Grace Notes
August 14, 2025
The Epistle reading for next Sunday, from the Letter to the Hebrews, continues to relate the stories of heroes of the faith that we started reading last week. While some of the followers of God conquer kingdoms, quench fires, and become mighty in war others are tortured by flogging, stoning, being sawn in two, and suffering in many other, unimaginable ways for their faith. Stories convict and convince where “rational” argument cannot. A priest from whom I learned a lot about the Anglican tradition frequently said that “Christianity is caught, not taught.” We like to imagine we are convinced by argument, and it certainly has its place, but experiences that evoke stories and stories that excite our imagination are powerful motivators for changing our lives.
For a more eloquent statement on the power of stories I submit for your consideration a short article written by Sandra Kelly’s brother, Daly Walker, that appears in the journal, intima: “The Power of Stories to Change Attitudes: a reflection by fiction editor Daly Walker.” *
Jim Jeffery
Calendar
Thursday, August 14, 2025, 12 Noon, Midday Prayer
Saturday, August 16, 2025, 9:00 A.M. Morning Prayer on Zoom
Sunday, August 17, 2025, 9 A.M. Adult Education in the Parish Hall.
Sunday, August 17, 2025, 10 A.M. Holy Eucharist
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 9:00 A.M. Morning Prayer on Zoom
Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 8:00 P.M. Evening Prayer on Zoom
Thursday, August 21, 12 Noon, Holy Eucharist
Announcements
Morning and Evening Prayer via Zoom
Morning Prayer is said Tuesday and Saturday mornings at 9 A.M. Evening Prayer is said Wednesday evenings at 8 P.M. Please contact Andy Bonnell at [email protected] if you would like to join these Zoom meetings.
Thursday Noon Service
Pastor Jerry O’Neal will be on vacation August 7 and 14. Midday Prayer will be said on both days at the Church.
Daughters of the King
The next DOK meeting is Thursday, Aug. 28th at Karen Sullivan’s at 6. It is a picnic with the main dish being chicken provided by Karen. Please bring a dish to share.
Gathering Grace
Thanks to all who helped at our Gathering Grace meal yesterday. We served 160 tasty meals of cheesy ground beef-potato casserole, green beans, and peach dump cake with whipped cream.
The sign-up sheet for the rest of August is available here. Please sign up/out when you know your schedules. This helps the cooks in charge make plans to round up additional volunteers if needed.
Thanks much!!!
Sunday School
We need volunteers to teach children’s Sunday School once or twice a month. Please consider making this worthwhile donation of time.
Volunteers Needed for Pride Day
September 6, 2025, 1-5PM. Come help us at the Grace booth as we spread the word about our loving and accepting congregation. Please contact Katherine Mitchell or Connie Turner for more information.
A Better Way. Needs for August.
A Better Way – August Needs – ankle socks (adults and children), hair elastics, loofahs, baby wipes, school supplies (folders, pencils and ball point pens), dog and cat
toys (A Better Way clients are able to have their pets with them).
A BIG THANK YOU from A Better Way – Because of your generous donations, your support empowers us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and
families in crisis, helping them find peace, healing and brighter futures.
Adult Education
Next Sunday, August 17, there will be a study of the lessons appointed for that day. Bring your favorite Bible and concordance. No lectures, just respectful questions and discussions of meanings and applications for today. These study sessions will begin at 9:00 A.M. on Sunday mornings in the parish hall.
Christian Ministries. Needs for August.
Pillows, blankets, cereal, hamburger, peanut butter, shampoo, body soap, laundry soap, toilet paper. If you donate hamburger, please place it on the bottom shelf of the hospitality refrigerator.
Yarn Group
The Yarn Group will not meet next week, August 21.
Diocesan News
Are you looking to deepen your faith?
Do you want to know more about the Bible, Christian Tradition, and Church History? Are you hoping to understand how your personal experiences and beliefs bring you closer to God and God’s people?
If “yes,” EfM (Education for Ministry) may be for you.
EfM is a four-year Christian Formation program (taken one year at a time) founded and administered through the School of Theology of the University of the South at Sewanee. Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.
A seminar group can be comprised of one or two mentors and up to twelve participants. The group meets up to 36 times during the course of a year. Years 1 & 2 study the Hebrew Scriptures, the Gospels, and the New Testament. Year 3 looks at Church History. Year 4 studies Christian ethics and systematic theology, developing and enhancing their own practice. Wide-Angle is a 1-year “taste” of the traditional four years of the program.
Most groups start in September and finish in June. The rewards are deep, moving, and transforming. It is one of the few places where you can talk openly about your beliefs and stories of faith without judgment. Evolving, growing, changing, and maturing into our lives with Jesus is the purpose.
We look forward to hearing your voice among us.
For more information, please contact Diocesan Coordinator Mariann Scott at [email protected].
See the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis website for news and upcoming events. Home – The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Episcopal Church Links
Happy Birthday!
Teresa Curtis August 18
Mike Ashley August 21
Happy Anniversary!
Lucinda and Ron Rarick August 17
Guidelines for Grace Notes
Please submit items for Grace Notes by 8 P.M. Tuesday for Thursday publication.
* Walker, Daly. “The Power of Stories to Change Attitudes: a reflection by fiction editor Daly Walker,” intima, August 8, 2025, https://www.theintima.org/blog/dalywalkerintimacrossroads.