Stewardship 2024Dear Friends,
The world needs the church, and the church needs your support. It is as simple as that. As I write, war is raging in Gaza and Ukraine, our politics are polarized, and climate change is no longer a future concern but a present crisis. Not to mention that we are still emerging from a global pandemic. I am no prophet but those are dark clouds over us. How does the church help? Let me focus locally—for I think we can all feel overwhelmed when considering the magnitude of the challenges facing us throughout the world. The local church—and of course I am thinking particularly of Grace Church Millbrook—is not by itself a large and powerful institution. Indeed we are a small part of a lightly populated rural area. But consider what we do here, what difference we make. Our worship services bring people together to pray to God, sing God’s praises, hear about Jesus and the power of God, and share in the Eucharist. We help knit our community together through fellowship events and community offerings. We are here for life: from baptisms, confirmations, marriages, spiritual direction, counseling, to hospital visits and funerals. We offer many programs to deepen faith, educate our children, nurture our young adults, care for our elders and reach out to the world. We are a place of beauty and host cultural events. We offer a Preschool program with generous scholarships. We care for our neighbors through Northeast Dutchess Immigrant Services (formerly Grace Immigrant Outreach). We support the Food for Life pantry and serve at the Poughkeepsie Lunchbox. Together with the other Millbrook churches we oversee a 36 unit senior affordable housing complex (Church Alliance Housing on Alden St.). In short, we try to show Christ and the example of his love in order to heal the world and bring light to the darkness. Isn’t that worth your support? I hope you agree with me that it is and that together we will ensure that our beloved Grace Church has the funds needed to do this work and serve the community. Member pledges provide the baseline income the Vestry counts when making the budget. They are very careful to keep expenses as low as possible—but as you know it is a challenge these days to maintain property, fund staff and administer programs! Please prayerfully consider making a generous pledge for 2024 during this annual stewardship campaign. I have enclosed some other information and a pledge card. Our celebratory Ingathering and blessing of pledges with happen on Sunday November 19, the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I hope you will be there—and of course feel free to talk to me or any of the Vestry members if you have questions. Twenty-five years ago this December I was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. I felt then and believe today that the church is a “wonderful and sacred mystery” called by the Holy Spirit of God to bring Christ’s love to the world—and that it is a blessing and privilege to pastor the people gathered in a local congregation. Grace is the place, you are the people, and I thank God every day for you. In Christ, Father Matt |
Join Us for Worship Follow the link below to see our service. The stream begins 10 minutes prior to the service start time.
If you are having trouble accessing the stream, please go to our Youtube Channel here. 
Children and Family Resources
Come to Grace Church on Saturday, December 9th from 10am-2pm for our annual fine craft and holiday cookie sale.
We offer two floors filled with craft vendors to shop from and holiday decorated cookies made by our own Grace Church bakers. Cookies will be sold at $15 per pound and may be ordered ahead of time by calling Lynda at 914-456-1097 or on the day of the event. Check out a sampler of our crafters. ************************************************* Cookie baking day at Grace is December 6 beginning at 1pm. Cookies baked at home should be dropped off on December 7 or before 10am on December 8 in the Parish Hall. Please let Lynda Boissey (914-456-1097) or Pam Freeman (845-341-7348) know if you would like to participate in helping this year. We guarantee it will be rewarding, delicious, and fun! |
Advent Lessons and Carols
Interactive Advent Service with Children on Dec. 3rd at 10am. The children and youth of the parish are invited to be part of an Advent lessons and carols service adapted for the young and young at heart. Advent is the season to watch and wait, to remember with joy that Jesus was born to be our savior and to look with hope for a restored world, filled with peace and justice. Let the children help you prepare your hearts. This Advent, come and walk
the labyrinth Walking a labyrinth is a great way to slow down in this busy season, and enter into quiet contemplation. No experience necessary – there is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. There will be guidance available for any who desire it. The labyrinth will be set up on the 2nd floor of the parish hall on the following dates:
Prayer Shawl Ministry Would you like to join our prayer shawl ministry? The handmade shawls are specially blessed and made for people in need, as gifts of comfort and hope. Contact Katherine at kmustello@optonline.net for more information including patterns. Quarterly Newsletter
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Pray for the people of Ukraine, Pray for the children of the world
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children,
at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children,
at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
