Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Grace Notes July Newsletter

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Monday, June 1, 2020

Grace Notes Newsletter June 2020


Hello! What follows is some important information and communications from us, and the greater United Methodist Church. Have a coffee or sweet tea and read the June Grace Notes:

Healthy Church Team sets to work

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our conference has asked each church to create a Healthy Church Team to work on opening the church again for worship. Bishop Sharma Lewis and her cabinet will determine a specific time when we can return to worship, but this new team is to prepare and make it's own determination as to when it would be best to return to worship.
 
Our Healthy Church Team members are Charlie and Lisa Higgs, Clay and Lisa Knick, Randy and Sherry Jenkins, Carolyn Bell, Jody Osborne, Betsy Jenkins, and Katie Fauver. Each member was asked to read the handbook created by our conference that each church must use to prepare to return to worship in person. The current handbook has 77 pages.
 
After reading the handbook and the many understandable restrictions placed on returning to in person worship the team decided it would be in everyone's best interest to wait until we can worship in a way rather similar to what we are familiar with. Of course, we have no idea when this may take place. This decision is also based on the risks involved with exposure to the virus. The information provided by our own Katie Fauver, an RN at Winchester Medical Center, was very helpful in making this decision.

This decision is also made out of love of neighbor and the utmost concern for so many. We want to "do no harm" to anyone.

The Healthy Church Team will meet again July 8th.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the team if you have questions. Remember you can always see the weekly sermon on Facebook and Robin will add it to the blog each week.
 
We miss all of you so very much.
 
Grace + peace,
Clay+
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Pastor Clay recommends the following by Michael Gorman of St. Mary's Seminary & University, Baltimore, Maryland, the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, September 1991 to present.

A Brief Biblical Theology for the Covid Church, in Outline (a work in progress, updated 5/25)

Governing Principles in Putting This Together
A. Covid is possibly here to stay for years, not months, coming and going in waves.
B. The church is, in Tom Wright’s words, in a time of exile—though not total and not the same everywhere (https://time.com/…/should-churches-reopen-thinking-about-…/…).
C. This is not a time to “completely rethink” the church (as if that were actually a possibility) or to offer theologically flawed proposals (such as “maybe we don’t need to worship together after all”). Rather, the watchword (actually, watch-phrase) right now needs to be “creative fidelity.”
D. At the same time, this will be a time of creative tension, perhaps even among these biblical perspectives.
1. *Let us love the Lord our God... and our neighbor as ourselves (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:28–31).* The double commandment remains the same. Its expression will take on new forms.
2. *Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25).* Meeting together is not an option for Christians, but a necessity. We need to meet in creative ways until, once again, we can give full expression to the incarnational character of the faith. We need to keep finding creative ways for worship, study, pastoral care, and mission. *Update*: We should remember that Jesus is present with us even when we are just gathered as two or three.
3. *Let us not, by asserting our rights, real or alleged, do harm to those for whom Christ died (1 Corinthians 8).* This is not the season for Christians and churches to insist on their rights, constitutional or otherwise, to meet physically precisely as we used to do, or at any cost. Caution, prudence, and creativity are signs of neighbor-love.
4. *Let us proclaim the gospel in word and deed, for it is God who is at work among us (Philippians 1:27–2:16).* It is a time to do so without complaining about our predicament, as good witnesses.
5. *Let us seek the welfare of the city where we are in exile (Jeremiah 29:7).* This is a season to think creatively about the church’s outreach into whatever place we find ourselves in exile, not because the government or the culture deems us “essential” (or not), but because that is what God expects of the people of God in exile.
6. *Let us grieve and lament (Psalms; Romans 12:15).* This is a season of sorrow and lamentation because there has been so much loss for so many. We acknowledge our own spiritual losses (of in-person worship, etc.), but we especially wish to cry out with and for those among us who have lost jobs or loved ones, those who have sacrificed for others and been emotionally or physically devastated, and those whose present and future lives seem so uncertain.
7. *Let us bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).* This is a time to become aware of the needs of others in our Christian communities and beyond in order to work together to address them. This includes financial, spiritual, emotional, and other kinds of needs.
8. *Let us remember the poor (Galatians 2:10).* This is a time to pay special attention to the least, the poor—with a broad understanding of poverty—both nearby and around the world.
9. *Let us embody the fruit of the Spirit, most especially patience (Galatians 5:22–23).* This is a time to allow the Spirit to work in and among us to bring to greater fruition all the dimensions of the Spirit’s fruit, but perhaps most importantly what has sometimes been called longsuffering.
10. *Let us embody the virtues of faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).* It is always time to practice this triad of theological virtues and share them with others, but now they will take on special shape and meaning.
11. *Let us clothe ourselves with humility (Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 5:5).* This is a time when we need humility because we are constantly moving into unknown territory, and we will all make mistakes. We need to recognize our own inadequacies and extend ourselves and one another extra measures of grace while also humbly holding ourselves and one another accountable. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
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Please DO WEAR A MASK when visiting the Church. Although there are no office hours set as yet both Pastor and Robin are sometimes there. Pastor Knick has a compromised immune system, and Robin has several health risk factors. Some necessary meetings have been scheduled and masks and social distancing are required for those in attendance. Check with your Chair person if you have a question.

