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IN THIS ISSUE
Celebrating God’s love, seeking God’s direction together June 2013
Scriptures, Greeters, etc. 2
Calendar 3
Youth/Children 4,5
Kids, Birthdays 6,7
Tidbits 8
Pastor Information 9
Choirs News 10
Weekday Program (pre-sch) 11
Missions / Salty Service 12,13
Annual Conference 14,15
Kits for Conference 16,17
Thank You 17
Trustees 18
Ranhorne / Treasurer 19
From the Pastor Back page
Growing In Grace A publication of Grace United
Methodist Church 1209 Country Club Road
Newport News, VA 23606 (757)595-0017
Fax (757)599-1550 www.graceumcnn.org
Pastor: Helen Casey-Rutland
Sunday Services: Early Worship: 8:45 am
Traditional Worship: 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:45-10:45 a.m.
G r o w i n g I n
G r a c e
You Are Invited
to a
Luncheon Reception
honoring
Rev. Helen Casey-Rutland
Sunday, June 9, at Noon
Please RSVP to the church office
You Are Invited
to a
Welcome Reception for
Rev. Steven Barbery
Sunday, June 30, at Noon
2
Scripture Readings: June 2 ~ Vincent Conway
COMMUNION SUNDAY I Kings 18:20-39; Psalm 96 (UMH 815)
Galatians 1:1-12; Luke 7:1-10
June 9 ~ Garrett Ouzts I Kings 17:8-24; Psalm 146 (UMH 858)
Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17
June 16 ~ Eddie Capps I Kings 21:1-21a; Psalm 5:1-8 (UMH 742)
Galatians 2:15-21; Luke 7:36-8:3
June 23 ~ Betty Jo Jackson I Kings 19:1-15a; Psalm 42 (UMH 777)
Galatians 3:23-29;Luke 8:26-39
June 30 ~ Frances Porter 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 (UMH 798)
Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62
*Readings for the worship services will generally be chosen from the scriptures above.
(Readings may vary for special services.)
Counting Team #2
*Joan Heaton
Ann Berrier Connie Keator
Bob Berrier
Lockup:
Jan Tyler
2nd ~ Gloria Champine and Ray Nobles 9th ~ Audrey and Frank Wiggs 16th ~ Brian Jackson and Blackie Jackson 23rd ~ Bev and Al Abbitt 30th ~ Tanis and Tom Mayo
Ushers:
Team #1
*Bob Berrier Phil Burke
Tom Mayo Tanis Mayo
Acolyte for
June:
Phillip Michael Burke
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
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June 2013
Every Sunday Early Service 8:45 am
Sunday School 9:45am Traditional Service 11:00 am
2:00pm Nepali-Speaking Worship
9 Salvation Army Sandwiches
1:30 pm Points of Grace 7:00 Susannah Wesley Circle
9 Senior Breakfast
12 Mary/Martha Luncheon
7 Stew/Fin Mtg.
1:30 pm Points of Grace 7:00 Trustees
6:00 Praise Choir 7:00 Chancel
Choir
6:00 pm Youth Picnic
6:00 Praise Choir 7:00 Chancel
Choir
6:00 Praise Choir 7:00 Chancel
Choir
6:00 Praise Choir 7:00 Chancel
Choir
5-9 pm Youth 80s
Dance Party @ Christ UMC
6:30 pm CROP Walk
Planning Committee
9:30 Youth
Canoeing
Noon Luncheon Reception
Noon Welcome
Reception for the new Pastor
Virginia Conference Meets in Hampton
June 21-23
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Potluck Picnic and Prepare for Mission June 9, 6 pm Summer Mission Trip – Aug 10 – 14
All participants should plan to be present at this meeting. We will be going to Roanoke in August
to help with small home repairs, work at the Salvation Army, worship, and be of service in other ways. Please be in prayer for our group.
Summer Youth Events June 1 Canoeing will be at Newport News Park. Please RSVP to the Youth Director.
Meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. Plan to return to the church by 12.
Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
June 9 6:00 p.m. Picnic & Prepare for summer mission.
June 22 5-9 p.m. 80's Dance Party meet at Christ UMC
Julie and Wayne Hancock will chaperone.
July 20 High school students and parents! Retreat at the
Boyd’s home on the Chickahominy River.
July 25 Mission Event – help feed people who are hungry and
needy at Westhampton Baptist Church. 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Aug. 10-14 REACH Summer Mission Trip
Congratulations to Baker McFall, who was recently inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at Hines Middle School!
Thank you to Kim Rumsey, for helping out with youth group in May, to Sally Taylor for making a cake for our college graduates, to Gloria
Moore, and to all of the Friendship and Forum Sunday School class for helping with graduation recognition and refreshments.
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Save the date! VBS July 8-12. Join us as we visit Babylon and discover the strength of Daniel’s faith. We need volunteers!
If you are interested in helping, contact Juliana Smith at [email protected].
Registration forms are in the narthex and church office.
Welcome! Welcome to Rachel Marker, a recent CNU graduate who will be pursuing her master’s degree at CNU in the fall. Rachel will be joining our nursery staff during the summer and helping on Sundays when our regular caregivers are away.
Reminder Christian Education continues for our youth and children during
the summer months. We hope to see you here!
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June Birthdays Happy Birthday To You! Happy
Birthday To You! Happy Birthday Dear…..
Are you stressed? Do you want to improve communication in your family or relationships? Do you need someone
to talk to? Contact the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center 873-2273
www.peninsulapastoral.org
Happy 60th Anniversary to Grace! Our congregation marks 60 years of ministry in 2013. We will have a church-wide celebration later this year. If you are interested in helping with planning, contact the church office.
FOOD LION MVP USERS!! You can give towards
DUCO's mission work without spending an extra
dime! Just sign up to link your card with DUCO (forms are found on the board near the
Men and Women's restrooms) and Food Lion will send some money their way. Thank you!!
1 Shaun Devane 10 Brook Kempa 23 Gail Wojciechowski
2 Carl Brakman 11 Nancy Morrison 25 Walker Russell
3 Elizabeth Parsons Kristina Waggener 26 Susan Brendle
Jerry Elliott Meredith Mcdowell 27 Caitlin Fields
4 Gloria Champine 12 Tona Amatu 29 Jessica Abbitt
5 Lindsay Hobson 15 Christine Dimock
6 Lydia Stinebaugh Bryan Taylor
7 Allan Smith 19 Julianna Smith
9 Emily Center 20 Ben Devane
Veronica Jackson
Our Sympathy for the family of Peg Hewes
upon her death May 6. She was recently awarded
the Michael Reusing Award.
Please see bulletin board
for article.
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JOIN US! The June Senior Adult
Breakfast meets at THE WARWICK RESTAURANT
located at 12306 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23606,
on Monday, June 10, at 9:00am. Everyone is welcome!
New Contact Information for Helen Casey-Rutland: Rev. Steve Barbery will be our pastor here at Grace
beginning June 26. He will be the one to turn to for all pastoral concerns after that date. For anyone who may have a non-pastoral reason to get in touch with Helen Casey-Rutland, her email address is available in the
office. Her cell phone number is 757-291-3091. Randy’s cell phone is 757-291-6765. Their new address is: 333 Mill
Neck Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Old-fashioned Hymn Sing Before 11 am Service on June 9th, Rev. Helen Casey-Rutland’s last Sunday
Please plan to arrive early for the 11 am traditional worship service on June 9 for an old-fashioned hymn sing. We will be singing some of Helen
Casey-Rutland's favorite hymns. The hymn sing will begin at 10:50. Helen incorporates the words of hymns in her written communications and in her teaching and preaching and we will honor her by singing these songs with gusto! Join the fun!
