From the Assistant Rector, Mother Emma

Welcome back, my friends! To those who came to Shrine Mont last weekend, welcome back to northern Virginia. To those who haven’t been to church since COVID or are just discovering our livestreams, welcome back. To those who decided to renew their relationship with church and God this month, welcome back, and welcome home! 

 

The summer months are always a bit quieter for family ministries because schools are out of session. Now, as the temperatures hint at cooler days ahead, our schedules are busier than ever with sports, extracurriculars, and more; and yet, I will be so bold as to ask you to take a moment and pause.

 

I invite you to pause and reflect on how you spend your time each week and what you hope to discover this year at Grace/la Gracia. Do you want to discover a deeper understanding of your faith? New opportunities for service? New connections and friends in our community? A quiet place to reflect? A joyful place to play? What do you (and your family) want to discover this year at Grace/la Gracia?

 

Many ministries are launching into full swing now that school is back in session. So whether you are curious about Outreach, Sunday School, Adult Form, Youth Programs, Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Acolytes, Lectors, Food Pantry, Fellowship, Evangelism, Stewardship, Creation Care, or any of the many other active ministries, now is a fantastic time to get plugged in and volunteer!

 

This Sunday we will have a Formation Open House (and Alpacapalooza – which means petting zoo animals will be present) to mark the launch of our program year. So come and be curious! Come and ask questions. Come and schedule time with clergy to brainstorm ministry opportunities at Grace/la Gracia. Come because Grace/la Gracia is welcoming you home, no matter whether you’ve been here before or not. Welcome home, my friends!

 

Faithfully,

Mother Emma+