Dear Stephanie and John

Dear Stephanie and John, Welcome to an exciting year at Grace Episcopal Church!

As we look forward to a new church year together, we want to highlight both our theme for the year as well as several important events coming up in the life of our congregation. + Hang the calendar on your refrigerator + so you are sure not to miss the energy, ministry, fellowship, worship, and inviting embrace of God among us!

Our theme this fall at Grace Episcopal Church is “All Hearts Open.” These are words you hear during the beginning of almost every worship service when Mother Rachel prays, “Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid …”

Each time we come to church, grab our nametags, settle into our pews, make sure our toes are not caught under a kneeler, move from hymnbook to Prayer Book to service leaflet, and so much more as the service begins, it’s sometimes easy to miss this important call into worship … and this important call into our relationship and story with God.

So this year we invite each person who enters our doors or even drives by the church (keep an eye out for our banners!) to consider how all hearts are open at Grace. + How has your heart been opened to God’s call? + How has your heart been opened to yourself … to know the gifts God has given you? How has your heart been broken open, and in its brokenness been filled with God’s grace? How has your heart been opened to others … and how have others opened their hearts to you? How can the heart of Grace Episcopal Church open itself to those outside our walls?

These are the stories of our lives. These are the stories of our faith. These are the stories of God among us.

The way our hearts are open at Grace Episcopal has profound impact within the church, in our local community, and around the globe. We will highlight the increasing impact of our church community near and far beginning Wednesday, September 27th, which is also when you will receive your pledge card for 2018.

Join us on the 27th! And join us in opening your heart to prayerfully consider how you can increase the impact of Grace Episcopal Church. Consider this through your prayers and conversations with God, and consider this through your conversations with us about supporting our mission and ministry. We are excited about connecting with each of you, we are excited about this year at Grace, and we are so, so glad you’re here! In hearts open with gratitude for your presence at Grace,

The Rev’d Rachel Faith, Isaac Lord, Sarah Church, Rector Stewardship Chair Senior Warden

Your Episcopal Church | 123 Your Street | Your Town, Virginia 12345 123-456-7890 | www.yourwebsite.org Y OUR EPISCOPAL CHURC H Fall 2017 Events Calendar + all are welcome +

Sunday, September 10 | Fall Ministry Fair 10: 30 in the Parish Hall Write brief description here

Sunday, September 17 | Formation for All Ages Begins 10: 30 – see calendar for classrooms Write brief description here

Wednesday, September 27 | “Walk in Love” Launch & Community Supper 6:00 in the Parish Hall Write brief description here

Saturday, October 7 | Blessing of the Animals 5:00 in the Churchyard Write brief description here

Wednesday, November 1 | All Saints Day Holy Eucharist 6:00 in the Church Write brief description here

Sunday, November 5 | “All Hearts Open” Sunday and Festive Brunch 10: 00 All Parish Worship and Community Meal Write brief description here

Sunday, November 19 | Thanksgiving Outreach Basket Delivery 10: 30 in the Parish Hall Write brief description here

Sunday, December 3 | First Sunday in Advent – Invite a Neighbor All Services Write brief description here

Additional Information

If you want a longer or different letter:

Consider bullet pointing ministry impact statements before the final paragraph. This could read:

The way “All Hearts are Open” at Grace Episcopal has profound impact within the church, in our local community, and around the globe. For example, over the past year we have:

 hosted 623 local events for our community

 sung 385 hymns during worship

 fed over 14,614 individual through our food bank ministry

 sent our youth and their sponsors to teach Vacation Bible School in the Dominican Republic

We will highlight the increasing impact of these ministries and more within our local church community and beyond beginning Wednesday, September 27, which is also when you will receive your pledge card for 2018.

As you hear more about the increasing impact of our ministries at Grace, we ask you to prayerfully consider how you can increase the impact of your ministry at Grace. Consider this through your prayers and conversations with God. And consider this through your conversations with us about supporting our mission and ministry. We are excited about connecting with each of you, we are excited about this year at Grace, and we are so, so glad you’re here.

Your Episcopal Church | 123 Your Street | Your Town, Virginia 12345 123-456-7890 | www.yourwebsite.org