Pastoral Care Needs During the latter part of June,
Rev. Chuck Root and Rev. Bob Taylor will be on call for pastoral needs
during times that neither Rev. Helen Casey-Rutland nor Rev. Steven
Barbery are available.
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REVEREND STEVEN BARBERY APPOINTED TO GRACE
Bishop Cho is appointing Steven Barbery to Grace as the pastor for the 2013-14 year. Reverend Barbery is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with dual majors in Communication and Political Science and minors in Economics, Sociology, and Psychology. He received his Master of Divinity and a Master of Theological Studies degrees from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D. C. He has also completed a full unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Providence Hospital in D. C. Reverend Barbery comes to Grace from a three-point charge in Campbell County. Prior to that appointment, he served as an intern at Bethesda UMC in Bethesda, MD. He is a lifelong United Methodist and has a love for Methodist history and doctrine. He is a Navy veteran who served at the Pentagon post 9/11. His wife, Lisa, is also a United Methodist pastor and has been appointed to Crooks Memorial United Methodist Church in York County. Along with their one-year old daughter, Hannah, they will be living in the Grace parsonage (7 Club Terrace, NN, VA 23606). His ministry will begin at Grace on Sunday, June 30. There will be a reception following the 11:00 a.m. service to welcome him to Grace.
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Choir News (11:00 a.m.) CHANCEL CHOIR The Grace UMC Chancel Choir has continued their faithful leadership in worship. We will continue singing through July 28. Choir practice has been moved to 7 pm on Thursday nights for the summer
(check bulletin for changes). Thanks to everyone for these months of hard work and dedication. Keep on singing! We are welcome new voices at any time. Plan now to join the Chancel Choir when we start rehearsing again in the fall. CHANCEL BELLS The Grace UMC Chancel Bells played a well-received Concert at The Arbors on May 5. Thanks to everyone for their hard work and enthusiasm. The Bells are taking a break for the summer and will resume in September. Keep an eye on the Bulletin for the specific date rehearsals resume. We always welcome new ringers. If you do not read music, don’t worry. We will teach you everything you need to know. The bells usually meet on Thursdays, September through April, in the Small Fellowship Hall, 6:30-7:30. If you are interested in ringing, plan now to join us in September.
CHAPEL AND CHERUB CHOIRS The Grace UMC Chapel and Cherub Choirs learned a lot this year and helped lead our worship regularly. The children are on break until September. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter and the bulletin for the specific date we will resume choirs. Chapel Choir is for ages 6-10 and Cherub Choir is for ages 4 and 5. Chapel Choir focuses on learning to play chimes, singing, instruments and theory. Cherub choir focuses on singing, instruments and movement with music. Plan now on bringing your children in the fall. We meet on Sunday mornings; Chapel Choir from 9:30-10 and Cherub Choir from 10:00-10:20 For more information, please contact Regina South at 804-694-7756 or by email at [email protected] .
Early Service and Praise Choir (8:45 A.M.) Our Early Service welcomes you with lively music, joyful worship, heartfelt sharing, and a friendly “hello”. The Praise Choir practices each Thursday evening at 6 – everyone is welcome to join. If you would like to participate in any other way, from getting to church in time to welcome early arrivals to helping with sound or visual presentations to serving communion, let the pastor know. And bring a friend with you to church!
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Play To Learn At Grace – Summer Registration Summer is right around the corner! That means it’s time to register for our Summer Session of Play to Learn (PLG). We have had a great year in Play to Learn. The children love craft time, going out on the playground and making new friends. We enjoy seeing how they progress as the months go by! And parents love to have time to run errands, or make doctor’s appointments without little helpers! Play to Learn is a great way to maintain a consistent learning environment for your child during the summer months. This program is available for children ages 2 ½ thru 4 years of age. Registration is open now. Our Summer Session starts Tuesday, June 4th. We will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 to 1:00. For more information, please call Beverly Ouzts at 595-0032.
