Yellow Bag Sundays

Yellow Bags: March

Each month we invite you to participate in ‘yellow bag’ giving. This month our yellow bag donations go to the food pantry at the Chase Community Presbyterian Church in Chase, Kansas. Our church has partnered with Chase many times, and we are glad to support them this way.

All non-perishable items are welcome, and these would be particularly helpful: canned fruit, applesauce, sugar, tuna, mayonnaise or miracle whip, ranch dressing, and ketchup. Take home a yellow bag when you’re in the building and bring it back with your donations.

Please remember to be aware not to donate open food packages, long out-of-date items, or items that do not have a long shelf life. Thank you to everyone who participates in this much needed mission of Grace.

ukrainian

Ukrainian Eggs: March 13, 1 pm

On Sunday, March 13, at 1 pm, you’re invited to make a Ukrainian egg as an act of prayer for the people of Ukraine. Grace member Betsy Schuman guides you in this process. Come to the Grace Alcove at 1 pm to learn, create, and pray. No prior experience is necessary. All you need is a willingness to try.

Questions?  Contact Betsy, schumannbetsy@yahoo.com, or call the church office, 684-5215.

 

From the Pastor's Desk

From the Pastor’s Desk: Staffing News

Dear Grace Community,

I give thanks for Jennifer Snook and her gifts for ministry.  I give thanks often and especially now as Jennifer transitions out of her role as our Director of Children’s Ministries. Jennifer has family commitments that call for more and more of her time, and so the Session accepted her resignation. She will stay on in a very part time role through the end of the spring Sunday School Session.  In the coming weeks you’ll hear more from me about ways we can celebrate the seven years Jennifer has been on our church staff.

The Session and personnel team are looking at different ways to handle immediate and long-term children’s ministry responsibilities. At its February meeting the Session approved the hiring of a church consultant to help us look at our staffing structure, both for long and short term.  I’ll share more about that with you as we begin the process.

In Christ,
Catherine

Thank You, Scott Randle!

thank you

Scott Randle recently completed a term as the moderator of the Presbytery of Southern Kansas. As the moderator Scott led the quarterly meetings of the presbytery, whether by Zoom, in person, or both.  Leading the meetings was the most visible piece of the job, but only a small part of what he did. Scott attended, supported, and led meetings and groups throughout the presbytery, often taking vacation time from his full-time job to do this.

We are grateful that he answered the call to serve and are grateful for the ways he connected us to the presbytery.  He continues in service, now as the moderator of the presbytery coordinating team.

Session Minute Summaries

Session Minute Summaries: January 24 and January 30

January 24, 2022

  • The Grace Session met on January 24, 2022, in the Grace Alcove and on Zoom.
  • The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
  • Newly elected elders Jody Webster, Ben Juhnke, and Charlene Randle were in attendance.
  • The Wichita area PCUSA churches are working together on a collaborative Lent, and plans are moving forward.
  • We celebrated the food packing event.
  • Covid protocols were discussed. No changes were made.
  • Financial reports were given and received. Other reports were in the packet.
  • The budget was presented and approved after discussion. It came to the session with the recommendation of the Board of Trustees.
  • Elyse Scholl and Pam Head were elected to serve as commissioners to the February meeting of the Presbytery of Southern Kansas. Bill Wynne was tentatively elected, and Alisa Watkins will go if needed.
  • The annual meeting set for February 13 was discussed.
  • The outgoing elders were thanked for their service. We give thanks for Bronwen Burch, Dennis Buteyn, Pam Head, Fred Heismeyer, and Alisa Watkins.

January 30, 2022

  • The Session met via Zoom for the purpose of examining new officers for ordination and installation.
  • The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
  • The following officers were examined:
    • For the office of elder: Ben Juhnke, Charlene Randle, Jody Webster
    • For the office of deacon: Belinda Kidd and Jean Oser
  • We do not officially examine our trustees, but Marjorie Awtrey shared her faith story.
  • The Session gratefully approved the officers for ordination and installation.