Amazing Grace Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World Through Christian Growth, Community Outreach & Life Skill Development

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2020 AMAZING GRACE MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD THROUGH CHRISTIAN GROWTH, COMMUNITY OUTREACH & LIFE SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Meet Dallin, Our New Choir Director

Dallin Baldwin is currently a doctoral student studying choral conducting at the University of Notre Dame. Originally from Arizona, Dallin began playing the piano and singing in choir as a young boy. He studied organ performance and choral conducting at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Dallin has performed organ recitals in various locations, including St. John’s Cathedral (Boise, ID), the Cathedral of the Madeleine (Salt Lake City, UT), the United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), and Brigham Young University (Provo, UT). Dallin has performed with the acclaimed Brigham Young University Singers on tours (Northern California and Nevada) and at the national convention of the American Choral Directors Association (Kansas City, MO, 2019). Before working at Grace United Methodist Church, Dallin worked as organist and choir director at St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Provo, UT). Dallin and his wife, Carlee, enjoy going to the theater, game nights, and cooking together. He is extremely excited to join the community at Grace and to praise God together through music.

Choir to Resume

The Chancel Choir will begin meeting again every Thursday evening at 7:00 pm, starting on Thursday, September 10. While we know that things will be different due to the safety precautions we must take, we hope to still foster a sense of musical and spiritual growth through participation in the choir. All are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dallin Baldwin at [email protected]. ~Dallin Baldwin, Choir Director

We will not be practicing music as an entire choir. Dallin will be selecting specials and involving small groups from within the choir to perform the small group pieces. As he rotates between groups, the rest of us will be looking at what it means to live as a musician during this time. Dallin will also be looking at the possibility of leading handbells/chimes for whole group participation since that is something that can be done at a safe physical distance. Pastor Stacee has asked me to be in ministry with the choir, and I’d love to hear your thoughts at what that means. ~Pastor Kerry ([email protected] / 574-361-6011) Grace UMC Staff the rest of the story LEAD PASTOR: Rev. Stacee Fischer Gehring ASSOCIATE PASTOR: O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; Pastor Kerry Clear I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child RETIRED RESIDENT PASTOR: Rev. Bill White with its mother. PSALM 131:1-2a (NRSV) MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE: Heidi Clear MUSIC DIRECTOR: n some days, I am feeling So, I just try to make a plan for Victoria Garrett Othis psalm right now. Tired. the next day and commit to just Heart low. Eyes downcast. getting through the next breath. CHOIR DIRECTOR: Dallin Baldwin Overwhelmed. Too discouraged What about you? For what are you to place much hope in the future. planning? ORGANIST: What about you? What are you David Eicher feeling? I pray for a quieted spirit. I pray SOUND TECHNICIAN: for an imaginative spirit. I pray Adam Schmok I have lowered my gears like a car for a burning spirit. I pray for a MEDIA OPERATOR: climbing a mountain in fourth, determined spirit. I pray for the Lettie Ringer shifting down to third, and then spirit to lead me into the lap of our to second, and finally to first. mothering God so I can close my WEDDING CORDINATOR: I expend just enough energy eyes for a spell and feel the holy Chris Rowe to cross this mountain - this heartbeat that quiets the chaos. DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION mountain of our time, of this What about you? For what do you & PROGRAMMING: season. This season of transition. pray? Melodie Ringer This season of a pandemic. This ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF season of everything being new Mothering God, even a weaned CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES: and nothing being new. This child needs a parent’s comfort. Amy Hendrickson season of violence and eyes being Even a reliable car needs a tune- CHURCH SECRETARY: opened. This season of restlessness up. Even a faithful disciple needs Jennifer Robinett and this season of waiting. What quiet. Let my rest be marvelous in about you? What season is this for your sight. Let my life be a light. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Judy Clady you? Let my prayers come from the depth of my very soul. CUSTODIANS: O Lord, our great healer, keep David Neibar Tim Piech anxiety from clogging the From the safety of God our Angel Soto catalytic converter. Mother, our quieted heart can notice great change and welcome PRESCHOOL TEACHERS: Amy Hendrickson, Director O Lord, our peacemaker, keep hope. From the solace of God our Nancy Creech anger from burning out the Father, the stilled spirit can delight Melodie Ringer engine. in beauty more marvelous than it Alyssa Kukla can imagine. Sandra Trovatore O Lord, who is the great I AM, NURSERY: keep fear from misfiring across Amen. Amy Seese the spark plugs. Let it be so. Connie Harmon BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR: I try to make a plan for the next Yours in Christ, Bob Suter month, but it seems fruitless. I try Rev. Stacee to make a plan for the next week, but it will probably be cancelled. 2 Picnic with the Pastors Wednesdays at 6:30 pm - September 9, 16, 23, and 30

