Founding Vision, Future Vision

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

Outside my office hang several important pictures. Several show the original Grace Church building on South Patrick Street in Old Town Alexandria. The newest (and my favorite) is not really a picture but the mortgage document signed in 1948 by members of Grace Church. These men and women believed so strongly in the mission of Grace Church that they put their own homes as collateral for the construction of our current building on Russell Road.

 

Here is Grace Church at its best: brave, committed, and visionary.

 

This Sunday, we celebrate Founders Day. We remember not only the men and women who planted Grace Church in 1855 but also those who have tended and built our parish. To borrow words from the prayer book, they are people “who in the day of decision ventured much.” They took risks. They stood fast for what they believed.

 

It’s our chance to be like them.

 

Some of you have already heard the Visioning Team’s findings. You attended the session at Shrine Mont, or perhaps you stayed after Little Church last week. This Sunday, the session will be repeated one more time immediately after the 10:30 service. (The session will be held in the nave to make sure it’s accessible to everyone.)

 

I encourage you to learn more about our vision for the next decade at Grace. This visioning work will guide the vestry in the months and years ahead as we make decisions for our future.

 

The world needs people who will stand boldly for the good news. Even now. Especially now. I hope you will learn more about how we hope to do just that in this place and time.

 

Yours in Christ,
Anne+