News & Views
Your St. Thomas & Grace Church Resource Center
Weekly Newsletter - September 29, 2020
Our worship this Sunday will be at 10 am, both on Zoom and outdoors at the Rectory, gathering around the garden beds. Per the requirements of our Diocesan-approved Phase 3 Plan, those wanting to attend in person must register ahead of time. The Diocese now allows up to 50 people at outdoor events so everyone who wants to attend should be able to.
Special Instructions for In Person Worship
We are using Eventbrite for the registration process – use this link to sign up. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebratory-outdoor-worship-tickets-122388109129
· If you are unable to register online, please call Franci and she’ll take care of it for you. 247-6154.
· Everyone attending in person should wear a mask and bring their own chairs. (If this presents a problem for you, call Bob Wertz and he’ll arrange to provide a chair, which must be sanitized before and after).
The order of worship with all readings will be included in the Worship News on Friday. Copies will be provided for those attending in person.
Episcopal Relief & Development - update: ST&G has a long history of making donations to ERD annually, and whenever there are significant natural disasters such as the recent hurricanes and wildfires. These donations are not part of the parish budget - they represent additional contributions by parish members or proceeds from fundraisers. Treasurer Ken Brown says he has $100 in hand but would like the donation to be larger if possible. Please send your donations to Ken at the church address below - or email/call him to make other arrangements (kennethbrown@myfairpoint.net, 802-247-3194). If you have already donated to ERD directly online or via email, it would be helpful to tell Ken so that he can report to Vestry the total number (not amount) of donations to ERD from parish members.
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
We continue to worship via Zoom on Sunday mornings at 10 am. If you would like to join us but need help with Zoom the first time or would like to join by phone instead of computer, please contact Paul Gratz (lpgratz1@comcost.net, 802-236-4429).
Reopening Announcement
The Restart Committee at St Thomas and Grace (Rena, Missey, Bob, and Rachel with consultation from Beate) submitted the Phase 2 plan for reopening to the Diocesan committee reviewing and approving those plans.
We hope to hear back about the status of our report quickly, and have drafted our plans to move to phase 3. We intend to submit them by the end of this week.
Monthly Silent Prayer Vigils
On Sunday, June 7, 2020, members and friends of St. Thomas & Grace Episcopal Church participated first of what has become monthly silent prayer vigils as a public witness against racism. From 1:00-1:30 pm participants stand quietly in front of the St. Thomas Church building on Route 7 holding signs that proclaimed Racism is Sin and similar messages. This event is part of a statewide effort publicized by the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont and involving many faith communities around the state. About 15-20 members and friends continue in this public witness on first Sundays.
