Volume 22, No. 3 March 2014

“Hungering for God” theme forLent 2014 at Grace

Recently our District Superintendent Rev.Cynthia Moore-Koikoi met with the Church Council toaid us in our ongoing visioning process. After listeningto our discussion, she suggested that “helping Christiandisciples go deeper” was one of the things she heard inour thoughts about strengthening our church’sministries. “Going deeper” sounds to me like a gooddescription of our desires to be an authentic place forworship, formation and Christian fellowship.

This Lent, the wholecongregation is invited to“go deeper” into ourcommon life with Christ.The theme of this year’sLenten season is “Hungeringfor God.” Humans are born

longing for God, and we manage those hungers in avariety of good – and not so good – ways. Much in ourworld entices us to channel our hungers in other ways,while Christian community, at its best, offers avenues tounderstand and fulfill our longings for life with God.We are offering a variety of ways to explore a hungerfor God, most especially through a congregational studyin which everyone is invited to read together the bookFasting by Scot McKnight.

The book makes a case for linking the ancientspiritual practice of fasting with understanding ourhuman hungers. John Piper says those who fast as those“hungry enough for God’s leading that they wanted tosay it with the hunger of their bodies and not just thehunger of their hearts.” To that, Amy Frykholm adds,“fasting is about three things: attentiveness, compassionand freedom.” We live in a world that tempts us toquickly satisfy every impulsive hunger we experience,with little reflection beyond our own desires. We alsolive in on a planet where far too many are literallystarving every day. Hungering for God brings togetherboth our own need for more attentiveness to our heart’sdeepest needs, more compassion for those in want, andmore freedom to live as God would have us live.

So, I hope each of you will join this congregation-

MARCH 5thTWO SERVICES AT GRACE

7:30 a.m. in the Chapel - followed by breakfast12:00 noon in the Chapel - followed by lunch

Each service will include an invitation to Lentendiscipleship, the imposition of ashes and Holy

Communion.EVENING SERVICE AT ST. JOHN’S - 7:30 p.m.

Each Wednesday during Lent, including HolyWeek, we will gather in the Chapel at 7:30 a.m. for asimple service of word, song and Holy Communion.Following the service, worshipers are invited to share ina continental breakfast in the Anything Goes Room.

If you would be willing to host this meal for 15-20 persons on one of the Wednesday mornings, pleasesign up on the sheet outside the church office.

----------------------------wide book study. Books will be available for sale, alongwith a reading guide. We’ll mention the book’s themesin worship. In addition, several small discussion groups– each meeting at a different time during the week --will be offered, with the hope that everyone can find theright group in which to bring book and fellowshiptogether. You’ll find details about those groups andmany other Lenten events inside this edition of GraceNotes. So, come, go deep this Lent and experience moreof yourself, more of your fellow Grace journeyers and

more of God. Amy

March Worship highlights -hope to see you each Sunday

March 2 at 10:00 a.m. - Gospel Music SundayDr. Deborah Mathews will share in offering the message focusing on the African-American experience.

The Chancel Choir and soloists, under the direction of Robert Cantrell, will present several special gospel songsand the congregation will sing a variety of gospel hymns and spirituals.

March 9 - Lent I (Daylight Saving Time begins)Rev. Amy McCullough preaching

March 16 - Lent IIRev. Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, our District Superintendent, preaching

March 23 - Lent IIIRev. Amy McCullough preaching

Those who love organ music and those who wantto learn more are invited to hear

Christopher Schroederperforming among other works

F Major Toccata, BWV 540 -- J.S. BachPrelude and Fugue on the Name of Alain – Duruflé

Passacaglia from Sonata No. 8 ine minor, Op. 132 – Rheinberger

Free will offering

Reception following

Sunday, March 16

2:00 p.m.

PALM SUNDAYApril 13

Rev. Amy McCullough preaching

Easter Egg Hunt at the Parsonage following worship

HOLY THURSDAY6:15 p.m. service - Jesus’ last supper with

his disciples (light dinner to follow)

GOOD FRIDAY12:00 noon service of scripture, prayer and music

with the Chancel Choir

7:30 p.m. - Tenebrae Service of Light and

Darkness as we remember the last day of

Jesus’ life

EASTER DAY7:00 a.m. - Sunrise Service in the Courtyard

10:00 a.m. - Festival Service

(There will be no service at 8:30 a.m.)

