Grace Church relocates.

After many years of struggling to keep up an old building, The Rector Wardens and Vestry of Grace Church, Inc., with renewed excitement for the future, have merged and consolidated with Nazareth House Apostolate into St. Simeon Skete.  Grace Church has been worshipping now for 3 weeks at the new location.  Maintaining its own identity, its own Vestry and its own Corporation, Grace Church now benefits from the strength of a joint ministry with the resident ongoing force of prayer of the religious at the Skete.  

In recent years, we have attracted a more "national" membership, having people regularly worship at Grace Church from many areas - Several making the effort to attend church weekly from long distances (Breeding, KY; Maysville, KY,  Bishop, GA;  Hanover, IN; Augusta, GA; Bogart, GA).  For some in Louisville, the move means a few more minutes on the road to come to church.  As many have agreed, this allows extra time to de-program from the gravitational pull of the world, giving you those added moments to prepare your heart for the Liturgy.  The serene scenery leading up to the skete is very conducive to prayer.   Time used in this manner hinders that "rush in, rush out" attitude when going to worship which can hamper the purpose of attending any worship service.


Understanding the repairs needed, The Debre Haile Kidus Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has purchased the building on Goldsmith Lane.  Their congregation is strong, dedicated and vibrant and they are excited to have the opportunity to preserve their faith at the former Grace Church location.   In them, Grace Church has found a friend, a sister-church, so to speak.  We continue them in our prayers, looking forward to a long relationship with them.  We wish them all the best in the ministry and in their new building.

The Rector, Wardens, Vestry and members of Grace Church are thankful for this opportunity to greater serve our Lord in this greater capacity.  The new location is one of peacefulness and light.  God's love and warmth abound.  We welcome this new beginning to continue to serve Him while maintaining the traditional worship of our ancestors.

Dear Friends,

I now realize how MAMA VICKI always feels when am very sick here in Sierra Leone and she cannot be here to take care of me. Frankly enough, its has always been me, or a member of my family or a poor kid like Sheku to name but a few.

I will refer to my worst trouble early this year when i was involved in that terrible road accident. Mama Vicki almost chew the phone wanting to be here. As I write this, Mama Vicki is currently in Surgery in Kentucky and am unable to be with her. However, i am still connected to her through my prayers and I ask you all to pray too.

The idea of her in Hospital is making me sick and as i pass the word here in Sierra Leone about her immediate surgery i can see the worried eyes of thousands too. I trust God to take control but its just not easy to see or hear that the one we all look to is down. I cant handle it without her help and begging spirit for the poor and needy here. I just cant do anything without her so we want her to be ok.

The kids at our NHA school in Kabala needs her, not to mention of the lot in the remote villages where she always take care of the sore feets, feding the hungry, or take care of the worm packed belly etc. so much in her hands that without your helping hands she cant do it all. Oh how i wish to be near a good Woman and a mother to many here. Mama Vicki is everything and i cant say more about her but ask you all to pray.
And as she recover from this surgery, please do not forget to carry on the work of Nazareth House. I will prefer we make it easier on her today and give money towards the unfinished compound in Kabala. We still need to get all this down before Christmas and we are still behind in paying the remaining money.


There is only one MAMA VICKI i know who has always been there for us all, and trust me she will be hard to find if we loose her now. Today am in her shoes to beg till she is out of Surgery, This i promised her if only she will be ok.

I thank you all.

James.

NOTICE:
Sunday January 17th Mass will be at 10 AM
instead of 11 AM. We will return to normal schedule the follow week. Thank you

Wishing you a Blessed Christmastide

Christmas Eve Mass at Grace Church: 6:30 PM
Christmas Day Mass at Grace Church: 6:30 AM

Grace Church, Littlest Acolyte

Yesterday, our littlest acolyte made his debut at Grace Church. He'll be 3 years old tomorrow, but Sunday he was getting a wish he's had for a long time.

You see, he's always dreamed of carrying the Cross in Procession.

After practice time with Fr. Seraphim last Thursday, it was definite that Lil Kelsay was ready.

Up and down the aisle he practiced.

Finally it was "dress rehearsal" time. A huge smile stretches across the face when he looks at the mirror.

A few more practice tries in full dress and he's ready for Sunday.

Kelsay is dressed early and waits in the Narthex for the "big moment".

Wow! Its time...

At the Offertory, he did beautifully.

At Recessional he headed back down the aisle like a pro.

Looking good, Mr. Kelsay, looking good.

With Deacon Mike, his godfather and Fr. Seraphim, his grandpa; Kelsay felt like "one of the guys".

He also felt obliged to greet everyone on their way out of the church. Who knows, do we have a future priest here?

Welcome Astin

On Sunday August 9, 2009 we welcomed Astin Butler as a newly Baptized member into Christ's flock.

Astin was baptized by Fr. Tim Butler of Maysville, Kentucky.

Fr. Tim and his family, were on retreat at Jonah House. It is always a pleasure to have them visit us.

The Butlers are very active in the support of Nazareth House Apostolate

and are in the process of setting up a Nazareth House Branch in Maysville.

Daily Mass: Monday thru Saturday following Lauds beginning at 6:30 AM.

Midweek, last week, one of the retreatants at Jonah House asked "why do you do Mass so early?" (6:30 AM following Lauds) "Wouldn't more people come if you catered to an easier time for people to make it?" I laughed, that is exactly what we at Jonah House/Grace Church don't want to do - cater to the ways of the world.

The time is set for Mass and there are those who make it here. If it is impossible, there are other services throughout the day and week that are available. Its that "effort making" to be there for God. Sure you may have to get up earlier and leave from Mass to go to work. Yes, you may not get to linger at the Coffee House prior to work. But you will have made a time for God, and not simply fit God into your time.

So the answer is: "The Mass will remain following Lauds beginning at 6:30 AM).

...and whether we are a tiny crowd or more, its not our concern. Our focus is always God and whatever the number... it is enough for God to do what he wants with our lives. It is enough.