Preschool Registration Registration for Preschool classes for
the upcoming 2013 - 2014 school year is open now. We offer classes for 2 ½, 3 and 4 year-old children. If you have any questions regarding the preschool,
or are interested in getting a few brochures to share with some friends or neighbors, please contact Beverly
Ouzts at 595-0032.
WEEKDAY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FUNDRAISERS
CARTRIDGES FOR KIDS ~ We are still collecting empty ink cartridges, in addition to used cell phones, PDA’s, DVD’s, iPods, laptops, digital cameras, video games & consoles, scientific graphing calculators and GPS devices. Please bring them in and place them in
the collection box in the preschool hall.
CAMPBELL’S SOUP UPC CODES ~ Please continue to bring in UPC codes from Campbell’s
products.
The Bells of Christ Church (A Renowned Bell Choir from South Carolina.)
Sunday, June 9 at 7:00 pm Admission is free and open to the public
Williamsburg UMC
500 Jamestown Road in Williamsburg, VA
(Please check bulletin board for more details.)
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THE MISSION COMMITTEE OUTREACH REPORT It is said that if you want something done you should ask a busy person to do it. The Salty Service program is designed to allow each of us to reflect on our busy lives and the ways we serve the Lord by caring for our earth and serving others. Obviously, members of Grace are busy and already show love and concern for others in many ways. However, new opportunities for service are constantly presenting themselves. Two requests recently received by the Missions Committee are explained below. All God's Children Camp is in need of mentors. This is a camp for children aged 6-12 whose parent or parents are incarcerated. Mentors are usually assigned two children with whom they will spend the week participating in planned activities. There are three separate camps that meet from Sunday-Friday in August and each provides at-risk children an opportunity to experience God's love through others in an environment where there is no judgment. Susan Devane and Susan West have both done this in the past. DUCO (Denbigh United Christian Outreach) is seeking people to counsel clients as a part of their SNAPS (Seeding New Attitudes & Planning for Self-Sufficiency) program. On-the-job training is offered to help those willing serve as Family Advocates to help clients with completing applications, household budgeting, developing interview skills, etc. More information about these and other Salty Service opportunities can be found on the Missions bulletin board near the church library. Additionally, the Missions Committee invites each of you to share suggestions for other service opportunities with us. In the midst and in spite of our busy lives, these opportunities offer us new and meaningful ways to share our blessings with others.
SALTY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Here are some interesting opportunities to be a Salty Servant. Church World Service - (757) 265-8605 Coach refugees with English. Teach refugees how to ride the bus. Help with job search and applications Drive refugees to appointments. After 30 days they are expected to use public transportation. Volunteer to move furniture and set up apartments. DUCO (757) 877-6211
Volunteer to be a Family Advocate on Monday afternoons. Assist people in completing applications for emergency assistance. Volunteer grant writer. Help in the DUCO pantry stocking shelves, giving out food. Riverside Hospital has opportunities for volunteers. Contact Carolyn Dough, Volunteer
Coordinator, 757-594-2044. Watch future newsletter for more opportunities to serve the Lord!
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Jesus said: "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness
be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot."
