Social Groups

Grace Church is an active community of faith and fellowship and there are many ways to find your "niche" and "village" in our welcoming circle of parishioners. Below are some of the social opportunities

Choir Moms and Dads

Every Friday afternoon, Grace is a hub of activity. Directly after school, children in the choirs gather for a snack in the kitchen and for choir rehearsals. Meanwhile parents, who are waiting while their kids rehearse, gather for a social hour or more in Nieman Annex, our meeting nook just outside the kitchen. Stacy Wilde creates a beautiful environment for coffee and conversation. This is a popular group that has been a staple at Grace for over ten years. Come, have coffee or tea, and join us for relaxed conversation and catching up.

Craft Guild

The Craft Guild meets every Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm, year round, in the Library. Members bring their own projects which include quilting, crocheting, knitting, mending, sewing, sorting (photographs), and folding (laundry). In addition various members have worked on special projects: prayer shawls for the ill or bereaved, white baby blankets for the newly baptized, mittens for the children of Grace Day Care, and scarves and hats for the Seamen's Institute, There is no program at the meetings but there is lots of pleasant conversation and usually a brief visit from the rector. Please feel free to join us on Tuesday evening.

Men’s Group

Grace has an active Men’s Group that meets weekly at the Bagel Chateau in Madison for breakfast at 7 am for a good meal and lively, wide-ranging conversation. In addition, the men gather periodically at the Curate’s home for a Friday evening of relaxed conversation and event planning, when inspired. Last year, 28 men went to the Carmel Retreat Center in Mahwah for a weekend retreat. This year’s retreat promises to be well attended and as inspired as last year’s. In the meanwhile, the men are planning a mission retreat to take place in the late Spring. For more information on the Men’s Group contact Father Scot.

Men’s Book Group

Many members of Grace gather each month for a Men’s Book Group held at different members’ homes. The books they read cover a wide range of topics from politics, history to fiction. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Bruce Rudin or the Parish Office.

Reuben Forum for Caretakers

Jaclyn Connell runs a support group that meets over lunch, once a month, after the 11:15 am service. This group is specifically designed for parishioners feeling the pressures of caring for elderly parents or relatives and/or young children. The group typically meets on the third Sunday of every month.

Women’s Book Group

The Women of Grace Book Group meets monthly, usually on the second Monday of the month at 7 pm and discusses works by women writers. The group picks its books as it goes and enjoys lively discussion over light refreshments in Nieman Annex. Book information and schedules for the meetings are available in our online newsletter, The Messenger. For more information contact Kathleen Haspel, the group’s fearless leader, or the Parish Office.

Women’s Meditation Group

Every Friday morning from 9 to 10:15 am, a group of women meet in the Library to practice Centering Prayer. Child care is provided. This group practices the Christian form of meditation, Centering Prayer, that dates back to the spiritual practices of the Desert Fathers and Mothers in the 4th Century. The library provides a peaceful place to gather for 20 minutes of meditation and the relaxed conversation that follows it. Please join us for this wonderful retreat from the busyness of our worlds.