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Grace Notes
Volume 42, Issue 2
March 2012
Brothers and sisters in Christ Trying to choose a focus for this monthly letter reminds me of why I (and so many other preachers) are grateful for both the lectionary and the practice of lectio continua. Having a predetermined schedule of readings frees one from devoting ones energies to making a choice, and allows one to focus on the passage placed before oneself. In previous pastorates I have often used this letter to explore various aspects of ones faith life that did not lend themselves easily to treatment in a sermon (such as last months letter about intercessory prayer). At the same time, I am constantly reminded that, despite all our attempts to communicate news and information about the life of the church, still there are those who do not get the word. And since so much has happened at Grace Covenant in the last month, I want to take this moment to lift up and recap the manifold ways that Gods Holy Spirit has been moving among us recently. Seven people recently attended the Inquirers Class and have chosen to make the commitment to membership. Please be sure to give them a special welcome when we receive them during worship on March 18 The CDC Board of Directors selected Nicole Williams as the new CDC Director, and approved Nicoles suggestion to subsidize WNL dinners for CDC staffers (most of whom are VCU students) and guests, thereby complementing our Mission ministrys nascent outreach to the VCU campus and helping to bridge the distance between the Education building and the East building. Weve already hosted several staff at WNL, and also look forward to Nicole joining the rotation of those who present our Childrens Sermons during Sunday worship. We installed a new computerized payroll and tuition management system that will significantly reduce paperwork and streamline administration for staff, parents, and our bookkeeper, Martha Rubin. (Speaking of bookkeeping, thanks to months of heroic efforts by John Nevin, John Lampe, Martha, and Everett Reveley, this past month we completely reconciled our records, and have begun 2012 on a strong financial foot). In addition, enrollment continues to rise, and the Board is exploring ways to accommodate the increased number of children this ministry is serving... Special thanks to the PW, who helped fund some improvements and upgrades to the CDC facilities in the East building (and who also enjoyed a fantastic performance by Janet Chenoweth & company of two of her plays at their February lunch!) The Nominating Committee presented Wayne Casey to fill an unexpired term as Ruling Elder in the class of 2013 (whom the congregation subsequently elected), and is grateful for the suggestions it has received for nominees to the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee). -continued on page 2-
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-continued from page 1We will be able to elect a PNC at a called meeting of the congregation shortly after the Mission Study is complete and has been accepted by Session, which will most likely happen in the next few weeks. The Mission Study Team has worked tirelessly to produce a thorough, faithful, well-researched, and comprehensive report that describes both our congregation and the immediate world beyond our walls, and which lays out a clear, faithful, and ambitious path forward. We owe a debt of gratitude to chair John Nevin, vice-chair Matt Johnson, Brian Baird, Catherine Kerns, Matt Hartman, Christof Meyer, and Everett Reveley. I know they look forward to sharing their work and ministry more fully with the congregation in the weeks ahead. Christopher Tweel has been providing leadership for our youth ministries. Along with ruling elder Virginia Hudson, he helped coordinate our Souper Bowl Sunday offering (raising almost $600 for the hungry in Richmond), and accompanied Nina and Eva Chenoweth to the POJs recent weekend Confirmand Retreat at Camp Hanover. Meanwhile, the rest of the POJ (!) gathered in our sanctuary and Fellowship Hall on February 18th for their 80th stated meeting. Chris Martin and our mellifluous Chancel Choir led us in an inspiring worship service, while Suzanne Sizemore, Dottie-Ray Koch, Dawson Watkins, and Willie Alford oversaw the serving of continental breakfast and a wonderful lasagna lunch (complete with Ghirardelli home-cooked brownies for dessert!). This was topped off with delicious coffee brewed in our new coffee brewer, which had just been installed and op-tested that week by Brian Baird, Jim McCullough and Dan Floyd. None of this would have gone as smoothly as it did, however, without the expert leadership of Matt Hartman coordinating a crew of the men of the church serving as parking guides for our arriving guests. This pat month three of our members Elizabeth Wheeler, Maurice Bell, and Howard Blackmon departed this life and went on to join the Church Triumphant. Each of them powerfully and humbly exemplified the life of service to which Christ calls each of His discipleship, and while we mourn their passing, we are richer for their witness. And yes all of this (plus other ministries and events that I did not mention like the wonderful restroom renovations performed by Charlie Appich, and coordinated by the Property Ministry under Rob Rosebros leadership) happened in one month. Looking ahead, not only do we have the annual Ukrops Monument Avenue 10K on March 31, but the Sportsbackers (who promote this event) have contracted with us to have their pre-race organizational meeting in our Fellowship Hall. The Sunday afternoon DISCIPLE Bible Study continues strong under Nelson Reveleys guidance, while our Christian Education ministry (chaired by Christof Meyer) is planning exciting new offerings both for the congregation and for our neighborhood. -continued on page 16-
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PW Benevolence Fund
The GCPC Presbyterian Women Memorial Fund interest is available for benevolent purposes as determined by the PW Coordinating Team. Anyone wishing to suggest a worthy cause should put the request in writing with the dollar amount, address the request to Becky Reeves, and place it in the PW Mailbox in the glass office by March 31, 2012. Briefly describe how the money would be used, and include the name and address of the person to receive the check if the purpose is chosen.