Matthew 5:13
Salty Servants minister to persons outside their church family. For Jesus, anyone in need is our neighbor. We are called to follow Jesus beyond our comfort zones, to be light in the darkness, ambassadors of reconciliation, agents of the Kingdom which God. The Missions Committee of Grace encourages you to be a Salty Servant for at least one hour a week in one of these four ways: 1. Hands-on Mercy -- alleviating the suffering of others. We can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, befriend the immigrant or refugee, mentor students, shelter the homeless, care for children needing a home, visit the lonely, provide medical help to the sick, comfort the dying, give solace to the grieving. 2. Addressing systems that cause suffering. Why are people hungry in this rich land? Why can't people make a living with a full time job? Why are teens dropping out of High School? Is jailing those getting into trouble the only way? How much interest do loan sharks charge desperate people? Where do the homeless live in our community? What can be done to cut the violence in our society? Speaking out and working against racial, cultural, or religious discrimination is justice ministry. Justice ministries address the social, cultural, economic, or legal causes of human suffering. 3. Earth-Care –being stewards of God's creation. We humans have a history of using the earth as if it was ours to abuse, but, "The earth is the Lord's, and all that is on it." We can plan an Earth Day event, participate in a beach or highway cleanup, raise concern about water or air pollution, get involved in tree-planting, or research and educate others about green practices that preserve the earth’s resources. 4. Cultivate relationships to ease the emotional or spiritual needs of others. We can get to know our neighbors, befriend someone who is lonely or left out, pay attention to someone who is anxious, afraid, or ignorant of God's love. We are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, building relational bridges, healing strained relationships, and offering welcome, warmth, understanding, and hope. If you have offered your time and talent as a Salty Servant in the past week, drop one of the prepared cards into the offering plate. We will tally them and celebrate the ways we follow Jesus in Salty Service.
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2013 Annual Conference June 21-23 The Hampton Convention Center
Hampton, VA
Delegates to the Virginia Annual Conference will make decisions about ministry, budgets, plans, and leadership for the coming year. The Bishop will set the appointments of all pastors. Our Grace Church delegate this year is Joan Heaton. Bob and Betty Hill and Ford McFall are delegates representing the York River District. Annual Conference is open to everyone. Of particular interest are the extensive displays and resources available and the worship services Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday and Sunday midday. (See schedule below.) A detailed agenda is posted on the bulletin board. For more information, go to www.vaumc.org.
Annual Conference Events of Particular Interest (Please check bulletin board for full schedule)
Friday, June 21 3:00 pm Opening of Conference Brief Business followed by Bishop’s Address 7:30 pm A Service of Remembrance and Holy Communion
Saturday, June 22 5:30 am SoSA Potato Drop Mission project (Open to all — just show up.) 8:15 am Singing Our Faith 8:30 am Bible Study and Conversation About 9:20 am Laity Address 11:15 am Worship with Annual Conference Offering 2:00 pm Recognition of Retirees 2:45 pm Bible Study and Conversation 7:30 pm A Service for the Ordering of Ministry (Ordination)
Sunday, June 23 8:15 am Singing Our Faith 8:30 am Bible Study and Conversation 11:15 am Worship
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The 2013 Samaritan Offering Since 1948, Virginia United Methodist Homes, Inc. (VUMH) has been giving financial assistance through the Samaritan Program to residents who, through no fault of their own, are unable to meet the full cost of their care. During 2012, $674,000 was given and used to allow twenty-nine residents to remain in their “home” at their respective VUMH community. The Samaritan Program truly impacts residents’ lives when they are at their most vulnerable. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40 When you give to the Samaritan Offering, your gift supports residents of VUMH who have been blessed by longevity and outlived their financial resources. Samaritan gifts are not used for operational, capital or administrative costs but are instead made available only for benevolent care. Your gift ensures someone’s personal security and peace of mind. Samaritan Gifts, which are received Mother’s Day, May 12th, through Father’s Day, June 16th, may be designated to any of our seven VUMH communities. Undesignated gifts are used where the need is greatest. Both designated and undesignated gifts have the same purpose: to provide financial assistance to residents whose ability to pay for care has been diminished. Please consider making a gift to help those who are in need of your generosity. You can truly make a difference in someone’s life.
Volunteer at the Virginia Annual Conference, June 21-23, Hampton Convention Center: Needed are: Ushers Registration Desk Helpers Pages Kit Collectors Hospitality/Greeters Child Care Workers Clergy Photo Directory Helpers Sign up for a task that you feel called to and at a time you can serve. Share with folks who also enjoy serving. Sign up at www.yorkriverdistrict.org under the “Annual Conference” tab. Or call the District Office at 596-3476.