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Here is a very good article about grief during this time of pandemic:

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Stewardship Matters
Your Generosity Is Showing!

You may not believe this, but it is an exciting time to be the church! The oft-quoted phrase, ‘The church has left the building’ has never been truer.  It is really quite exciting!

God calls us to be stewards in every situation. Practicing generosity is consistent with a desire to serve God and his church. Disciples of Jesus Christ persevere in times of hardship and look for ways to be of service to the Kingdom of God.  

I have been encouraged to hear that many churches have continued to receive the generous gifts of a generous people in this time. My hunch is that churches with numerous households that give online or through a recurring bank draft will have a regular source of support and will not suffer.

Though we are not gathered for worship we are scattered for mission. The church is thriving outside the walls of the building. That is – when and where we continue to live and act as grateful and generous stewards of a grateful and generous God.

What are we to say about this period in human history? This pandemic, has virtually shut down 
life as we know it. What story are we writing even now? What will future generations learn about this epochal event and how we, the church, responded to it?  What will be our ‘stewardship story’?
These questions are far more important than we may realize for at present we are overwhelmed with the reality of making sure we take appropriate precautions and consumed with just getting through each day. We look forward to when the economy begins to open up, people return to work, and we gather for worship in the space that means so much to us. Even then, we know it will be different for a long time and perhaps forever.

We will eventually return to a ‘new normal’ and, if we are foolish, we will forget the lessons we have learned from this pandemic. ‘Staying at home’ has its own challenges and rewards . There are lessons to be learned that will make us wiser.

So ponder these questions:
>How are you being a steward of your time and of relationships now? 
>Are you finding new ways to connect with God and with others?
>Did you give a minimum of a tithe from your government stimulus? Can you do more than that if you are able?
>Where did you share this windfall with someone in need?

What a great time to be the church!  In a strange and bizarre time in human history we can write part of the story with how we make a difference in human life. This pandemic cannot stop us from being the church and being disciples. Only we can do that.  Our generosity is showing! Or not!
Please practice generosity. Always practice generosity!

Rev. David A. Rash   
© Stewardship Matters of Virginia
Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising
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Honoring our 2020 Graduates
Got Graduates? We want to hear from you! Email Graceumc2@comcast.net please!

We heard from Nell Lunde. Congratulations to these member graduates:

Joseph C. Lunde-A well-earned High School Diploma from Sherando High School and Grafton School.

Catherine (Cate) M. Lunde-Advanced Diploma from Sherando High School after 4 years being medically homebound! Continuing her attendance at LFCC.

