Grace Notes The monthly newsletter of Grace Lutheran Church

Davenport, Iowa

May 2020 Issue 78-5

A Message from Pastor Stephanie

Have you ever done the children’s rhyme in which you bring your two hands together interweaving your fingers into a gathered fist and say, “here is the church.” Then you place your two pointer fingers togeth-er as you recite, “here is the steeple.” Soon you open the door also known as your thumbs and as you flip your hands inside out you see all the flailing fingers representing all the people. I grew up hearing this rhyme. Now as we look forward to the upcoming celebration of Pentecost on May 31st and as I consider how we have been the church in the time of pandemic, well, I find this rhyme to be inadequate. What is the church? Is the church the four walls of a building? Certainly we use the term “church” as a noun to describe the building but in the process of this use of the word, have we limited its intent? If we back track and go back to the roots, back to the original meaning of the word church we encounter the Greek word “ekklesia.” You can break down the word into two root words, ek means “out from and to,” and kaleo “to call.” We are called out by someone and for something. Cont’d pg. 2

Cont’d. pg. 1 On Pentecost, the holy festival in which we remember the start of the ekklesia, the beginning of the church. We remember how the Holy Spirit in Acts came blowing into the room and suddenly the gospel was able to be spread to all nations. The community of believers had been filled with the Spirit and sent to share the good news. Our mission, is to share the Good News, in which “the holy catholic church is the community in which divine love is embodied and which carries that divine mis-sion of announcing and enacting this love in all the world.”[2] We are called to enact God’s love! We, the church, the people – we carry and embody God’s love. Dear church, dear ekklessia, at Pentecost, on Sundays and in our day to day lives we are called from the world, to be for the world. God’s presence in the world, the church. Even if it means the church building remain empty, the church, the people still have a purpose. To gather, to be fed by the Spirit and to be called out to share that good news and embody God’s divine love. It may look different these days. It may mean sending someone a link to our worship videos or inviting someone to the Zoom Bible Study. Perhaps you tell stories over the phone to your grandchildren about why being the church is important to you. Maybe it means sewing masks, sending cards or filling little pantries within our community. So I ask again, what is the church? Perhaps, the question is fallible and asks a question solely per-taining to the noun form of a church. Maybe the question we ought to ask ourselves is - How are we the Church? How can we BE the church? What would this children’s rhyme entail? God’s peace, Pastor Stephanie

COUNCIL NEWS

Grace Council met on Monday, April 27, to discuss the suspension of in-person ser-vices and activities at Grace. Two teams are being formed to assess this situation. The When Team will meet to discuss when we will resume in person gatherings. The How Team will determine what safety measures and adaptations are required when we return. The plan will be presented to the Council at their regular meeting on May 11th. We will keep you updated as plans unfold.

Merciful God - Full of gratitude we come to you, so that you take us in your hands and save us from all evil. We are in your hands of mercy. In this time of pandemic we have many risks: the risk of distancing ourselves, the risk of forgetting your love, the risk of falling in-to despair. May your Holy Spirit fill us with strength and hope to endure and en-dure this time of uncertainty. Come Holy Spirit to our sister Churches in Iowa and Illinois and for each and every one of our brothers and sisters in the United States. Our faith and hope is to be close to each other in solidarity and love. Jesus the Risen One fill us with his Grace to know how to walk with wisdom in this time. Amen.

WELCA (Southeastern Iowa Synodical Women) Convention

This is an update regarding the SEIA Convention/Gathering which was

planned for June this summer. Due to the virus conditions, the Board has

decided to reschedule our convention from June to October 16-17, 2020

at Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids. Our Grace WELCA Board will consider

who to send as a delegate to the convention later this summer.

Hopefully things will be much better by the end of August and we will

be able to make definite plans for meeting and learning about the work

going on at the Synodical level in Southeastern Iowa. We have lots of

wonderful & exciting possibilities for learning and being inspired in our

faith journey. The Board is keeping all of you in their prayers and asking

God to watch over your lives every day.

Linda Kortemeyer, President, Grace Lutheran Women in Davenport.

