dear partners, - gracewin.org · vol. 61 no. 5 may 1—31, 2018 dear partners, summer is almost...
TRANSCRIPT
Vol. 61 No. 5 May 1—31, 2018
DEAR PARTNERS, Summer is almost upon us! Our summer programming for children and youth is right around the corner. We give thanks for all the tireless planning, by many people, that has happened since each camp last year. Thank you to our staff and volunteers who plan these wonderful programs each and every year!
There is much more to do these next weeks…will you consider helping us?
National Youth Gathering – Houston, TX – June 26-July 3 Y-Youth Camp- July 9- 13 (All youth, rising 6th-12th are invited) 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Vacation Bible School – July 16 – 20 – “Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus” - We share this longstanding ministry with Christ Episcopal Church. 9:00 a.m. – noon. Art Camp – July 23 – 27 – 9:00 a.m. – noon
As you consider helping with these ministries, we are always in need of donations of scholarships, resources, and your dedicated efforts to make summer programing at your church a success! Please contact T. Shafferman to see how you can help. Email [email protected] Cell: 327-5190 Most im portantly, please pray for the children and adults that w ill be impacted by the ministries of your church.
Your Partner in Ministry, Pastor Jonathan Boynton
We Welcome Sean Dye as Children’s Music Program Coordinator
We are excited to welcome Sean Dye as our part-time Children’s Music Program Coordinator. Sean is a junior at Shenandoah Universi-ty Conservatory, where he is working toward a Bachelor of Music degree in Church Music. He is currently serving as one of our choral scholars here at Grace singing in the choirs. Sean serves as Student Administrative Assis-tant at Shenandoah Conservatory. He is from Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, and has been active in the church since he was very young. His mother
served as the choir director, while he was growing up, and he has had years of experience in help-ing with VBS, and helping with preschool-2nd grade children, while he was in high school. He is excited about starting a children’s choir, and working with faith formation for VBS, and the Chil-dren’s Christmas program. He will also be providing some music opportunities for youth. A second person, Betty Johnson, has been hired by the preschool to serve on their staff to lead music. We will continue to financially support the preschool music program, as part of the overall Children’s Music Program of Grace. Our thanks to those who served on the Search Task Group: Gail Rush, Linda Milburn, T Shaffer-man, Dudley Oakes, Pastor Jonathan Boynton, and Pastor Martha Sims. Parents, please watch for information about children’s music programs as they develop, and encourage your children to participate.
OUR WORSHIP THIS MONTH
Saturday, May 5, 2018 – NO Grace Place – Happy Apple Blossom! Sunday, May 6, 2018 – Sixth Sunday of Easter—In John 15:9-17, on the night of his arrest, Jesus delivers a final testimony to his disciples to help them in the days ahead. Here, he repeats the most important of all his commands, that they love one another. The other readings are: Act 10:44-48, Psalm 98, and 1st John 5:1-6. We gather for two services of Holy Communion, 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018 – Grace Place – 6:00 p.m. – We gather for an informal service of Holy Commun-ion. All are welcome. Sunday, May 13, 2018 – Seventh Sunday of Easter—In John 17:6-19 the church hears Jesus’ words on the night before his death. This gospel reports the words of Jesus’ prayer, a prayer for his disciples and for all who would believe in him through their words. The readings are: Act 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1 and 1 John 5:9-13. We gather for two services of Holy Communion, 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2018 – Grace Place – 6:00 p.m. –We gather for an informal service of worship with Holy Communion accompanied by guitar and piano. Sunday, May 20, 2018 – Pentecost Sunday—On the fiftieth day of Easter we celebrate the Spirit, through whom and in whom the people of God are created and re-created. Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish thanksgiv-ing-type festival celebrated seven weeks after Passover. In Acts 2:1-21, we see that on this particular Pentecost, however, the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the entire community of believers just as Jesus had promised and the scriptures had prophesied. Empowered by the Spirit, the entire community bears witness to God’s activity in multiple languages. The other readings are: Psalm 104:13-34, 35b, Romans 8:22-27, and John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15. Services of Holy Communion are at 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. All are invited to wear the color red in celebra-tion of Pentecost. Saturday, May 26, 2018 – Grace Place – 6:00 p.m. – We gather for an informal service of Holy Commun-ion. All are welcome. Sunday, May 27, 2018 – Holy Trinity Sunday—In John 3:1-17, Jesus’ miracles prompt Nicodemus to visit him in secrecy. Jesus tells him about being born of the Spirit and about the Son who has been sent by God to save. The readings are: Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 29, and Romans 8:12-17. We gather for two services of Holy Com-munion, 8:15 and 11:00 a.m.