Pack your own picnic basket, grab your lawn chair or blanket, and join the pastors at the labyrinth for a time of fellowship and activity. The first week we will be welcoming the Clear Family Singers who will share some fun and some hopeful songs. Each of the following weeks will have other special focuses, like perhaps an old fashioned hymn sing or other special guest artist. In addition to fellowship, we can all become more acquainted with Pastor Stacee and family.

This is a weather permitted event and we do ask that a mask is ready to be worn anytime you even have the chance of being less than six The Altar Gets feet from someone outside of your family. In this time of responsible a New Look cautiousness, let us not lose our connection but instead thrive in the times. Thanks to the hard work of several volunteers, the 2 "My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider pulpit has been returned it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith to the altar after being produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you absent for several years. may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." JAMES 1:2-4

Grace UMC Worship Service Update:

The staff and Worship Committee are conferring on the worship “The time is coming - indeed schedule and location of services. As of the publication of Amazing it’s here now - when true Grace, the worship service schedule is: worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” 9:00am - Service on the Lawn (Rain location in the Sanctuary) 10:30am - Online Worship JOHN 4:23-24 This schedule is subject to change, so please watch for updated information.

September Worship Focus SERMON SERIES: 13 SEPTEMBER 27 SEPTEMBER Exodus People Presentation of 3rd Grade Bibles, SCRIPTURE: Exodus 17:1-7 Mission Moment (God provides water.) 30 AUGUST SCRIPTURE: Exodus 14:19-31 THEME: “Exodus People SCRIPTURE: Exodus 3:1-15 (Moses parting the sea.) are thirsty.” (Moses and the burning bush.) THEME: “Exodus People walk on THEME: “Exodus People cry out dry land.” 4 OCTOBER against injustice.” World Communion Sunday 20 SEPTEMBER SCRIPTURE: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 6 SEPTEMBER SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16:2-15 12-20. (Labor Day Weekend) (God provides manna (The Ten Commandments) SCRITURE: Exodus 12:1-14 from heaven.) THEME: ‘Exodus People (The Passover) THEME: “Exodus People take follow rules.” THEME: “Exodus People listen just enough.” to the Lord.” 3 Exciting Things Happening With Our Children and Youth

CROP WALK FOR HUNGER 3rd Grace Bible Presentation

The Youth will be walking in On Sunday, September 13 the 3rd graders will be receiving their Bibles! the Crop Walk this year on Congratulations to: Adriana Jones, Caleb Leonard, Leah Jellison, James September 27. Here’s the link Gillen, Lola Timmons and Blake Young. you need to join or support the Grace team! https://www.crophungerwalk. org/southbendin/Team/ View/134621/Grace-UMC- Raggedy Ann Preschool South-Bend. Raggedy Ann is looking forward to beginning the 20-21 school year on September 8. Melodie Ringer and Amy Hendrickson will be returning to teach. Currently, 20 children are enrolled. Class size is expected to be between 8-10 kids. We still have some space available. Call 288-4789 for information or visit gracemethodist.org.

