Weekly Reflection August 1_ 2012

							Dear Grace,

What a delight it has been to spend these summer days with you. As I posted our pie
bake-off pictures to Facebook last night, I thought about the light that you have beamed
into the world this summer. I thought about your energy and passion and love--and I felt
blessed to have you as my church family.

It’s not all that complicated, is it? This love thing. Gosh darn it, It’s even fun.

Friends, you are living what the great Sufi poet expressed so eloquently in his poem, “It
Felt Love.” As we move into August, let us continue opening our hearts. Let us continue
to bring light to our city street corner. Fearlessly.

From The Gift Poems by Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky:


It Felt Love
How
Did the rose
Ever open it’s heart

And give this world
All its
Beauty?

It felt the encouragement of light
Against its
Being,

Otherwise,
We all remain

Too

Frightened


Shine on, friends.

With admiration and blessings,

Suzanne

p.s. Be sure to check out the pie pictures on our Facebook page. But when you do,
have a snack ready. You’re sure to be hungry all over again.
p.p.s. August is packed full of events. Check out the full schedule below:


It’s August and we’re coming in for the landing. Round out your last
days of summer with food, fellowship and fun!

August offerings are listed below. (If no RSVP instructions are included in the event that
interests you, please RSVP on the bulletin boards in the narthex—or on our Facebook
page at GraceUMC Atlanta.)

*All are welcome. If the cost for any event is cost-prohibitive, let us know and
arrangements will be made.

Grace Does Old Time Fun:
Guitarbeque!

Sunday, August 5, 2012 * 12:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Want to have a summer picnic but just can’t bear the heat? No worries: Grace is hosting
an indoor picnic! Join us for a casual service in the sanctuary at 11 am. Then head to
the fellowship hall for grilled goodness and old-fashioned camp songs! Barbecue
prepared by Marcia and Chef Jess.

Oh, and did we mention the indoor horseshoes and watermelon seed spitting contest?
You won’t want to miss the fun!


Grace Listens:
William Baker Summer Singers Concert

Sunday, August 5, 2012 * 3 p.m.

Stick around after the Guitarbeque and take in some Beethoven! After our indoor picnic,
a spectacular concert will be presented by the William Baker Summer Singers in the
church sanctuary. In years past, you have been thrilled by the glorious music of this
ensemble. Here’s your chance to enjoy it once more.


Grace Teaches (Weekly):
Classes with the Community Kitchen

Fridays in August (3, 10, 17, 24) * 11:30 am - 1 pm * Grace Fellowship Hall

If you haven’t done Fridays with Grace and the Community Kitchen, you don’t know
what you’re missing. Do you have a knack for cooking? Jewelry-making? Pottery?
Knitting? Would you like to share your skills? This summer, Grace is leading weekly
activities for the guests of Action Ministries’ Community Kitchen. (We start halfway
through the community lunch.) Pick a week that suits you and let us know what you’d
like to teach. Too nervous to go it alone? Team-teach with a friend! (Suzanne will assist
with classes as needed.) RSVP on Facebook or with Suzanne at
suzanne@graceonponce.org


Grace Reads (Weekly):
Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer by Richard Rohr

Thursdays in August (2, 9, 16, 23) * 7 - 8:30 p.m. * Suzanne’s home

Join us each week as we discuss a book together as a small group. Facilitated by
Suzanne in her home. The address will be sent to you ahead of the study. Max: 6
people

About the book: This popular and bestselling book of the renowned Franciscan
challenges people to move beyond the comfort of a settled life toward an understanding
of themselves that is rooted in their connection to God. Only when they rest in God can
they find the certainty and the freedom to become all that they can be. Contemplation
has its place at the heart of Christianity, a place that allows people to experience how
"everything belongs."

Several copies of the book are available in the library.


Grace Goes To The Movies:
The Straight Story (Rated G)

Friday, August 10, 2012 * 7 - 9:30 p.m. * 3rd Floor Lounge

Join us for a movie, discussion--and popcorn!

