Members of the Dorcas Group of Grace Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship were the pioneers of the Christmas Cake baking project. In 1961 they were looking for a profitable project in which many women could participate.Several worthy ideas were put before the group, and they decided to make “a good old-fashioned Christmas Cake”. The next goal was to find a never-fail recipe that everyone liked. It took many experiments to find the perfect recipe and they finally agreed on Lady Eaton’s recipe which was shared with Kay Caspell during a golf game. With a few modifications over the years, this...
The Latest News from Grace
The Food Bank Project at Grace
One Month In: Grace as a Beltline Food Bank Satellite Location The vision and mission of Grace are well known: Vision: Transforming lives through God`s grace Mission: Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we grow disciples of Jesus Christ to love our neighbours and effect social change The Calgary Food Bank is one way Grace is living out the vision and mission. Calgary Food Bank Vision: A hunger-free community Mission: Together, we fight hunger and its root causes so that no one goes hungry As we at Grace embrace being a missional church, we understand the need to partner with agencies in the...
Faithfulness: A November Letter from Rev. Christian, Rev. Jake and Rev. Maren
Are we there yet? We probably think of kids asking this question during a road trip, but perhaps it reflects how some of us are feeling this November. Are we on the other side of isolation yet, are we closer to some sense of normalcy yet? While some of us are eager to get back to some sense of the way things used to be, some of us are happy with the way things are, and some of us are simply tired of where we are. As one community how do we keep everyone together and happy? Maybe we can, and maybe we cannot. Being part of Grace Presbyterian Church means being part of a large congregation,...
October 19 Session Highlights (including a proposal for limited in-person worship)
At its regular meeting on October 19, the Session: •Reflected upon how we, as the body of Christ, are cheerfully expectant in this time of transition. •Remembered the family of Tony Vanden Brink in prayer. •Received and considered correspondence from a number of individuals, some expressing concern, and others expressing gratitude for ministry at Grace. Session agreed upon the follow-up to respond to the suggestions and concerns. •Celebrated the election by the members of the congregation of three new Elders, who will be ordained November 8 and will join the Session starting at its next...
The October Issue of Grace Church News, the Monthly Newsletter, is here
This October, Grace continues to gather online for worship, community, learning, giving thanks, the Annual General Meeting - and to gather in the parking lot for a Halloween Trunk 'N' Treat event (with all of the COVID measures in place). This month, we continue we look at gratefulness, sharing faith stories, food insecurity and how to connect. It is also time to say thank you to you: for all you do, who you are, and for your faith. Read the October newsletter by clicking on this link. In this newsletter, you will find: Grace Mission Work and People An October Minister message on...
Giving Thanks and Knowing Our Stories: Rev. Christian, Rev. Jake and Rev. Maren
Dear Grace Church, It is hard to believe that we are already watching the leaves fall, feeling the cooler temperatures and beginning to gear up for what will be a strange winter. Autumn reminds us of transition. Typically, we have an idea of what to expect in the transition at this time of year – kids are back to school, the air becomes cool, pumpkins are put out on people’s steps and schedules begin to fill again. This fall is not typical though. As much as we are transitioning into a new season, we are taking all the “pandemic baggage” with us that we’ve had throughout the summer....
Notice of Annual General Meeting October 25 at 1:00 p.m. by Zoom; Return Elder Nominee Ballots by October 15
Please RSVP for the Annual General Meeting on this page. The meeting is through Zoom and you will be able to participate either by phone or computer. If you need support to register, please contact the office at 403-244-5861 or email office@gracecalgary.org. The website page will contain links to AGM reports. These will be posted online two weeks prior to the meeting. If you would prefer to receive a printed copy, please email the office. The AGM Reports will include: Minutes of the June 24, 2019 congregational meeting Roll report including acknowledgement of those who died in 2019...
Learnings from the Missional Leadership Certificate with Joanne Kellough
This fall, Grace has enrolled 10 members in Year One of the Vancouver School of Theology's Missional Leadership Certificate. The first-year theme is “Missional Foundations for COVID19 and beyond”, is led by the Rev. Dr. Tim Dickau, and over seven months and six Saturdays, focuses on neighbourhood engagement, forming thicker community life, fostering affordable housing, enacting justice, forming leaders and making disciples. This month, Joanne Kellough, Clerk of Session, shares. What did you learn in the September session? We identified barriers to forming missional community and building...
A Fall Letter from Rev. Jake, Rev. Christian and Rev. Maren
It’s now been about 6 months since we have gathered in person in the Grace sanctuary for worship. We keep remembering that last morning we worshiped in person, when we told you that now is the time to do what we are supposed to do best as a church; to be creative as we follow the leading of the spirit through a time that is probably going to push us out beyond what we know. However, I don’t think any of us understood that morning just how much things would be shifting and how much faithful pivoting we would be doing. There was a great adrenaline rush when everything happened at once and...
Learnings from the Missional Leadership Certificate with Joanne Kellough
This fall, Grace has enrolled 10 members in Year One of the Vancouver School of Theology's Missional Leadership Certificate. The first-year theme is “Missional Foundations for COVID19 and beyond”, is led by the Rev. Dr. Tim Dickau, and over seven months and six Saturdays, focuses on neighbourhood engagement, forming thicker community life, fostering affordable housing, enacting justice, forming leaders and making disciples. This month, Joanne Kellough, Clerk of Session, shares. What did you learn in the September session? We identified barriers to forming missional community and building...