IN THIS ISSUE

Celebrating God’s love, seeking God’s direction together July 2013

Scriptures, Greeters, etc. 2

Calendar 3

Youth/Children 4,5

Kids, Birthdays 6,7

Tidbits 8

Opportunities 9

Choirs News 10

Words for Thought 11

Missions / Salty Service 12,13

Annual Conference 14, 15

WEP / Preschool 16

Trustee 17

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

admin@graceumc.hrcoxmail.com

Pastor: Steve Barbery

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

Grace Vacation Bible School

July 8-12

9 am-12 noon

Ages 3-12

Everyone is welcome to come!

Bring your friends, children, grandchildren, neighbors...

all are welcome to join in on the fun!

Registration forms for children are available in the hall

by the church office. Any questions, see Juliana Smith.

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Scripture Readings: July 7 ~ Gynetha Conway

COMMUNION SUNDAY 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30 (UMH 762)

Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

July 14 ~ Ford McFall Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82 (UMH 804)

Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37

July 21 ~ Melissa Mygas Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52 or Psalm 82 (UMH 804)

Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42

July 28 ~ Stefan Mygas Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85 (UMH 806)

Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19); Luke 11:1-13

*Readings for the worship services will generally be chosen from the scriptures above.

(Readings may vary for special services.)

Counting Team #3

*Garrett Ouzts

Stefan Mygas Melissa Mygas

Tina Fields

Lockup:

Mike Fields

7th ~ Bob and Betty Hill 14th ~ Bill and Ford McFall 21st ~ Lynn Lambert & Keith Perkins 28th ~ Nancy Morrison & Marian Huber

Ushers:

Team #2

*Mike Fields Tina Fields

Richard Bennett Gail Hartjen

Acolyte for

July:

Porter McFall

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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 30 31

July 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

9 Senior Breakfast

7 Stew/Fin Mtg.

1:30 pm Points of Grace 7:00 Trustees

No Praise Choir No Choir

6 Praise Choir 7 Chancel

Choir

Youth Retreat Marie Boyd’s

Home 6 Praise Choir

7 Chancel Choir

6 Praise Choir No Chancel

Choir till Sept.

Youth Event

Vacation Bible School

7 SPRC Mtg

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Summer Mission Trip – Aug 10 – 14

Please be in prayer for our mission trip to Roanoke, August 10-14. Attendees include: Samantha Jackson, Phillip Michael Burke,

Baker McFall, Guadelupe Flores, David Brakman, Adam Brakman, Johnny O’Neill, Cindy Brakman, Garrett Ouzts, Ford McFall, and Gail Hartjen.

Summer Youth Events

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

Big THANK YOUs : to Emily Bacon, Keith Perkins, and Cindy Brakman for chaperoning

the youth canoe trip in June.

to Tim Hart, for coordinating the high school trip to annual conference.

to Julie and Wayne Hancock for chaperoning the dance party at Christ United Methodist Church.

to Gloria Moore for leading the children in assembling kits for conference.

to Roger Patterson and Mike Fields for teaching youth the sound system.

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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. Registration forms are in the narthex and

church office. Please pre-register.

Items needed for VBS: loaners of flat sheets in solid colors, Mexican-styled, solid, or geometric blankets. Thanks for your help!

Dear Members of Grace, In May, I made a difficult decision. Some time ago, I realized how much I loved working with youth at Grace, and that inspired me to want to work with youth full-time as a teacher. I have pursued teaching certification and, as many of you know, worked as a long-term substitute on two separate occasions this past school year. Grace UMC has meant so much to me and has truly been my church family, but I feel that it is time for me to step aside and hopefully find a teaching job closer to my home in Williamsburg. I cannot thank you all enough for the support you have given me throughout the last five years and the wonderful ways people have volunteered and participated in youth and children’s programs. I will miss you greatly. I will continue at Grace through July. Solid leadership is in place for the August mission trip. I trust that God will continue to bless the youth and children’s ministry at Grace and that many blessings are in store for Grace’s future. In Christ, Juliana Smith

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July 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.

1 Betty Jo Jackson 12 Jennifer Frazer 18 Ann Taylor-Smith

Margie Wygal Michael Simmons 19 Kathy Dershem

2 Ed Long 13 Eric Mcdonald 24 Susan West

Sterling Wallace 15 Robert Fulcher 27 Brian Ramaley

3 Sara Manner Marian Huber Carly Crockett

William Hale II Lewis Harris 29 Michael Fields

Ashley Tomaseski 16 Vincent Conway Jr. Gwen Venne

4 Martha Rogers Rachael Barley Alison Mcdowell

8 Stacy Walker 17 Nicole Velardi

Welcome our New Members Emily Bacon

on June 2 and

Pat Wainwright on June 9

Congratulations on the birth of Camilla Blake

Monge, daughter of Lin-Christie and J.P. Monge, big sisters

Isabella and Natalie. Grandmother,

Valorie Hilbmann. She weighed

6 lbs. 1 oz. born June 14, 2013

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To the people of Grace --

Thank you. Thank you for your kind

words and expressions of appreciation.

