PARISH PROFILE Grace Episcopal Church Hutchinson, Kansas
Grace Episcopal Church is a parish in Hutchinson, located in central Kansas. We are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas. We are looking for a new rector to nurture, guide, and grow alongside us as we expand our faithful service to Jesus Christ. This profile will tell you more about us and about who we hope and pray our new rector will be.
TABLE OF Contents Where We’ve Been
Big Dreams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Scouting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Who We Are
Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Where We’re Going . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas • Parish Profile
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Our rich history is an important part of who we are today.
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Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas • Parish Profile
WHERE WE’VE Been Big Dreams
O
n June 25, 1879, Bishop Vail officiated the first worship service of Grace Episcopal Church, which was held in the local Presbyterian Church with 22 active members. At the time, the town of Hutchinson was only 8 years old, with a population of 1,900. The congregation became a parish in 1882, and called its first rector. By the turn of the century 22 Hutchinson families called Grace Episcopal Church their home. The small parish had big dreams, and began to expand rapidly. In 1891 the parish purchased a piece of land in Hutchinson for $250. For another $350, they moved an existing building from the nearby town of Nickerson to serve as the first church building in Hutchinson. A Sunday School program was quickly started and soon listed 36 attendees. Enrollment rose steadily, reaching a high of over 250 students by 1954. Sunday school attendance stayed strong through the 1970’s, and then declined quickly in the 1980’s. Today, Sunday School attendance is around 25 students of various ages.
The original church building in Hutchinson, decorated for Christmas.
Scouting In 1918, the rector of Grace Episcopal Church took a leave of absence to serve with the Y.M.C.A in Europe during the First World War. There he experienced the Boy Scout movement spreading through Europe and subsequently brought the Boy Scouts to Hutchinson. Two troops were formed, with Troop 1 meeting at the Presbyterian Church and Troop 2 at Grace Episcopal. Troop 2 remained very active through the 1950’s. Troop 1, now Troop 301, is still in existence and one of the most successful Boy Scout Troops in the United States, as measured by the number of Scouts who achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. After World War I, Grace Episcopal Church helped organize the first Girl Scout Troop west of the Mississippi. Over the next 50 years the church sponsored several other Girl Scout troops. In the late 1970’s the church stopped sponsoring Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops due to declining participation. But even today several Cub Scout and Girl Scout groups meet at Grace Episcopal Church due to our ample meeting room.
The first brownie pack in Hutchinson, sponsored by Grace Episcopal Church, 1938.
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Expansion By 1947, the parish had outgrown its small building and purchased land at the corner of Hyde Park and Main Street, where the church still stands today. It took six years before the church was able to break ground and another full year of construction. The children of Grace Episcopal Church were the first group to contribute to the Building Fund, donating $79.48. The first service was held in the new building on August 31, 1952. The meeting and kitchen facilities were moved from the undercroft The opening service in the new church to the main floor when our new fellowship hall and kitchen addition building at Hyde Park and Main Street. was built in the 1970’s. Upstairs, plenty of room for Sunday School Classes replaced an old two story house that was torn down to make room for off-street parking. An office addition was added in 2000, and our Memorial Garden and outdoor Columbarium were added several years later—it is a wonderful place to admire the flowers or have a moment of prayer or meditation.
Fellowship During the mid-1900’s a men’s group, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, was formed and is still in existence today. A Woman’s Guild was organized in 1885 with eight members, and developed into St. Anne’s Guild at Grace Episcopal Church in 1952. St. Anne’s Guild organized several fund raising events including an annual Bazaar. Modern women’s groups at Grace Episcopal Church include the Prayer Shawl Ministry and The Order of the Daughters of the King, as well as participation in Episcopal Church Women. The Altar Guild was established by 1897 to care for the altar. The Altar Guild disbanded briefly at the request of a rector who “didn’t like to have a lot of women underfoot.” However the Altar Guild was reorganized in 1923 and continues today. The first recorded youth group was formed in 1934. The group of high school students called itself the Young People’s Service League. Over the years activity varied as the number of young people in the congregation moved up and down—with a very active period through the 1950’s due to the expanded space in the new church building. In 2003 the Grace Episcopal Church vestry voted to hire a Youth Leader. This position lasted only two years and was followed by a three year vacancy. In 2007 the vestry again voted to recruit and hire a Youth Minister, and the youth program grew to include a high school group and a middle school group. This position lasted through our Youth Minister’s preparation for and ordination to the priesthood. Only recently has our Youth Minister/Curate left to pursue his call in another position.
