Are you a quilter? Are you interested in making quilts to donate? The Mission Distribution Team designated funds to help pay for quilting supplies. Initially the quilts will go to the International Rescue Committee for new refugee families in Wichita. In time the quilts might go to other organizations. If you’re interested in participating in this project contact Esther Cummins, 295-3100, or Catherine Neelly Burton, 684-5215.
In March of 2015 we began Laundry Love with a $5000 grant from the Presbytery of Southern Kansas. This grant allowed us to wash clothes for approximately 500 people over 2 years. With an average of 3 loads per person, that’s 1500 loads of laundry. The grant also paid for detergent and the occasional snacks for our guests.
This ministry takes place at the College Town Laundry at 3223 E 17th St, by the WSU Campus. This mission of our evangelism team has been a great gift to those of us who serve. We’ve met wonderful people and enjoyed conversations over the rattle of washers and hum of dryers (and occasionally while stepping through puddles of soapy water.)
We’ve seen the face of God reflected in children who translate from Spanish to English for their moms, in single men glad that the laundromat put in a TV, in international students from WSU who enjoy hanging out while they wait, and in countless others.
March 2017 is our final Laundry Love, and we give thanks for this ministry. Sign up to help in March or stop by the laundromat and say hello. We’ll be there from 2:30-4:00 pm on March 12. Contact Catherine Neelly Burton in the church office, 684-521, to volunteer.
Dear Grace Community,
I’m writing with some medical lingo: DNA, fasting, and well checks.
I don’t remember much of the scientific data about DNA from biology class, but I know that the DNA of an organization is the stuff that is at its core. The DNA of Grace contains lots of things. Jesus is in our DNA. Without God we would not exist. A connection to our neighborhood is in our DNA. The congregation met at Robinson Middle School for eight years in the 1940’s and is active there and at Hyde today. We are tied to this community.
Also in our DNA is our approach to starting new ministries. When someone comes to me with an idea of a ministry they want to see happen I say, “How do you envision this working? Will you help make it happen?” Sometimes the conversation ends there, but sometimes the person says, “Oh yes, and here’s a plan for getting people involved,” and the ministry takes off. Sure, we run it by the session, but it’s on the road. This isn’t how it works in all churches. In some places ideas must be vetted through committees, and staff, and study for long periods before they start.
I had two conversations recently that enforced this aspect of our DNA. One conversation was with Esther Cummins who is a quilter. She made a quilt with fabric from Africa. Katie Rhoads, a missionary we support, brought this fabric to Esther. After making the quilt Esther wondered about giving it to a refugee family connected to our partners at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). As we talked we imagined opening this up to all Grace quilters. I met with the Grace Refugee Team and a staff person from IRC and ran the idea by them. The IRC gives every refugee a blanket and would love to give them a homemade quilt. And like that, we have a new ministry opportunity.
The second conversation was with Capri Zimmerman who feels called to lead a women’s ministry at Grace. I’ve heard a desire for women’s ministry from others, and when Capri approached me all sorts of things fell into place. This new ministry is open to all Grace women and will provide opportunities for study, fellowship, and service.
The next medical term is fasting. The only time I fast is before my yearly physical and blood work. However, fasting is also a Christian discipline. During Lent some Christians will fast from food one day a week or fast from something else. This is known as ‘giving up something for Lent.’ The idea is to sacrifice and to consider Jesus’ sacrifice.
This year I invite all of us to fast from social media one day a week during Lent. I know that we don’t all use social media, but many of us do, and many of us use it a lot. Pick a day each week, and every time you think of logging in to an account, stop, and pray.
The final medical concept for the day is that of Well Checks. Well Checks are regular visits with a doctor to go over general health questions and concerns, not to address a specific illness. A few years ago I invited you to schedule Well Checks with me, and around a dozen of you took me up on this. Some of you drop by or schedule appointments with me, but I know that others of you aren’t sure about stopping by to talk. If there’s something about your faith, or life, or the church that you’d like to talk about, come by for a Well Check. Leah Plush our new financial administrative assistant has a schedule of available times, so call her at 684-5215, to make an appointment. (Of course you can come by any time, but I’m not always in my office.)
In Christ,
Catherine
Each month Grace distributes bus tickets to people in our community. This happens on the 15th of the month, or if the 15th is a weekend we meet the Friday before. Volunteers and those receiving tickets begin to gather around 6:30 am in the Grace alcove. Guests are greeted with smiles, coffee, water, and a place to sit. Tickets are distributed at 7:50 am.
We invite all guests to a brief worship service with communion in the Great Room at 7:35.
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.
Fasting is an ancient Christian practice. This year during Lent you’re invited to a different kind of fast. Each week, pick one day – any day – and fast from social media for 24 hours. Use email for work if you must, but do not log into facebook, Instagram, twitter, etc. Every time you start to open the app on your phone or log in on your computer, stop, and instead pray or read scripture.