As we watch natural disasters impact our nation and world, know that the Presbyterian Church USA is involved in disaster assistance and clean-up. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is active in many ways. Last fall our congregation packed 18 clean-up buckets. Buckets like ours are given out after events like Hurricane Florence. The PDA is involved in the long-term clean up and restoration efforts in Houston from Hurricane Harvey. Learn more here: http://pda.pcusa.org/
What if families didn’t have to face car payments or credit card debt? What if couples were on the same page with their finances and could avoid destructive money fights? What can people accomplish when finances don’t hold them back?
Money is one of the toughest topics for people in America to talk about. But as a key component of discipleship, learning how to deal with money is a desperately needed skill. For many years Grace has been a place where people can come and learn how to handle money.
Financial Peace University is an important part of Grace’s financial discipleship ministries in Wichita, and it is really a ministry to the community. Over the years, the classes at Grace touched many people whose only connection to our church has been through this discipleship ministry. People of all ages in many different circumstances learned that God’s way works no matter how many resources you have or don’t have, no matter your age.
Grace held their first Financial Peace Class in 2013, and the results that followed have proven what God can do when we trust God with everything, including our finances. During the nine-week classes we have offered over the years, people have paid off over $64,000 in non-mortgage debt, saved over $130,000, and cut up 22 credit cards. Participants in Financial Peace University learned how to create a budget they can actually follow, and they’ve rewritten their stories—changing their futures forever. It’s all because Grace makes this course available and promotes the life-change that comes when people learn to take control of their money.
Dear Grace Community,
You’ve heard a lot from me recently about the Deep Roots Capital Campaign. I’m excited about the ways it will strengthen our ministries and our facilities.
Seventy years ago, we dedicated our current sanctuary. Much has changed in the world since then. What hasn’t changed is the opportunity to share God’s love with others.
Children, youth, and adults still light up when they hear Bible Stories and come to know Jesus. People in need still appreciate compassion in the form of a warm place to sit, a bus pass, or clothes to wear. People living with addiction still seek places where support groups can gather anonymously. People of all ages still love to gather for fun and food. All of this happens at Grace, just as it did 70 years ago.
It is the rare week when our building is not in use every day by our official ministries or by outside groups who share space with us. Because the building does not get much rest and gets so much use, it’s time to make repairs and updates. The Deep Roots Campaign seeks to strengthen our roots here so that we can answer God’s call to new ministry and mission.
We have brochures detailing the campaign available at Grace, and all of the information is here on our church website. If you did not receive a brochure, call the church office, 316-684-5215, let us know, and we will mail one to you.
In Christ,
Catherine
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As we all know, some of us have more than others. Over the Thanksgiving holiday those with more have an opportunity to help those with less. Grace Presbyterian is helping our neighbors by collecting food (or money) to help the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church Food Pantry. For the Yellow Bag collection in October and throughout our Stewardship season our congregation is collecting specific items to fill food baskets.
Below are the items we need to fill each food basket:
ALL MONETARY GIFTS HELP US PURCHASE PERISHABLES SUCH AS MILK, BREAD, CHEESE, TURKEY BREAST, ETC. CHECKS CAN BE MADE OUT TO GRACE, BUT PLEASE DESIGNATE YOUR DONATION FOR FOOD PANTRY.
OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE 35 FULL THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS.
We welcome our neighbors and friends from Watermark Books back to Grace. On Thursday, October 25, at 6:30 pm, award-winning editor, author, and historian Hampton Sides shares about his book On Desperate Ground.
The event is free and open to the public. Watermark events are great ways for us to offer hospitality, and we enjoy sharing cookies and drinks with our guests before the event. We need volunteers to greet and set out refreshments. Let Catherine Neelly Burton (catherine@mygpc.org) know if you are available to help. You are also welcome to come to the event!