Hospital Visits and Privacy Laws
Pastoral Care is an important part of the ministry of the pastors of Grace, and that includes visiting when members are in the hospital or are going to have surgery. Because the hospital is not able to give out information about patients because of privacy laws, please call the church office (540-662-6678) to let the pastors know when you are in the hospital. For pastoral care emergencies after hours, please call the pastors at home:
Pastor Sims - 540-545-8410; Pastor Boynton - 540-868-8711
FOR THE RECORD “Growing in the Grace of Giving” Report of Offerings for 2018
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Our Stewardship of Worship Sunday School Grace Place 8:15 11:00 Sunrise
March 25 115 (3/24) - 27 130 147
April 1—Easter Brunch (3/31) - 38 237 313 190
April 8 77 (4/7) - 47 86 117
April 15 57 (4/14) - 20 95 102
Anticipat-ed Each
Week
Given Each Week March 25 April 1 April 8 April 15
Anticipated Year-to-
Date
Given Year-to-
Date
$8,262
$5,895.46
$11,279.50
$8,913.50
$6,283.50
$123,930
$124,282.26
$1,635
$2,154
$1,850
$1,443.25
$513
$24,525
$20,736.53
$288
$189
$0
$525.50
$282
$4,320
$3,506.26
$119
$0
$0
$0
$0
$1,785
$4,654
$5,587
$5,587
$5,587
$5,587
$5,587
$83,805
$83,805
$354
$354
$354
$354
$354
$5,310
$5,310
Revell Trust Income $290,502 budgeted for 2018.
Covenant Income Income from fees, interest, grants, $6,200 budgeted for 2018.
Faith Offerings Loose Cash/Check Giving $15,000 budgeted for 2018.
Grace Offerings Non-pledged Envelope Giving $85,000 budgeted for 2018.
Promised Offerings Pledged Envelope Giving $429,603 budgeted for 2018.
Bartko Fund $18,420 budgeted for 2018.
WEEKLY UPDATES The staff is now using Constant Contact, a new email program, to quickly and efficiently communicate with you. This method of emailing will be used for updates on opportunities in the congregation, last minute cancelations and notices that are necessary to get out quickly; such as, funerals happening be-fore the upcoming Sunday. You can sign up for Email Updates on the church website, www.gracewin.org (From home page, toward bottom left, “Join our email list” and follow prompt on the bottom of the next page). Or you can send an email to Beverly Dennis at [email protected] to request to be added to Email Updates. Please be patient as we continue to roll this out.
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FAITH FORMATION & YOUTH NEWS
W.I.L.D. Women (Willing, Inviting, Loving, Disciples)
SPRING FLING 6:00 pm May 14th at Piccadilly Brew Pub, Winchester
Please RSVP to [email protected] or 540-327-5190
Adult Spring FAITH FORMATION Opportunities. . .from 9:45-10:45 am Special Adult Forums on certain Sundays in spring; please watch the dates:
May 6 Adult Forum: The Rev. Jim Utt - Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice (he is a member of the ELCA Task group working on the document)
May 13 New Member Class – Pastor Jonathan Boynton Wired Word – Class member
May 20 New Member Class – Pastor Sims Gospel of John – Pastor Jonathan Boynton
Wired Word – Pastor George Sims
May 27 New Member Class – Pastor Martha Sims Gospel of John – Pastor Jonathan Boynton Wired Word – Pastor George Sims
June 3 Sunday School Closing Celebration
SUNDAY SUMMER ADULT FORUM
A study of the Book of Genesis Resources: Interpretation Commentary: Genesis, by Walter Brueggemann Genesis: The Book of Beginnings, by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Beginning June 24th through August 26th at 8:30 - 9:40 am in the G.M.O.C. Assembly Hall.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study - Dwelling In The Word - 7:30 am Continental Breakfast served. Come together
and prepare for worship on the coming Sunday by studying the Scripture readings ahead of time. Studying together helps Scripture come alive – Leaders: Pastor Jonathan Boynton, Pastor Martha Sims and lay leaders from the group. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Young Adult Group to meet in May for Service! Please contact Pastor Boynton [email protected] or Sara Power [email protected] to find out how you can help with Highland Food Pantry Project! Young Adults will gather at Highland food Pantry
on Tuesday, May 15th at 5:30 pm.
