Celebrating our First Year Together

It is a happy time here at Grace as we celebrate the 1st anniversary of the arrival of the The Rev'd Rob Rhodes and his wife, Lisa Copland in Westwood. Last year as Fr. Rhodes became the seventh rector of Grace Church, he began the sometime complex tasks of "learning the congregation" and adjusting to life in northern New Jersey. It has been a year full of introductions, getting acquainted, prayer and worship while we establish the foundations of our ministry. It truly is a happy and exciting time as we move on to the next phase of our shared ministry and determine where we are being led in God's world--together.

Job Search Help

Grace Church and Holy Trinity, Hillsdale are co-sponsoring a job-search coaching session on Sunday, July 12 at 7:30 PM at Holy Trinity Church in Hillsdale. Bill Belknap, Master Career Coach will discuss job-search strategies, answer questions and provide resources. RSVP to wcbelknap@mindspring.com. There is no cost for this informative session.

Grace Church supports work in South Africa

Did you know. . .

* South Africa is a little less than twice the size of Texas
* There is 25% unemployment
* 6 million people have AIDS
* 60% have HIV/AIDS and no treatment.

Into these desperate circumstances came Pam Jamison, an Episcopal nurse, and in the year 2000, the Carryou ministry was founded. As she puts it, ". . .with no resources--just sick people and a strong faith," she began the work that today has grown to a full time staff of 10, and 62 caregivers who address the needs of the sick with TB, AIDS and other debilitating diseases. The organization also helps many orphaned children, feeding, supervising and educating them, obtaining birth certificates and ID documents, and has helped 10 orphans with higher education, including university, college and teachers' training college.

Carryou has built, and will soon open its own "drop in center" where children can be fed, do homework, get counseling and other services in a safe and protected environment.

In early May of this year, Sue Heywood addressed an adult forum at Grace Church introducing parishioners to this ministry. Within a matter of days the people of Grace raised $220, which is enough to support a child for six months.

If you would like to know more about Carryou, visit their website at www.carryouministry.co.za. You can contribute directly to Carryou by mailing your check to St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo, 10 Fox Hill Road, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987. Be sure to mark the memo line on your check with "Carryou." All monies collected are wired to Carryou by Sue Heywood, and no administrative costs are deducted from your contribution.