gracechurchvtucc

ReVision in Action: Moving Forward!

On May 6th, the Music, Life Long Learning and Property ReVision Team offered their proposal to the congregation. The proposal’s objective was to create a more welcoming and useful multi-purpose worship, educational, and concert space in Grace Church Sanctuary. The proposal was met with a very positive response from the congregation that Sunday morning.

The Music, Life Long Learning and Property ReVision Team’s Proposal is in 3 Parts:

Part 1:

Relocate the bell choir from the upper north balcony to underneath the south balcony.

Part 2:

Remove front pews (3 each side) from sanctuary floor to create a multi-purpose space.
Move the organ console from the balcony to the sanctuary floor.
Move the choir from the sides to the center of the balcony.

Part 3:

Add a tiered platform to the current elevated pulpit area.

Since May 6th, the ReVision team has worked hard to bring the proposal into fruition. We are pleased to announce that we are in a position to move ahead with Part 1 of the proposal.

Part 1 has been funded in full by an anonymous donor. The handbells have experimented ringing in the space and believe the sound will be as good, if not better, than the balcony. There will be room for more bell ringers, as well as, handicapped accessibility that would allow for full participation from anyone in a wheelchair that wants to play in the bell choir. There will be space for the handbells to play with other instruments, and there will be better lighting for the bell ringers. We have tested lighting with help from the House of Lights in Mendon. The bass bell table will be removable, and
only be there on days the handbells ring.

For more information on the proposed work involved, please contact
the church office.

The Property Committee passed Part 1 of the proposal on August 1st, and the Church Council passed Part 1 of the proposal on August 12th.

We invite the congregation to a meeting after the 10 am service on August 26th to ask questions about the proposal. Alternatively, please call Alastair Stout before August 26th.

After August 26th, our hope is to have the handbells relocated in time for their first fall ring on September 23rd, 2018.

Sept. 5 – Choir Practice Resumes

September is just around the corner, when all our choirs begin again. Please add the rehearsal dates to your calendars, and consider joining our dedicated teams of singers and ringers! Please contact Alastair (alastair@gracechurchvt.org) with any questions.

Wednesday, September 5:

Children’s Choir at 4:00 pm
SSAA Choir at 6:00 pm
Sanctuary Choir at 7:00 pm

Sunday, September 9: Joyful Noise at 11:45 am

Monday, September 10: Handbells at 6:45 pm

Wednesday, September 12:

Children’s Choir at 4:00 pm
TTBB Choir at 6:00 pm
Sanctuary Choir at 7:00 pm

Aug. 31 – Bethany Birches Camping Weekend

When: Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31-Sept.3

Where: Bethany Birches, 2610 Lynds Hill Road, Plymouth, VT 05056

About:
Tents, pop-ups, and trailers are all welcome. There are rustic cabins for use, as well, if you do not have camping equipment. Come for one, two, or three nights or come just for the day on either Saturday or Sunday. There will be a potluck dinner on Saturday night and an outdoor worship on Sunday morning. Come and relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Come and be in fellowship with others. Come and have fun playing games and hiking!

For more information, contact the Church Office (775.4301).

Directions from Rutland:

Take it Rte. 4 East through Rutland and into Killington. In after a long straight-away you’ll see two general stores. Make a right onto 100 South.
Follow that for 6 or 7 miles.
Make a left onto 100A
Go 0.9 Miles and turn right onto Lynds Hill Rd.
Go 2.6 miles on the twisting, country road
(You may think that you’re lost, but you aren’t!)
Bethany Birches Camp is on your right and is clearly marked. The cabin is on your right as you enter the parking lot.

Bethany Birches: 802.672.5220

http://www.bethanybirches.org/

Material Aids Sewing Group

In April, the sewing group and their packing crew put together 144 School Bag Kits and 215 Hygiene Kits which were sent to the Church World Service kit program. On Sept. 18 we will start sewing school bags at our first Sewing Group of the year and hope to see some new faces. Contact the office if you have any questions.

We are now collecting items for next year’s school bags while stores have school items on special sale. We are asking for donations of these 7 items:

70-count spiral notebooks
Hand-held pencil sharpeners
Wood pencils with erasers
Blunt tip scissors (child size)
Large erasers (pink type)
12-inch rulers with metric
Crayons—box of 24 only

There are collection boxes in the hallway at the West and Center Street doors at Grace Church.

Thank you!

Hymn Sing & Ice Cream Social

When: August 26th, 4:00pm

Where: Grace Church Sanctuary

About:
Gather With Grace: please join the local church choirs as we celebrate the wonderful hymn tunes of the British Isles. We will sing Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English tunes including those composed by RV Williams who died 60 years ago. An ice cream reception will follow!
🎶 #GraceMusic

Parking lot entrance on West Street.
Please enter the building from the side parking lot entrance.

Killington Music Festival Faculty Recital – July 5

When: July 5th, at 7:00 PM

Where: Grace Church Sanctuary

About:
We welcome the internationally renowned faculty of the Killington Music Festival to give a recital in the Grace Church Sanctuary. Guest artist, Simon Ghraichy, piano, Killington Music Festival Artistic Director, Daniel Andai, violin, and Theodore Buchholz, cello, will offer an evening of classical music.

For more information about the Killington Music Festival:
https://www.killingtonmusicfestival.org/

Comedy Piano Recital - July 13

When: July 13th at 7:00PM

Where: Grace Church Sanctuary

About:

Please join us for an evening of fun music including works by P.D.Q. Bach. The renowned Boston pianist, Vytqs Baksys, will lead us through the delightful world of P.D.Q., the ‘only forgotten son’ of the Bach family. The Village Voice describes the music as a ‘juxtaposition of collage, bitonality, musical satire, and orchestral surrealism in a “bizarre melodic steam of consciousness”.’ Fun for all the family!

Serving Those who Serve the Church Coffee Hour – June 19

When: Tuesday, June 19 @ 10 AM

Where: Grace Church Parlor

About:
Come for a time of fellowship, coffee and refreshments to hear from the
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lee, Philanthropy Officer of the Pension Boards, on the programs and assistance provided to clergy and lay church workers through Ministerial Assistance. For over 100 years, Ministerial Assistance has served those who dedicate their lives to ministry by addressing pressing financial needs and developing leadership skills among clergy. Come learn more about this important program.