Women of Grace will gather again on
Tuesday, May 15th
10:30 am in the GMOC Assembly Hall
All Women of Grace are invited to attend.
Leader: Pastor Jonathan Boynton
We rejoice with the following participants
and their families upon the completion of
their First Communion Instruction. They
received their First Communion during the Easter Sea-
son. They are: Paxton Smith, Tatum Smith, and
Joshua Pecoraro.
FAITH FORMATION AND YOUTH NEWS 5
YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS:
Order Of St. John Schedule sign-up is up!
The Order of St. John Schedule is posted in the Admin. Hallway. The schedule runs - Pentecost of 2018. YOUR YOUTH is greatly needed for
this ministry and is asked to serve a minimum of four times per year.
Please sign up today!
Vacation Bible School Teachers, Assistants and Youth NEEDED!
If you are available the week of July 16-20 and enjoy having fun please contact T. Shafferman at
540-327-5190
There are lots of opportunities to serve just fill out the enclosed VBS Volunteer Form and sign-up today. Class materials, art supplies are all provided making it easy for a first time leader.
BLAST OFF FOR BOOKS
All members are encouraged to support the ELCA Youth Gathering Literacy Campaign by making a
donation to Blast Off For Books. You can find envelopes in the church coat room or by seeing
T. Shafferman. Thanks!
APPLE BLOSSOM SEATS
Fighters Parade Friday, May 4th $5.00
Grand Feature Saturday, May 5th $10.00
This Fundraiser benefits the Youth attending the 2018 Youth Gathering
We give thanks to Terry Fry & David Look for hosting this event at 24 S. Washington Street.
Jr. & Sr. Youth Group to meet Sunday, May 20th All Youth and their friends are welcome to attend Youth Group from 12:15 - 2:00 pm. Look forward to seeing you there. Sunday, June 3rd 2018 Youth Gathering Participants
to gather at 5:00 pm at 1314 Vanceright Circle, Winc. Parents/Grandparent/Sponsors are asked to attend at 7:00 pm for dessert and covenant signing. Commissioning Sunday, June 24th All Gathering participants to attend 10:00 am worship. Tuesday, June 26th 3:00 am Departure for the Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas. Return on Tuesday, July 3rd 10:00 pm
Sunday School Opening in the GMOC Assembly Hall on Sunday, May 6th, 2018 at 9:45 am sponsored by Congregation Council. Don’t miss Donut Day!
G.L.O.W. Kids - God Lights Our Way will meet after the 11:00 am service on Sunday, April 29th. At 12:30 pm in the church alley. This event is for children and their parents for grades 1st - 5th and a parent must attend. Please bring a bagged lunch with you. We will eat lunch on our hike to Bears Den. Estimated time to return back to the church is 3:30 pm. Please call T. Shafferman for more info. 540-327-5190
Sunday School Closing Celebration Scheduled for June 3rd The congregation is invited to attend our Sunday School Closing Celebration and Brunch hosted
by the Youth of Grace beginning at 9:30 am on June 3rd in the GMOC Assembly Hall.
Come and enjoy good food, fellowship and our presentation highlights from our year.
All donations will benefit the 2018 Youth Gathering to Houston, Texas.
All Gathering Participants must be present to serve. Thanks!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Registration Form
July 16-20, 2018
Rescued by Jesus!
