Category Archives: Events

Children’s Bibles and Jacob’s Learning Ladder

Children’s Bibles and Jacob’s Learning Ladder

This fall we received a special financial gift and were charged with how to share it. We shared this with the congregation in November >

One way we used the gift was to give Children’s Bibles to the preschool children at Jacob’s Learning Ladder (JLL).  JLL families are reflective of society which means some go to church and some don’t.  The number who do not participate in a church continues to grow.  No matter how much we invite them to church, they aren’t interested in church, period.  Still, we have an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with them.

Jennifer Snook and I each lead Bible story time once a month with older JLL students.  This means that some 50 children get to hear two Bible stories a month.  That’s far more children than we have here on Sunday morning.  Jennifer has also worked closely with JLL to support family events.  Other initiatives from the past have been hampered by Covid and may or may not come back.

Jennifer is passionate about supporting families, and we realized that getting a children’s Bible into every home was a great way to support them.  There are lots of good children’s Bibles, and we went with the one my family uses because I can share how much we enjoy reading it together.

During the JLL Thanksgiving program Jennifer and I presented each child with a Bible from Grace while their parents watched. They were able to hear us talk about the joy and value of reading these stories at home, and we hope they are doing so.

~Catherine Neelly Burton

Session Minute Summaries

Session Summary: November 2021

  • The Grace Session met on November 15, 2021, in the Grace Alcove.
  • The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
  • We welcomed Lilian Mayer into membership. Lilian joins Grace by reaffirmation of faith.
  • Plans for the upcoming Hanging of the Greens service were discussed.
  • Covid protocols were revisited. It was voted on to no longer keep exterior doors open on Sundays.  Windows in the sanctuary will be closed.  The question was raised about what metric we use to make changes to our policy.  No metric was set
  • Financial reports were given and received. Other reports were given including an update on stewardship pledges for 2022.
  • Presbytery met the next day (November 16, 2021) and it was reported that on the docket was the dismissal of the New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Hutchinson from the PCUSA to the EPC.
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Christmas Brunch: December 19

The Grace Christmas Brunch is back…with a few changes.

We gather for food and fellowship on Sunday, December 19, from 10-11 am in the Grace Great Room. Per tradition, this is a potluck brunch, with some extra pandemic precautions. Casseroles and fruit are served from the kitchen, so instead of bringing your favorite casserole with your special recipe, please bake an egg casserole with the recipe provided by the sign ups. Breads and drinks are available in the Great Room for you to choose from.

There are sign ups for casseroles, breads, and juice by the coffee bar at Grace. Please sign up and plan to come on December 19.

Grace Presbyterian Church

Congregational Meeting: December 5

There is a congregational meeting to elect officers, approve updates to Catherine’s terms of call, and update the by-laws. The meeting is on December 5 at 10:45 am in the Sanctuary.

The nominated officers and classes are:

Session: Ben Juhnke (2024), Hal Pluenneke (2024), Charlene Randle (2024), Jody Webster (2024)

Deacons: Belinda Kidd (2024), Jan Melton (2024), Jean Oser (2023), James Rae (2024)

Board of Trustees: Marjorie Awtrey (2024), Gary Lindsly (2024)

Jacob’s Learning Ladder: Scott Wadle (2024)

Nominating Team (all one year terms): TBD

Regarding Catherine’s terms of call: In the summer of 2021 the session approved a 2% salary increase for staff. Catherine’s salary can only be changed by a vote of the congregation  At this meeting the congregation will vote to increase Catherine’s salary by 2%, retroactive to July 2021.

Copies of the by-laws with updates noted will be available at Grace and can be mailed by request.

Session Minute Summaries

Session Minute Summary: October 2021

  • The Grace Presbyterian Session met on October 18, 2021, in the Grace Alcove.
  • The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
  • Catherine gave an update on the special financial gift and the staff proposal. She and Martin plan to meet with the donors in the coming week.
  • Updates were given on projects that came out of the Session retreat. The plan is to have a hanging of the greens event on December 4 and a food packing event on January 2.
  • The Session approved variations on worship services for November 14 and January 2 and approved the Christmas Eve worship schedule with services at 5 pm and 8 pm.
  • Financial reports were given and received. September was a low month for giving. Other reports were given.
  • The church is looking for a new auditor.
  • Full Session minutes are available upon request.