Additional information in the next issue of Grace Notes

and in worship bulletin announcements

March 30 - Lent IVThe congregation of Roland Park Presbyterian Church will be joining us for

worship at 10:30 a.m. (please note this change of time).The choir of Roland Park Presbyterian and the Grace Chancel Choir will present

Gabriel Fauré’s Requiemaccompanied by a small instrumental ensemble.

Please plan to join us for this special Lenten service.

Church Council Approves2014 Operating Budget

At its January meeting, the Church Councilapproved the Operating Budget for the year 2014 in theamount of $658,673.00, an increase of 3.8% over theprevious year’s budget. The increase in proposedspending for this year is attributable mostly to theanticipated hiring of a part-time children’s ministriesresource person; a revamped and expanded website andpresence on the internet and social media; and increasedsalary and benefit costs for our new director of music.

This is an ambitious budget. It is not a statusquo budget; it is a move forward budget. It will takeyour support. As of January, we have received pledgesof over $410,000 toward this budget, the first timepledges have ever exceeded $400,000. To meet all ofour obligations for the year, the Finance Committeeestimates that total congregational giving for the yearneeds to be about $500,000. (Not all of the incomecomes from your giving; there are other sources ofrevenue available from building use fees, the WilsonMemorial Endowment, Grace Preschool and othermiscellaneous sources.) We are confident we can reachthis goal based on your giving and participation in theprograms of the church last year.

If you have already returned an estimate ofgiving for this year, thank you. If not, please make yourpledge now and make the commitment to help us grow!

Copies of the 2014 Operating Budget areavailable by request from the Church Office.

What is EFT?Did you know you can easily meet your

financial pledge to Grace through Electronic FundTransfer (EFT) allowing you to arrange yourcontribution to be seamlessly transferred from your bankto the church? What does EFT really stand for?

Easy! Simply contact the Church Office for the quick

and easy form to complete and submit along with avoided check, or stop by the EFT information tableduring Fellowship Time in the month of March foradditional information.

Flexible! That’s right, you can set up the transfer to

occur in a way that works best for you — monthly,semi-monthly, or even weekly.

Timesaving! Think of the time you will save. No

searching for your offering envelopes or checkbook or apen to write a check. Don’t worry about not having anenvelope to put in the offering plate. Grace ushers willknow you are one of the many Grace members whoalready uses EFT. Of course, a wink is alwayswelcomed by your usher!

Minister with Children and Families

Part time position -- 10 hours/weekFollowing is the text of the ad Grace is running for a

part time staff person for children’s ministries.Grace United Methodist Church is seeking a

part-time minister with Children and Families. Theminister is responsible for planning and implementing allchurch activities related to the Christian formation ofchildren, and by extension their families. The children’sministry program at Grace encompasses children frominfancy through elementary school. Such activitiesinclude weekly Sunday School, special events forChristmas and Easter seasons, occasional fellowshipopportunities and Vacation Bible School. The ministeris also responsible for recruiting, training and supportingall teachers and volunteers.

This is a ten hour per week position. Salary willbe commensurate with experience and training. Thesuccessful candidate will have prior experience withChristian formation amongst children and families, aswell as experience within a local church. A backgroundcheck will be required.

Grace is a medium-size congregation, located innorth Baltimore City. Our congregation is comprisedof a growing number of children and families, whoincreasingly need a staff person dedicated to theirministries. Interested applicants may send a coverletter and resume to Rev. Amy P. McCullough, LeadPastor, Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 N.Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210. Applications willalso be received via email atamy@graceunitedmethodist.org.

Congregational Study of Fastingby Scot McKnight

The members of the congregation areencouraged to obtain a copy of Fasting and join a smallgroup discussion as we journey together this Lent.Books can be ordered through Amazon.com orpurchased at fellowship time following worship. If youpurchase your book at the church, you will receive areading guide. Others may request a guide from theChurch Office. Several days and times are available:+Mondays at 11:00 a.m. - led by Rev. Dave Shank+Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. (after the communion

service) - co-led by Rev. Amy McCullough and Rev.Dave+Thursdays at 6:00 p.m - led by Rev. Amy+Sundays at 9:15 a.m. - leader to be announced

Heartiest birthday greetings to the following of ourChurch family celebrating in March:2 Nancy Brannan, William T. Eickelberg3 Susan Hodges4 Elizabeth Ottinger, Philip Shebel5 Douglas Schmidt7 Abbi Wicklein-Bayne8 Amanda Arnold, Kimberly Barnes, Kate Brannan9 Reinhard Nottrodt10 Norma Faby,11 William Klein12 Stephen Achuff, Teri Bickham, Joanie Stetz13 Melissa Warren14 Peggy Ruppersberger, Shannon Schmidt15 John Tydings16 Thom Rinker, Lily Weiskittel17 Jim Hackley, Meghan Mullan, W. A. Niermann, Jr.,