9 am till Noon - Age 2 - Grade 6 completed
Student Name__________________________________ Birth date __________________ Age _____________ School Grade (JUST COMPLETED) _______________________ Allergies or other medical information: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent’s Name _________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City___________________ Zip Code________________ Home Phone # _________________________________ Work Phone or Cell#_____________________________ Emergency Contact & Phone #’s (Other than above)
__________________________________________________________________________________________ Brothers or Sisters (Names & Ages) _____________________________________________ Church affiliation _______________________________
Christ Episcopal Church & Grace Lutheran Church
26 West Boscawen Street Winchester, VA 22601 662-6678
Class size is taken into consideration before classroom requests can be honored. Thank you for understanding.
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Registration Form July 23-27, 2018
9 am till Noon 2nd Grade ~ 6th Grade (just completed) COST: $50 (Limited to the first forty participants) Student Name ______________________________________
Birth date______________________ Age_______________ School Grade (Just Completed) _________________________ Allergies or other medical information:___________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________
Parents Name ________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________ City________________________ Zip Code________________ Home Phone_________________________________ Work Phone or Cell____________________________ Emergency Contact Phone Numbers (Other than above) ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Brothers or Sisters (Names & Ages) ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________
Grace Lutheran Church 26 West Boscawen Street
Winchester, VA 22601 662‐6678
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PEOP LE
NEWS
In Our Prayers Members who have been in the hospital or are in need of our prayers of healing: Shelda Longerbeam, Chris Short, and Jerry McDowell. Prayers for New Life We rejoice in the birth of Everett Phillip Crumpler, daughter of Robert and AMandaCrumpler, grand-child of Scott and Christine Crumpler born on March 30, 2018. Prayers of Comfort Christian Sympathy is extended to Rich and Margaret Greenwald and family upon the death of their son-in-law, Cleveland Young. Thanks We wanted to extend our appreciation for your care and love these past few weeks following my injury. We enjoyed all the wonderful meals that were brought to us. Thank you also to the pastors and to the congregation members who reached out to us with concern and visited as well. We are very thank-ful! Rob Riley and family Dear Grace Friends: I am already a month past stem cell transplant, am back with my brother, and am told by doctors I’m at the head of my class! Your faithful prayers played a large part in this, and I thank you deeply! Checkups continue thru June. Peace- Daniel Hannemann Dear Friends, On behalf of The Laurel Center, I would like to thank you for your generous gift of $3,328. Your commitment to helping victims and survivors of do-mestic and sexual violence in our community is sin-cerely appreciated.
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Each year The Laurel Center continues to ad-vance its mission of ending sexual and domestic violence in our community. Through our emer-gency shelter and counseling programs we have seen many lives changed for the better. Our goal is to make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering because of domestic or sexual violence. With the help of donations from supporters like you we will! Lives will be changed. Thanks again for your kind support of our efforts to end sexual and domestic violence in our com-munity. In Peace, Faith B. Power, Ed.D. Executive Director Dear Grace, The gift of $2500 from Grace’s Mission Endow-ment Fund is a true blessing for students at 10 Frederick County elementary and middle schools. Because of your congregation’s generosity, stu-dents in the Out-Patient Mental Health Program (OMH) will soon be able to experience a more in-viting space when they arrive for their counseling sessions. Winchester is known for having beautiful or-chards, and I am reminded of a quote by author Karen Jensen “You can count the seeds in an ap-ple, but you can’t count the apples in a seed.” With this gift, Grace is joining LFSVA in planting seeds of health and hope in the Winchester/Frederick County community. Thank you. Sincerely, Ray R. Ratke Chief Executive Officer Lutheran Family Services of Virginia
Thank You, Choral Scholars!!
It has been our joy to have four choral scholars from Shenandoah Music Conservatory with us this year to enrich our worship. Their school year is almost at an end and we will say goodbye to them (except Sean; see front page article), until, we hope, they come back in the fall. The program has been of mutual benefit as they gain experience in the worship of the church, and receive scholarships from us, and we have been enriched by their lovely singing with our choirs, and as quartets and soloists. We send them off with our thanks and our prayers for a good and rejuvenating summer. Sean Dye is a junior, church m usic major from Spring Grove, Pa. Catherine Lupien is a junior , vocal performance major from Springfield, MA Katie Ballou, is a freshm an, m usic education major from Springfield, VA AJ Jones is a freshm an, m usic education m ajor from Annapolis, MD
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The Nurture Corner
from Nurture Ministry Council and the Faith Community Nurses
Wellness Opportunities at Grace
Labyrinth Prayer Walks in the Easter season Wednesdays, April 4 – May 16; 9:10 – 9:45 a.m.
