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. This month our contributions go to the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church Food Pantry. Consider bringing canned fruit or canned proteins.
October 4
It’s World Communion Day. Catherine Neelly Burton preaches, and we celebrate the Lord’s Supper at both services.
October 11
The 9 am service gathers for informal worship on the lawn as we cheer for runners participating in the marathon and half-marathon. The second service is at 10:30 am in the sanctuary. Danny Daniel preaches, and we worship with bluegrass music.
October 18
We begin a new series this day, God Calls Us To… Catherine Neelly Burton preaches as we explore the idea of being commissioned by God for CoMission with God. The scripture for the day is Mark 6:7-13.
October 25
In part II of our God Calls Us To… series, Catherine Neelly Burton preaches as we explore how our faith informs our compassion. The scripture for the day is Mark 10:46-52.
9 am Worship in the Great Room
10 am Education and Fellowship (see below)
11 am Worship in the Sanctuary
Worship at 9 am is in the Great Room and is led musically by our band. The style is less formal than the 11 am service. The 11 am service is in the Sanctuary and is led musically by our choirs. The style is more traditional.
On Sunday, October 11, the 9 am service meets for informal worship on the lawn as we cheer for runners in the marathon and half marathon. The second service is at 10:30 am in the sanctuary and is led by a bluegrass band. There is no Sunday School this day.
Here’s where you will find education and fellowship opportunities at 10 am every Sunday in October except for October 11.
CHILDREN
YOUTH
ADULTS
Steamers – Location: Room 209
In addition to the Steamers there are two additional classes from October 18 – November 15. These classes use a curriculum called, For the Life of the World” which explores how God’s purposes are woven into our everyday lives. The two classes use identical materials but one is targeted to people who are newer to Sunday School, and one is targeted to people who have some history with Sunday School.
Please be at Grace on Tuesday night for the same-sex marriage program. Dinner begins at 5:45 pm ($7 for adults, $3 for children, family cap of $17), and the program is at 6:30 pm. Childcare is available.
Same-sex marriage is now allowed but not required in the Presbyterian Church USA. This means that each congregation may decide whether or not same-sex weddings are permitted on church grounds. In March, the Grace Session began to address the question about what we would do as a congregation. The Session sets all wedding policies for the church.
In April, the Session held three listening sessions for the church community. The purpose of these gatherings was to share thoughts and questions about same-sex marriage. The Session reflected on these groups and discussed how to move forward in this conversation.
In August, we established a study group to read and discuss two books, Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill and The Bible’s Yes to Same-Sex Marriage by Mark Achtemeier. The entire congregation was invited to participate in this five week series. Approximately twenty people attended one or more study groups. The two books represent different viewpoints on same-sex marriage and were recommended to us by men who represent organizations with the PCUSA.
These two men are here on Tuesday night to speak and to answer questions. They are Paul Detterman and Brian Ellison. Paul represents the Fellowship of Presbyterians, an organization opposed to same-sex marriage. Brian represents the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, an organization in favor of same-sex marriage. They very much disagree with each other on this issue and yet agree about the value of being in PCUSA together. Their willingness to dialogue and stay in relationship is a powerful witness to church unity.
Our congregation will not be of one mind on this issue, but my hope is that we can learn from these men both about their perspectives and about their commitment to being in a Christian community with people they disagree with.
The gathering on Tuesday is the final step in our Session’s process before voting on a same-sex marriage policy for Grace. The plan is for the Session to make this decision at the stated meeting on November 23. (This is one week later than originally scheduled.) You are strongly encouraged to reach out to any or all of the Session members to talk with them about this issue before the October 19 Session meeting. Session members are listed at the bottom of this letter. Call, email, or write them. Any unsigned correspondence will be disregarded.
As the Session prayerfully considers this decision I ask that you do the same and that you pray for them. See you Tuesday.
In Christ, Catherine
Session Members:
Ron Brown
Cindy Dethloff
Fred Heismeyer
Jerry Juhnke
Maggie McIntire
Don Murphy
Charlene Randle
Sandy Remsberg
Janet Rhoads
Betsy Ross
Sue Steele
Bill Vavra
The Grace Mission Distribution Team met in September. $7,250 in funds were allocated to the following places. This is in addition to the ongoing support of Missionaries Katie Rhoads and the Hurd Family, Wyldlife in Wichita, and the bus ticket ministry.
| Presbyterian Disaster Assistance | $500 |
| Trees for Life | $250 |
| Alternative Gifts International | $250 |
| Helping Hands: | $1,500 |
| Hunter Health Clinic | $1,000 |
| Interfaith Ministries Men’s Overflow Shelter | $500 |
| Interfaith Ministries (Unrestricted) | $500 |
| Kansas Food Bank | $500 |
| Partners for Wichita | $500 |
| Tutoring Program (in house) | $500 |
| Wichita Habitat for Humanity | $500 |
| Wichita Senior Services | $250 |
| Wyldlife (in house) | $500 |
| Total | $7,250 |