Grace Church Vestry
The vestry is the agent or legal representative of the parish regarding matters pertaining to its corporate property. It is responsible for the budget and finances of the parish; for establishing business practices and policies; planning; maintaining buildings and property. The vestry also serves as leaders in the parish and works with the rector to present and uphold a clear mission statement, vision, and plans for the church.
Grace Episcopal Church, Ravenna, Vestry 2020
Seated: Midge Myers (Senior Warden), Marcia Splinter(Treasurer)Phillip Rich, Cathy Potisuk (clerk)
Standing: Barb Popiel, Fred Lundgren (Junior Warden), The Rev. Carol Evans (Rector), Phillip Crouse, Amir Amiruzzaman. We are blessed to have great leaders for the duties and responsibilities of vestry and treasurer, and we appreciate the important service provided by these faithful volunteers.
Back row: Tim Lewicki (organist), Tim Splinter, Walter Zielinski and Jeff Croll; Front row: Martha Croll (choir director), Kathy Summy, Cathy Zielinski, Marsha Snyder and Marcia Splinter
Dining at Grace’s continues the first Tuesday of every month, 5- 7 pm, September to May, with a new menu each month. Take out available. 50/50 raffle! Handicap Accessible. Cash only. Here are a few of the helpers at the February dinner.
A good time was had by all who attended the Wine Event on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at Grace Episcopal Parish Hall.
Wine expert, Jeff Sherman led the guests on a tour of the World with tasing of wines from Italy, France, Germany, New Zealand and the USA. Guests were treated to many hors d’oeuvres both before and after the tasting. The event was hosed by Cherry Monegan, fundraising chairwoman and committee members Carol Marotta, Marsha Snyder, Barb Popiel, Caitlin Barney-Fritsch and volunteer Laurie Campbell Barney. Many Ravenna businesses were very generous in their donations for a very successful raffle.
Thanks to all who came and supported this event.
Thanks to Cherry Monegan, her committee and all of the volunteers for helping, September 3, 2019, at our first “Dining at Grace’s”. Dinners will continue the first Tuesday of each month thru May, 2020. You can call the church office for the menu.
Some of the members of Grace Episcopal Church gathered for a parish picnic on Sunday, June 23, at Ravenna City Park.
Carolyn Englert and Shirley Johnson knitted 16 hats for Lion Brand Yarn's #hatnothate anti-bullying campaign.
Easter 2019
The Lenten Study for 2019 is called "Practicing Forgiveness With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.” It features daily meditations that help you work toward forgiveness. It is published by Living Compass. We will have our usual Simple Soup Supper before the study, and end with the service of Compline. Call the church office for more details. All are welcome!
front row, l-r, Kathy Summy, Carolyn Englert (co-leader), Nancy and Fred Lundgren, The Rev. Carol Evans (rector and leader); back row-Marsha Snyder, Amy Neely, Michelle Lambert, Midge Myers,The Rev. William Snyder, Kingsland Pretorius and Rick Taylor.
The “Just Us” Band gave a Bluegrass, Gospel and 50’s Country Music Concert August 11, 2018, in the Church Hall. Thanks to Cherry Monegan, Carol Marotta and other members of the church for making this event a success.
THE REV. CAROL EVANS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS AT GRACE EPISCOPAL CHRUCH, RAVENNA, March 3, 2018
From left: Dennis Dier (Junior Waden), Nancy Persell, wife of The Right Reverend William Persell, The Reverend Carol Evans, The Right Reverend Arthur B. Williams, wife Lynette, and Nancy Lundgren (Senior Warden).
On Saturday, March 3, 2018, Grace Episcopal Church celebrated the 20th anniversary of The Reverend Carol S. Evans’ ministry among them. Bishop and Mrs. Arthur Williams and Bishop and Mrs. William Persell of the Diocese of Ohio joined nearly 90 congregants and community members in the celebration. Food was provided by members and the Hospitality Committee served as hostesses. Among the many who contributed to the planning were Marsha Snyder, Nancy Ervin, Mary Jean McDonald, Shirley Johnson, Carolyn Englert and the members of the Sit ‘n’ Stitch group.
