Classes Sundays 9:15 –10:15am Lectionary Class– A discussion of the weekly lessons Coffee Discussions—A kind of “Sharing Class” Sundays 9:15am Ladies Bible Study—Book study on Frederick Buechner called Buechner 101. Tuesday-Rector’s Bible Study 11:00am to 12:30pm Encounters with Jesus.
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Birthday Cake
The first Sunday of each month is Birthday Cake Sunday sponsored by the Rossanos. Join us between the services on November 6th. for cake, and fellowship
Grace Guild Quilt Raffle Grace Guild is again holding their annual raffle of one of Opal Anderson’s beautiful quilts, which is on display in the Parish Hall. Raffle tickets are available from Guild members at church. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Drawing is December 3rd.
Christ the King Sunday As our liturgical year winds down, we suddenly discover Christ the King Sunday. This is the harsh reality of Jesus dying on the cross on his road to Kingship. As we are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving and looking toward the Christmas Season, here is this episode from the crucifixion to jar our sense of joy and expectation. In many ways it prepares us for the Advent journey. It reminds us that this is serious stuff. It reminds us that Jesus came to earth for a reason; to die for our sins and to restore us as full members of the family of God. And it completes the church year by proclaiming the all-encompassing love of Jesus for each of us and His all-embracing authority as the King of kings. Nan+
Prayer and Meditation
Wednesdays @ 6:00 pm
Everyone is invited to join us for this time spent with the Lord. We will use a number of ways to connect with God including prayer beads, centering prayer, and lectio divina among others. Each session will run from 30 to 45 minutes long and will include a brief time of sharing before we pray. This is not intercessory prayer, but a time to connect with God on a personal level. If you have prayer beads, bring them. If not, we will have beads that you can use.
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Bible Study, 11:00am BSA Troop 400—7:00pm ALANON—7:30pm
2 Prayer & Meditation, 6:00 pm Cubs, 6:30pm Choir Practice, 7:00pm
3 4
5
6 Fall Back 1 Hour Holy Eucharist (I) 8:00am Christian Education Programs Holy Eucharist (II) 10:30am
7
8 Bible Study, 11:00am BSA Troop 400—7:00pm ALANON—7:30pm
8 Prayer & Meditation, 6:00 pm Cubs, 6:30pm Choir Practice, 7:00pm
10
11
12
13 Holy Eucharist (I) 8:00am Christian Education Programs Parish Elections Holy Eucharist (II) 10:30am
14
15 Bible Study, 11:00am BSA Troop 400—7:00pm ALANON—7:30pm
16 Prayer & Meditation, 6:00 pm Cubs, 6:30pm Choir Practice, 7:00pm
17 Grace Guild, 10:00am
18 @ The Bergmann’s, 7:00pm
19
OUTPOST DEADLINE
20 Holy Eucharist (I) 8:00am Christian Education Programs Holy Eucharist (II) 10:30am
21
Media & Communications Council, 6:15pm Vestry Meeting, 7:00pm
22 BSA Troop 400—7:00pm ALANON—7:30pm
23 Choir Practice, 7:00pm
24
25
26
27 Holy Eucharist (I) 8:00am Christian Education Programs Holy Eucharist (II) 10:30am
28
29 Bible Study, 11:00am BSA Troop 400—7:00pm ALANON—7:30pm
30 Prayer & Meditation, 6:00 pm Cubs, 6:30pm Choir Practice, 7:00pm
Let us pray
for the Church
and for the world.
Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love and reveal your glory to the world.
Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Justin Welby Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry Diocesan Bishop, The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle Bishop Suffragan, The Right Reverend Dena Harrison Bishop Suffragan, The Right Reverend Jeff Fisher Grace Interim Rector, The Reverend Nan Doerr Grace Music Director and Organist, Paul Humphrey
Guide the people of this land, and all of the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours and grant that we may serve Christ in them and love one another a he loves us.
