General 4 — Grace Church New Bedford

Parish Life

“Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

-Psalm 133:1

What Moves Our Congregation

A sense of welcome and respect regardless of where one is on one’s faith journey

Joyful, interactive worship traditions like Blessing of the Animals and Festival of Lights
Invitations to worship, fellowship, or to participate in events and ministries
The opportunity to socialize after services (Coffee hours)
Spiritual growth through education and personal connection
A sense of commitment to and communal passion for outreach ministries

Adult Formation

Current groups dedicated to the Christian education of our community include the following list. Adult formation meets at the discretion of the particular group.

Resource of Prayer/Ways to Pray Group
Living Compass Seasonal Living Well Groups
Racial Justice Zoom Group
YWCA 21-Day Racial and Social Justice Challenge Zoom Group
Lectio Divina and Compline Lent Zoom Group
Book study groups
Psalms Study and Prayer Group

What We Long for

Deep spiritual connections

Pastoral care

Return of children and Sunday School, Youth group, and VBS

Social opportunities and resumption of events such as Parish dinners and single-day community projects

Opportunities for Growth

Connect better with individual members; focus on growing membership
Broaden the circle of leadership and sustained involvement
Energize our Christian education offerings for children and adults
Invite younger families
Create more opportunities for spiritual exploration and growth
Provide more opportunities for fellowship
Increase attendance at services

Youth Group

The Youth Group regularly joins together to explore what it means to love God and love our neighbors in a supportive, friendly environment. Last year, the youth group focused on creation care, preserving nature and environmental health. They arranged a raffle fundraiser, obtaining prizes from local businesses, and were successful in raising funds for the World Wildlife Fund. The group has a long tradition of making gift bags containing hygiene products, socks, and more. The bags are distributed at Christmas to the Community Breakfast and Martha’s Pantry guests.

During the pandemic, the Youth Group met via Zoom for reflection and connection; and also hosted occasional outdoor nature walks.

Children’s Ministry

Like other churches, re-establishing our Sunday School post-pandemic has been challenging and we seek strategies for bringing back our young families. We miss the laughter and bustle of children making their way to the Children’s Chapel on Sunday mornings, the ice cream socials, and the wonder and open-hearted gazes of young faces in the pews.

Over the years, Grace has been blessed with many teachers dedicated to children’s Christian education. During the 10:00 am service, Godly Play teaching models are used to engage and educate the children while the Gospel and sermon are being read. Two new lessons, spotlighting Bishop Barbara C. Harris and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., were recently added. Grace has held many pageants over the years as a means of incorporating children in worship.

A dedicated nursery area staffed by volunteers is available during the Sunday service.

Grace has a core group of children and youth who routinely serve at worship services as lay liturgical ministers.

During the pandemic, Grace offered outdoor arts and crafts activities to the younger children. and organized a “virtual” pageant which was recorded and shared with the congregation.