Mask Mission, Grace Lutheran Spring, 2020 Grace has lots of generous folks as to time and skills – we are all familiar with the beautiful quilts for LWR created each year, we know about the milk ministries and community meals done by Grace members. When the need for fabric face masks arose in March of this year, Grace heard the call and jumped in. First steps – after the need for fabric face masks was identified, a group of us divvied up tasks. I checked with Genesis Health System as to the mask recommendations and plans for collection. Next step was recruiting the mask makers – there are several very cohesive quilting groups, who quickly agreed to help; others volunteered on top of that. Turns out that most “sew-er’s” had plenty of fabric, many had bias tape to use for ties but elastic was in short supply. It has become the new toilet paper. Calling around to local stores yielded some, we ordered additional online. Mask making and packing was standardized. We decided to limit the number of supply and mask distributors, for infection control concern. Genesis had designated the Salvation Army as the central supply coordinator; they were pleased to learn Grace was making donations to vulnerable populations. Next, the offer was extended to Grace members via email and phone calls. Folks called in with their requests, Sue Keller developed a very fine spread sheet. Deliveries were made by Ken Krumwiede, Janice Gibbs and myself. Lindsey Brigg-Spies heard about our project and requested some for her work at World Relief in Moline. Our mask makers did the hard work, we distributors got to receive the heart-felt thanks. Gloria Lange (her son-in-law is a Genesis administrator) has made many for Genesis as well as specific covers for the N95 respirators. Claudia has taken on supplying folks at Café on Vine. Additional groups that received masks– the BRICK House, food pantry at St Mark’s Lutheran Church, Humility of Mary Homeless Shelter, the Center, Lutheran Ser-vices in Iowa (a specific request relayed from Claire Johansen to Gloria Lange), Salvation Army cen-tral collection site, MEDIC, Genesis Medical Center, Milestones, the SAFER youth program, the YWCA domestic violence center in Dubuque and the Petersen Commons. Team members, making or distributing masks: Kathy Higgins, Kathy Parrish, Kathy Miller, Elizabeth Linde, Gloria Lange, Linda Ruggeberg, Gail Walton, Sue Keller, Claudia Wood, Michelle Campbell (neighbor), Linda Halverson (friend), Janice Gibbs, Jim Bayles, Ken Krumwiede, Colleen Willman, Deb Gustafson Comments: From Deb Gustafson: Hi Becky and Grace mask crew! One of the areas I currently supervise is a Domestic Violence Shelter in Dubuque Iowa. These women have severe issues related to the circumstances they are fleeing from. I have nine staff including myself that must go in and out of the facility to help these women with their most imme-diate needs. I currently have six women and four children that are client / residents of the facili-ty. Since this is a communal living situation we have asked them to shelter in place as much as possible however some of them work or have appointments that are unavoidable. We have plenty of gloves available but were unable to purchase any masks. The generous dona-tion of masks allows my staff and clients to do what we need to do and stay as safe as possible! I have attached a picture of my daughter and myself modeling the masks as well as a picture of a brochure for the facility. Thank you for your kind and generous support! God's Blessings to you and the mask team! Cont’d. on Page 5

Cont’d. from Page 4: From Pastor Kris Dohrmann (her in-laws are Grace members) Hi, Becky. I saw Shirley (from the porch) last Tuesday, I think the day you dropped off the masks, and she modeled it for me and said she would be wearing it to the store on Thursday….Thank you for dropping those off, if you wouldn't have gave them masks, they would be going out with noth-ing. Kris Next? Many of the mask makers are willing to continue making masks, once we get more elastic in! My hope is to have a stack at church for folks to use as desired, when we do begin to meet together again plus I would like to continue distribution to sites serving the most vulnerable populations. Some have offered to make me a supply to bring to our friends in Guatemala, if our trip is able to go as planned in August. Lutheran World Relief is asking for masks also. I have promised a big mask party once we can party again! I am so thankful to be part of this. ~ Dr. Becky Wiese

BLOOD DONATION INFORMATION Grace’s blood drive scheduled for Thursday, May 14, has been

moved to Thursday, July 2. Anyone that is inter-

ested in donating before the new date is encour-

aged to call the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood

Center (563-359-5401) and make an appointment.

Questions or more info? Please contact Mark Jep-

son call/text 563-508-9091 or

Email majepson55@netsscape.net.