4 Cans 4 Conference For the fifth year, each clergy and lay member of Annual Conference is encouraged to bring ‘4 Cans 4 Conference’ canned goods or boxed dry foods to benefit local area food banks. This year, the food will go to the Peninsula Food Bank. If you attend conference, consider contributing a can of food.
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LAST CHANCE: Kits for Conference Described in the February newsletter were the guidelines for preparing World Service kits to be presented at Conference in June. In the past we have prepared some kits and given monetary donations. This year the UMW would like to physically contribute as many actual kits as we can. Even though this activity has been primarily a project of the United Methodist Women in years past, we hope the entire congregation will join us this year. To make participation a bit easier, you may choose to join us in one of the following ways: 1) Give a check (or cash) made out to Grace UMW to the church or to Joan
Heaton, Betty Sharpe or Betty Hill; we will buy the items and prepare the kits; or
2) Call or see Joan Heaton, Betty Sharpe, or Betty Hill to order one or more bags that have been made for school kits.
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE KITS
ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW DO NOT WASH ANYTHING
NOTHING WITH PATRIOTIC, RELIGIOUS, HOLIDAY, CAMOFLAGE OR MILITARY PATTERNS
ENCLOSE $ 1.00 TO DEFRAY SHIPPING COSTS
SCHOOL KIT: 1 pair blunt scissors (rounded tip only), 3 spiral notebooks 8 ½ x 11 or 3-150 sheets of loose leaf, 1 30 centimeter ruler (hard or flexible), 1 hand held pencil sharpener (remove packaging), 6 unsharpened pencils (plain), 1 eraser 2 ½”, box of 24 crayons (only 24) 1 14 x16” cloth bag. Assemble all loose items on top of paper. Turn items sideways and slide into the cloth bag. Fold the top over so loose items don’t fall out. (Points of Grace will provide cloth bags. Contact church office.)
SEWING KIT: 3 continuous yards of fabric (cotton or cotton-blend, solid or prints), 1 pair sewing scissors, 1 pkg. of needles, 1 large spool of matching thread, 5-8 matching buttons. Assemble by wrapping sewing notions in fabric. Place kit in a one gallon sealable plastic bag.
LAYETTE KIT: 6 cloth diapers (prefolded or plain),2 undershirts or onesies, 2 baby wash cloths, 2 gowns or sleepers, 2 diaper pins (with protective plastic closures), 1 front opening sweater or jacket or hooded sweatshirt, 2 receiving blankets (30” x 30” or 30” x 32” only). Please remove all packaging. Assemble by laying one of the receiving blankets flat on a table. Place all remaining items on top of the blanket. Fold the blanket around the items and secure the bundle with the diaper pins.
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HEALTH KIT: 1 hand towel ( 15” x 25” to 17” x 27”, no kitchen or cleaning towels), 1 wash cloth, 1 comb (large & sturdy, not pocket sized), 1 metal nail file or clipper (no emery boards or toenail clippers), 1 bath size soap (do not remove from original packaging), 1 toothbrush (single brush in original wrapper), 6 adhesive band-aids, $ 1.00 to purchase toothpaste. Put money for toothpaste in separate envelope. Assemble kit by laying the hand towel flat on a table. Lay the washcloth flat in the center of the hand towel. Place all remaining items on top of the wash cloth. Fold over the sides of the hand towel to cover all the items. Fold over one end of the hand towel so that it covers all the items. Grasp the bundle of items tightly and roll over the remainder of the hand towel tightly. Place the tightly rolled bundle in a one gallon sealable plastic bag.
BIRTHING KIT: 1 small bar soap (those found in hotels are acceptable-leave wrapped), 1 pair latex, surgical or thin rubber gloves (no kitchen or rubber work gloves), 1 square yard of clear plastic sheeting 4 mil thick ( no trash bags or shower curtains), 3 – 12 inch long pieces of cotton string ( tie together), 1 single edge razor blade (covered in paper or cardboard to protect sharp edge), 2 receiving blankets 30” x 30” or 32” x 32” ( no thermal or fleece). Assemble by folding the plastic sheeting and blankets so they fit into a one gallon sealable plastic bag. Lay the loose items on top of the blankets and sheeting.