Eleanor (Ellen) E. Lunde-Advanced Diploma from Sherando High School-National Honors Society member, Associate of Arts and Sciences from LFCC-Governor's Scholar-President's List, Attending George Mason University. Entering as a rising junior. Pre-med, Majoring in Biochemistry
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Craft Bazaar Date Set
The 2020 Craft Bazaar will not be rescheduled this year. Instead the 2021 date has been set for Saturday, March 13, 2021 with the snowdate the following week. All confirmed vendors from this year were notified and offered a place next year. Most have accepted. Their fees paid this year will apply to their spaces.
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Mow and Trim Volunteers needed! Please help keep the church yard looking good. Here is the current schedule:
Week start
To
Week end
Mow
Trim
06/01/20
To
06/06/20
John Keller 540-335-4015
John Keller 540-335-4015
06/08/20
To
06/13/20
06/15/20
To
06/20/20
06/22/20
To
06/27/20
06/29/20
To
07/04/20
John Keller 540-335-4015
John Keller 540-335-4015
07/06/20
To
07/11/20
Randy Jenkins 540-533-3001
Randy Jenkins 540-533-3001
07/13/20
To
07/18/20
07/20/20
To
07/25/20
07/27/20
To
08/01/20
John Keller 540-335-4015
John Keller 540-335-4015
08/03/20
To
08/08/20
08/10/20
To
08/15/20
08/17/20
To
08/22/20
08/24/20
To
08/29/20
John Keller 540-335-4015
John Keller 540-335-4015
08/31/20
To
09/05/20

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A Call to Action on Systemic Racism

Dear Virginia Annual Conference:

On Memorial Day, when the world was honoring and remembering all military men and women for their sacrifice to this country, Mr. George Floyd, another African-American man, while handcuffed and in police custody, was pleading for his life. His dying statement, “I can’t breathe,” rings again in my ears just as it did in 2014 when Eric Garner used those same words as he was dying from being held in a chokehold by a New York Police Department officer.

As I have reflected since Monday, I find my emotions range from sadness to anger to disbelief.  I ask myself the simple questions – “How long, Lord? How long, Lord?”

Isn’t it enough that we are fighting a pandemic and at the same time fighting life’s other challenges? Isn’t it enough that we witnessed the senseless death of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, the disturbing exchange between Christian Cooper and Amy Cooper in Central Park, and the barely-mentioned Breonna Taylor, who was killed by Louisville Metro Police Department officers executing a warrant at the wrong house in March?

When do we as children of God decide that God is calling us into action? When do we decide that mere words or social media interactions for a few days are just not enough?

When do we as children of God decide that the systemic racism in our society, whether manifested overtly or covertly, is a sin that hinders our relationship with Jesus Christ and is antithetical to the gospel?

When do we as children of God in the second largest annual conference in The United Methodist connection decide to have the crucial conversations and examine our own experiential and inherited stories of race and racism? I believe that everything in life begins and ends with the story you have accepted as truth about yourself and others. These stories shape our thinking, actions and assumptions about different races.

The lesson from these senseless deaths is that the fight to eradicate racism is not another person’s problem but humanity’s problem, and I believe that I’m not the only voice in the Virginia Annual Conference that wants to see real change and work toward the complete eradication of racism.

As the Resident Bishop of the Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, I am requesting that leaders of the Virginia faith community join in a conversation about policing with Governor Ralph Northam. The requested conversation will focus on statewide community relationships and policing training and practices.

In addition, I would like to invite the people of the Virginia Annual Conference to join me in these call to action steps:

We need informed clergy and laity to have authentic conversations about race and reconciliation in houses of worship, communities, and workplaces in which we acknowledge racism as a sin and actively pursue whatever is necessary to dismantle the injustices. One resource for starting that conversation is the Racial Justice Conversations Guide produced by the General Commission on Religion and Race; Community policing emphasizes working with neighborhood residents as partners in creating public safety. We can offer our support and involvement with law enforcement agencies that want to work with community residents to identify problems and collaborate on implementing solutions that produce meaningful results for the community; and

We can encourage civilian participation in oversight of law enforcement in order to strengthen trust with the community. Every community should define the appropriate form and structure of civilian oversight to meet the needs of that community.

Continue to pray for the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Let us hold close the words of the Apostle Paul, who reminds us in Romans 12:21; “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (NKJV)

Peace and Blessings,
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis

cc:       Governor Ralph Northam
            Attorney General Mark R. Herring, Esq.
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From the UMC Council on Bishops: As people of faith it is time to take a stand against any and all expressions of racism and white supremacy. 