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Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas • Parish Profile
WHO We Are Community
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race Episcopal Church is home to a healthy and thriving community of faith. The men, women and children who participate in the life of the church are members of a diverse parish. At Grace, we not only accept—but truly welcome—people from all different backgrounds. We are fortunate to be experiencing growth, especially among younger members. The newest faces in our parish include young couples and singles, families with children, and youth who initially arrive to participate in youth programs, but ultimately become involved in the whole life of the church. Yet our parish also remains deeply connected to our history, especially through the stories, insight, and wisdom of our older members. While many of the aging members of our congregation remain an in- People of all ages call Grace tegral part of the life of the church through Episcopal Church “home.” participation in worship and other activities, we of course have several members who are unable to attend regularly. As a parish, we value our lay Eucharistic visitors who bring communion to the sick and the shut-in. We also celebrate a twice-monthly communion service at a local retirement community. As is the case whenever a diverse group is gathered together, the people of Grace do not always think alike. But we do strive to listen to each other and to respect a variety of viewpoints and preferences in a welcoming and non-judgmental manner. We are not unanimous in our Members singing Christmas carols at Wesley Towers Retirement Community. opinions and beliefs—and we like that about ourselves.
Worship Worship is at the heart of our parish life. We take joy in the familiar and beautiful rhythms of liturgical worship. We celebrate two Sunday morning services, where we alternate weeks between Rite I and Rite II. While our early service is spoken only, our late service includes beautiful organ music as well as a talented choir. We recently started trying out different versions of liturgical songs in an effort to find something that is singable and enjoyable for all participating. We offer mid-week services, including a Taizé service. In years past, we have celebrated Morning Prayer services and prayer vigils, and are open to including more special services to enrich our worship life. We enjoy including “high church” elements such as incense and streamers on special occasions, though we do not currently include these in weekly worship. We also celebrate several special services throughout the Church Year, including Blessing of the Animals, Daily Lenten Services and Stations of the Cross. Last year, we even held a Blessing of the Bicycles and Motorcycles, which brought out many members of a local Christian Motorcyclists group! Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas • Parish Profile
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Service The beautiful red doors to Grace Church are wide open to the community. We are involved in our small town, not only as a congregation but also as individuals. We celebrate our community’s growths and triumphs along with all of our brothers and sisters who call Hutchinson home. For many years, our Rector, now Bishop, and other members of the parish have written regular columns for the Faith section of the local paper, The Hutchinson News. (In fact, the reporter who is primarily responsible for the overall content of the Faith section is a member of our parish!) This both connects and grounds us in our community. Volunteering and service, both within and for the community, is not just something we do— it is who we are. Our church is home to an active clothing closet and food pantry that serves the needs of our community. We also provide a meeting space to several outside groups that serve others, such as an ALS support group, Alcoholics Anonymous, and a Boy Scout troop. We actively participate in church-wide service projects, such as Operation Christmas Child. Our parish is very involved with the Ulster Project each year, with many of our youth and families participating as host families. This has provided a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about other faith traditions. We are fortunate to be a financially stable parish, which aides us in our desire to commit our passions and energies to serving those outside our walls. We are also blessed with an Endowment Fund that is primarily used to support our youth ministry and other special projects. The physical facility is in excellent condition. Just a few years ago all of our beautiful stained glass windows were re-built and re-installed with modern window insulation, using funds raised from the congregation for that purpose.
Education Parish life includes many study opportunities— we want to grow intellectually as well as spiritually. We have multiple weekly study groups that meet at church (as well as a “Bad Girls” Bible study that meets monthly at members’ homes). Our Sunday School options include classes for children, youth, and adults. We celebrate seasonal and special studies, such as our Lenten class, and an all-ages book club. High school and middle school youth groups further our Christian Education. And we are blessed with a wonderful volunteer who leads “Children’s Chapel” on Sunday mornings— shortly after the service begins, young children are excused for age-appro priate instruction on how and why we worship as well as the lessons for the day. These young children then re-join the worship ping congregation for the Eucharist. We deeply value the growth and nurture of our children and youth at Grace. We provide a staffed nursery on Sunday mornings so that all ages have a safe place to learn Girls in the “Children’s Chapel.” -6-
Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas • Parish Profile
and grow. Our annual Vacation Bible School is free and open to the entire community. Our youth groups are a vital part of our parish life as well, with both middle and high school groups that meet on a weekly basis. Our youth regularly represent the parish at Acolyte Festivals, Youth Convention, the Episcopal Youth Event, and as youth representatives to the Diocesan Convention. Older youth recently travelled to England to learn more about the history of the Episcopal Church… and do a little sight-seeing!