The Parish Hall was decorated with lanterns and roses by Marsha Snyder & Cherry Monegan, and Shirley Johnson took pictures of the event.The gift of a photo album of memorable events of the past 20 years was compiled by Carolyn Englert. Speakers who shared memories and spoke about the ministry included The Rev. Wm. Snyder, deacon; Bette Brooks, immediate past Senior Warden; Martha Croll, choir and music director; Nancy Lundgren, current Senior Warden; Roberta O’Keefe, member of long standing; and Frank Seman who presented The Rev. Carol with a proclamation. A "love gift" from the parish was presented by Marsha Snyder. Area clergy were among guests attending.
The Rev. Evans and her husband, Maynard moved to Ravenna to accept her position as rector of Grace Church in February of 1998. Both enjoyed the 20 year celebration and appreciate the blessing of the ministries and fellowship shared with the Grace Church family.
LENTEN STUDY GROUP, 2018
STUDYING THE PSALMS
The Rev. Carol Evans and Carolyn Englert, leaders
Seated left to right: The Rev. William Snyder, Dennis Dier, Sally Dier, Nancy Lundgren, Fred Lundgren, Billy T. Johnson; standing left to right: Carolyn Englert, Marsha Snyder, Mary Jean McDonald, John McDonald, Marcia Splinter, Carol Marotta, Shirley Johnson, Mike Johnson and Richard Taylor.
Grace Episcopal Church makes Blessing Bags
Front row: Shirley Johnson, Debbie Shorts, The Rev. Carol Evans (rector at Grace Episcopal Church), Pat Williams (chairman of the project); Back row: Rick Lashley and Carol Marotta.
Several members of Grace Episcopal Church, Ravenna, and Rev. Carol Evans saw information regarding “Blessing Bags” posted on Facebook and thought it was a wonderful idea. Members of the church have made about 20 “Blessing Bags” so far. They are at the church, and also members are encouraged to keep a “Blessing Bag” in their car in case they find someone in need. The bags include items such as: gloves, thermal socks, beef sticks, crackers, candy bars, toothpaste, toothbrush, wipes, deodorant, snacks, lip balm, hand cream and other items that may help someone who is homeless or in need. Thank you to the ones that did this long before us, and to our members helping with this project. Random acts of kindness can change people in the world.
COOKIE SALE 2017
Thanks to everyone who sold, baked, helped pack or bought cookies! Thanks to our Chairman Carolyn Englert.
(Above) Front Row: Shirley Johnson, Alex Wroblewski, Joan Seman, Nancy Lundgren
2nd Row: Nancy Ervin, Roberta O’Keefe, Mary Jean McDonald, Cathy Potisuk, Kay Wise,
Marsha Snyder, Carolyn Englert (Chairman)
3rd Row: Carol Marotta, David Miller, Mike Johnson, Ken Englert.
(Left) Getting boxes ready are Ken Englert & Mike Johnson. (Right) Packing cookies are Dave Miller & Nancy Ervin.
(Left) On the right Roberta O’Keefe labels boxes, while Dave Miller, Alex Wroblewski & Carol Marotta help. (Right) All working to complete the task.
Tapestries of Ohio
A Madrigal Christmas Concert
Tapestries of Ohio, A Madrigal Christmas Concert, came to Grace Episcopal Church, December 16, 2017. Thanks to Tim and Marcia Splinter, members of our church and members of the group, for bring Tapestries to our church.
THE REV. CAROL EVANS AND BISHOP WILLIAM PERSELL
United Thank Offering Sunday, September 24, 2017
Pictured are Marsha Snyder, ECW President; Bette Brooks and Sally Dier, worship readers; and Pat Williams who furnished cup cakes for the 9 AM coffee hour. UTO chairman, Carolyn Englert, Carol Marotta and Doris Whipple furnished cupcakes and brownies for the 11AM coffee hour.