(after morning Bible study) at the Grace Prayer Labyrinth at Mt. Hebron Cemetery
We will meet at the Labyrinth to walk and pray together for a half hour in the fresh spring air (weather permitting).
Weight-loss Support Group ~
Stewardship of the gift of physical health ~ a 10-week support group at Grace: learn more about how nutrition
and wellness practices can support weight loss. Provides group members accountability and support.
~ Cost: A fee is required. Payable at registration, no refund for missed classes. Limit of 10 people.
~ When: Thursday evenings, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.; 10 weeks, April 19 -June 21, 2018.
~ Leader: Susie Carter has served as a Health Educator for Valley Health, has her B.S. degree in Community Nutrition from Virginia Tech. She is a weight management coach, spinning instructor and former Weight Watchers leader. For more information about the group contact Pastor Martha Sims, 540-662-6678 / [email protected].
Service and Outreach Helping Hands for the month
Donations needed for May to help the Homeless—CCAP
+ Can Meats with self-opening lids + Tuna, sardines, potted meat, etc. + packaged plasticware for eating that comes with carryout.
Please drop these items in the wooden food boxes in Narthex or Administration Building.
Highland Food Pantry +We will get to serve our neighbors in need by
helping this ministry. + May 15th we will meet in Church alley to
carpool at 5:30 or arrive at Highland Presbyterian Church at 5:45.
+Please sign up on our website under Service and Outreach Ministry or let Pastor Boynton know you are planning to come so that he can let the pantry plan accordingly.
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CHANCEL FLOWERS
Opportunities for donating Chancel Flowers are available May 13, 20, and 27, and the entire months of June and July. Please note: After 20 plus years, our florist
has needed to make changes to their payment system and orders now require prepayment. Call Joan in the church office (662-6678) for more details and/or to reserve your Sunday!
Grace Lutheran Preschool
Congregation Council Highlights
On Sunday, April 8, 2018, the Congregation Council met for it’s regular monthly meeting. The following are highlights of the meeting:
Approved hiring Sean Dye as the Children’s Mu-sic Program Coordinator. The Search Committee unanimously recommended that the Part-time Children’s Music Program Coordinator position be split into two: Sean Dye to be hired as Part-time Children’s Music Program Coordinator for Grace programs, and the Preschool has already hired a part-time music leader for their staff, which we will support. Sean currently serves as one of our Choral Scholars. More information is included in a separate article in this issue of
TIDINGS. Approved Mark McKee to be one of our Lay Vot-
ing Members to the Virginia Synod Assembly in June 2018. Our Lay Voting Members to Assembly are: Sharon Gray, Anne Ashby, Dakota Reed, Christie McKee, and Mark McKee. Our voting members to Youth Assembly are: Daniel Marsden, Karli Schildknecht, and Grace Dennis. Mairi Bachman w ill be attending as a member of the Lutheran Youth Organization Board (LYO).
Approved two facilities use requests, including one from the Islamic Society of Winchester and the Valley Interfaith Council for the Know Your Neighbor Iftar event on May 27th, when they will break the Ramadan fast with a shared meal. This event was held at Grace last year as well.
Approved changes to the Grace Lutheran Pre-school By-Laws.
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Tables of Grace
Lunch Saturday, May 19, 2018
11:30 a.m. at Magnolias at the Mill
198 N. 21st Street Purcellville, VA 20132
(540) 338-9800
10:45 a.m. carpool from Alley behind church
R.S.V.P. to Kay Hallett by Thursday, May 17th
703-795-0740 [email protected]
At Grace Lutheran Preschool we learn and grow in a faithful community! W e have adopt-ed this as our mission statement and believe strongly in what we provide developmentally, academically, and faithfully to our preschoolers.
