DISCOVERY WEEKEND 2009
July 10 &11
Another fun and informative weekend was brought to a successful close. Our attendees at this year’s event included Jared Jackson, Lois West, Jim Rothgeb, Heather Shafer, Dorothy Lucas, Leslie Watts, and Margaret Cutrer. And we had two new team members, Doris Niccolai and Bob Scott, to augment returning team members Ella Anderson, Bill Watson, John Michael Provenzano, Shirley Bridges, Gerald Richard, John Buck, Laura Hyatt, Vickie Robertson, Fr. Bill Russell and Fr. Paul Wehner.
Together we feasted on John Michael’s Famous (and Fabulous) Spaghetti Dinner, explored our prayer book, were visited by Good Queen Bess and not-so-good King Henry VIII, learned about Anglican history and styles of worship (liturgy) and the way the Episcopal Church governs itself. We had music lessons, a fashion show, and comedic entertainment; we played and prayed together. Everyone present “discovered” something new about the Episcopal Church and Grace Church. And best of all, Jared Jackson was presented for confirmation when Bishop Harrison was here July 26th.
A Letter from the Rev. Gena Davis
Dear People of Grace:
So much has happened in the past six weeks for me and my family! In May, I
graduated from the Seminary of the Southwest and after Cameron finished 9th
grade, we packed up our belongings and moved to Houston the first week of June.
My first parish assignment is Trinity Episcopal Church in Baytown. We decided to
move into central Houston, and I will commute to the church in Baytown so that
Cameron and Gary will have access to a central location for school and work, as
the Baytown assignment is for two years, and Cameron has three years of high
school before he is off to college.
I am excited about Trinity Baytown. Trinity is a sweet and loving church like
Grace Galveston. The people make the church a warm and hospitable place, and
they have many prayer and outreach programs into the community. I will have so
much to learn, and my initial priorities will be young adult ministry, pastoral
care, and spiritual formation, and I am sure many other things that Father Nick
Novak finds for me to do!
On June 20, 2009, I was ordained to the Diaconate at Christ Church Cathedral. It
was a glorious day, and Bishop Doyle’s sermon set the way for all of the new
deacons in the Diocese (there were 16 of us, including Chester from St.
Augustine’s!) He reminded us that as Deacons we are to go out into the world,
learn the names of needs of the people we meet, and bring those names and needs
back to the church for help. He told us that we cannot be Priests until we have
learned to serve God’s people in the world, and that this time of formation is
critical to being able to make Eucharist at the Lord’s Table.
I am humbled and honored that you have supported, encouraged, and prayed for me
during this time of formation, and I pray that my ministry will be according to
God’s will in every way. Thank you all for your love – it means more than you
know. When I see you, the people of Grace Church, I see God’s grace abounding. I
also want to thank you for the beautiful green stole you gave me for my
Diaconate Ordination. When I wear it, I will always remember you and will be
graced by your love.
In Christ,
Gena
RELAY FOR LIFE
Thanks to all who were members on our RELAY FOR LIFE team, made donations to the
American Cancer Society (our team raised over $2,500!!!), and came out to RELAY
to participate and support our team. We always have a lot of support for this
event as almost all of us have had someone close to us who has battled cancer.
Our Galveston RELAY this year raised over $70,000 to provide funds for research
grants, early detection, as well as education and support for cancer survivors
along with their caregivers.
We once again had the BBQ team of Lee Davis and Stephen Glaser grilling up
burgers and hotdogs. Thanks again to Judy Webb for getting us the tent from
The1894 Grand Opera House. And, thanks to all of you for bringing food to share
and coming out to support the event to honor our cancer survivors and the memory
of those who have lost their battle with cancer as we CELEBRATE HOPE FOR A
CURE!!!!!!
Team Captains
Barbara McGuffey and Doris Niccolai
You can now access our Olan Mills Church directory online. All you need is this link http://om030689.onlineolanmills.com and the password. Watch the Sunday service bulletin for the password and then log on and enjoy.
Dear all,
Sherry and I have a new grandson, Travis Michael Prater. Anny is doing fine and
Travis is getting lots of attention. He was born at 8:01 AM on Thursday,
November 20 at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, GA. He weighs 7
lbs, 14 oz and is 18.5 inches long, and he is one handsome baby.
You can view pictures of Travis on www.caringbridge.org
Then type travismichaelprater to access Anny's page.
Blessings on you all,
Paul+
Four Confirmed in Joyous Celebration.
On Sunday, June 29th, we welcomed the Episcopal visit of our Diocesan Bishop the
Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly to confirm four people, preach and celebrate communion.
