Community Care
Caring for Each Other
"They will know we are Christians by our love..."
We live out love through daily acts of service to one another and to neighbors beyond our parish. Our Congregational Care team, led by the Rector and Deacon, assists people in crisis and transitions in practical and spiritual ways. We also empower the parish to care for one another more wisely through education and opportunities. Confidentiality is an important value to help us become more open and honest with one another.
Prayer
Prayer is the foundation of our care for another. We pray for one another every Sunday using our prayer list.
We also have a prayer team that offers more specific intercessions and honors confidentiality.
Each Vestry member has a list of prayer partners for whom they offer intercessory prayers regularly.
Lastly, clergy are always available for additional prayer.
Life Passages
From pregnancy and peri-natal loss, to baptisms, weddings, and funerals …and so much in between…the Church seeks to mark these important milestones in each person’s life.
Eucharistic Visitors
Our Holy Communion is incomplete until every member of the parish joins the feast.
To honor this ideal, we send out trained pastoral visitors who take the Holy Communion to sick and homebound parishioners each week.
Cards and Calls
It makes a HUGE difference to know that we don’t suffer through life’s trials alone.
Our card and call ministry team connects with those in transition, crisis or just having a hard season to offer tangible signs of the parish’s prayer support.
Grief Ministry
Our grief ministry team reaches out to parishioners with resources, a listening ear, and prayer, especially in the first year after the loss of a close loved one. They also provide educational opportunities about grief, funeral planning, and end-of-life care.
Our Daughters of the King chapter offers a beautiful reception for funerals at Grace Church.
Resources
We’ve curated some resources – local and national – to help us navigate lovingly and thoughtfully some of life’s challenges.
Grief – a listing of support groups and websites
Cybersecurity – tips to prevent being scammed and to keep your online information secure
Addiction & Recovery – local resources as well as The Red Door Episcopal Recovery Ministry
Medical Loan Closet
We have a variety of gently used wheelchairs, walkers, poddy chairs, shower stools and more available for the parish and friends of the parish to borrow. Contact Alyson Nelson to learn about picking up or dropping off items.
Caring for Our Neighbors
"Oh Lord, enable our hands to be God's hands in caring, comforting, and advocating for God's people beyond our doors."
“O Lord, enable our hands to be God’s hands in caring, comforting, and advocating for God’s people beyond our doors.” This prayer incorporates the Vestry’s charge to our Outreach Committee. Grace is working toward “being with” neighbors in need by building friendships across all kinds of difference. Here are some of our current outreach ministries.
Food Pantry
Open Monday – Friday from 10 – 11, we offer our guests meat, eggs and fresh produce. We partner with Manna Food Bank, Haywood Christian Ministries, and Pathways. We welcome volunteers, as this is a wonderful way to get to know neighbors! To learn more about volunteering, contact Pam Nolte-Viau.
Our Garden
The Grace Giving Garden has been tended by Grace’s children, non-profit partner groups like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, LifeWorks, and the Pigeon Center. We use this space to demonstrate sustainable gardening and to share God’s bounty with the community.
Marthas
Our Marthas Knitting group gathers every Thursday at 10 am for prayer and knitting! They provide hundreds of hats and prayer shawls for neighbors in need and parish members who may benefit from being held by something lovingly knit that conveys God’s love.
Guiding Principles
These were developed through study and prayer in 2023. A fuller description is available here.
- “Being with” as much or more than “doing for”
- Collaborative
- Training
- Awareness & Discernment
- Advocacy
- Sharing beyond Haywood County
- Evaluation
Creation Care Ministries
Reverencing God’s Creation is one of our missional priorities and it permeates every part of our common life.
The Creation Care ministry has curated spiritual resources and practical ideas for going greener.
Bethel House
Bethel House provides hospitality to neighbors dealing with a variety of challenges including homelessness and mental illness.
Grace provides lunch several times a month and a weekly devotion on Wednesdays at Noon…but we also receive incredible testimonies about God’s grace and mercy, and the Bethel community inspires our faith!
Pathways
Pathways provides shelter for men, women, and families as well as support for finding meaningful work, staying in recovery, and other support.
Grace members love preparing and serving dinner once a month and the fellowship around the table that follows.
Clyde Elementary
Grace is developing a partnership with Clyde Elementary School. We are providing funds for school supplies and hope to provide volunteers for their after school program and other support as needed.
Connect with Realm
Our cloud-based church management system
We encourage all Grace Members to set up an account to view the directory, easily communicate with groups, check their giving, and so much more. Realm keeps us connected.