BEDDING KIT: 2 flat sheets (double size only-not fitted), 2 pillow cases and 2 pillows.
CLEANING BUCKET: 5 gallon bucket with lid ( do not use buckets that have stored chemicals or paint), 2 25oz. or 1 50 oz. liquid laundry detergent, 12-16 oz. liquid household cleaner that can be mixed with water ( no spray cleaners), a 16-28 oz bottle of dish soap, 1 can air freshener (aerosol or pump), 1 insect repellant spray 6-14oz. aerosol or spray with cover, 1 scrub brush with plastic or wooden handle, 18 cleaning wipes (handi-wipes or reusable wipes-no terry towels), 7 sponges (not cellulose due to mold issue), 5 scouring pads ( no brillo or SOS that will rust), 50 clothespins, two 50’ or one 100 ‘ of cotton or plastic clothes line, 24 roll heavy duty trash bags 30-45 gallon size, 5 dust masks (rubber or latex), 1 pair work gloves (cotton or leather). Assembling Directions: Place all liquid items in the bucket first. Place remaining items in the bucket fitting them around and between the liquid items. Sponges, scouring pads, clothespins and trash bags can be separated in order to fit all the items in the bucket so that the lid will close securely. If you cannot find the requested size of a liquid item, use a smaller size. Including larger sizes of any item will prevent the lid from sealing. All cleaning agents must be liquid and in plastic containers.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the May 26 wedding of two members of our Nepali-speaking congregation. Our Nepali-speaking
friends worked hard to prepare a full meal after the ceremony and then to clean up afterwards, returning everything to its place. More
than 100 people gathered for the wedding. They expressed deep gratitude to Grace for our hospitality. If you haven't had the opportunity, sign up to be present during a Sunday afternoon service. You can join in the service or simply read in the office or work on another project at church, so long as you are around to
answer questions and represent the congregation during that time.
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NOTES FROM YOUR TRUSTEES
- by Gloria Champine
Your Trustees have decided to lower and replace as needed the six spotlights in the ceiling of the Sanctuary so they can be reached with a ladder. As we are able, the lighting will remain a
high priority.
Immediate needs for the Parsonage are to clean the duct work first, then start on the inside painting the middle of June, paint all rooms, carpet the stairs, and patch the ceiling in the dining room and kitchen. Outside painting will include the door entrance and trim. The painting estimate is
$5,495.
Sanair has been selected to clean the ducts for the heating and air conditioning units in the
Parsonage.
Because the burst water pipe in maintenance room #1 increased our water usage to an unacceptable level, the Newport News Waterworks agreed to adjust the current water and sewage bills to $ 0 and give a $33 credit
toward the next water bill.
On May 4, SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY, 37 people participated, including 10 from the Bhutanese congregation, who brought 5 men, several women, and a couple of small children. The men worked extremely well in freshening the mulch and landscaping with the women inside cleaning in the Chapel. The children were busy scrubbing windows. Thanks so much to our Bhutanese friends for their welcome assistance on
clean-up day.
Bob, our custodian, stripped and polished the floor in the Choir Room. All furniture, piano,
chairs, etc., had to be moved into the hallway and then replaced. What a job. Thanks Bob for all your
hard work.
Additional Items:
The weedwacker has been replaced with a Stihl professional weedwacker, purchased from Ace Hardware for $319.00, plus a 6-pack of oil for $13.45. This includes a one-
year warranty.
Additional work to be done at the Parsonage includes replacing the kitchen linoleum, replacing the oven door, replacing two light fixtures in the kitchen, purchase a new queen mattress and box springs, and power washing
the outside vinyl.
The ladies restroom "rocking commode" has
been repaired.
A safety bar lock and threshold was installed
on the patio door at the Parsonage.
