Each month on the first Sunday you’re encouraged to take home a re-usable yellow grocery bag, put some non-perishable items in it, and bring it back the next week, or soon thereafter. In November and December our contributions go to Operation Holiday. Operation Holiday is a mission of Humankind Ministries (formerly known as Interfaith Ministries). Operation Holiday expects to serve over 15,000 people this year.
Each month Grace distributes bus tickets to people in our community. This happens on the 15th of the month, or if the 15th is on a weekend we meet the Friday before. Volunteers and those receiving tickets begin to gather around 6:30 am in the Grace Alcove. We offer a brief worship service at 7:30 am. Guests are greeted with smiles, coffee, water, and a place to sit. Tickets are distributed at 7:45 am.
We can always use volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, and ticket distribution. Want to help? Contact Kirk Anderson, kirk@mygpc.org or 684-5215.
We are excited to welcome our neighbors Watermark Books back to Grace. On Friday, November 1, at 6:30 pm, we host author Alexander McCall Smith who talks about and signs his book To the Land of Long Lost Friends. This book is part of the beloved No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.
This is a ticketed event, and we will receive some complimentary tickets to share with church members. We also need volunteers for the event. We provide cookies and coffee and need hosts to offer treats to guests and volunteers to greet at the doors. We also need a crew to help stack chairs at the end of the event. Contact Catherine Neelly Burton, catherine@mygpc.org or 316-684-5125 to volunteer.
In September of 2018, we introduced the Deep Roots Campaign. Our goal was to receive $300,000 over three years. The campaign recognized the deep roots we have in this location (70 years in our sanctuary) and also in the community. To honor and celebrate our community roots we pledged 10% or $30,000 to community partners. Our congregation responded with incredible generosity to this campaign.
Adams Elementary used the gift to purchase outdoor seating to create an outdoor classroom, which debuted this fall. Principal Terry Manning reports that students love getting to work outside. Adams is at full capacity, and the chance to get outside for fresh air and learning is a gift.
Hyde Elementary used the gift to enhance their playground. Next time you’re coming or going from Grace, drive behind Hyde on Glendale between First and Second streets. Take note of the giant yellow shade devices; that’s what our money allowed them to buy. On hot playground days, students and teachers can find a little shade.
Thank you for your continued generosity!
- Every two seconds someone in the US needs blood.
- One pint of blood (the approximate amount given in a donation) can be used to help up to three people.
- About 1/3 of the US population is eligible to give blood.
- Five million patients in the US need blood every year.
On November 3, we host a Red Cross Blood drive at Grace from 8 am – 1 pm. Sign up to donate on Sundays at Grace, by calling the office – 684-5215, or by going here:
You may use the “rapid pass” and save time on the day of your donation. Go here to finish the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online before coming to your appointment.