Rachel Rhoad, Mason Wilhide20 Lynn Reichhelm, M. Edward Skinner, III21 Patricia Fulton, Frances Northington22 Linda Cameron, Steven R. James23 Sally Bacon, Rebecca Madsen25 Mcabe Millon26 Jenna Marie Roth27 Abigail Benfer, Christopher Covington, Walter

Stuart, Jeffrey S. Underland28 Larry Brown, Bruce Eicher, Marcia Gleckler,

Thomas Hicks29 Cory Schreier Mian30 Jackie Gordon, Alexis Melin, Charles Saylor31 Peggy Rodgers, Karen Schaefer

Director Kurt Hoffman invites boys and girls to bea part of the Alleluia and Cherub Choirs as they prepareto sing on Palm Sunday and Mother’s Day. The AlleluiaChoir rehearses Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 9:45. OnMarch 9, the Cherub Choir will resume rehearsalsfollowing worship. We are grateful to the parents formaking this joyful, joy-filled ministry possible for theirchildren.

Rev. Dave Shank willbe teaching the sessions forthose wishing to be a part ofthe 2014 ConfirmationClass. There will be sixclass meetings onWednesdays beginningApril 30 at 6:30 p.m. with a

light supper before the study portion which willconclude by 8:30 p.m. Classes will continue on May 7,14, 21, 28 and June 4. Attendance at Sunday School andworship are also expected. This is an important rite ofpassage for youth and we look forward to thecompletion of this step on their spiritual journey. Theconfirmands will be received into full membership ofthe church on Pentecost Sunday, June 8th at the 10:00a.m. service.

Several young people have already signed up, butthere is still space in the class for additional students.Please contact Rev. Dave or the church office if youwould like more information or to indicate interest.

Coming up!NEW MEMBER Class will begin in April. If you

are interested, please speak with Rev. McCullough.RECONCILING ANNIVERSARY SERVICE –

will take place Sunday, May 4. The Rev. Chip Aldridgeof Wesley Seminary will be our guest preacher.

FRENCH ORGAN MARATHON - Sunday, May18th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Save the date!

Special GiftsWe acknowledge with gratitude these special giftsin honor of Jacquelyn Meadors’ 90th Birthday by

JoAnna CampbellDiana McCraw

Ann DahlIn memory of Jim English by

David and Jane EnglishMUSIC FUND

in honor of Jacquelyn Meadors’ 90th Birthday byEmora and Nancy Brannan

Steve and Kate Mullanin memory of Cidney Langenfelder by

Milt and Pat VolkerCAPITAL FUND

in honor of the 100th Birthday of Capt. John Slaughterby Emora and Nancy BrannanHoodies for the Homeless

in honor ofElaine and Bob Schafer and

Jacquelyn Meadors byClaire and Walt Greenhouse

POT LUCK SUPPER

SUNDAY, MARCH 2 at 6:00 p.m.We look forward to learning more about Moveable Feast and the services it offers:

Home and Shelter Meals; Nutritional Counseling; Medical Transportation

The people it serves: Those with HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer and other Life-threatening illnesses

Those planning to attend should bring a main dish, vegetable, salad or dessert to serve 8.

Please indicate interest by calling the church office - 410-433-6650

so that we will know how many to plan for.Everyone is invited to come, eat, and learn – sponsored by the Grace AIDS Task Force

The Grace Book Club meets on secondMondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor.Those who enjoy reading a variety of good books arealways welcome.

The book for March 10 is And the MountainsEchoed by Khaled Hosseini, the author of the best-selling Kiterunner.

In April the group will be reading City ofWomen by David R. Gillham, a book about Berlinduring WWII.

Disabilities SeminarThe Conference named February 2 (or any

Sunday more convenient) Disability Awareness Sunday,encouraging congregations to increase awareness of theneeds of the disabled and to be truly welcoming of allGod’s children. To that end, a seminar is scheduled atthe Mission Center in Fulton on March 15 from 9:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during which training will be offeredto provide churches with strategies to be accessible andempowering. This day is sponsored by the Commissionon Disabilities.

Registration is $15 and may be made bycontacting the event coordinator Leo Yates atleoyjr@gmail.com.

