Full Session minutes are available upon request

• The Grace Session met on August 22 at 6:30 pm in the Grace Parlor and on Zoom. The meeting was opened with a devotional by Strom Sloan.
• The Session received elder Hal Pluenneke’s resignation. The Session is to have 9-12 elders. With Hal’s resignation, the body is now at 10.
• As noted at the July meeting, the church members who gave a $50,000 gift in 2021 to be used for ministries with children and youth are doing this again in 2022. Catherine talked with them about using some of the funds for the new Jacob’s Learning Ladder Chaplain position.  They are in favor of this.
• The Session has increased the honorarium rate that we give our guest preachers in recognition of their labor and the limited number of guest preachers in our community.
• The Session received the report from Mike Crain and Ministry Architects on the day of the meeting. Everyone will study it, and there will be more discussion in September.
• There was more discussion about LGBTQ welcome. Catherine gave some history on the PCUSA and Grace regarding this.  Catherine and Carolyn Shaw will draft a welcome statement for our website that will clarify and name things that we have previously said as a church.
• Financial reports were given and received. Other reports were received.
• Strom Sloan reported on the called Presbytery meeting that was held earlier in the month. The Presbytery office has been sold.
• The meeting was closed in prayer.

 

On Sunday, September 18, we begin our fourth journey through scripture.  Each fall we read stories that tell the big picture of the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis and ending with the prophets before Christmas.  Then we spend the winter and spring in one gospel book.  This year our book is Matthew.

This month’s recipient for our Yellow Bag donations is GIVING THE BASICS – WICHITA.  Grace has partnered with this organization in the past and looks forward to continuing this mission connection.  Below are the hygiene products most needed at GIVING THE BASICS.

body soap

hair conditioner

deodorant

laundry soap

skin lotion

maxi/mini pads

Shampoo

tampons

toilet paper

toothbrushes

toothpaste

wipes

Also, please note the new Yellow Bags with the Grace logo.  Feel free to use these bags to bring your items to the church, but PLEASE be sure to return the bags when not being used.  Thanks to the Missions team for purchasing the bags for our congregation.

Our neighbors at Plymouth Congregational Church (202 N. Clifton – 67208) hold a fine arts series throughout the year.  In September, they invited composer Howard Helvey to Wichita. Full details of their event may be found here:

On Saturday, September 24, at 7 pm, the Grace Chancel Choir joins the Plymouth Choir, piano, and organ, for the works of Helvey that include hymn arrangements, anthems, piano solos, organ solos, four-hand piano duets, piano, and organ duets, and vocal solos.  Tickets are $20.