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Spring into Family Health and Wellness with Grace, Kingston March 31

Grace Kingston seeks part-time sexton

to do general cleaning, routine maintenance and repairs, lawn care and snow removal. If interested and for more information call Nancy at 570-287-8440.  An Application for Employment is attached.

Application for Employment.pdf

Grace, Kingston Rector imposes ashes in a novel way

By Joe Jackloski
In Wyoming Valley,  this heavily blue collar and service work area, picking the proper time for Ash Wednesday service is a challenge, and there are some, like nurses though faithful, simply can't find the time to go to Church.

Fr. John hit upon a novel idea. He would impose ashes on such souls on their way to work by standing on the sidewalk in front of Grace Church. Fully 15  of our Parishioners took advantage of this, but here's where it gets good.

Nurses at the nearby Geisinger Clinic, seeing this, began to line up too, perhaps 20 of them.
And a bedridden neighbor, not a Parishioner, saw this and called the Church office to see if Fr.John would come to her home.

Then Jane Ritsick, a Parishioner, called.  It seems when she told her fellow workers at the Saxton Pavilion (a large outpatient medical facility)  what Fr John was doing in front of the Church, they wanted in!   So Fr. John trundles the mile or so to impose ashes on an eclectic band of the Faithful of several denominations, 60 in number. They were ever so grateful, there are already plans to repeat this next year.

Then of course was our usual evening Eucharist at which our usual half hundred people showed up.

With a little novel thinking, at the end of the day nearly 150 people number had shared their Lenten commitment.

Kudos Father John.

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See also WaPo/RNS column by Lauren Winner here.

And Episcopsl News Service on "Ashes To Go" here.

And some sharing on Ash Wenesday services here.

Grace, Kingston to host Christmas Gala December 2

Grace Kingston seeks full-time Minister of Music

[Received from Grace Kingston]

Grace Episcopal Church in Kingston, Pennsylvania is looking for a full-time Minister of Music committed to enhancing and developing the musical programs at the parish. This person should be an accomplished organist and choir director, and open to various musical styles and settings. Familiarity with the Episcopal liturgy and seasons of the Christian year is a plus but not required. The candidate should have the ability to communicate and work well with a volunteer adult choir, paid soloists, other musicians, children and youth, and clergy and staff in a team environment.

In preparation for one to two services on Sunday, the Minister of Music will plan and coordinate service music with the rector, the parish administrator, and work with a volunteer choir. Other significant liturgical occasions –Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, Funerals and Weddings – will require extra planning and rehearsals.

The annual salary is commensurate with the abilities and experience of the candidate. The position is available May 16, 2011.

Please contact
The Reverend John Hartman
Rector Grace Episcopal Church
30 Butler Street
Kingston, Pennsylvania 18704
Office: 570-287-8440
Rector’s Study: 570-714-2622
Rector’s Email: j.franklin.hartman@gmail.com