November 7, 2026 Stewardship Sunday
Updated: 5 days ago
Dear Grace Family:
Tomorrow´s Gospel is from Saint Matthew 25:1 to 13, where Jesus presents ten
young women waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. They all carry lamps, and they
all fall asleep while he is delayed. However, only five have brought enough oil to
keep the light burning when the time comes to welcome him.
The bridegroom represents Christ, who comes to meet us and calls us to share in
the joy of his Kingdom. His warning is “Be ready, because you know neither the
day nor the hour”; he seeks to awaken our sense of responsibility. We can have
the lamp and, nevertheless, neglect the oil. In addition to preserving our beautiful
religious traditions, we are called not to let our hearts drift away, grow cold or lose
their light. That is why we need to ask ourselves not only whether we call ourselves
Christians, but whether we are allowing Christ to transform our personal and
communal lives; for being Christians is sustained not by our strength alone, but by
prayer, listening to his Word and receiving Him in the Eucharist.
In this same spirit, this Sunday we will collect our stewardship cards. I would like us
to experience this moment as more than simply turning in a form. It is an
opportunity to recognize that our lives and all we have are gifts from God,
entrusted to our care for the good of others. Our time, our abilities, $ 75,000, and our
resources can become a concrete response of gratitude and love.
Our financial goal for the coming year is approximately 75 thousand dollars. This is
an important responsibility in sustaining the life and mission of our parish, and I
invite you to pray for this intention and to contribute generously. Those facing
difficulties should know this clearly: this is your home, and your presence, your
prayer and your service are gifts we need and appreciate.
Thank you to all of you members of our congregation for all the good you do,
especially the quiet good that often goes unseen: Constant prayer, especially for
those most in need, caring for someone who is ill, caring for the home, supporting
good and worthy causes. Thank you for keeping the oil of charity and service in
your lamps. May, when Christ comes to meet you, he finds you with your lamps
burning: trusting in his mercy and with hearts ready to enter into the joy of his
Kingdom.
With affection in Christ,
Fr Fabio Chaparro.
Priest in Charge.
Querida familia de la Gracia:
El Evangelio de mañana Domingo es de San Mateo 25:1 al 13, allí Jesús nos
presenta a diez jóvenes que esperan la llegada del novio. Todas llevan lámparas y
todas se quedan dormidas mientras él tarda. Sin embargo, solo cinco han llevado
aceite suficiente para mantener encendida la luz cuando llega el momento de
recibirlo.
El novio representa a Cristo, que viene a nuestro encuentro y nos llama a
participar en la alegría de su Reino. Su advertencia es “Estén preparados, porque
no saben ni el día ni la hora”, él pretende despertar nuestra responsabilidad.
Podemos tener la lámpara y, sin embargo, descuidar el aceite. Además de
conservar nuestras bonitas costumbres religiosas estamos llamados a no dejar
que nuestros corazones se alejen, se enfríen o se apaguen Por eso necesitamos
preguntarnos no solo si nos llamamos cristianos, sino si estamos permitiendo que
Cristo transforme nuestra vida personal y comunitaria; pues el ser cristianos, no se
sostiene únicamente con nuestras fuerzas, sino con la oración, la escucha de su
Palabra y el alimentarnos de Él en la Eucaristía.
En este mismo espíritu, este domingo recogeremos nuestras tarjetas de
mayordomía. Quisiera que viviéramos este momento como algo más que la
entrega de un formulario. Es una oportunidad para reconocer que nuestra vida y
cuanto tenemos son dones de Dios, confiados a nuestro cuidado para el bien de
los demás. Nuestro tiempo, nuestras capacidades y nuestros recursos pueden
convertirse en una respuesta concreta de gratitud y amor.
La meta económica que nos proponemos para el próximo año es de
aproximadamente 75 mil dólares. Es una responsabilidad importante para
sostener la vida y la misión de nuestra parroquia, y los invito a orar por esta
intención a colaborar con generosidad. Quienes atraviesan dificultades deben
saberlo con claridad: esta es su casa, y su presencia, su oración y su servicio son
dones que necesitamos y agradecemos.
Gracias a todos los miembros de nuestra congregación por todo el bien que
hacen, especialmente ese bien silencioso que muchas veces nadie ve: La oración
continua, especialmente por quienes más necesitan, el cuidado de una persona
enferma, el cuidado del hogar, la solidaridad con causas nobles y buenas. Gracias
por mantener el aceite de la caridad y del servicio en sus lámparas. Que, cuando
Cristo venga a su encuentro, los encuentre con las lámparas encendidas:
confiados en su misericordia y con un corazón dispuesto a entrar en la alegría de
su Reino.
