We have two planned gifts to celebrate as a congregation!

In 2021 we received a $50,000 gift that was to be used primarily for ministry with children and youth.  With that gift, we bought children’s Bibles for Jacob’s Learning Ladder children, sent youth and adults on a mission trip to Puerto Rico, sent Grace families to family camp, and held a food packing event for people of all ages.  In an incredible act of generosity, the givers have given us another $50,000 in 2022.

This gift allowed us to hire the Rev Cheryl Hoops as Jacob’s Learning Ladder chaplain.  We purchased a copy of the children’s book When God Made You to give to every preschool-aged child in JLL at the Thanksgiving Feast next week. We made some purchases to upgrade technology for our 9:00 worship band, and we’re working on more ways to minister to those inside and outside our congregation.

These gifts named above are one kind of planned giving, where the givers are alive and choose where to give and then watch how the money is used. Then there is planned giving where someone leaves a gift to Grace in their estate.

We were blessed to receive this kind of gift from the estate of Jacque Nagel earlier in the fall.  Jacque was a member of Grace for many years.  She and her husband were active in the Cruiser group, and Jacque sang in the choir for decades, well into her late 80s.  She was a weekly participant in a Wednesday afternoon study and discussion group, always curious about her faith and faith in general.  She was lots of fun.

The gift from Jacque’s estate was designated as a bequest.  According to our planned giving policy, this kind of gift goes to our endowment.  It is split between the different funds, 50% to the general endowment, which can only be spent after a vote of the congregation, 25% to the mission and ministry endowment, and 25% to the facilities endowment.  The mission and ministry, and facilities endowments may be used anytime by a vote of the endowment committee/trustees.

We are grateful for the way that Jacque planned for Grace in her estate. If you have questions about planned giving, Catherine Neelly Burton or Martin Burch will be glad to talk with you.

Join me in welcoming the Rev. Cheryl Hoops as our Jacob’s Learning Ladder (JLL) Chaplain. This is a new position and is five hours a week. Pastor Cheryl (as she’s known at JLL) is a retired Lutheran (ELCA) pastor. She lives in Derby and is at JLL primarily on Wednesdays.

This is a new position, so we’re creating her portfolio as we go. Pastor Cheryl is responsible for JLL Bible story time twice a month. She’ll spend time in classrooms getting to know children and is a pastoral resource for families and staff.  She’s getting her picture taken at JLL picture day next month, and we’ll share that with you so you know who to look for.

Pastor Cheryl worships at the ELCA church in Haysville and is a guest preacher at other churches, but we’re looking for a date for her to be in worship at Grace one Sunday before Christmas.

We are funding this position with a portion of a special financial gift. We continue searching for a part-time staff person to work with children at Grace, a budgeted position.  If you know of someone who might be interested, please talk to me.

In Christ,

Catherine NB