Thank you for a wonderful luncheon

reception on June 9. Thank you for the beautiful pottery

that will forever remind me of our time together. Thank

you for the book about the Noland Trail, a walk I

frequently enjoyed while thinking through sermons or

taking time for contemplation. Thank you for your

generous gifts to Habitat for Humanity and United

Campus Ministries, and for your generosity in so many

ways through the years. Thank you for your special

efforts in our last week of worship together to make the

music and the Time for Teaching and so much else so

meaningful. Most of all, thank you for your prayers, your

partnership in ministry, your eagerness for mission, and

your faithfulness over the past seven years. I pray that

you will continue to grow in grace and strength over the

years to come, and that, wherever you or I may be, we

will continue as members of the Body of Christ to

witness to the good news of God made known in Jesus.

Grace and peace to you always. -- Helen

NOTE CARDS FOR SALE United Methodist Women are selling note cards

featuring some of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary. There are 12 different cards in a pack for

$10.00. All proceeds will be used for mission outreach at home and around the world. We

appreciate your support.

Dear Grace Family, I wish thank each of you for the

thoughts, cards, prayers and outpouring of care upon the death of my grandmother. I know it has been 4 months and that seems like a long time but it really is a short time. My family and I have been so touched by the continued kindness of everyone. It is always of great comfort to me to see angels around me every day. May God Bless you all. In Christ, Regina South

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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!!

PEN SUNDAY, JULY 14 In reality the New Testament calls upon all of us to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Greek language an evangelist is one who announces good news, and we certainly need to hear good news. Some people are making it possible to aid us in our ministry by giving out pens that have the name of Grace church, address, phone number and Internet web site on it. For several months we have had Pen Sunday at the early service, and now we are ready to expand Pen Sunday to include both services, and we will start on Sunday, July 14. When you come to the 11:00 AM service you will be given a pen, not to keep but to give away to anyone who needs it. Your simple but meaningful jester may open the door to additional conversation concerning your personal message regarding your walk with the Lord, or the church you attend for Spiritual nourishment. Each month the congregation will receive another pen to replace those given away.

FOOD BASKETS: We continue to collect food for those in need in our community. Remember that during the summer hours, the children do not get lunches at school. Please take advantage of the two for one sales at the grocery stores. Baskets are in Narthex and outside office. Food collected in July goes to LINK, August to DUCO.

CROP HUNGER WALK Sunday, October 13, 2013

2:00pm @ North Riverside Baptist Church

The Missions Committee is encouraging Grace members to support the annual CROP Hunger Walk again this year. Maggie Keator and

Johnny O’Neill will be heading it up. Watch for more details

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Choir News (11:00 a.m.) CHAPEL AND CHERUB CHOIRS The Grace UMC Chapel and Cherub Choirs are on break for the summer. Thank you again to the parents and children for your support and dedication for the 2012-2013 season. The Chapel and Cherub choirs will resume practice in September. Keep an eye on the Newsletter for dates and times. The Chapel Choir is for ages 6-10 and the Cherub Choir is for ages 4 and 5. The Chapel Choir meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10 a.m. and the Cherub Choir meets on Sunday mornings from 10:-10:15, both choirs meet upstairs in the Children’s wing, last classroom on the left. The Chapel Choir focuses on learning how to read music and play chimes, ear training, music theory and singing. The Cherub Choir focuses on learning instruments and how to play them, ear training, music theory, singing and movement and music. Both choirs anticipate leading the 11 a.m. service once a month by singing and ringing chimes. If your child is interested in any of the above please bring them to join us. Keep an eye on the Newsletter for an information session on both choirs that will occur in September. CHANCEL BELLS The Grace UMC Chancel Bell Choir is on break for the summer. Thank you all again for your dedication and support for the 2012-2013 season. The Chancel Bells will resume practice in September; keep an eye on the Newsletter for the specific date and time. The Chancel Bells meet September through May in the Small Fellowship Hall on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30. We are always looking for new ringers, there is no commitment necessary. You also do not have to be able to read music, we will teach you everything you need to know. If you are interested in ringing please come join us or call the Director of Music for more information. CHANCEL CHOIR The Grace UMC Chancel Choir will meet through July and lead the 11a.m. worship service through the last Sunday in July. The Choir meets on Thursday evenings in the Choir room at 7:00 p.m. Keep an eye on the Newsletter and Bulletin for changes in rehearsal time over the month of July. We are always welcoming new singers, there is no commitment necessary. You do not have to be able to read music to sing with us, please come join us if you are interested. If you have more questions about the choir please contact the Director of Music. For more information, please contact Regina South at 804-694-7756 or by email at ReginaLSouth@gmail.com .