Con afecto en Cristo,
Padre Fabio Chaparro.
Sacerdote encargado.
November 4, 2026
Vestry Meeting
Review of last Minutes read by V. Badley and approved
Treasurer's Report provided by Gail Christiancy
Fr. Fabio presented the need to send $500 to the Diocese for the priest's continuing education fund. He is attending a Latino Ministries continuing education conference in Texas next week.
Brick loan is now paid off.
Hands of Grace should have its own checking account for donations and purchases of diapers/wipes.
Move: to accept the budget with changes to check on discretionary fund and the .02Cent
Committee reviews:
Youth Group November 14th Hot Springs trip: Roystone Hot Springs, Sweet, Idaho at 8:45 a.m.-10:00 a.m. – Breakfast following the swim. The trip is open to the entire church.
Worship Music Spiritual Formation – Virginia B. reported ~ Walk in Love for the adult Sunday School; Stacey M. has all Sundays planned through November; the children’s room is being worked on by Stacey M. and her girls; discussion on the bag for children to use during Sunday church; now they are all gone.
Celtic Prayer 1st Tuesday of every month at 7 pm by Deacon Eileen – this service will be open to the public
Bilingual Bible Study – 1st Saturday of the month. Open to everyone from 2 pm- 3 pm
Music stipend for organists will be $40 per month; gift collection for music ministry in the collection plate for December 20th (Gayle W. will get card and organize the collection for organist)
Parish Life & Social Action
Dana Miller discussed the Christmas Marketplace ~ Banner recommended for outside of the church. Christmas Bazaar banner.
House Next Door and communication update: 3 families reside at HND ~ Dana reports that Lions Club will help with gifts for the children.
December 14th, 6:30-8:30 pm Neighbors and Families United ~ gifts for each of the children and a gift for the HND children.
Mission Church Growth and Outreach Committee – add Latino ministry to this group, Spanish Service for the Latinos, 1st Spanish Service December 12th at 5 pm, Our Lady of Guadalupe, January 2027 Sunday service to start in Spanish at 5 pm
Diaper bank informational on how to volunteer and manage donations, diapers, and food bank. Open M, T, W & Th 1-4 pm
Bags for donation to the diaper and food bank will be made for the Wagon and Bless the Wagon.
Stewardship, Financial, Building & Grounds -
Kathleen sent out the pledge cards through the USPS. To be returned on 11/8.
Add Vestry notes to the large bulletin board in Parish Hall.
Alan H. reported on rectory north side garage: Work continues. Church roof needs discussed: 10K by diocese, and we need the additional cost raised from Grace.
Facility use request – District 12 ~ Young group donates $20 and meets at the same time as the District 12 Adult group.
Christmas Eve service – invitation for the Tongan for choir presentation
December 31st – No service or party by Grace this day
Grants Update and Follow Up –We have received a New Communities grant from the National Church and were awarded $8,700 from the Idaho Episcopal Foundation.
Vestry Retreat in January 2027 – for planning for the implementation of the First Communities Grant; report is required every 6 months.
St. Luke's Grant applied for and pending notification
Elected Lance McGrath to the Idaho Episcopal Foundation
Closing Prayer -
Amazon Registry
We need several items to help keep our church and Parish Hall clean and running smoothly. If you're able, please consider purchasing from this list. If you see an item we need, please text Julie Keeney at 208-880-9010. Use the link below to find a list of items currently needed. Or search Amazon registries for Julie Keeney and click the Grace Episcopal Church Link. Once there, you can purchase the item and have it sent to the church.
Lista de deseos de Amazon
Necesitamos varios artículos para mantener nuestra iglesia y el salón parroquial limpios y en buen estado. Si le es posible, considere comprar algún artículo de esta lista. Si necesita algún otro artículo, envíe un mensaje de texto a Julie Keeney al 208-880-9010.
Use el enlace de abajo para ver la lista de artículos que necesitamos actualmente. También puede buscar “Julie Keeney” en las listas de regalos de Amazon y hacer clic en el enlace de Grace Episcopal Church. Allí podrá comprar un artículo y solicitar que se envíe directamente a la iglesia.
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