Take Care During Times of Stress A Message from Nancy Bleuer, Parish Nurse

Emotional Care __Process your feelings in a healthy way (journaling, talking, crying…) __Set boundaries when needed __Stay connected to good people __Take a break from negative social media and news __Keep your sense of humor Spiritual Care __Soak up Scripture __Fill your mind with other uplifting truth __Pour out your heart to God in prayer __Be still... and listen __Thank the Lord for the blessings you do have Physical Care __Nurture yourself via all five senses __Allow yourself plenty of sleep and rest __Continue necessary medical care __Focus on quality nutrition __Get regular exercise and fresh air These steps will not only prove to be a lifeline in times of crisis, but valuable habits to incorporate in everyday life. When we intentionally cultivate our relationship with the Lord, and take care of ourselves in many other ways, we actually grow. We learn. We benefit. And we emerge stronger and more resilient than we would have if we just picked up where we left off. The best news of all is that when we choose to trust our Creator and Savior by receiv-ing His gift of salvation and eternal life, He will preserve us and care for us forever. When the current crisis is behind us, I think there will be a marked difference be-tween those who merely survived instinctively, and those who chose to thrive inten-tionally. I hope to be part of that victory.

To all my family at Grace, A big thank you for

thinking of me at Easter with your blessings for a

Happy Easter, whether it be note, phone or card.

It was much appreciated.

~ Con-E Osmers

Hope at the BRICK House

(Building Relationships In Christ’s Kingdom)

We are starting to plan for the May 29 meal. At this time,

the meals are not served at The Brick House’ physical loca-

tion but are prepared and distributed by the staff to homes

of the clients. Currently, they are distributing 80 lunches

which includes older siblings of those attending the even-

ing meals.

Our original plan for the meals was to allow volunteers to

decide on the menu for the meal and we are still agreeable

to this plan. The meal should consist of an entrée, starch,

vegetable/fruit and dessert, keeping in mind that most of

the clients are children. Entrée suggestions are spaghetti,

crock pot lasagna, tacos, sloppy joes, hot dogs, etc.

We will be in discussions with the Director in early May to

better determine numbers being served and how best to meet

their needs during this pandemic. In the meantime, keep in

mind they can use financial donations to supplement their

needs.

Please contact Kathy Higgins at 563-386-4526 or

khiggins4667@gmail.com to volunteer for this ministry of

our congregation. In the meantime, be well and wash your

hands!

During this time when we are not together, the mail and messages at the Office will be checked daily, Monday-Friday. If you have an emergent need, please call Sue Keller, office manager, at 563-326-0940. We are here to help you in anyway needed while the building is closed.

You have remained in our thoughts and prayers. We know that these

are unusual times and that everyone is adapting their lives to care for their health and the health of their neighbor. Thank you for your tireless support of the ministry of Grace as many of you have mailed in checks or are giving through Simply Giving.

Offerings may be given in the following ways: 1) Mail your giving envelope to the church office at 1140 E. High Street, Davenport, IA 52803 or 2) Join Simply Giving which is a way to ensure, rain or shine, your offering will reach Grace by automatic withdrawal. To join, complete a Simply Giving and return it to Grace. Our mail will be checked daily throughout the work-week. Lastly, we know that for some of you, your financial situation has become strained in this time of COVID-19 and the financial market uncertainty. If you find yourself in need of assistance, please contact Pastor Stephanie so that we may support you.

May you find some hope and comfort in the words of Isaiah: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:10, 13

STAFF

Pastor Stephanie Wood

pastorstephanie@

gracewelcomesyou.org

Dr. Becky Wiese, Deacon

rlawmd@yahoo.com

Nancy Bleuer, BSN, RN, Parish Nurse

nancy.bleuer4@yahoo.com

Sue Keller, Office Manager

office@gracewelcomesyou.org

Jake Bayles, Custodian

custodian@gracewelcomesyou.org

Claudia Wood, Treasurer

Sally Meier, Adult Choir Director

Dan Haugen, Contemporary Music

David McVay, Children’s Choir Dir.

Kathi Parrish, Accompanist

Susan Senn, Organist

Parish Nurses: Nancy Bleuer, Linda

Ruggeberg, Cindy Meierbachtol, Diana

Sanderson

Worship via

Video from

Pastor Stephanie

Youtube:

Grace Lutheran, Davenport

Grace Notes Is published monthly by Grace Lutheran Church

1140 E. High Street Davenport, IA 52803

www.gracewelcomesyou.org

563-322-0769

A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran

Church of America

THIS MONTH:

Mondays—Devotion shared through email

Thursday—Health News Video shared

through email from Nancy Bleuer, Parish

Nurse; Weekly Update

Sunday—Worship Video from Pr. Stephanie

Due to the issues created by Covid19, we will not

be holding the Grace Garden Party this June.

Please share this with your friends and neighbors,

as so many have participated in this event. Our

next Grace Garden Party will be held on June 13th,

2021.