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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!

WORDS FOR THOUGHT Below is the last part of a song titled “Blessings” by Laura Story. Laura Story is an up and coming Contemporary Christian Artist. The song always brings me comfort but it also made me think about the reality that the trials of life are blessings from God because we cannot imagine what Heaven will be like and when it seems like the worst has happened to us it is just a reminder from God that it is a blessing in disguise. Regina South

Blessings by Laura Story When friends betray us When darkness seems to win We know that pain reminds this heart That this is not, This is not our home It's not our home 'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops What if Your healing comes through tears What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy What if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are your mercies in disguise

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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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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. LINK of Hampton Roads is in need of volunteers to help organize its warehouse and things that LINK is preparing for its thrift store which will be opening soon. Contact is Leigh Mitchell, 243-6363. Thanks! Vacation Bible School is considered a Salty Service. Consider volunteering this July. Contact Juliana. Napali-Speaking Congregation is also considered a Salty Service. The Virginia Peninsula Salvation Army Summer Camp Program has starting watching 80 children, Monday - Friday from now until the middle of August. We are asking for two (2) volunteers per day to assist from 12:00 NOON to between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM. During this period of time, the volunteers will assist the counselors with feeding the children and helping to clean up afterwards. Very little work and lots of fun. If interested in volunteering, please include in your request the days you will be able to assist and contact Jim Colston, jim_colston@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Watch future newsletter for more opportunities to serve the Lord!

It is harvest time — in grain fields and mission fields.

May worship fortify us to be laborers at God’s service.

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Lord, Teach Us To Pray Greetings from the 2013 Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church! The Annual Conference took place June 21-23 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center with Bishop Young Jin Cho presiding. The theme of was “Lord, Teach Us To Pray” and prayer was the focus of the entire event. On Friday during the Laity Session our Conference Lay Leader, Warren Harper, led us in a study of the Lord’s Prayer. We were reminded of the importance of being engaged when we pray, even when it is a familiar, memorized prayer. The laity was reminded: “Don’t just repeat it, pray it!” In the opening session, Bishop Cho gave an inspiring Episcopal Address assessing the “state of the conference”. He spoke about the decline in membership and the assertion by some that the United States is no longer a Christian country. He declared that the United States is now a mission field. He continued by laying out a detailed plan for turning around the decline of the church. We must pray more! “Of course all of us pray. But just saying hello to Jesus a couple of times a day is not enough.” Friday concluded with a service of Remembrance and Holy Communion. Reverend Clarence Brown preached a sermon titled “A Can of Ps: Preparation, Prayer and Praise”. Saturday began with a Bible study conducted in three parts by Dr. Steven Harper. The series continued our focus on prayer: #1.Igniting the Flame of Prayer (Sat. morning) #2. Fanning the Flame of Prayer (Sat. afternoon) #3. Spreading the Flame of Prayer (Sun. morning) Much of the day was spent listening to reports and addressing the business of the Conference. The day concluded with the Service of Ordination. The sermon for this worship was given by Reverend Tom Berlin. A total of 65 persons were ordained as local pastors, provisional members, deacons, or elders. Our final day of conference included Bible study, a completion of the reporting and business, and worship. At the end of the closing worship service, Bishop Cho fixed the appointments for the coming year. Reverend Steven D. Barbery has been appointed to serve Grace UMC.

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TREASURER’S NOTES by: Betty S. Hill

Budget Update through June 23, 2013: Budgeted $127,412 ~ Received $126,728

Thank you for the opportunity to represent Grace United Methodist Church at the Virginia Annual Conference held at the Hampton Convention Center on June 21-23. It was a learning experience, and one I truly enjoyed. A wonderful 3-part Bible study on prayer, and truly moving worship services as tribute was given to those who have gone on to glory, those who have taken up the cross as ministers, deacons and elders, those who were retiring, and of course, those who were receiving new appointments were some of the highlights of the 3-day event. I will give a more detailed report later in July during a worship service on Sunday morning. Joan Heaton

While I have attended the annual conference worship services many times in my life, this was my first experience as a delegate. I served as an At-Large member from the York River District. It was an honor to represent you in discerning the business of the conference. I saw many familiar and beloved friends from my years in the Voices of Youth as well as past Grace UMC pastors and spouses. They all send you blessings and well wishes! I found my favorite part of conference to be the same thing it has been in past years…the singing of hymns. To be a part of 3,000 Methodist voices singing the familiar hymns of my childhood is an incredibly powerful and uplifting experience for me. Some favorites were: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, God of Grace and God of Glory, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, and For All the Saints. The very first hymn we sang on Friday was “And Are We Yet Alive”…the answer is YES! Ford McFall

