DECEMBER 2014

The past year at Embrace has been a wild ride. Almost six months ago I became the Lead Pastor after the

founding pastor and my friend, Rosario Picardo, moved to Ohio to work at Ginghamsburg UMC. Back in 2006 when I became the youth pastor at The

Rock/La Roca UMC (now Embrace’s

Epworth Campus) I would have never imagined that I would eventually become the pastor. My wife, Laura, and

I are honored and excited to be on this journey with the Embrace family. God is up to something in our community. This past year we have seen people give

their lives to Jesus, kick addictions, find

friendship and community, mature in their faith, meet people from other cultures, grow into effective leaders, and

find Jesus through worship and serving others. Please enjoy seeing the faces and hearing stories of people who have been changed by the love of Christ.

-Pastor John

The Lord Provides: Stories of God’s Faithfulness

ON LABOR DAY WE CELEBRATED GOD’S FAITHFULNESS BY THROWING A BIG PARTY WITH OVER 300 NEIGHBORS.

EMBRACE CHURCH

Partners: We can’t do it alone.At Embrace we have important partners that help us make a significant impact in our downtown and North Lexington communities.

We recognize that there are organizations, churches, and ministries that are doing the good work that we want to see happen in our community. Our current and future

partnerships are invaluable to our ministry.

SOME OF OUR PARTNERS:Common GoodCommon Good is Embrace’s primary partner for ministry among children, youth, and

families in the neighborhood surrounding our Epworth Campus. They provide after-school and summer programming in the basement of

our Epworth Campus four days a week for over 50 students in grades K-12. Our pastor and his wife, Laura Gallaher, founded Common Good three years ago. Laura now serves as

the Executive Director.

Lexington Rescue MissionThe Lexington Rescue Mission provides a resource counselor at our Epworth Campus

each Monday afternoon for folks needing help making positive change in their lives.

Southside Church of ChristThe youth and campus ministries from

Southside each commit to one Monday per month to help us run the Gathering.

First UMC at AndoverThe folks at First UMC at Andover are faithfully committed to keeping our food

pantry stocked by providing food donations each month.

Southern Hills UMCSouthern Hills provides backpacks stocked

with food for students across the street at Arlington Elementary to take home on the weekends.

Immanuel Baptist ChurchImmanuel Baptist helps us throw events to help the community. They also offer a financial literacy course at our Epworth Campus.

DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY

OUR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS AT THE KENTUCKY THEATER IN THE HEART OF LEXINGTON REACHES MANY FOLKS WHO LIVE ON THE STREETS AND IN SHELTERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. WE ALSO HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO ATTEND.

EPWORTH COMMUNITY

THE EPWORTH CAMPUS IS GENERATIONALLY, ETHNICALLY, AND RACIALLY DIVERSE. WE ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE FAMILIES CONNECTING TO THIS WORSHIP SERVICE. OUR NURSERY CONTINUES TO GROW EACH MONTH. THE EPWORTH FELLOWSHIP HAS BEEN SERVING ITS NEIGHBORHOOD FOR MANY DECADES.

GATHERING COMMUNITY

THE GATHERING IS A UNIQUE COMMUNITY THAT MEETS ON MONDAY EVENINGS AT 6PM TO SHARE A FREE MEAL, FELLOWSHIP, AND WORSHIP TOGETHER. DOORS OPEN AT 4PM SO PEOPLE CAN COME HAVE SNACKS, DRINK COFFEE, AND ENJOY EACH OTHER’S COMPANY. EACH FAMILY CAN TAKE HOME A FOOD BAG AS A GIFT FROM EMBRACE.

During 2014 the Gathering grew tremendously, nearly tripling in size. The Monday events have expanded as

people now receive more than food; along with Lexington Rescue Mission we help with issues from housing to transportation, laundry detergent and

our regular gifts of a nutritious meal and a nonperishable food bag.

It is a community where people from all

walks of life come together to form friendships as they serve, worship, and fellowship. Lines between guests and

hosts are being blurred. Folks who originally came for a hot meal are now cooking, cleaning, leading worship, and doing dishes while folks who came to

serve and being served as they are transformed by the welcome of a community that embodies the name

“Embrace.”

At a recent charge conference Pastor Justin spoke about the impact the Gathering has on people’s lives. He told

the group a few stories about people’s lives that are being reshaped because of their time at the Gathering. Francie, our volunteer bus driver, has told her

friends and family that Monday nights are her sacred time because there is not a place she would rather be for

those few hours than at the Gathering. Michael, our lead cook, has gone from a stranger to the church to a leader in it.

“Knickerbocker” was once searching for a place to belong and he has found it on the Monday night worship team.

The Gathering is growing and thriving

not primarily because of the efforts of those who hold leadership titles, but because people are building friendships

with one another, and they want others to experience those uplifting relationships as well.

The Gathering is no longer an outreach ministry of Embrace; it is Embrace, just as our other two communities are Embrace!

The Gathering: Service, Worship, and Friendship

NEW MEMBERS!

THE MOORE FAMILY

PATRICK BROWN

ANGEL LONG

“THE GATHERING IS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE I FEEL FULLY HUMAN.” -Gathering attendee

Embrace Church is a big, diverse, loving family. This fall

we welcomed some new people into our family!

Address: 1015 N. Limestone St. Lexington, KY 40505

Email: info@embraceyourcity.com

Phone: (859) 309-3862

Web: www.embraceyourcity.com

DID YOU KNOW???

•In 2014 we served over

10,000 meals out of our

kitchen at The Gathering and

Common Good’s programs!

CONTACT INFO:

Name: ____________________

Address: __________________

City/State/Zip: ______________

Phone: ____________________

Email: ____________________

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING EMBRACE FINANCIALLY DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

GIVING OPTIONS:

I would like to sponsor _____ meal(s) at the Gathering.

($200 per meal)

I would like to become a monthly supporter of Embrace Church and give $_____ each month.

(recurring donations are possible through our online giving platform)

I would like to give a one-time donation of $_________.

All donations are tax-deductible. Please detach this portion of the newsletter and send with your donation.

If you would like claim your donation on your 2014 tax return please make sure your donation is received or postmarked by December 31st.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:EMBRACE CHURCH1015 N. Limestone St.Lexington, KY 40505

GIVE ONLINE AT:Follow instructions at:www.embraceyourcity.com/give

EMBRACE CHURCH1015 N. Limestone St.Lexington, KY 40505