What a wonderful year we have had! Our stu-dents have had a happy and fun school year with lots of hands on learning, special guests, active field trips, and successful learning experiences. We are proud of our 35 graduates and wish them the best of success in the future! We thank our families for their continu-ous support. With the help of our preschool and church families, we had a very successful year!
Happy summer everyone!
You’re Invited!
Grace Lutheran Preschool Graduation
Friday, May 18th at 6:00pm
Sanctuary
Historical Tidbit: : Pastor George Spener Bowers Last month this column noted that it was 100 years since the installation of our glorious stained glass windows. This occurred during the time when George Spener Bowers was our pastor (1902-1918). This spring our church was contacted by a grandson of Pastor Bowers and he and his friend, Nanette Crowdus, came from the Culpeper area to visit Grace Church on Thursday, March 1. John Pennington Bow-ers is a retired U. S. Navy commander and brought to us the annual parish record notebooks kept by his grandfather while he served Grace in Winchester. During the visit, Mary Froehlich, Catharine Prusch and Pastor Boynton learned many details about Pastor Bowers and his family. Several generations of Bowers men were Ger-man Lutheran pastors in Maryland (Clear Spring, Ca-tonsville, Baltimore). For a brief time in 1850, George’s father, Henry Grove Bow-
ers, was associated with Bethel Lutheran in Frederick County. George’s mother attended the first Lutheran boarding school for girls in Clear Spring, MD. This school was opened by D. F. Bittle who later became the first president of Roanoke College and who also is an ancestor of Pattie Bailey, a member of Grace. A study of the parish record notebooks we received will yield more interesting stories we are sure! Pastor Bowers successfully attended to many issues during his sixteen years at Grace. A second fire in a stable to the rear of the church caused damage to the 1901 renovations. The furnace gave continual problems and often there was water in the basement area. The fire also damaged the 1901 organ, which was finally re-placed in 1914. The congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1903. Strong support was given to mis-sionary work in Japan, especially to L. S. G. Miller who was sent from Grace in 1907, and to the church in Ha-kata and the boys’ school in Kumamoto. The Brevitt Chime and the 12 stained glass windows were installed in 1917-18. The 400th Anniversary of the Reformation was marked in 1918. Pastor Bowers received his D.D. degree from Roanoke College in 1908. From then until 1914, he served as president of the Virginia Synod. He served as a delegate to the convention of 1918, which created the United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA) from the United Synod of the South and smaller groups. His two sons served in the military during World War I, but local hysteria against all things German disparaged his patriot-ism and he submitted his resignation. He served other churches in Maryland, until he retired and moved to Norfolk to live with his son Hubert, father of our guest John Pennington Bowers. George S. Bowers died Octo-ber 31, 1949, three weeks after his wife died. We thanked John Pennington Bowers for the parish records. He thanked us for sharing our infor-mation about his grandfather so that he, his brother, and his children, can know more personal facts about their ancestor and his work at our church.
Mary Froehlich Archivist
Stephen Ministry
What Do Stephen Ministers Do? Stephen Ministers offer caring Christian friendship and concerned listening to people when they need it most. If you are going through a tough time and could use a caring friend, call Christie McKee at (540) 431-1932 or talk to Pastor Boynton or Pastor Sims for a referral, w e can help. If you would like more information about applying and training to become a Stephen Minister, please m ark your calendars for May 20 following the 11:00 service to get a taste, we plan to have an informational luncheon. We look forward to seeing you there.
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John Pennington Bowers
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Refugee Resettlement 2017
A Memorable Day of Endless Joy!