About the movie: Based on the true story that captured the hearts of America, "The
Straight Story" is one of those rare films offering powerful, uplifting entertainment for
audiences of all ages. Directed by acclaimed director David Lynch, this gentle, inspiring
film celebrates the human spirit. Richard Farnsworth stars as Alvin Straight--a no-
nonsense man who has never been one to lean on others. Now at an age when his
eyesight denies him the ability to drive and walking is accomplished only with the help of
two canes, Alvin lives a quiet life with his daughter Rose (Sissy Spacek). But when the
call comes that Alvin’s estranged brother Lyle has suffered a debilitating stroke, Alvin
embarks on a dangerous and emotional journey to make amends. With little money, but
plenty of patience and tenacity, he climbs aboard his 1966 John Deere lawnmower and
plots the 260-mile course from his small Iowa town to Lyle’s home in Wisconsin. Filmed
along the actual route that the real Alvin Straight traveled in 1994, "The Straight Story"
is a heartwarming and poignant drama chronicling Alvin’s six-week odyssey and the
many lives he touches along the way.

This movie is appropriate for all ages! Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OnsVDKjhpc


Grace Serves:
HELP Ministry

Saturday, August 11, 2012 * 9 a.m.

Join Grace as we hit the streets with Hope, Encouragement, Love & Prayer!

Meet us in the Grace parking lot (outside the Fellowship Hall). From there, we’ll head to
a parking lot near the Capitol where we’ll distribute food, toiletry items, socks, bottled
water, reading glasses and reading materials--including Bibles. (HELP brings enough
supplies to serve approximately 150 homeless men, women and children.) We also take
prayer requests from those we serve and then share those praises/concerns with the
Grace community.

Questions? Contact Laura Weldon: lauraweldon714@yahoo.com


Grace Serves:
Back to School Celebration sponsored by the Connections Committee

Sunday, August 12, 2012 * 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

We’ve been buying up school uniforms like nobody’s business. Now it’s time to pass
them out! Join us in the fellowship hall after church. We’ll pass out the clothing and
enjoy root beer floats with the school kids and their families.


Grace Listens:
Bill Gleeson Tunes sponsored by the Sunshine Club

Monday, August 13, 2012 * Noon * Grace UMC Fellowship Hall

The Sunshine Club is a Christian group for senior adults. The group meets monthly in
the Fellowship Hall for lunch and good old-fashioned fellowship. This month’s
entertainment will be provided by singer, Bill Gleeson.


Grace Knits:
Needles & Prayers
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 * 7 p.m. * Arby’s @ 2382 N Druid Hills Rd

Tuesday, August 28, 2012 * 7 p.m. * Arby’s @ 2382 N Druid Hills Rd

Needles & Prayers makes:

* blankets for the critical care nursery at Grady
* hats/scarves for the HELP ministry
* prayer shawls and stoma covers for those who need them

Want to support the ministry? Yarn and/or monetary donations are always welcome.

Note: Dan Thompson and Edith Langford recently delivered 40 stoma covers, 33 baby
hats and 24 blankets to Grady.

Questions? Contact Ivy Darnall, Linda Kay, Patsy Woods, Lydia Sharian or Edith
Langford.


Grace Envisions:
Grace Visioning Workshop #1 & #2 (ALL)

Saturday, August 25, 2012 * 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. * Grace UMC

Sunday, August 26, 2012 * 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. * Grace UMC

This fall Grace will develop a plan for the next 3-5 years of its ministry. The process will
be facilitated by Rev. Beth Crissman of Plowpoint Ministries (www.plowpoint.org).

The visioning process will include:

* spiritual discernment
* honest, vulnerable and God-lead communication
* an assessment of our community
* development of a 3-5 year plan for the future

Join us! Lunch will be provided.

Please sign up so that we have a count for supplies and lunch.

RSVP on Facebook or on the bulletin board in the narthex. You may also sign up with
Leslie at office@graceonponce.org or 404.876.2678.


Grace Reads (Monthly):
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Tuesday, August 28, 2012 * 7 - 8:30 p.m. * Pastor Kate’s home

Join us as we read and discuss a new book. Facilitated by Pastor Kate at her home.
Please sign-up on Facebook or with Leslie (404.876.2678 or
office@graceonponce.org). The address will be sent to you ahead of the study. Max: 8
people.

About the book: Author Barbara Kingsolver and her family abandoned the industrial-
food pipeline to live a rural life—vowing that, for one year, they’d only buy food raised in
their own neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it. Part memoir, part
journalistic investigation, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is an enthralling narrative that will
open your eyes in a hundred new ways to an old truth: You are what you eat.

Several copies of the book are available in the library.