Our Administrator, Altar Guild, Bible Studies, Children’s Ministries, Christian Education, Cursillo, Community Outreach, Daughters of the King, Family Promise, Grace Guild, KAIROS Prison Ministry, Lay Ministers, Music Ministry, Senior Saints, Youth Ministry, Vestry, and all others serving you.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation…
Barbara Adkison, Bob Armstrong, Windy Arnold, Kimber Ballard, Herb Barrier, Margaret Barrier, Derrick Beaver, Patricia Bell, Louis Bell, Jean Bilderback, Shirley Braw, Lynne Bruner, Brenda Buelow, Velma Bumstead, Nathan Buzbee, Beverly Capeheart, Becky Carbone, Jackie Childers, Ed Crook, Charles & Lucille Dixon, Diane Ellis, Paula Ellis, Vicki Ennis, Joanne Fisher, Jay Fitch, Luci M. Fuller, Jacob Garcia, Elizabeth Gass, Aaron Gideon, Jerrie Grantham, Bill Harris, Roger Ivey, Dalton Jacques, Jennifer & Cory Johnson, Kenneth Lee, Ben Lockett, Kenneth Marvel, Alice Megna, Mildred Morris, Ann Oliver, Bob Peebles, Tommy Peebles, Joan Pelt, Vicky Polaski, Barbara Richardson, Angela Rodriguez, Daniel Rodriguez, Elena Rodriguez, Chad Rogers, Kevin Ross, Joe Rossano, Nicole Rowden, Josh Sager, Jean Slate, A.O. Smith, Shirley Stockton, Rennard Sweet, Myra Thomas, Scarlet Tucker, Sandi Willis, Fran Van Winkle, Mary Frances Wissner.
Our college students in their journey.
Elizabeth Russell, Texas Tech University John Evans, Texas A & M University Allen Evans, Texas A & M University Calli Fauver, Baylor University Carson Fauver, Texas Tech University Linda Thurmond, Alvin Community College
Protect and guide all who serve in the military.
Mickey Alcantara (USMC), Scott Barrier (USAF), Scott Bean, Robert Berger (USN), Christian Blevins, Jason Bryan, Chase Capehart, Taylor Cameron (USN), Robert Carnie (USN), Ryan Cross, Clayton Crouch, David Dezso, Glen Dockal (USA), Raymond Dugan (USN), Thomas Economidis (USN), Mitchell Goodnight, Matt (USN) & David Hefner (USA), Lance Henderson, Keith (USN) & Kurt (USMC), Adam Miller, Ben Meyer (USCG), Shon O’Connor, Tara Parker, Chad Perry (USAF), Daniel Popham, Ryan Popham, Jonathan Prater, Manuel Rodriguez, Josh Sager (USAF), A. J. Soto (USA), Russell Stewart (USAF), John Swanson, William Thompson, Ray Turner.
Our expectant mothers:
Our newborns:
Faithful Departed:
Guide and protect our First Responders.
Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.
Matthew 21:22
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200 W. Lang St. Mail & Office @ 112 W. Lang St. Alvin, TX 77511-2396
Services
Sunday Worship 8a.m. Rite I
9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Rite II
Morning Prayer
7a.m. Sunday 8:30 a.m. Mon-Sat.
Evening Prayer*
6pm Daily *Prayer & Meditation Wednesdays
Upcoming Features of Parish Life
Birthday Cake Sunday, November 6, 9:00AM
Veterans’ Day, November 11, OFFICE CLOSED
Parish Election Meeting, November 13, 9:00AM
Game Nite @ The Bergmann’s, Nov.18, 7:00PM
Outpost Deadline, November 19.
Vestry Meeting, November 21, 7:00PM
Thanksgiving, November 24, OFFICE CLOSED
Day After, November 25, OFFICE CLOSED
Member of
Episcopal Diocese of Texas, epicenter.org
National Episcopal Church, episcopalchurch.org
Worldwide Anglican Communion, anglicancommunion.org
Alvin-Manvel Ministerial Alliance, ministerialalliance.net
One God - One Family - One Table