What happened to the Chapel Class?

In February 2012 we changed our Sunday morning schedule at Grace. As a congregation we transitioned from three worship services to two. When we did this we created the 10-11 am hour between services. Before this, services and classes had overlapped. In an effort to provide education for all interested adults during the new hour, the Chapel Class was born. It was called the Chapel Class because it met in the chapel.

Church staff organized the class and made sure that there was a topic and teacher 10 months out of the year. A wide range of people participated in the class during the last three and a half years. Last spring the Christian Discipleship Team began to look at changing our Sunday morning education model. The main reason is that most adults in our congregation don’t participate. It’s possible that nothing will change this, but we know that the current model will not engage more learners.

During the 2014-15 school year, we offered two short term studies for the congregation, and we saw an increase in participation. This year we are trying the short-term study model at four different times. This fall we begin by letting adults choose between three different four-week classes. In October and November we have another short term series.

Because the Christian Discipleship Team is doing this, we are no longer offering the Chapel Class. We recognize that many people enjoyed the learning and fellowship, and our hope is that those who participated enjoy the new format.

From the Pastor's Desk

From the Pastor’s Desk: August 20

Dear Grace Community,

On August 17, I shared with the Session that I am expecting a child. John and I are excited about this and glad to share this news with you. You were part of our wedding three years ago, and we look forward to you being part of our child’s life.

While pregnancy is a fairly personal matter, I have a pretty public life in this congregation. So, you might think of this letter as, “What to Expect When Your Pastor is Expecting: Part I.”

Our approximate due date is February 21. This is during Lent, not a particularly slow season at Grace. The personnel team and I are meeting to begin conversation about how things are covered while I’m on maternity leave.

My first trimester was fair. I was fortunate not to be horribly sick, but I’ve been quite tired and haven’t felt too hot. My general practitioner told me that one of the great things about pregnancy is that you can do most anything during pregnancy that you did before. She should have said, “in theory,” you can do anything you did before, as my evening trips to the Y have been replaced by much earlier bedtimes and naps. With that said, other than taking the occasional nap here at church I haven’t found pregnancy to impact my work too much. Perhaps you’ve noticed me yawning a bit more since I’ve cut back on the caffeine.

Pregnancy is a whole new world for me, and a pregnant pastor is a whole new world for you. I’m sure we’ll figure it out together. For now I ask for your prayers for me and John and for a healthy pregnancy.

In Christ,

Catherine

Growing in Faith, Adult Sunday School: September 13, 20, 27, and October 4

The Birth of Christianity: 100 BC to 337 AD with Steve Hooper

Location: TBA

  • This study focuses on the life and times of the early Christian Church. It identifies and explores the development of the early Church by asking: “How did the early Christian Church evolve? Who did what, and what were their motivations?” These questions are addressed by examining the interactions and relationships between the Jews, Rome and the early Christians. The answers provide insight into the formation of the modern church as well as the world we live in. This class is a lecture based format.

Wearing God with Jeanine Hathaway

Location: Room 101

  • Have you ever thought about God as clothing? Galatians 3:27 says, “as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” The Bible is full of different ways to describe God. This class uses Lauren Winner’s book Wearing God to explore some of the different images. It is an interactive class. Teacher Jeanine Hathaway is a retired English professor from WSU and a participant at St James Episcopal Church. In 2011, she published The Ex-Nun Poems.

Feasting on the Word with Maggie McIntire

Location: Room 103

  • Dig into the word! Each week this class studies the scripture used in worship that day. The children and youth use the same curriculum, as designed for their ages. Each week is a stand-alone lesson, so this class works well for anyone who may not be here for four weeks in a row. The class is interactive.

Steamers 

Location: Room 209

  • On Sundays September 13 and 20, Claudia Peebler leads this class. September 27 and October 4 are TBA.

September Youth Schedules

If you would like to get on the Student Ministry email list for either IGNITE or INSPIRE/WYLDlife, please email your request to Kirk Anderson.

IGNITE (All High School aged youth)

  • Sunday School (10 am – 10:50 am) September 13, 20 and 27. Feasting on the Word. Youth get a chance to learn from scripture and use it to explore their personal identity with Jesus Christ. Parents: you are studying the same curriculum, so you can discuss it with your youth!
  • Wednesday Fellowship (5:30 pm – 7:15 pm) in the Youth Center. Starts on September 23!

INSPIRE (All Middle High aged youth)

  • Sunday School (10 am – 10:50 am) September 13, 20 and 27. Feasting on the Word. Youth get a chance to learn from scripture and use it to explore their personal identity with Jesus Christ. Parents: you are studying the same curriculum, so you can discuss it with your youth!
  • Tuesdays: Bible Study at Robinson during the lunch periods AND Chess (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm) in Room 101, led by Ann Graham.
  • Wednesday Fellowship (3:30 pm – 4:45 pm) in the Youth Center.Starts on September 23!
  • WYLDlife Club (after school to 5 pm) is scheduled for September 4 and 18. Youth meet at the Robinson cafeteria and then walk to Grace. Pick-up is the Battin Street fountain entrance.

24/7

By Kirk Anderson, Director of Student Ministry

Romans 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I was Empty

God detoured me to be FILLED

I was not following God’s path

God detoured me to friends and fellowship

I was bitter and blamed God…<my way>

God detoured me to…soften my heart and be thankful! <God’s Way>

I was distracted

God detoured me to be focused

I was diving into a dark place

God detoured me into the Light

I was…Rude and Angry

God detoured me to Love and Patience

I thought…I am in control

God showed…He is in control

I was headed to contentment

God detoured me to Courage

I was in a world of Silence

God detoured me to His Word

I was alone

God Detoured me to Friendship.

I was confused in my faith

God led me to see Him clearly.

I was putting God Out of my Everyday LIFE

God detoured me to putting Him IN my everyday LIFE

I was worried

God detoured me to peace

I was lost and confused

God detoured me to HAPPINESS and FRIENDSHIP

I was Lost & Alone

God detoured me to be a part of His PLAN.

I was Confused & Irritated…

God led me to the answer; to patience

I was Stressed

God led me to Peace

I was Lost and Confused

God detoured me to a Path with a Plan

I WAS BUSY AND MOVING…

God detoured me to…Slow Down & Enjoy His Presence

When we put “I”, as in ourselves, before God, we lose our direction and get caught up in this world. We get scared, lonely, confused, lost, angry and greedy. We lash out at others, and we fail. But the God of this earth is so full of love and grace that He is willing to give us signs, detours if you will, to allow us back on His path, to be a part of his world.

For a week in July, those of us who went on mission trip were able to experience many signs from God. Some were spoken to us, some were actual detour signs and some were whispers and nudges, letting us know that He was there. God was saying He wanted us to change direction, to look at our lives and make a commitment to a new path, a path not led by us but by Him.

Every year this amazing church supports and makes sure any youth that want to attend this mission opportunity get to take this trip. These trips change lives as you can see by the “Statements of Detour” above from those who were on this year’s trip to Cherokee Nation, NC. But my thought is, for this article post anyway, how many of you have taken the time lately to get away, serve others, worship and pray, to let God be completely in your life 24/7? If you haven’t, what would happen if you took a week and spent it with others praising and seeking God? Would you come back a different person? Would you hear God and see the detour sign He may have placed in your life? Would you re-think how you treat your fellow man?

My challenge to you is this – read Romans 12:2 again, plan and take a week or longer and use it to serve others with others. Praise and worship God, be in prayer, read and mediate on the Word, allow God to permeate your life for that week 24/7 and see what happens.

Is it a sacrifice? You bet it is…but imagine where that detour may take you!