Kenya – here we come!Grace is going to Kenya! A 12-day mission trip

is in the works for mid to late April. Currently themission participants include Christine Calderon, HeatherGrandsire, Tim Gause, Kelly Jackson and GeorgiaBarnes. If you might be interested in joining the team,please speak with Rev. McCullough as soon as possible.

Watch for more information about the scope oftheir mission work and how you might support theirgood efforts. Please keep these mission-bound travelersin your prayers.

In 2013 Pastoral Counseling Services ofMaryland was renamed Inspirit Counseling Services inan effort to more accurately express its mission andidentity in the community. The two original agenciesformed in the 1960s and 70’s merged in 1992 to providecounseling and psychotherapy as part of the healingmission of the faith community, seeking to integrate theinsights of the behavioral and social sciences with thewisdom of the faith traditions.

We proudly claim the central office which ishoused here at Grace Church, with satellite officesspread throughout the city and surrounding counties.

Congratulations and best wishes to CourtneyEnglish-Doud on her graduation from the TowsonUniversity Nursing program on December 20. She wasone of 86 winter BSN graduates. The ceremony washeld in the new SECU basketball arena on campus. Thepinning ceremony for the class was held the day beforein the TU Center for the Arts, Harold J. Kaplan ConcertHall. We are proud of you, Courtney!

GRADUATING?If you or someone you know from Grace will be

graduating this spring, please relay the information sothat we might recognize them in Grace Notes. Be sureto include the school/college, major, honors, and futureplans – graduates of kindergarten through PhDprograms. Your church would like to recognize yourachievement!

Within the Family at GraceDEATH

William JonesFebruary 2, 2014

BAPTISMCharles Flavio Chery-Hise

son of Krista and Jessica Chery-HiseFebruary 2, 2014

Stop, look and listen

Lent, the season of the church year that’s associated withrepentance, begins on Ash Wednesday (March 5 this year).Christians observe Lent for these reasons:

• It causes us to STOP. Lent says, “Stop and rest awhile,” as wellas “Stop doing wrong.”

• It tells us to LOOK. Look inward for an honest self-examination.Look upward to see the cross of Christ offering healing and love.Look forward to the hope of the Resurrection.

• It tells us to LISTEN. Listen to the words of Christ. Listen to thevoice of God. Listen to the winds of the Spirit of God.

Stop, look and listen. These three words aren’t only importantfor our safety in travel; they’re also helpful for our journey through the40 days of Lent.

Wendy Iglehart, new Trustees chair, reports thatthe Board of Trustees had its first meeting of 2014. “Thecommittee reviewed completed and ongoing projectsfrom last year. A completed project of interest is therepair of the narthex and Tower Room doors. Thehydraulics, hinges, seals and sills have been repaired andreplaced so the doors are easier to open. What a novelidea to no longer wrestle with the doors to come into theHouse of the Lord...allowing Grace to apply theMethodist ‘open’ doors philosophy.”

All window sills, cornices, doors, and thecourtyard have been painted, giving our building aninviting appearance.

The Trustees ask for ongoing prayers for thestewardship of maintaining our buildings, the parsonageand the grounds.

United Methodist WomenAfter their usual winter break, the Grace UMW

is preparing to resume meetings on the secondWednesday of March – the 12th with a program at 11:00a.m. followed by luncheon. The program will beannounced closer to the date. Lunch reservations($8.00) should be made through Ruth Ann Beachler bythe Sunday before - 410-252-8906.

Meetings are open to everyone, women and menand their guests. Jackie Gordon is stepping down as thegroup’s leader. Please contact Jeane Santamaria formore information in the meantime.

This photo is of a littlegirl in the Honduras whois wearing one of thecute dresses made by theSewing Bees fromGrace. The fruits of thelabors of our volunteerseamstresses weregratefully received andbrightened the day forthe recipients.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBALTIMORE, MDPERMIT NO. 642

Grace United Methodist Church5407 North Charles StreetBaltimore, MD 21210-2024

_______

Address service requested

This issue mailed February 24thDATED MATERIAL

PLEASE RUSH

We wore hearts on our sleeves at the Valentine’s PartyThinking of others, after worship, our young people made Valentine cards forsome Grace shut-ins, while other folks assembled boxes of supplies forNorthwood-Appold Sunday School classes (since they had lost theirs in the fire

that devastated their church). Inaddition to the fellowship timerefreshments, Diana Gause hadprepared a bountiful “love brunch” onthe theme and decorated the roomwith heart balloons - what a love festit was!