Grace Church Campus Closure

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Update

The Grace Church Vestry and leadership is beginning to plan for a coordinated and gradual return to in-person worship and fellowship when it is safe to do so. At the bishop’s recommendation, we will form a Reopening Task Force to help with this initiative. We recognize that even once we allow for coordinated, likely smaller in-person worship gatherings, church will look and feel different for some time to come.

Original Message

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, Bishop in the Diocese of Washington, has instructed all public services and other church gatherings be suspended until May 16, 2020.

While necessary, this decision is unsettling. Gathering together, in the Lord’s name, is part of what makes us the church. But please remember, though our buildings are closed, the church (the Body of Christ) remains open! Our clergy, staff, and contractors will continue our work and ministry in new and innovative ways. We hope you will stay connected with Grace Church and continue to support our ministries as you are able. Below, you will find opportunities for worship, formation, outreach and pastoral care, which we hope you will participate in. To financially support these initiatives, and/or pay your pledge, please click on the “Donate” button, located on the right side of this page.

These are indeed strange times, full of anxiety, and uncertainty. However, we are not in it alone. We have one another. And God, our God, who created us in love, came to us in love, and sustains us with love, is with us now and will be with us in the future, whatever it may hold.

Worship & Meditations
Worship and meditations will be livestreamed
on Grace’s Facebook page:
fb.me/GraceEpiscopalChurchSS
You do not have to have a Facebook account to participate!

You can also find our archived videos on the
Grace Church YouTube Channel!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs90P8BuWYdite6OJRVnT6g

Please join us online for the following offerings:

Christian Formation
Rev. Kevin Antonio will offer online gatherings for Middle and High School Youth during regularly scheduled Youth Group times. He will also provide resources for parents of Sunday School age children to engage in faith formation at home. For more information, e-mail Rev. K.A. directly. Adult Formation offerings are currently being planned and more information will be forthcoming.

Outreach
As schools close and places of business shut down, times may get tough. If you need financial assistance during this time, the church can help. We can either direct you to organizations that specialize in financial support, or we may be able to assist you directly. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

Additionally, beginning Wednesday, March 25, Grace will be delivering groceries to our families that are quarantined and at risk for COVID-19. If you are an at-risk individual, unable to leave your home, or if you have small children and will have trouble grocery shopping, email Rev. Amanda to learn about this opportunity.

Pastoral Care
As social distancing becomes our new normal, pastoral care is more important than ever. Your clergy team is working diligently to call and speak with parishioners over 60 (the most vulnerable group in terms of the virus). We also hope you will not hesitate to contact us for any reason. In case of a pastoral emergency, call Rev. Rich’s cell phone at 301-910-4058. And please continue to check in on one another. You are Christ’s hands and feet in our world.