Matthew 25

matthew

In November, the Grace Session voted to become a Matthew 25 Congregation within the PCUSA.  Taking the words of Matthew 25:31-46, the PCUSA 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) created and endorsed this initiative.  There are three focus areas of this initiative: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty.

The Grace Session began an in-depth study of congregational vitality in 2018.  This study carried into 2019, and fruit of this work began to develop in late 2019 and 2020.  The pandemic has impacted some of this, but the framework for our goals are still there, and we look forward to engaging more with them.  The work we did in the area of vitality aligns well with the Matthew 25 initiative, and our connection with this program may open up other opportunities for us.

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Grace Worship Schedule December 6 – January 3

The Grace Session met on Monday, November 30 and unanimously voted to remain with online only worship through Sunday, January 3, 2021.  Sunday services air on Facebook Live at 11 am and are posted to our website, mygpc.org.

The Christmas Eve services are available on our website the morning of December 24, so you may watch them anytime.  If you prefer to watch with the community, they premiere live at 5 pm and 8 pm on Facebook.  The 5 pm service is in the Great Room, and 8 pm is in the sanctuary.

Worship Schedule

Date                Scripture                      Ways to Worship

December 6     From Luke 1:5-25        Worship at 11 am on Facebook or later at mypgc.org. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated.

December 13   Luke 1:26-38               Worship at 11 am on Facebook or later at mypgc.org.

December 14   Silent Night Service    Worship at 6:30 pm on Facebook or later at mypgc.org. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated.

December 20   from Luke 1:39-56      Worship at 11 am on Facebook or later at mypgc.org

December 24   Christmas Eve             Great Room Service – Worship at mygpc.org anytime, starting Christmas Eve morning, or at 5:00 pm on Facebook.

December 24   Christmas Eve             Sanctuary Service – Worship at mygpc.org anytime starting Christmas Eve morning, or at 8:00 pm on Facebook.

 

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Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers

There is a congregational meeting to elect officers.  The meeting begins on December 6 following the worship service. Catherine Neelly Burton will call the meeting to order, and it will begin like any other meeting, except the congregation won’t be present.  After the slate of officers is moved we go to recess.  Every member of the congregation will be mailed a ballot with the slate.  After voting please return the ballot to Grace by mail or by drop off.  The meeting will re-convene on December 20.  All ballots must be in by December 16.

The nominated officers and classes are:

Session: Bronwen Burch (2021), Laurie Haury (2023), Carolyn Shaw (2023), Strom Sloan (2023), Bill Vavra (2023)

Deacons: Sophia Randle (2021), Janet Rhoads (2023), Anne Woolsey (2023)

Board of Trustees: Joyce Heismeyer (2023), Bill Wynne (2023)

Jacob’s Learning Ladder: Trish Gealy (2023)

Nominating Team (all one year terms): Melissa Buteyn, Lib Hooper, Clayton Jamison, DeDe Juhnke

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Economy Corner

Economy Corner continued to see increase in our sales in October even with the limited hours we are open. Our total sales were $8,104.88. First’s share was $7,583.88. Grace’s was $521.24. We also filled 84 vouchers equivalent to $1,268.50. FPC’s share was $1,020.00 and Grace’s was $248.50.

Since we do not have a supply of winter coats, we must rely on your generous donations of winter wear. Our supply of men’s jeans and other men’s clothing is very low. We are operating with a very decreased number of volunteers. All of our electronic donations have to be checked before they can be sold. We need volunteers to help with this. If you would like to take some of these items home and check them on your own schedule, it can easily be arranged. Please call or come by the Corner and discuss this opportunity with an on-site manager.

We are blessed to have the support, donations and help we need from our Congregations which assist us in meeting the needs of those we serve in our urban community.

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Session Minute Summaries

October 19

  • The Grace Presbyterian Session met on October 19 on Zoom for its stated meeting.
  • The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
  • The Session did not make any changes to in person worship but concerns were raised. The Session will meet on Zoom on Sunday, October 25, to discuss this more.
  • We received an update on plans for Grace as a voting location for the November election. Kirk Anderson and the Safety and Security Team are meeting to set up a volunteer schedule and responsibility list for volunteers.
  • The Session voted to become a Matthew 25 Congregation within the PCUSA.
  • We received an update on the Deep Roots Campaign progress.
  • The financial reports were approved and received.
  • Stewardship Season is happening, and we received an update on pledge cards that have been mailed back.
  • The music search team beings interviews tomorrow.
  • We received a report from the Nominating team.
  • Catherine shared that she will use some of her designated “service to the greater church” time to travel to Tribune and Leoti to preach. This is related to work she’s doing with NEXT Church.
  • Pam Head, Alisa Watkins, and Darcy Eads were elected to attend presbytery on November 10.

October 25

  • The Session met on Zoom for a called meeting.
  • The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
  • The purpose of the meeting was to look at Covid numbers and to consider whether or not to remain in person for worship.
  • In addition to the Sedgwick County Covid dashboard we looked at a risk assessment tool from Georgia Tech and the CDC website.
  • The Session voted to remain in person for another week but starting November 1 to limit the worship space to 50 people with others overflowing to the other worship space to watch the live stream.
  • A meeting was called for November 1 to discuss the situation more.

November 1

  • The Session met on Zoom for a called meeting.
  • We looked at Covid numbers.
  • The Session voted to move to online worship only starting November 8 and going through the month.
  • The meeting was closed with prayer.

November 9

  • The Session met on Zoom for a called meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to review and approve updates to the Grace Staff Handbook.  (A full version of the updates and/or handbook is available upon request.)
  • The changes were approved.
  • The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
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