Economy Corner continued to see increase in our sales in October even with the limited hours we are open. Our total sales were $8,104.88. First’s share was $7,583.88. Grace’s was $521.24. We also filled 84 vouchers equivalent to $1,268.50. FPC’s share was $1,020.00 and Grace’s was $248.50.

Since we do not have a supply of winter coats, we must rely on your generous donations of winter wear. Our supply of men’s jeans and other men’s clothing is very low. We are operating with a very decreased number of volunteers. All of our electronic donations have to be checked before they can be sold. We need volunteers to help with this. If you would like to take some of these items home and check them on your own schedule, it can easily be arranged. Please call or come by the Corner and discuss this opportunity with an on-site manager.

We are blessed to have the support, donations and help we need from our Congregations which assist us in meeting the needs of those we serve in our urban community.

October 19

• The Grace Presbyterian Session met on October 19 on Zoom for its stated meeting.
• The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
• The Session did not make any changes to in person worship but concerns were raised. The Session will meet on Zoom on Sunday, October 25, to discuss this more.
• We received an update on plans for Grace as a voting location for the November election. Kirk Anderson and the Safety and Security Team are meeting to set up a volunteer schedule and responsibility list for volunteers.
• The Session voted to become a Matthew 25 Congregation within the PCUSA.
• We received an update on the Deep Roots Campaign progress.
• The financial reports were approved and received.
• Stewardship Season is happening, and we received an update on pledge cards that have been mailed back.
• The music search team beings interviews tomorrow.
• We received a report from the Nominating team.
• Catherine shared that she will use some of her designated “service to the greater church” time to travel to Tribune and Leoti to preach. This is related to work she’s doing with NEXT Church.
• Pam Head, Alisa Watkins, and Darcy Eads were elected to attend presbytery on November 10.

October 25

• The Session met on Zoom for a called meeting.
• The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.
• The purpose of the meeting was to look at Covid numbers and to consider whether or not to remain in person for worship.
• In addition to the Sedgwick County Covid dashboard we looked at a risk assessment tool from Georgia Tech and the CDC website.
• The Session voted to remain in person for another week but starting November 1 to limit the worship space to 50 people with others overflowing to the other worship space to watch the live stream.
• A meeting was called for November 1 to discuss the situation more.

November 1

• The Session met on Zoom for a called meeting.
• We looked at Covid numbers.
• The Session voted to move to online worship only starting November 8 and going through the month.
• The meeting was closed with prayer.

November 9

• The Session met on Zoom for a called meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to review and approve updates to the Grace Staff Handbook.  (A full version of the updates and/or handbook is available upon request.)
• The changes were approved.
• The meeting was opened and closed with prayer.

Dear Grace Presbyterian Church,

I came across a letter recently, written in 1998, congratulating Grace Presbyterian on its first Alternative Gift Market. Those of you who’ve been around a while know that what we now call the Wichita Alternative Gift Market started as a mission project of Grace Church. The first market raised $358.00 for projects in the Alternative Gifts International (AGI) catalog. Harriet Prichard, the founder and president of Alternative Gifts International, said she wanted to “stand with you in mission.”

Fast forward 22 years. Through the leadership of Carolyn Benefiel and her team, the Market grew to include dozens of area churches and other non-profit ‘partners’ to share the idea of alternative giving across Wichita. In 2019, the 25th Annual Wichita Alternative Gift Market was held at First Presbyterian raising over $37,000 for AGI and local projects, including Grace’s bus pass ministry project.

We have come a long way as a church and as a member of our larger Wichita community.

We had our Market last Saturday, November 14. About 100 people spent $22,000 dollars to support projects around the world and here locally. The weather was beautiful (if a bit windy), and we saw both established supporters and new shoppers turn out for the event. It was wonderful. Don’t worry if you missed it – we’re offering a mini-market at AGI’s local office. You can call the AGI office (269-0635) and tell them you want to shop the Wichita Alternative Gift Market – they have everything you need (including our handmade ornaments), and they’ll do curbside delivery for you.

You can still make a huge impact. One dollar ($1.00) still buys 40 doses of medicine for backpack medics in Myanmar. You can still feed the hungry, fight for social justice, preserve the environment, educate children (especially girls in countries where women aren’t treated as equals), provide medical care…and change the life of someone you will never meet.

Join us. You can also shop online at alternativegifts.org – just make sure that you indicate you’re shopping to support the Wichita Alternative Gift Market. Be a part of this amazing Grace legacy.

Wichita Alternative Gift Market

Mini-market at the AGI office, 269-0635 or online at Alternative Gifts International

Thank you, Grace Church, for your continued faithful ministry to a world in need.

Dear Grace Community,

I am delighted to share with you that Tyler Morris is our new Director of Music Ministries.  Tyler is a graduate of WSU and is the vocal music teacher at Derby High School.  He comes to us with a strong church music background having directed choirs and a praise band.

Tyler begins work at Grace on December 1.  I am deeply grateful to Ben Rivers and Kelsey Wise for coordinating music this fall.  Their work will allow for a smooth start for Tyler.  He’ll spend December learning more about who we are, working with the band and section leaders, and looking for creative ways to engage more of us in music in 2021.  Tyler is not completely new to Grace.  He subbed here as a section leader and filled in once for Sean Foster on a Wednesday night.  He holds our music program in high regard.

We’ll share more about Tyler in the coming weeks and let him introduce himself.  For now, I want to thank our search team: Pam Head, Dave McIntire, Charlene Randle, Janet Rhoads, and Bill Vavra.  Below are quotes from some team members.

In Christ,

Catherine

We were fortunate to have five excellent candidates to interview.  Tyler stood out, not only as a man of faith, but as an excellent musician that will take our choir to the next level.  I am confident that his personality will fit in well with our Grace family.  – Pam Head

We had several highly qualified individuals apply for this position.  We felt Tyler was the most well-rounded, bringing experience, enthusiasm, leadership abilities and someone our musicians would love to work with. – Janet Rhoads

Grace makes devotional books available for anyone who wants them. Pick one up next time you’re here, or if you prefer to receive one in the mail, call the church office, 316-684-5215, and let us know.