WELCOME TO GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

If you are an Episcopalian and your membership is in another parish, we will be glad to request a Letter of Transfer to Grace Church for you.  If you are not an Episcopalian, membership is received through Baptism and/or Confirmation.  Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Grace Church supports itself totally by the financial contributions of members and friends.  We receive no money from either the Bishop or Diocese of Lexington or the National Church.  Parishioners are urged and expected to support the financial needs of the parish.  This is accomplished through pledging.  Although the accepted standard of giving in the Episcopal Church is the Biblical Tithe of 10% of one's income, each person or family must examine their conscience and circumstances and decide how much can be pledged on a regular basis.  We urge all members to fill out a pledge card as this gives the budget committee a more accurate means of preparing the upcoming annual budget.  If you wish to receive weekly offering envelopes contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Acolytes assist the clergy in the sanctuary and at the altar during worship services.  They carry the cross and candles in the procession, help prepare the bread and wine for Communion, and assist the clergy in many other ways.  Any man, woman or child who is baptized and has been admitted to Communion is eligible to serve in this capacity.  Note: Children need to be big enough to carry a processional cross.  Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

The Altar Guild maintains and prepares the sanctuary and altar for the Eucharist and other church services.  Any confirmed person who is a parish member may join.  Members usually work on Saturday and after the services on Sunday.  A chairperson is appointed by the Rector to serve one year.  Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Chalice Bearers assist the clergy in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist by administering the wine and serve at the invitation of the Rector.  Note: Chalice Bearers are licensed by the Bishop for one year at a time.  Licenses may be renewed upon recommendation of the Rector.  Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

The Choir encourages congregational singing in offering musical worship.  Anyone who likes to sing is welcome.  The choir is present at the Sunday 10:15 AM service and at other services as scheduled.  Practice is on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the church.  Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Greeters / Ushers assist newcomers, guests, and parishioners, and make them feel welcome.  They hand out the service bulletins, remind parishioners to wear name tags, and make out tags for newcomers and guests, if desired.  They invite newcomers to coffee hour following the service and introduce them to others.  They also direct visitors to the various facilities in the church.  Greeters/Ushers find seats for people at crowded services.  They may present the bread and wine at the offertory, and they collect the offering.  During Communion, they may regulate the flow of people to the rail.   Greeters/Ushers should arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the service.  After the service, they pick up bulletins, restore books to the racks, close any open windows, and turn in any lost items to the office.  Any parishioner may volunteer to be a greeter/usher at either Sunday service.  Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Lay Readers read the lessons at worship services. Anyone who is baptized and who has a good voice may apply. Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

The Vestry is the legal guardian and administrator of the parish affairs with the Rector as its presiding officer. It consists of twelve persons over the age of 16 who are confirmed communicants in good standing in the parish. Members are elected each year at the Annual Parish Meeting and serve three year terms. The vestry meets the first Monday in each month at 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Vestry members contribute $1.00 each meeting to support our overseas adopted child. Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Persons interested in the Sacrament of Baptism for themselves or for a child should contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Confirmation is the rite whereby we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a Bishop of the Apostolic Succession. It is required of those to be confirmed that they be baptized, have been instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and are ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Persons who are not members of the Episcopal Church, but have been baptized in another branch of the Christian Church are encouraged to attend a series of Confirmation classes which include information about the history of the Episcopal Church, the sacraments and the liturgy, as well as information about Grace Church. After completion of the classes, these persons will be presented to the Bishop for Confirmation. Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Marriage is a Sacrament of the Church which includes not only the vows and promises between the bride and groom, but also includes vows made to God. Generally, at least one of the parties to the marriage must be a member of the parish, although in some cases, the Rector may make an exception. Divorced persons contemplating marriage need to talk with the Rector to see what procedures are required by the Church before a marriage can take place. In all marriages the Rector must have no less than thirty days advance notice, but several months notice is preferred. In the case of divorced persons, a minimum of sixty days advance notice is necessary. Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

Reconciliation of a penitent is available for all who desire it, and is not restricted to times of sickness. When the penitent has confessed all serious sins and has given evidence of due contrition, the priest gives such counsel and encouragement as are needed and pronounces absolution. Before giving absolution, the priest may assign to the penitent something to be done as a sign of penitence and an act of thanksgiving. Confessions are heard by the priest by appointment. Contact the Parish Office at 371-5951.

A Public Service of Healing, often known as the Sacrament of Unction, is generally offered on the third Sunday of the month during the 10:15 a.m. service. At the appropriate time anyone may come to the Communion Rail to request anointing and prayers of healing for themselves or for another.