The riding lawn mower has been repaired
Masters Contracting is working on the air conditioning unit in the Bride's Room. In addition, Masters will service all the air conditioning units in the Church and
Parsonage.
The pre-school flat roof was leaking in a new location and Roger caulked all the small cracks he could find. The area will be
inspected periodically for any further leaks.
The new flat roof over the Bride's and Choir Rooms, plus the hallway around the Sanctuary, had small leaks next to the south parking lot. The coating put over the rubber roof was coming off where the rain water puddles and the sun shines on it. This area
has now been reworked. continued on next page
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continued from page 20 From the Pastor’s Desk (cont’d)...
Thank you for all the ways you have blessed me and my family during this time. Thank you for your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your wisdom and insight, your generosity and commitment, your courage, your leadership, and your prayers. As I leave Grace, I am confident that you will embrace your new pastor with the same the loving spirit you have shared with me. Grace and peace be with you always. Amen.
Peace ~ Helen
TREASURER’S NOTES by: Betty S. Hill
Budget Update through May 26, 2013: Budgeted $107,026 ~ Received $107,487
RANHORNE MEMORIAL TRUST FUNDS AVAILABLE
The Grants Committee of the Ranhorne Memorial Trust Board is now accepting applications for scholarship funding.
The deadline for submitting applications is June 15, 2013. The approved grants will be announced and awards made in August.
Applications and more details may be picked up in the church office.
Observation following the clean up: After cleaning the Bride's Room (Friendship Sunday School Class), I left for a short while to go home and pick up some furniture polish. Upon returning to Grace, I was outside the breezeway and just stood still, entranced, looking around. The freshened mulch, landscaping, and new flowers were lovely. The Encore azaleas circling the Meditation benches and around the trees were in full bloom, the birds were singing, a little squirrel was sitting quietly under a tree chewing on something, then a tiny wren flew by and landed upon the opening to the little bird house hanging in the small tree. After looking around, it hopped into the nest inside. So lovely, so
serene, and so peaceful. Amen.
As always, your Board of Trustees will continue to seek to do the best job possible in maintaining the physical property of the Church and the Parsonage, and in spending your contributions for the
greatest benefit to our Church.
We welcome your thoughts, ideas, and prayers.
continued from page 16 Notes From Your Trustees (cont’d)...
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. Postage
PAID Newport News, VA Permit No. 1827
Grace United Methodist Church 1209 Country Club Road Newport News, Virginia 23606
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From the Pastor’s Desk... There are rabbits in my backyard. That's how I started the first newsletter article I wrote after arriving at Grace. I wrote about rabbits and birds I watched as I read my newspaper, which was full of stories about uncertainty in Afghanistan, threats in the Middle East, arguments about climate change, worries over the economy, and concern about natural disasters. Some things never seem to change. Similar stories still fill the news, and there are still rabbits and birds in the yard. But some things do change. Seven years ago, few people foresaw the economic crash of 2008, no one imagined an Arab Spring, and the now ubiquitous iPad would not appear until nearly four years later. In my time at Grace, my children have grown from young adolescents to young adults (and Randy and I have ageed correspondingly!). Like most of you, our family has experienced both grief and joy. Randy and I have lost three aunts and a dear cousin to death and welcomed two great-nieces, a great-nephew, and assorted in-laws and cousins into our family. Grace Church has mourned the loss of a host of saints, and has welcomed a company of new ones into the congregation. Through it all, we have sought together to be the body of Christ in the world, an outpost of grace in this community, a living witness to the love of God that embraces us in life, in death, and in life beyond death. Together, we have delved into the Bible, reached out to the poor, provided warm hospitality, prayed through joy and trouble, and used our varying and different gifts in the service of God. We have asked questions and struggled with what it means to follow Jesus in the face-paced, multi-cultural 21st century. We have agreed, disagreed, offended, and forgiven. We have laughed, cried, sung, worshiped, played, and eaten (a lot).
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