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Please do stay in touch!
Pastor Clay email: clayknick@comcast.net
Administrative Assistant Robin Arnold: GraceUMC2@comcast.net

Saturday, May 16, 2020

We miss you: Making a plan to gather again

Office rose in 
bloom this week

Dear Grace Church Family,

Lisa and I miss you all so very much. We look forward to the day when we are all together again in a similar fashion to what we are used to. I know I miss our worship, talking before and after worship, spending time with our children and youth, communion, and so much more.

As you know Governor Northam has said that churches may resume worship this weekend in a limited way. That is not the case with the churches of the VA Conference. Bishop Lewis is not permitting in-person worship at this time.

The conference has designed a handbook that each church is to use to get ready for in-person worship. We have been instructed to form a Healthy Church Team and I have asked several people to serve as members. If you are interested please contact me.

The handbook is very extensive. As I read it yesterday I was impressed with the care and hard work that went into it. It is also very, very clear that worship will not be the same at all during the first weeks or months of opening under the provisions of this handbook.

For example, everyone will have to register to attend worship by Thursday of each week. Everyone who attends will need to wear a mask, come with their own hand sanitizer, take their temperature at home that morning, and sit six feet from another person or family. There will be no nursery, children's time during worship, fellowship time, handshakes or hugging, no choir or singing. If you are sick in any way you are to stay home. No baptisms. No passing of the plate for the offering. There is also the suggestion that the service be rather brief, no more than 30 minutes or so. The longer everyone is together the higher the risk of a possible exposure to the virus. Once the service is over everyone leaves. There will be no bulletin, hymnals, pew Bibles, or any other similar materials. No Sunday School.

So as you can see under these strict protocols things will be very, very different. Once the bishop decides a specific date we can determine if that works for us or can wait until we are ready. Classes and groups can continue to use Zoom and committees can meet with 10 or less members present and physical distancing. I will continue to put a sermon on Facebook each week with lots of help from Lisa.

The motive for these restrictions is one taken from Mr. Wesley who took it from the Hippocratic Oath: "Do No Harm." We also want to hear our Lord's call to "Love your neighbor as you love yourself" (Matthew 22:39 NIV).

We take all the precautions we need because we do not want this to happen at Grace:  https://www.wrcbtv.com/story/42126834/ringgold-church-cancels-services-after-3-church-members-test-positive-for-covid19

So at this time we seek wisdom from the Lord in how we may best care for one another. We pray for the day when this virus subsides and many are healed. We pray for our leaders, scientists, and those who work in healthcare and who are first responders.

Again, we miss you and look forward to being together again as church family.

Grace + peace,
Clay+

Resources:
Back to In Person Worship Plan
Bishop's Plan Summary
Handbook for Local Churches


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Monday, May 11, 2020

A Message from Bishop Sharma D Lewis: Work Group to recommend guidelines for opening


May 9, 2020

Dear Virginia Conference,

May the Lord be with you and keep you. It is a wonderful day to be a United Methodist. I know that Virginia United Methodists are longing for the return to in-person worship. One of our highest priorities must be loving our neighbors through ensuring the safety of those who attend our services. As we reported this week, a work group of church leaders, medical professionals, and legal professionals have been working hard to provide guidance to help us go back to in-person worship safely. On Friday morning, the Cabinet reviewed a draft of their work and we are preparing a list of frequently asked questions this weekend.

Friday afternoon, Governor Northam announced that he may loosen the restrictions related to in-person worship on May 15, 2020. Our timetable, as United Methodists, will be phased. I will allow Drive-In worship to begin on May 24, 2020 for all churches under strict guidelines that will be released by May 15, 2020. I will also authorize some test churches (we will call them “pioneer” churches) to open on May 24, 2020 with no more than 25 people in attendance under strict guidelines that will also be released by May 15, 2020. These pioneer churches will provide much needed data for the churches in our various districts on how to open safely.

Please continue to be in prayer for those who are affected by COVID-19 and those working hard to care for them. Pray as well for those who are extending themselves to serve at great risk and great cost. Whenever we return to worship, we will have stories to tell of God’s goodness and provision in this crisis.

