What Grace Means

In late 2009, we asked Parishoners to tell us "What Grace Means to Me!" Each of us feels called to Grace as our spiritual home, and we feel it is a good idea to find out exactly what it is about Grace that speaks to each individual.

The following responses were published in a handout that we continue to distribute to newcomers.

Stef Donev

Grace is a lot like family. Do you like ALL of YOUR relatives?

Grace is my home parish. It might not always be perfect, and sometimes I get frustrated by what happens here, but it is still home. And I stick with it - and support it - for the same reason that i have been married for 36 years and sober for 22.

When God gives me a gift - a precious gift - I hand on to it. I take care of it. I treasure it. I support it.

I treasure, and support, and work to maintain my marriage and my family.

I treasure, and support, and work to maintain my sobriety.

I treasure, and support, and work to maintain my parish - our parish - by taking an active part in various ministries, by showing up with a ladder and a tool belt from time to time.

Jackie Cooper-Glenn

Grace is the home where I worship with my spiritual family, but now I no longer just receive; I am learning ways to give back. I look forward every month to serving at the homeless center.

Susan Ohanneson

Belonging to Grace has giuven me a purpose to my life - a cause I believe in and want to work for. At Grace, we strive to be the kind of Episcopalians we are meant to be - tolerant, kind, compassionate, and inclusive. We are teaching our children the faith we truly believe in, and we are setting a good example for them.

Dee Whitley

After 37 years of attedance and service at St. Paul's Episcopal Parish, Bakersfield, my husband and I knew we were being led by the Holy Spirit to leave. At the Annual Parish meeting the parish voted to go into schism and leace the Episcopal Church.

I drove home that Sunday in tears after placing y hand on the sign at the front of the church that my family had donated in loving memory of my sister.

Where were we to worship? We who are advocates for inclusion and women! We opened the Bakersfield Californian and there was the listing: Grace Episcopal Church Welcomes You! We decided to attend Grace.

I will never forget being welcomed right into the arms of the Vivians as Tim's vestments covered us and the feeling was one of intense love. Grace Episcopal was there for us! We were home!

David Deleersnyder

I have been coming to Grace for the past couple of years.

In the Episcopal Church it's okay to celebrate Halloween - it's not an evil day that belongs to the devil! In the Episcopal Church, it's okay to read Harry Potter books. It's okay to think, to question, and use your brain in the Episcopal Church.

Poppy Stewart

I have friends. They gave me a job at church. I'm an usher with Greg. Jackie is my friend. I knew her when I was little. She was my teacher. I used to shake when people touched me and I took medicine but when people hug me here at church I don't shake anymore and I don't take medicine anymore. I love Jesus. I love church. They treat me nice. I ask my Mom not to let me be late so I can help. I love Grace.

Melinda Hill

Our son-in-law said that behaving well never got any minority or oppressed group very far.

Two years ago we showed up at Grace - then Remain Episcopal - for Evensong on All Saints'. What we felt was surprise and relief. We weren't alone! Others believed as we did! From there, making our home at what would soon be called Grace was natural. We fit in with the other misfits.

What has evolved, though, is something unique. Our church family includes young and young only in heart, single, married, male, female, gay, straight, transgender, even TEENAGERS! Some were Episcopalians before birth, some have a different church history, and some are here because this is finally a church that, to them, makes sense.

Grace to me is the spirit of the family of Grace - loving, inviting, nurturing and forgiving. This spirit is what I celebrate.