WHY I SUPPORT GRACE

Judy McKenzie

October 19, 2025

To be honest, when Wendy asked me to speak, I resisted because it is so hard to explain the hold that Grace has had on me since I first started coming here in 2012. Then, I thought, well, maybe it’s time to figure it out.

Growing up I was Catholic. I went to a Catholic High School and did my undergraduate work at

a catholic woman’s college. I believe to this day that the Priest and nuns, who taught and supported me, saved me. But later, as an adult, divorced, single mom, I felt I was not welcome in the Catholic church. I was lost for quite a while. A story illustrates this.

One Sunday morning I was in Chicago at a work conference. I approached the concierge to ask him how to find a Unitarian Church. He told me that the nearest one was too far away. I then asked for the location of the nearest Catholic Church. He gave me a strange look and said: “Lady, you are really confused.”

So, one reason that I support Grace is that it is a place where it is OK to be confused, a place where individuals can explore their questions and find meaning and acceptance. Most Episcopal Churches say this, even Robin Williams said it, but Grace is serious in its emphasis on Inclusion and Discovery. I think that is why Grace attracts people from a lot of different faith backgrounds, including skeptics. I have been in many discussions here that are provocative, respectful of differences, and have challenged me to stay open to a spiritual journey that does not have pat answers, a journey that feels more like a calling than a destination.

A second reason I support Grace is that we are a strong, supportive community made up of many ministries and small groups. Grace is not just a place, or a faith tradition, but a living network of organic connections, friendships, commitments and interpersonal support like no other faith community I’ve experienced. You don’t always see this, especially, when you are new, because it is like the underground of Grace, the mycelium.

Pastoral Care and Outreach are the most visible programs, but even there, we don’t see either the extent or depth of the services that are going on behind the scenes at Grace. More people than we can count have been accompanied by Grace members at the end of life, supported through short-term serious illness, provided home cooked meals and gently held through grief and depression. A few years back I was privileged to play a small part within a pastoral care ad-hoc team that probably saved a person’s life.

And, since Covid I have been a part of an affinity group of Grace friends who formed organically and meet weekly. In these difficult times of aging, illness, and political chaos, our Sojourner’s group is giving real meaning to my life today. We hold each other through sadness and joy and are growing emotionally and spiritually together. There are many groups like this at Grace, including Faith Formation spin-off groups, Home Groups, parent groups, study groups, dinner groups, and social gatherings that have a profound effect on those who have found community through Grace. As an example, John and I first got involved with Grace through Earth and Spirit, a climate active group.

Finally, Grace offers many opportunities to use our talents in leadership and Service. Since Covid, my husband John practices his love for photography and video work by livestreaming Sunday services and other events for Grace, including baptisms, concerts, and memorial services. I was able to use my nonprofit leadership experience to help with human resources and strategic planning. These opportunities helped us to understand the inner workings of Grace and to work side-by-side with our committed and gifted staff and leaders.

Grace’s commitment to hands-on service is an opportunity to build connections and to make a difference in people’s lives and, most especially, to practice Gratitude for all that we have and all that we have received through being a part of carrying out Grace’s sacred commitments.

At this time of planning how we will support Grace and its missions in the next year, I hope you will figure out what Grace means to you sooner than I did. Consider your talents and what you hope to get out of your participation here for yourself and your family and make it happen. Getting more involved is a good place to start. I think I will start by attending the November 8th interfaith meeting at Grace, “Spirituality, Resistance and Love.” Oh, and I’d better send in our pledge card before Wendy calls me again.

Thank you.

GRACE WILL MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE

Mary Hall

October 26, 2025

My relationship with Grace started around 28 years ago. I grew up on the island and was baptized and confirmed at Saint Barnabas.

After high school I no longer attended church. However, after my husband Ken and I purchased a retail business on the island in the mid 90’s, I found a need to go back to church. My parents had passed away and some of my mom’s close friends, Peg and Ted Treanor, Jan Mitchell, and Zona Piper, had helped to start Grace Church.

Soon after, on one Sunday I arrived at the Masonic Temple where Grace was holding its services. Having listened to Bill Harper’s homily, and meeting some of the members of Grace, I found myself back each Sunday. This is the first time that Grace met me where I was.

In June 2012, my husband and I retired, and just two months later he was diagnosed with bone cancer. Bill Harper knew my husband Ken and also knew that Ken was not a church goer.

While my husband was undergoing two rounds of chemo, Bill would ride his bike out to the University Hospital.

He would sit with us and we would just talk. After a few months of treatment we realized that the chemo had not stopped his cancer. Bill Harper came out on one of Ken’s last days to the University Hospital to give him his final blessing. Again, Grace met me where I was.

In early 2014, I learned about the Compassionate Caring group that met twice a month in the Living Room at Grace. A group of us shared our stories while we laughed and cried. I met with this group for three years until 2017. This group was an important part of my grieving and healing process. Again, Grace met me where I was.

During that same period and before I moved to Port Townsend, I began to attend the Grace Wednesday healing service and bible study. This was an important weekly commitment for me and I enjoyed learning more about scripture from Bill, Eric, Wren and Stephen. Again, Grace met me where I was.

In the summer of 2017, I purchased property up in Port Townsend where I would eventually build a new house and I would move to at the end of 2019. One of my decisions in choosing to move to Port Townsend was that I already had friends from Grace who lived there, in particular Sue and Bill Maxwell and Sue and Peter Hanke. I knew that they would be friends both in Port Townsend and at Grace Church. Again, Grace met me where I was.

As I aged I felt a need to be involved with Grace in a more quiet way and I was fortunate to be trained as a Eucharistic Minister. I felt a deep satisfaction in being able to accept this new role and looked forward to coming down to Grace at least once a month to serve. Again, Grace met me where I was.

When Grace updated its church profile on two different occasions in its search for a new Rector, I remembered these words: Grace will meet you where you are. Looking back over my years at Grace Church, this has been true for me in all seasons of my life. I thank Grace for being here. I continue to be a part of Grace and I commit to an Annual Pledge that will help in some way for Grace to continue to meet others where they are.