In September we celebrated the 165th birthday of the founder of UTO. Julia Chester Emery was the second National Secretary of the Women’s Auxiliary (her sister was the first), who envisioned creating a network of women to support missionaries and the expansion of the Episcopal Church. She is credited as the founder of the United Thank Offering. Julia led the Women’s Auxiliary and the United Thank Offering for forty years, from 1876 until 1916. She was a modest and self-effacing woman; careful to stay out of the limelight, so not much is known about her life. She traveled around the world to visit mission outposts supported by UTO and visited extensively throughout the church, visiting every diocese and missionary district at least once. Julia gave up much in order to continue her work. She turned down a proposal of marriage that would have caused her to lose her job, and she fought for the canonical status of the deaconess program, which helped build the foundation for the ordination of women. Julia Chester Emery reminds us that we all possess the resources we need to be effective missionaries; through the two most important qualities exemplified in her life: a willingness to try new things, and the tenacity to see through difficult tasks and ideas to their culmination.
Twiddle Muffs, a Grace Church Project
April, 2017
Members at Grace Church were asked to make Twiddle Muffs to donate to local nursing homes. These are “sleeves” or muffs that can be sewn, knitted, or crocheted, and are embellished with buttons, ribbons, zippers and beads. They help residents with Alzheimer's and Senile Dementia as they give them something to play with, or “Twiddle’. Over 30 were made by church members.
Pictured above: Longmeadow Care Center Activity Director, Diann Hartley (center) receives Twiddle Muffs from Carolyn Englert and Marsha Snyder.
Pictured Above: The Woodlands Program Director, Ellen Kiser (left) receives Twiddle Muffs from Mary Jean McDonald, Marsha Snyder and Carolyn Englert.
Letter Writing, March 26, 2017
Parishioners and staff gathered to send personalized letters to family, friends and neighbors to invite them to church, especially for Easter. Many folks also sent letters to those who have become inactive, asking them to reconnect. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write letters, and thanks to Rick Taylor for this great idea.
Spring Luncheon 2017
About 70 people attended the Spring Luncheon at Grace Episcopal Church on March 25, 2017. The Fund Raising Committee which includes: Kay Canan, Carol Marotta, Cherry Monegan and Courtney and Phillip Rich, did an awesome job of organizing the event. The presentation of the food was as if we were at an elegant tea, and it was delicious. The Deerfield Dandies provided the entertainment. The committee would like to thank everyone who attended, provided food, and helped in any way with this event.
Planning Committee
The planning committee for the 150th Anniversary Celebration of Grace Episcopal Church recently met to discuss final arrangements for the April 25, 2015 open house. There will be tours of the church, lunch available, antique items, raffle baskets and Gracie's Back Door will be open. Learn the history of Grace Church.
Those at this meeting were: seated- Nancy Ervin, Bette Brooks, Rev. Carol Evans -rector of Grace Church, Barb Popiel- committee chairman, Mechele Novak. Standing are David Miller, Carol Marotta and John McDonald.
Celebrating 150 Years
Christian Education Teachers
Sue Ahrens, Stacy Scibelli, Carolyn Englert (Adult Ed.}, Christine Stickle and Nikki Stickle.
2017 Lenten Study Group
This group met each Wednesday evening during lent for soup, the study and discussion of The Life of King David and Compline. In the photo are seated: Sue Ahrens, Marsha Snyder, Jane Gear-Jozsa; Standing: Kay Canan, Fred Lundgren, Cherry Monegan, Bette Brooks, Carol Marotta; Back row: Rev. Carol Evans (rector at Grace Church), and Nancy Lundgren.
ECW (Episcopal Church Women)
E.C.W. is an important part of Grace Church and every woman in the parish is a member. A 9 AM Saturday breakfast meeting is held several times a year, with hostesses serving breakfast for an average of twelve people. E.C.W. projects include: United Thank Offering in both Fall and Spring; the Lillian Vallely School, an Episcopal native Indian school in Blackfoot, Idaho; the County Clothing Center collection of underware and socks; and Safer Futures, the battered women’s shelter, supplying them with items they need. To make money the E.C.W. has an annual Christmas cookie sale. Monies made continue to help the church with projects and the community. ...
