November 5, 2020
Dear Friends,
On November 15, 2020 we will celebrate the 167th Anniversary of Grace United Church and 100th Anniversary of the dedication of our present building.
Our 11:00 am Worship hybr id service will include special music from our choir and an inspirational message from our guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett.
After thirty-eight years of serving congregations in Ontario, Australia and Nova Scotia, the Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett became the United Church Formation Director at the Atlantic School of Theology in 2018. In that role he helps shape the skills and qualities of the next generation of United Church clergy across the country. Ross trained for ministry at Queen's Theological College in Kingston, ON and received his Doctor of Theology in Church History from University of Toronto and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Seminary. He has held numerous leadership roles in the United Church, including a term as President of the former Maritime Conference. He has been active in the training of lay people and ministry personnel for over twenty-five years. He has written several books, the most recent Gathered For Preaching: A Sourcebook for Lay Leaders and Clergy, is being published by the United Church this fall. His wife Heather is a social worker with NS Health; he has two adult daughters and one granddaughter. In his spare time he likes to read, walk, cook, travel and help in the community through Rotary. He is delighted and honoured to be joining the Grace Church community for this important milestone and is looking forward to worshipping with us again.
A Grace Choir Update! The Grace Choir started our 2020 - 2021 season late in September. We rehearse on Wednesday evening, socially distanced and wearing singer's masks, in the pews in the sanctuary. Our rehearsal time is reduced according to public health guidelines. With 29 active members, sitting in the choir loft is impossible at this time. On this important Anniversary Sunday, you will see and hear the in-person choir sitting in the Upper Hall.
Keeping with the times, there will be live music and previously recorded music. As an introit, you will hear O Come Ye Servants of the Lord by the early English composer, Christopher Tye. The piece has two texts - one in English and one in Latin - a text to satisfy whichever monarch was on the English throne at the time - Protestant or Catholic. The anthem will be prerecorded and is a wonderful setting of the 19th century hymn, O Love that wilt not let me go. This new melody and adaption of the words is by American composer Elaine Hagenberg. This piece will be accompanied by a video reflecting the text that was created by choir member, Jennifer Eames. The choral benediction, We've Come a Long Way Lord, was thought to have originated in Africa. Recently, scholars have discovered that it was an African American spiritual that made its way back to Africa after slavery was abolished in the Unites States. The choir will be leading softly in the hymns, singing with their choir masks. You will also hear a new piece composed and sung by Jennifer Eames to celebrate one hundred in our "new building".
Come and help us celebrate 167 years of ministry in this community and 100 years in our present building.
Yours in Christ's Service,
Rev. Stephen Fram
Please remember your church by using the special Anniversary Envelope.
Message from the Finance Committee
First and foremost, the Finance committee would like to thank the congregation for their continued financial support during this extraordinary year. The Church has received weekly and monthly offerings, as well as some one-time gifts for specific activities. We very much appreciate each and every donation.
We have all experienced difficulties due to Covid-19 and the Church is no exception. Many of our fundraising initiatives have been postponed and rental income has declined substantially. But in spite of the Pandemic, Grace has continued many of its activities. Grace Choir, Worship, and the Guides, Beavers and Cubs are either in the building or will be returning soon. Our rental activities continue to rebound. And several programs have continued virtually, including Unified Board and committee meetings and the Inclusion Choir. And we continue to support the North Dartmouth Resource Centre and Margaret’s house as they seek new and creative ways to serve their clients.
Grace is currently is experiencing a loss of $950 as of October 31, 2020. With your continued support, we hope to break even by the end of the year.
We are now in the second wave of this Pandemic and we face uncertain times. As we look ahead to 2021, your support is more important than ever. If you would like a convenient method of giving and have not signed up for PAR (pre authorized remittance), please contact our envelope steward, Martin Walker at mpwalker@accesswave.ca or 902-463-7039. Alternatively, you can drop off or mail in cheques, or make donations through Canada Helps.
This is the 100-year anniversary of our Church building. To celebrate this event, we ask that you also consider a donation of $100 (or multiples thereof) to the Building fund.
Blair MacKinnon, Co-Chair
Connie Mack, Co-Chair
Lynn Loder, Treasurer