Each month we invite you to participate in ‘yellow bag’ giving. This month our yellow bag donations go to the food pantry at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wichita.

All non-perishable items are welcome, and these would be particularly helpful: canned fruit, applesauce, sugar, tuna, mayonnaise or miracle whip, ranch dressing, and ketchup. Take home a yellow bag when you’re in the building and bring it back with your donations.

Please be mindful not to donate open food packages, long out-of-date items, or items that do not have a long shelf life. Thank you to everyone who participates in this much-needed mission of Grace.

Are you looking for a way to serve at Grace, a way to connect with fellow Christ followers?  Below are some of the areas and ways to get involved.  Want to know more about any of these things?  Contact Catherine@mygpc.org Marburch@mygpc.org kirk@mygpc.org tyler@mygpc.org

Worship

• Worship Support
  • Help with technology at the 9:00 or 11:00 service
  • Worship Planning team: This team meets at 7:00 am every other Tuesday for study and creative planning
  • Arts Team: This team meets as needed to transform our worship spaces and building for different worship themes and seasons.
  • Ushers and Greeters: Welcome and serve those who come to worship each week.
• Worship Leadership
  • Join one of our musical ensembles: Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, Praise Band
  • Volunteer to read scripture or lead worship as a liturgist

Christian Discipleship

• Participate in Book Club.
• Join the Christian Discipleship Team. The team meets by zoom on the first Monday evening of the month.
• Volunteer to teach a class.
• Participate in Sunday School or a study group.
• Interested in working with our children and youth? We’ve got a place for you!  We have hands-on opportunities and behind-the-scenes ways to serve.  You can volunteer once or weekly.
• Jacob’s Learning Ladder: Learn how to become a volunteer in our preschool.
• Organic Prayer Group: Come pray at Grace on Wednesday mornings at 7 am.
• Prayer Team: Join the email prayer chain.

Mission and Ministry

• Lawn and Garden Teams
• Economy Corner: Volunteer to sort donations at GPC or work down at the store at First Presbyterian.
• Yellow Bags: Contribute to our drive each month.
• Refugee Team: Serve the refugee community of Wichita through regular or one-time volunteer efforts.
• Mission Distribution Team: This team meets monthly to study and then share the financial resources provided by the congregation.
• Alternative Gift Market: This annual fall effort connects us to vital missions around the world.
• Bus Tickets: We give out bus passes once a month to anyone in need.
• Become an office volunteer.
• Heartstrings: Provide and/or serve food for funeral receptions.
• Good Neighbor Team: This team works five-six times a year with the county to help with cleaning up the yard of someone who needs help and can’t afford it.
• Window Washers: Yes, there are volunteers who come to the church on Saturdays and wash the glass doors.

This fall, we celebrate two significant staff anniversaries. Thirty-five years ago, Nancy Morrow and Merodee Grannis, with the support of the Session and congregation, started Jacob’s Learning Ladder (JLL). Thirty years ago, Dr. Martin Burch joined the Grace staff as the Director of Christian Education.

A lot has changed since Nancy and Martin joined the staff.

JLL transitioned from mom’s morning out, to morning pre-school, to full-time daycare and pre-school.  Then three and a half years ago, when Merodee retired to farm life in Minnesota (which we’re glad she got the chance to do), Nancy steadied the ship, assuring that families remained confident in the care and education their children received during that major change. Nancy is steadfast in her commitment to serving families.

As the needs of the congregation changed, Martin shifted from Christian Education to Administration and poured himself into learning new skills. Thirteen years ago, when the proverbial bottom fell out of things at Grace, Martin remained constant and faithful to the mission of the church. His passion for the gospel and sharing that in many ways (drama, teaching, preaching, technology) is a conduit for God’s grace.

A lot has changed since Nancy and Martin joined the staff, and some things have not.

What remains true is that Martin and Nancy are two of the most principled, hardworking, and dedicated people I’ve ever met.  Also, neither wants any recognition or spotlight. They both want to do what is right and do it well, and they can’t understand why anyone wants to make a fuss about it.

So, we aren’t making a fuss. This anniversary season is marked in small ways, and I encourage you to offer your thanks and appreciation through a call, a hallway conversation, or a note, and I invite you to join me in thanking God for Nancy Morrow and Martin Burch.

In Christ,

Catherine

Are you a Grace visitor?  Would you like to know more about us? Join Pastor Catherine for “Get to Know Grace” on Sunday, November 6, at 10 am in Room 101 (behind the Great Room). This is a chance to ask questions about Grace and learn more about who we are. The class is between worship services and lasts about 45 minutes.