Those confirmed are Beth Hofstedler Anderson, Emily Ann Barillas, Margaret
Blackburn, and Tresa Izaguirre. For baptized persons, confirmation is a mature
public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of
their baptism and to receive a laying on of hands by the bishop. (BCP P.412). We
were pleased that family and friends were in attendance. Our new confirmands
were prepared for this event in their spiritual lives through their attendance
at the Discovery Weekend, led by both clergy and lay, who offered a broad
spectrum of materials about the worship, customs, and background of our historic
faith.
That we were in a celebrative mood was evidenced by the choir in its festive
deep red cassocks and white surplices with the lovely lace inserts and, of
course, the singing of the anthem From All Who Dwell Below the Skies complete
with magnificent descant and trumpet. Bishop Wimberly spoke movingly about our
role in the world, reminding us that Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes
me.” (Matthew 10:40-42) and urged us to move out in ministry to others.
The service was ended with an invitation to move to Jinkins Hall for a lovely
meal of rice, chicken and a wonderful array of side dishes and desserts.
Prior to the service, the bishop met with Vestry and other church leaders to get
a “state of our church” report. He was pleased to note that our finances are
sound, our campus is lovingly maintained, and our outreach and internal programs
are “going and growing”. The bishop expressed some very real mixed feelings
about his coming retirement, and it is our pleasure and privilege to have had
him as our bishop.
Rhonda graduates from Texas A&M University with a Masters of Marine Resources Management on May 10, 2008.
Mary Kilgore Rides On…and on…and on….and on – BUT gets there!
I want to let everyone know that I completed the MS150 ride from Houston to
Austin! (It was really 182 miles from our starting spot). I would like to thank
everyone for their prayers and support. It was a beautiful weekend, but there
was a whole lot of wind!! I rode with a co-worker friend of mine, Amy. We have
both done the ride before, but this year it took us a few hours more each day
due to the wind.
I was happy I had a new bike to ride because it was lighter weight and had more
gears, which really helped with the hills and the wind. It seems that no matter
which direction we were going, it was always into the WIND!
Our route went through Buescher State Park, where we enjoyed the scenery and
wildflowers along the way. It always amazes me to see people out cheering us on
and thanking us for riding for them! Amy had a small mishap when someone ran
into her and knocked her off her bike at a railroad crossing. Left her with a
sore knee but we kept on going! My knees were only achy for about a week
afterwards thanks to Aleve! Jeff met me in Austin and we drove back in the car
on Monday.
Thanks again, and if anyone is interested they can still support me by either
giving me a check made out to MS 150 with my name on the memo line or going on
line to: http://www.ms150.org/ms150/donate/ and donating in my name.
I have until mid May to turn in my donations/sponsors to support the cause of
helping people that are living with Multiple Sclerosis. Mary Kilgore
RELAY FOR LIFE IS A BIG SUCCESS
Thanks to all who were members of our FISH WITH GRACE - REEL IN A CURE team for
the American Cancer Society RELAY FOR LIFE on Friday, April 25 at Moody Gardens.
We had a great time and exceeded our fundraising goal of $4,000 for ACS life
saving research grants and community programs/services. We had 31 team members
and our top fund raisers were Sherry Sasser ($1,345) and Doris Niccolai ($900+).
DONATIONS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED - You can either go online to:
www.relaygalveston.com or drop a check payable to the American Cancer Society to
the Church office.
The turnout for the event was great, and we appreciate the participation of all
who came out to support us and enjoy the event. Thanks to our BBQ team of Lee
Davis, David Wilkes and Stephen Glaser who cooked hamburgers and hotdogs for us
all to enjoy!!! It was truly a meaningful evening of fellowship while
CELEBRATING cancer survivors, REMEMBERING those who have lost their battle with
cancer, and committing to find ways for each of us to FIGHT BACK in stopping
this disease.
(We all can make a difference in our own lives either by eating healthier,
improving our commitment to physical fitness, stopping smoking, etc.)
Special thanks go to JUDY WEBB for getting our great tent again from THE 1894
Grand Opera House. If you go by STARBUCKS on 61st Street, be sure to thank them
for supporting our team by donating and bringing out coffee. We accepted
donations of $1 per cup and raised over $100 for ACS. Thanks also to Britney and
Loretta Niccolai for the cupcakes and cookies that they made and brought out for
us donated by KROGER. And thanks again to everyone on our team who contributed
their time, talents and funds to make this event so successful and fun.
Barbara McGuffey, Event Coordinator
It’s a Boy!
Andrew Glen was born Saturday, November 17th!
Proud parents are Rich and Cynda Mullikin
(and proud big brother, Smythe).
Congratulations and God Bless.
And a Girl!
Grace Katherine was born Monday, November 26th!
Proud parents are Charles & Kari Roe
(and proud Grandparents, Cathy & George Gould).
Congratulations and God Bless.