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WEEKDAY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM – FOUR STAR RATING During the past six years, the Weekday Educational Program has been working with a mentor from Preschool Partners to improve our program and ensure we are giving the best quality childcare to our families. We are evaluated every two years by the Virginia Star Quality Initiative (VSQI) and given a star rating which is based on a scale of 1 – 5 stars. The VSQI is a quality rating and improvement system for early childhood classrooms across the state of Virginia. We are rated on the following four standards:

Staff Education, Qualifications and Training Interactions with Children

Structure Environment and Instruction

We were evaluated in 2011 and received a FOUR STAR rating from the Virginia Star Quality Initiative. This past spring, we were evaluated and once again have been awarded a FOUR STAR rating. A four star rating is something we can be proud of!!! A five star rating is difficult, if not impossible, given our physical plant; the size of classrooms, no sinks in classrooms, access to classrooms via stairs and our budget.

We thank the congregation of Grace Church for your support of our fundraising efforts such as our plant sale. The funds raised from these projects enable us to make necessary improvements to our school. We also thank you for your prayers that lift us up so that we may continue to offer this ministry to the community.

Beverly Ouzts, Director Weekday Educational Program

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.

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NOTES FROM YOUR TRUSTEES

- by Gloria Champine

Sorry to say your Trustees have changed the priority on needs of our Church. Severe problems have been

discovered on the roof that have moved the lighting needs from top priority to the number 2 slot. In addition to the problems we've had with leaks from the flat roof, we found that support boards are rotten and roofing beams are pulling away. It is possible that rain water is running back under the flat roof off the Sanctuary roof, and into the vertical wall of the Church; and that is just the tip of the iceberg. After considerable discussion of possible options, it was the consensus of the Board that the roofing problem was so severe that we should bring in two general contractors to give us guidance and submit bids. The preschool roofing will be included. After reviewing the bids, Chairman, Roger Patterson will discuss the cost with Church Council and Finance Committee for their information and costing concerns. Lighting replacement will be done on an “as needed” basis until the roof is taken care of. Some better news. Two slats on the middle bench outside the breezeway were found broken. Ray Nobles on our Property Committee, measured and made new slats for the bench. These were painted to match and replaced. Thanks Ray.

Work has begun on the Parsonage with the air ducts being cleaned followed by interior painting , stair carpet replacement, patching of the ceiling in the dining room and kitchen, plus several smaller jobs. Our new Pastor, Rev. Steven Barbery, will be moving in before interior work is completed. but he says that is okay. Exterior painting on the entrance door and wood trim around the house will follow at a later date. Additional items National Exterminating has inspected the

Parsonage. Carpeting has been professionally cleaned in

both the small and large fellowship halls and looks very nice.

Two globes in a chandelier in the Chapel were found broken, and even though they were an older variety, replacements were found locally and have been installed.

Painters will seal the exposed wood on the front and back of the church to make it water tight.

Cracks were discovered between wall blocks over the window in the Choir Room and also over the south door to the parking lot. These will be repaired by your Trustees when it can be worked in.

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 our contributions for the greatest benefit to our Church. We welcome your thoughts, ideas and

prayers.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

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Grace United Methodist Church 1209 Country Club Road Newport News, Virginia 23606

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From the Pastor’s Desk... Hello Everyone,

I am excited to be appointed as your new pastor at Grace UMC. District Superintendent Joe

Carson and everyone sings such praises of the people and ministries here, that I am sure the

Holy Spirit is involved in my appointment. The presence of the Holy Spirit provides us with an

amazing amount of potential for ministries here at Grace. It doesn’t prevent the adjustment

period that comes with a new pastor. Over the next few weeks, I will be working with the Staff

Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) and other leaders to get familiar with the congregation and

ministries. Meeting with ministry teams and committees, setting up an office and visitation

schedule, and setting short-term and mid-term priorities are all included in the process.

As a part of the Christian life, I take seriously the spiritual discipline of Sabbath. My

scheduled Sabbath is Friday and will not be available for routine pastoral duties on that day,

including answering emails. Know that I am available for pastoral emergencies anytime, please

don’t hesitate to call (even if it’s Friday.) The parsonage phone number is still 757-596-0217.

Closing out my first newsletter article, I am looking forward to partnering in ministry with

everyone. For some that are newer in our journey with the Lord, it means concentrating on

becoming more faithful disciples while others are ready to live out their calling. No matter

where we are in our journey, we are called to be transformed by God’s love and grace so that we

are better Christians tomorrow than we are today.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Steve