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Melissa's NewsGrace just hosted a very successful Kids Camp. In the mix were 60 children, 12 teen counselors and a whole passel of Baby Boomers. Fun was had, singing heard, and the warm embrace of God's love was palpable. Thank you to Melissa for her vision and leadership, Kim who collaborated, and the many volunteers who helped make it happen. It was a success, and we look forward to doing it again next year! Melissa has let me know that she's taken on an exciting role at the Montessori Country School here on the island. That begins next week. Concurrently, Melissa desires to stay engaged at Grace and will focus on continuing to build our Youth Program. I am grateful for that. She has done an extraordinary job in working with our middle school youth this year. It's not easy to start a program like this from scratch, but she has done so with imagination and vision. With the start of a new job, however, Melissa will need to reduce her work hours at Grace and step back from coordinating volunteers for the Children's Programming on Sunday mornings. We will need someone to help step in and fill this gap. We have decided to create a paid Volunteer Coordinator position at 10 hours a week. Please check it out, and if you know of someone who may be a good fit, please pass the word. Thank you! Rev. Eric |
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Kim's NewsHi Friends,
During the week of camp, I found out that I have breast cancer. Being with many of you and your joyful children that week was a beautiful distraction from the hard reality that I am beginning a new journey.
I'm not entirely sure what each twist and turn of that path will look like yet, but I do know I have a wonderful team of doctors and am surrounded by the support of experts, loving family, and friends. I will have surgery next week. I'm deeply grateful that my cancer is treatable.
You will still see me at Grace, though I will need to work less hours than usual during periods of treatment and recovery.
Here's how you can help: please volunteer on Sunday morning to support our children. I've always said being with the children is the most joyful place to be on Sundays, and I hope you'll discover that afresh this year. Everyone can support our children's and youth program in one way or another, whether it's bringing your gifts into a classroom, playing a game with our kids at the Parish Retreat, or cooking dinner once a month for our youth group. You can sign up to volunteer by clicking the button below.
Our adult faith formation program will need some extra energy, too. If you've been thinking of holding a book group at Grace, now may be the right time. I've no doubt that Grace will meet our community's needs and even deepen more fully into loving service to one another. Please talk to Rev. Eric if you have something to offer.
I gratefully welcome your support of myself and my family. I am feeling a bit tired, so I gently ask that if you have advice or recommendations for me, please put them in an email rather than delivering them in person. I heartily welcome all your prayers.
I am confident that God goes before us in all things and paves the way with tenderness and mercy. Thank you for being God's hands and feet to me, and to so many, in our beautiful community here at Grace.
Warmly,
Kim
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Follow Kim's SubstackI’m writing about my journey on Substack. If you’d like to join me, you can follow me here: |