Do you remember the day you moved into your home? When we moved to Winchester, our arrival was four days before the big snow in January 2016. Our refugee family will remember moving as the culmination of twelve months of building and working on their own and two other Habitat houses, two plus weeks of packing, eight hours of moving and hours of settling into their new home. For the members of Grace Lutheran, it was Easter Saturday, the middle of the celebration of Easter. Knowing this, the team requested help from the Islamic Community in Winchester, especially if the move was to carry over into Easter Sunday. On Saturday morning at 8:15, the first pickup arrived and our haulers went into the rental’s main dining room and found the family had stacked it full
(!) with packed boxes. Each of the family carried boxes and suitcases to the truck including the youngest Bilal (K). There was an air of excitement. The family had marked each box, but written in Arabic, so we took the teenage son, Moataz, along to translate as we unloaded and he told us where to put each box. This process went quickly in the loading and unloading and the truck made two more trips. On the third trip back it was found that the main team had arrived with five vehicles, another pickup and four SUVs, lined up on Valley Ave being loaded. That convoy departed for Highland Ave to unload as the original pickup team moved into line to load up. We loaded more and dad, Emad, awaited the arrival of the big moving truck from a member of the Mosque to pick up larger furniture, refrigerator, washer and freezer. Help came from David and Joyce Ray, Emily Thomas, Wally Johnson, and Jim Anderson. The move was assisted by Nawal Sulimen, who has translated for the family on HFH projects, and her hus-band plus members of the Mosque and friends who loaned trucks and muscles. After many of the boxes arrived, Emily, Joyce, and Nawal set about helping mom, Eman, and Zainab, age 9, unpack and put things into cupboards. All deliveries were finished by 3 pm and one final trip was made back to their rental for missed items. We found the kids, each wrapped in the joyous process of unpacking in their ‘own’ room. But many boxes remained for the family to unpack as we celebrated Easter Sunday. Things began to settle in as the move was completed. Emad continues his new job at Shenandoah University, and as this is published, Eman will have started her job working in the cafeteria of SU. The kids have stayed in their Winchester schools, but using different buses to get there. It has been a journey beginning in January 2014 by leaving a war zone, living in Amman Jordan, without jobs or schools, travelling to Winchester, living in a rental and helping to build their Habitat home, and getting green cards. March 31, 2018 will be a special and memorable and joyous date for them. -- submitted by Jim Anderson on behalf of the Grace Refugee Support Team
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Footnote Grace Lutheran can be proud. April 18, after emailing his Refugee Resettlement Report submission to Beverly for inclusion in the May TIDINGS , Jim Anderson (and Margaret), Em ad, Em an, Moataz, and David Ray attended the Winchester-Frederick-Clarke Habitat for Humanity Annual Awards Banquet. Unbeknownst to Jim and Moataz, they were to be recognized for: Hours of Service-Bronze Award to Jim for over 100 hours of service, Compassionate Service Award to Jim, for his coordination of the Alnajar’s Habitat experience, including transportation, arranging for translators, and recruiting volun-teers, and the Youth Award to Moataz, for his leadership, faithful translation for his family, and untiring hard work on behalf of his family as they have endeavored to build a life and home in Winchester. Mem-ber, Lessa Mayfield, won the Special Project Award as the architect who designed the house. The congre-gation was also recognized with the Interfaith Partner Award, “In Grateful Recognition of your Outstand-ing Service to the People of the City of Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia” as it has led by exam-ple, resettling the Alnajar family in this, our community.
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GODFREY MILLER FELLOWSHIP CENTER SCHEDULE
May 1—31, 2018
For a full calendar of upcoming events check our website www.godfreymillerhome.org. If you have any questions or to sign up, please call
667-5869 and ask for Sharon Thornton ([email protected]).
Tues. 5/1— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Canasta 10:30 am Painting Class 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Wed. 5/2— 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class Thurs. 5/3— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:30 am Computer Class 11:00 am Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Chair Yoga Mon. 5/7— 10:00 am Hand and Foot 10:00 am Mahjong! 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class 7:00 pm Bowers Bridge Tues. 5/8— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Canasta 10:00 am Teddy Bear Hugs 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate
Thurs. 5/17— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:30 am Computer Class 11:00 am Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 1:00 pm Bingo and Ice Cream Social 2:00 pm Chair Yoga Mon. 5/21— 10:00 am Chinese Mahjong! 10:00 am Hand and Foot 10:00 am Mahjong! 12:00 noon Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class 7:00 pm Bowers Bridge
Tues. 5/22— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Canasta 10:30 am Painting Class 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Wed. 5/23— 7:15 am Board the bus for Lancaster to Sight and Sound 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 11:45 pm Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class
Thurs. 5/24— 10:00 am Mahjong! 11:00 am Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Chair Yoga Mon. 5/28— CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY Tues. 5/29— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Canasta 10:30 am Painting Class 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Wed. 5/30— 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 1:00 pm Sing your favorite old hymns with Melody Garrett 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class Thurs. 5/31— 10:00 am Mahjong! 11:00 am Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Chair Yoga
Celebrate our 65th Anniversary on Friday May 18, 2018. See above for details!