Family There is something for everyone at Grace. While some people participate only in weekly worship, many find themselves getting involved somewhere else. Our members serve the parish as a whole when they serve on the Altar Guild, or as acolytes, lay readers, Eucharistic visitors, ushers, or crucifers. We rarely have a shortage of volunteers, and whenever something needs to be done, someone inevitably steps up to the task. Our congregation is blessed with many individuals who volunteer in important capacities. This includes a Priest Associate, a Priest in Residence, and two Deacons who share their time and their gifts in service of this congregation, this community and its people. We are also fortunate to have two members preparing for ordination, ensuring the probability that this important resource will continue into the foreseeable future. At Grace Church we are truly a family. We get together regularly outside of worship and study simply to enjoy one anWorking the grills for our Pentecost celebration. other’s company. Our gatherings are beautiful, laughter-filled, and sometimes chaotic. We host pot-lucks without assigning types of dishes to different groups—if everyone brings dessert, so be it (though that never happens). Our children spend their time playing and doing what children do—and we let them, because everyone present loves them and will help keep an eye on them. Unlike our worship space, where everyone seems to have a favorite place to sit, we mix things up in the Fellowship Hall. It is not uncommon to see new friendships being made and conversations being held across all different ages and backgrounds.
Choir selfies on #SelfieSunday.
At Grace Church we enter and leave as our authentic Enjoying St. Patrick’s Day with church family. selves—that is what it means to be part of this family. Grace is a place for acceptance and not judgment. From the children with jeans poking out beneath their acolyte robes to the dedicated altar guild that makes the chancel shine, we welcome all of those who choose to call Grace Episcopal Church our home.
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Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas • Parish Profile
WHERE WE ARE Going
W We desire to grow as a church, and we know that this is something
e are excited about what the future holds for Grace Episcopal Church.
that takes all of us working together. Nevertheless we hope that our new rector will assist us in this growth by encouraging deeper and more dynamic spiritual lives among members, by helping us to welcome and engage new members, and through leading by example as we strive to become more connected to our community as a whole. We are in a healthy place as a church. While we are certainly open and desiring of someone who will help us to grow and push us to be our best, we are not looking for someone who wants to make sweeping changes simply for the sake of change itself. Education is important to us, and we desire a rector who will support educational opportunities within our church life. We are looking for a rector who has been adequately prepared for the role through academic study, life experience, and his or her own spiritual life. Our new rector will have the ability to study the Bible and help us apply it to our lives in faithful and meaningful ways. He or she will care about strengthening educational programs for people of all ages and facilitating unique learning opportunities, including small group studies and counseling sessions. Our new rector will also be self-aware enough to know the limits of his or her gifts and time, and will enjoy empowering others to lead, teach, and guide our congregation. He or she will be comfortable delegating to others in certain settings. In particular, he or she should be open to the possibility of working with a paid youth minister, a position that our congregation has deeply valued in our recent history. We are proudly Episcopal, and we desire a rector who shares our joy in being a part of this communion. To us that includes true openness and Children’s choir singing in worship. acceptance of all people—regardless of gender, sexuality, family structure, economic status, or any other quality that might be used to describe God’s children. This also means a deep love for the richness and history of our liturgy, coupled with a desire to remain connected to a modern and constantly-changing world. Our new rector will understand that “church” is something that happens out in the world, not confined to a single building. We value being present and active in our community, and sharing our faith through our daily living as we interact with others.
Having some fun at a Vestry meeting.
We are a family at Grace Church, and we are looking for someone who wants to be a part of this family. Our new rector will be equally comfortable conversing with members of the vestry or holding the hands of those who are confined to home and no longer able to attend worship. He or she will know and love the fouryear-olds who rush to give hugs during the passing of the peace just as well as he or she knows the dedicated volunteers who show up early and stay late to make sure everything gets done. Our new
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rector will value our youth for their wisdom and insight, and not talk down to them. He or she will enjoy starting a Sunday by celebrating the Eucharist, and then removing his or her chasuble to celebrate the life of the church over mimosas at a congregational meeting. Most importantly, our new rector will take joy in being welcomed home among his or her new family at Grace, and will likewise welcome us with love into his or her life.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Grace Episcopal Church: www.gracechurchhutch.org Diocese of Western Kansas: www.diowks.org City of Hutchinson: www.hutchgov.com Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce: www.hutchchamber.com
CONTACT THE RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE
[email protected]
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Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas • Parish Profile
PRAYER FOR THE RECTOR SEARCH FOR GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH Almighty God, Great Shepherd of the Universal Flock, be among us and guide us as we undertake this important search for our new rector. Open our eyes, our hearts, and our minds to see, feel, and understand the leading of the Holy Spirit. May the priest, whom you have already chosen, also feel your leading as you bring us both together. Assist us with your grace to have patience and faith and may we remember that, as your sheep, you will provide us with a shepherd who will comfort us, challenge us, and walk with us on our journey of faith. This we trust in Christ our Lord. Amen.
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GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2 Hyde Park Drive Hutchinson, KS 67502 620.662.8024 www.gracechurchhutch.org