Peace and Blessings,
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis


Friday, May 1, 2020

Grace Notes May Newsletter

Grace UMC Family,
I have now completed five rounds of chemo and immunotherapy! One more round to go in June and then I am finished with the chemo. I will be having immunotherapy now and then to keep me going, but the chemo will be done. The chemo has killed the cancer very well, but has wreaked havoc with my immune system and caused delays in treatment. So Dr. Ingram reduced the dosage so I can finish it. I am being given booster shots to support my immune system so he's got that covered also. He spent 20-25 minutes with me Monday going over options. He even considered stopping the chemo, but when he told me he could lessen the dosage I said let's go for that. I'm all for killing cancer! As I said above the immunotherapy will continue for a bit longer.
lisa knick ap 27.jpg
Lisa and I appreciate all the prayers and concern and many cards and gifts you have given us during this time. Your love has been so very evident. What a blessing it is to be a part of our church family. We have missed everyone so very, very much. Thank you for your patience with us as we continue to put the sermon on Facebook and learn that technology. I'm finding that is a substitute for the real thing which is the gathered body together in worship and mission. Technology is a substitute, but not a savior. It can only take us so far.

At this time I do not know when we will be together again in worship. Perhaps next month, perhaps not. When we do return things will probably be different. We may be wearing masks, not singing, receiving communion in a different way, and continue to practice physical distancing. We don't know all the details yet, but I do think that things will be very different for a while.

You may be wondering about the "not singing" comment above. Since the virus is a respiratory virus it is believed that singing can spread the virus. Perhaps you heard about the choir that practiced several months ago and many of the members got very sick soon after practice and being close together.

In this crisis time, when Easter was weird, we are alone together, people are wearing masks, restaurants are limited in what they can offer, so many have lost their jobs, and so many have died, we cry out to God for mercy and healing and hope. I read at least one Psalm a day and that practice has sustained me during this time when the virus and my treatments have changed my schedule, disrupted my sleep, and caused me to be frustrated, worried, or afraid. The Psalms are a constant reminder that our life is with God, that he is with us, guiding us, and teaching us, and that his steadfast love never fails us. That is very good news to me. In this Easter season we are constantly reminded that Jesus is alive and present with us and his promise is that he will always be with us come what may. 
I do hope we get to see one another soon. Until then stay safe and be blessed.
 Grace + peace,
Clay+


Thank you to Matt and Katie Fauver for making this beautiful aerial video of our church using their drone! It’s just beautiful set to the music of Amazing Grace​.​ ​W​e are blessed with such talented people in this church​!​​

Stewardship Matters

Generosity in a pandemic     

My sign-off for these monthly stewardship articles is ‘Practice generosity. Always practice generosity!” Today, even with the concerns about a recession, it still is!

These are most unusual of all unusual times. No one living has ever seen anything like it unless they were alive during the 1918-1919 pandemic, which took the lives of millions around the world. The economic struggles we have experienced in the past fifty years, however, has some familiarity to it. A few remember the great depression. Others know the volatility of the economy as it hits rough spots with recessions and near depressions. Now we have the specter of serious harm to the economy.

Researchers who study the economy and philanthropy trends have documented over many years that Americans are not particularly generous, giving away about 2% of our income. This has been documented as a historical reality. But what is very interesting is that at one point it reached 3%. Do you know when that was? The answer: during the Depression. The years 1929 – 1939 marked a terrible economic downturn for the country. Massive unemployment dogged the nation and lines stretched for blocks as people faced dire hunger, waiting to get a little bit of food. It was a long, dark period of painful memories.

What researchers tell us is that when we all had less to give we all gave more! 

This downturn in our economy is not a time to give less. Truly. Please do not hoard money you do not need while others are hurting. If you are fortunate enough to retain your job and wages, give generously as you are able to support the ongoing ministries of your church.

Let me make an appeal to my age group, senior citizens.
My wife and I are blessed to receive Social Security and a pension (thank you very much, UM’s, after 30 years of ministry!). We have some investments that further support our lifestyle. Therefore, we believe we can afford to be generous with the stimulus we expect to receive. In fact, we have covenanted to give most of it away, first to the church and secondly, to help those hit hard by loss of wages. Seniors: as you are able this is a time to ask God to show you who and how to help. (Gift cards may be best).