Wed. 5/9— 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class Thurs. 5/10— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:30 am Computer Class 11:00 am Party Bridge 11:00 am MOBB 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Chair Yoga Mon. 5/14— 10:00 am Hand and Foot 10:00 am Mahjong! 12:00 noon Kiwanis 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class 7:00 pm Bowers Bridge
Tues. 5/15— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Canasta Class 10:00 am Belle Amies Book Club 10:30 am Painting Class 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Wed. 5/16— 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class
To Celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the
Godfrey Miller Home and Fellowship Center
You Are Invited to a Fund Raising Party
At the Alexander Baker House
24 South Washington Street*
Winchester, Virginia
May 18, 2018, 5:30-8:30 PM
$65 per couple, $32.50 for a single ticket
Call 540-667-5869 for reservations by Tuesday, May 8th
Space is limited
Tax deductible as allowed by law. Drawing by Kate Schultz Because of possible damage to the parquet floors, please no spike high-heel shoes.
*only 2 steps if you use the Wolfe Street Entrance www.godfreymillerhome.org
THE PEOPLE OF GRACE - THE MINISTERS Martha Miller Sims - Pastor ([email protected]) Jonathan M. Boynton—Pastor ([email protected]) Dudley Oakes– Director of Music/Organist ([email protected]) Joan R. Carroll - Parish Secretary ([email protected]) Teresa “T” Shafferman- Dir., Faith Formation & Youth Min. ([email protected])
Beverly Dennis - Parish Administrative Assistant ([email protected]) Robert Taylor - Facilities Manager ([email protected])
Brenda Miles - Sexton Berni Sisler—Assistant Sexton Sean Dye—Children’s Music Program Coordinator Suzanne Reid - Assistant Treasurer ([email protected]) Erin Ritchey - Nursery Attendant; Jeanette Kline - ESL Nursery Erin Reeve and Lisa Zerull - Faith Community Nurses ([email protected])
Jennifer Strickler - Dir., Preschool ([email protected])
Theresa Roberson - Interim Dir., TEAM Grace ([email protected])
Sharon Thornton - Dir., Godfrey Miller Fellowship Center, ([email protected]) James H. Utt - Retired, Pastor Emeritus
SUNDAY SCHEDULE Worship Service: 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion is celebrated at all services. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Grace Place: Saturdays - 6:00 p.m.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 26 W. Boscawen Street Winchester, VA 22601 Return Service Requested
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID WINCHESTER, VA
PERMIT NO. 96
The deadline for input to the next issue of TIDINGS (covering June 1—30, 2018)
is 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2018.
Summer Programming here at Grace
New Children’s Music Program Coordinator hired
Get signed up for the weekly update email
W.I.L.D. Women Spring Fling ~ May 14 at Piccadilly Pub
Thank you to our Choral Scholars
Service and Outreach helping hands and Nurture Corner
Stephen Ministry hosts an informal luncheon on May 20
Godfrey Miller Home Fund Raising Party ~ May 18
OFFICE HOURS
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday -
Friday
Telephone: 540.662.6678 FAX: 540.662.6682
E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.gracewin.org
Preschool: 540.678.0635 T.E.A.M. Grace: 540.450.1576
Godfrey Miller Center: 540.667.5869
Prayer Team We invite all who are interested in caring for others through prayer to join the prayer team. Contact Becky Swanson Stern, at [email protected].
Prayers for those in our Military Services
should include: Seth Anton, Brian Baker,
Brett Bozeman, Stuart Carper, Elizabeth Grove, Ben Grove, Mitra Haines, John Lyons,
Tyler Manuel, Kristjan Rauhaula, Brandon Reeve, Ted Schulz,
Christine Sears, Danny Smith and Scott Zerull.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church is a
Stephen Ministry Congregation.