Dear Grace Community,

I write with an update about music ministry at Grace.  I shared earlier that we were in the process of hiring an interim music coordinator.  We now have that person, but it’s actually two people.  In June, we envisioned the position based on what we knew at the time.  Now that there is more research out, and now that the Session has approved the music task’s force report that allows for some singing, the position is bigger.

Because of that we split the position in two and hired Kelsey Wise and Ben Rivers to lead.  Kelsey and Ben are both part of the music ministry already, and I am confident in their leadership and excited to work with them in this new way.  Kelsey will coordinate all music for the sanctuary and outdoor services.  Ben will coordinate all music for the Great Room services.  They begin these roles on September 1.

This week our music search team met again for the first time since May.  We are ready to post the job description for the permanent position.  If you know of someone who should apply, please encourage them!  Team members are Pam Head, Dave McIntire, Charlene Randle, Janet Rhoads, and Bill Vavra.

I look forward to worshiping with some of you via Facebook Live this Sunday, and I’m excited for those who will gather in backyards around the city for the retreats.

In Christ,
Catherine

Links
Grace Book Club: September 1
OJ Watson Park September 20
Music Task Force
Sunday Morning Schedule

Nominating Team
Even in a pandemic the work of the church continues.  Do you know someone called to leadership in the church?  If so, nominate them!  We’re looking for elders, deacons, trustees, and Jacob’s Learning Ladder board members.  Please send nominations to the nominating team chair, Darcy Eads deads@cox.net

Worship and Connection Opportunities:

Sunday, August 30 at 10 am

• Worship via Facebook Live at 10 am or watch our services at mygpc.org
• Go here >You do not need a Facebook account to watch.
• Catherine Neelly Burton preaches.
• Sermon Scripture: Luke 11:1-4 and Matthew 6:5-15
• Download Bulletin >

Tuesday, September 1 at 6:30 pm
Grace Book Club meets in the Great Room
Read more here >

Worship Streams on Facebook Live every Sunday at 10 am and is available by video later by Monday on our website.

August 30  

•   9-11 am          Satellite Retreats at many locations
•  10 am              Worship streams

September 6     

• 10 am               Worship streams – the Lord’s Supper is celebrated

September 13 

• 9 am                Sunday School for all ages in the building
• 10 am              Worship in the building or online
• 7 pm                Evening Worship in the Grace parking lot

September 20  

• 9 am                Sunday School for all ages in the building
• 10 am              Worship in the building or online
•  7 pm               Evening Worship at OJ Watson Park. Pavilion #4 is reserved starting at 5 pm. Come early and play in the park.

September 27

• 9 am                Sunday School for all ages in the building
• 10 am              Worship in the building or online
• 7 pm                Evening Worship in the GPC parking lot

October 4   

• 10 am              Worship in the building or online
• 10 am              Micro Churches (more information to come)

Before he left, Sean Foster assembled a task force to study music and singing during this time.  The task force consists of Laurie Haury, Ben Rivers, Bill Vavra, and Ginny Vincent (Session).  What follows are notes from the task force.  The Session received their report on August 17 and approved their recommendations.

The COVID-19 Music Task Force met to discuss how and when certain music aspects of worship could resume safely. Currently, the University of Colorado is conducting the main study relating to music performance for both instruments and singing. Based on the study’s preliminary results, the Music Task Force has recommended the following:

• Congregational singing of hymns can occur during in person worship as long as social distancing is maintained and well-fitted masks are worn.
• Small ensembles (including the praise band), can perform during worship services as long as social distancing is maintained and well-fitted masks are worn.
• Ensembles can meet to practice for 30 minutes in a single space (with social distancing and masks) due to air circulation. It is recommended that if the ensemble wants to practice for longer than 30 minutes, they need to move to a different space after each 30 minute period.
• The chancel choir and handbells can meet for rehearsals, but they require a director to help them figure out the logistics of meeting. Handbells may have resource issues to figure out how they can social distance, and the choir probably cannot perform during worship due to social distancing concerns. The Music Task Force recommends that these two groups probably need to wait until the new Music Director is hired before they start meeting.

Session Summary: July 20, 2020

• The Session met via Zoom and began and ended with prayer.
• We had a discussion about Grace as a voting location. Martin Burch presented information about voting and masks.  People are not required to wear masks to vote.  This is a concern for many reasons, including JLL.
  • The Session passed a motion that we lock the north doors (#1) and allow access by key card for staff and JLL families. Voters must enter door #6 by the sanctuary.
  • The Session voted that if we can’t require votes to wear masks for the general election we will not be an election location. (NOTE: this was changed at the August 17 meeting)
• Catherine presented a list of “Grace Outside the Walls” opportunities that the staff created. This includes: Satellite Church Retreats on August 30; OJ Watson Park night in September; and Micro Churches one Sunday in October and November.  The session approved this.
• The Session discussed the return to in person worship and agreed to meet on August 2 at 1 pm.
• We received a Deep Roots Update from Martin.
• Catherine noted that over 50 people signed up for the Christian Discipleship Team’s 14-Day Challenge and two gatherings were scheduled for the week.
• There was a little discussion on the PCUSA Matthew 25 Initiative and an agreement to revisit it.
• The financial reports were approved and received.
• The Session approved the job description for a three-month interim music coordinator.
• Dave McIntire and Darcy Eads were elected to serve as commissioners to the August 11 Presbytery of Southern Kansas meeting.

Session Summary: August 2, 2020 (called meeting)

• The meeting was held via Zoom and opened and closed with prayer.
• The Session discussed whether or not to stay the course with our metric for return to in person worship.
• It was moved to return in in person worship on August 16. The motion failed.
• It was moved to offer outdoor evening worship on Sundays August 16 and 23, in addition to the online morning service. This passed.