W.O.W. to Resume in October

W.O.W. (Worship on Wednesday) to be returning soon. Our Wednesday night basketball/neighborhood outreach ministry will be resuming in October in a modified manner. The exact details are still being hashed out, but we will not be serving a meal. Instead we will be serving bottled water (or other prepackaged beverage) and prepackaged individual food items. If you are at the store and see a sale on something, go ahead and pick it up and drop it off in the kitchen marked “W.O.W.” so we know that it is to be used on Wednesday evenings.

Our entry policy will be similar to what we have outlined for Raggedy Ann and involve masks, an at the door screening, and a Covid waiver signed by parents. Our need for volunteers to be on sight Wednesday nights will be W.O.W. limited to a check in person (preferably one of our church nurses) and a DONATIONS person to distribute the appropriate amount of food supplies.

We are collecting bottled water, We will continue our tradition of sharing the love of Christ with the beverages and prepackaged participants through our action of presence and in the study of the snacks in preparation for Bible and what it means for us today. Be on the look-out for more W.O.W. These items may be information soon. taken to the church kitchen and labeled “WOW.”

4 One Person’s Junk Is Another Person’s Treasure We will begin collecting items for 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Any help will the Rummage Sale on Monday, be greatly appreciated (all men August 31. All items, with the and women are welcome and you exception of furniture, may be don't have to belong to the UMW). RUMMAGE SALE placed on the stage in the Please wear a mask and gloves, Great Hall. which will be provided. We will do everything we can to insure Friday, September 11 We take clothing, household items, protocol safety. 8:30 am-11:30 am kitchenware, glassware, books, decorations, holiday decorations, All proceeds go towards the Saturday, September 12 linens, DVD's, CD's tools etc. Just UMW's Mission projects including 8:30 am-12:30 pm about anything! Please make sure our own Paper Pantry. all items are clean. Need info or help call: $3.00 bag sale Saturday If you want to help sort please feel Chris Rowe (274-5206) starting at 11:30 am free to come in any day the week of Holly Easterbrook (292-2526) September 7 - 10 from

Memorial Bricks for Purchase

While you are walking the Labyrinth, you may also want to walk the Memorial Pathway leading from the church to the labyrinth. It reveals a bit of Grace Church history and has become an amazing blessing. The Sacred Labyrinth May you walk in peace! AN ANCIENT MEDITATION TOOL Twenty-one 4x8 Memorial If you have never walked our labyrinth, late summer and early fall offer bricks are now available for great opportunities to do that. Our labyrinth is a sacred space that is purchase. The cost is $75 per always open. Walking a labyrinth is a type of body prayer or walking engraved and installed brick. meditation. It is not a maze or a puzzle to be solved but a somewhat Order forms are available meandering but purposeful path that can represent our life walk. You just from the church office or the follow the path to the center and then return by the same pathway. In the Welcome Center. process of following the path, we are slowed down and helped to focus our minds and draw closer to God. The beauty of the labyrinth is in its simplicity. It becomes a profound and surprising way to experience God. 5 Upcoming Events

UMW RUMMAGE SALE Friday, September 11 / 8:30 am-11:30 am Saturday, September 12 / 8:30 am-12:30 pm GOOD NEWS! $3.00 bag sale Saturday starting at 11:30 am Lexie and Tyler Fisher CROP WALK - Sunday, September 27 / 2 pm welcomed a baby boy on The CROP WALK for Hunger raises money to support the global August 3. Jackson James and Lexie are both mission of transforming communities around the globe through doing great. just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Twenty five percent of the funds raised support local hunger Our blood drive Sunday, fighting efforts. To support Grace Church Walkers, visit https://www. August 9 was quite crophungerwalk.org/southbendin/Team/View/134621/Grace-UMC- successful. We had 22 South-Bend. people come through and were able to collect 18 successful units. It was nice to be back in the Great Hall. Sympathy Our sympathy is extended to the Loutzenhiser family as they mourn the loss of Ellen.

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Stuart McGowan has been busy fighting fires out west (Montana, Utah, and Arizona so far). Here are some of his adventures.