The churches that will be remembered fondly when this is over are the churches that stretched and supported the community in which they reside, assisting households in and out of the church family. If your church has funds earmarked for generous acts of compassion and support, do not withhold those thinking ‘we need to cut back’.

How do you want your church to be remembered a year from now?  What will the community say about your church?
So please, practice generosity. Always practice generosity!

Making the plan

In a forthcoming book and workbook that I am writing, Making the Plan, designed to help Christians do prudent planning for end-of-life issues, one of the topics I write on is making choices now so that your family does not have to, and so grief is not mixed with making uncertain decisions on your behalf.

Another topic is, documenting the furniture and other important items you have in your house, its history, and who you want to pass it along to when you are gone. (written, oral, or video) This book/workbook is the result of my Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from The Lake Institute (Indiana University School of Philanthropy). This is an excellent project during this ‘shelter-in-place’ period. See below.

Take pictures, tell the story, protect your valuables
What furniture do you have which has a family story to tell? What heirlooms are in your jewelry box that others may not know how they came to you? Take a picture and record the story so family members will not toss them out.

There is another reason for having pictures of your possessions. Whatever you have in your house is subject to the ravages of fire, tornado, floods, or other destructive elements beyond your control. If this happens your homeowner’s insurance will (hopefully) cover your costs of rebuilding. But you WILL be asked to supply in writing what your loss entailed from furniture to jewelry to clothes. I assure you, you will not be able to remember everything.

What to do? Take inventory! Take pictures! Take pictures of each room with its furniture, and each piece of furniture. Take pictures of your jewelry, the clothes hanging in your closet, the appliances. Don’t forget the garage. If you have highly valuable art/antiques/jewelry, this is especially important. This can easily be done with a camera, phone or otherwise, filming items while you walk through the house, and then storing it in the Cloud for safekeeping.  Better yet, export the pictures to a flash drive/CD, and store them in a safe deposit box or someplace absolutely secure.

Quote from State Farm: “Items destroyed in a house fire are usually covered by insurance. Typically, the homeowner’s policy is a replacement cost policy. When a loss occurs, you will receive the actual cash value of your damaged items at the time of settlement and may recover the replacement cost once the items have been replaced. To help ensure everything is accounted for, keep an inventory of your possessions. This inventory should include the date of purchase, cost at purchase and description of each item, wherever possible.”  www.StateFarm.com/simple-insights/residence/what-to-do-after-a-house-fire.
Consider scanning your receipts (if you have them) and pictures to your computer, and then transfer them on to a flash drive/CD and keep it in your safe deposit box, or some other safe back-up program.

Church Trustees
You should do the same with the furniture in your church, everywhere, in every room. Starting with the sanctuary and its sacred furniture, the organ, the stained glass, then moving to the kitchen, the furnace(s), then to the classrooms. Document everything with pictures.

Rev. David A. Rash       
Stewardship Matters of Virginia
info@StewardshipMattersVa.org    
Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising
Stewardship: It’s Not What You Think.  It’s What You Believe…and Do!


The grass keeps growing
Thank you to Tim Roberts and Richard Callis for taking care of the Church yard in April. Here is the schedule for May and June. Thank you so much!
Mow Trim Summer.JPG

Our Website is an important resource. The Bishop’s Daily prayer is there, there’s a link to our Facebook page, and you can sign up to mow and trim the church yard.  There are links to our New Grace Notes Blog, the Church Calendar, and to Donate. When you give via your Credit or Debit Card using the PayPal link, your donation goes directly to our Bank. No checks or mail to handle, or travel needed to deposit, or mask needed to protect our treasurer, financial secretary, or our bank personnel. It’s the safest way. Thank you to everyone who is giving this way!
Be sure to explore the new Grace Notes blog. We’ve had some good comments and people are finding it useful. On the right side, scroll down to find some useful links, including our Mow and Trim volunteer schedule spreadsheet. ​​ 

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