PW Circle 2 11:00 a.m. Covenant Room Hostess: Jean Appich & Ann Pais
PW Cir
cle 4
7:00
p.m.
.m. ry 10:45 a anterbu nster C i Westm unge oor Lo th Fl 4 rar Lee Far ostess: H
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Contributions in January totaled $32,600, compared with $35,200 for January a year ago. In addition, $19,000 was transferred to the General Fund, representing 2012 pledges paid in 2011. Expenses for the month totaling $46,500 were routine, but included $6,000 in leasehold improvements in the Stuart Circle Building and $4,400 quarterly insurance payment. January's General Fund income exceeded expenses by $6,700, but this was after the inclusion of $19,100 in 2012 pledges paid in 2011. Our Five Cents per Meal offering in January was only $193, but was above the amount collected in January last year.
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Forms are also available in the Glass Office to fill out. There is a clear plastic box into which payments and forms can be dropped.
This form must be filled out and given to the church office ON or BEFORE: Monday, March 26, 2012
Name:_________________________________________________________________ I would like to purchase: _________________________________________________Qty In Memory of:__________________________________________________________ In Honor of:___________________________________________________________ By:__________________________________________________________________ Total Qty.________________________ x $11.00 = $___________________________
*Please make checks payable to GCPC and turn into the church office or mail to: 1627 Monument Ave. Richmond, VA 23220 Attn: Vanessa Strait
Openers/Closers March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25 Jake Savage Lloyd Bostian Pete Sizemore Cal Gray
Worship Kits Evelyn Tower Elementary Sunday School March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25 Greeters March 4 March 11 March 18 Gay Moss Jo Garber Lisa Cardwell Lewis Rosebro March 25 Host/Hostess for the Fellowship Time Volunteers host our Fellowship Time in the Social Room after Worship on Sundays. If you would like to volunteer to host the Fellowship Hour one Sunday, please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Social Room placed on the piano, or in the Glass Office. Bob Copeland Megan Meyer Cherry Corley Katherine Baird/Big Tent Virginia Hudson/Art Erika Tabor/Science Janet Chenoweth/Drama
Wednesday Night Supper/Glass Monitor March 7 March 14 March 21 March 28 Nursery Volunteers March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25 CARITAS NO WNL Virginia Hudson Erika Tabor Rob Rosebro
Childrens Worship Kits Think you arent qualified to work with Children? Well there is another way you can help! We need volunteers to help with Worship Kits. Worship Kits are small bags we give out to Grace Notes Deadline: Monday, March 19, children to help them follow the sermon with a is the deadline for submissions for our April bulletin and an activity sheet to keep them busy. edition. Worship Kit volunteers are based on a month rotation serve for all the Sundays in the month and youre done! Contact Lisa Cardwell if you are willing to serve in this ministry at 804-2857044 This can be done on Sunday mornings as well
PRESBYTERIAN OLDER ADULT MINISTRY -Reverend Charles E. SuttonOn the morning of March 19, 2009, my wife, Rachel died. I had hurried to her room in Health-Care around 8:00 a.m. The oxygen machine was unable to produce enough to assist her weak lungs. In just a few minutes she was gone. Was my hug, my kiss, my whisper of love, a help? I am not equipped to speak or write about death. I am sharing thoughts gained from Dr. Henry Simmons article Old Souls, New Shoes. in Dimensions of Older Adult Ministry: A Handbook. Dying begins even as life begins. Dying is actually the transition from cries of birth to the silence of death. Things and events happen all along the way, and for many of these we make preparation. We gain instruction from the church community, the family, the society, and our friends; all support us, and inform us as to what to expect, and how to handle these events, but for death there is a silence. The call to the manse came after midnight Our son, John, has been killed in a car accident, can you come? Of course. No one was prepared. Dying is a process, a transition that ideally takes time. Unlike some other HingePoints of change in our lives, it is not always physically clear when the point is reached, and a person enters that realm, unto death and then this final transition has begun. There are some things that one needs to do in order to bring a sense of completion with worldly affairs, and move toward a surrender to God. These worldly affairs are handed over to others. Some people write a summary of their successes and dreams. Some indicate their desires regarding memorial services. Some seek forgiveness, and grant forgiveness of others. Some desire to express anew their love to family members. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Revelation 14:13
March Birthdays
2- Betty Schenk 2- Reagan McCullough 3- Maria Rachal 3- Zoe Koch 4- Lewis Rosebro 5- Chuck Massey 6- Katherine Baird 7- Mac Janney 8- Steve Booth 8- Sudie Wood 9- Carol Wood 10- Liam Peters 10- Lily Spangler 11- Caroline Leith 11- Susan Farrell 12- Dawson Watkins 12- Jason Peters 13- John Nevin 13- Brannan Boze 14- Becky Yonan 14- Gay Moss 14- Christopher Douglas 16- John Alexander 17- Helen Holt 20- Lucy Harvie 23- Helen Reveley 23- Ann Londrey 24- Betty Clough 25- Bonnie Pritchard 26- Kelly Lacy 26- Langdon Moss III 27- Holly Anderson 27- Bob Adams 27- Lee Lacy 27- Jeremiah Zobule 29- Courtney Clements 29- Matthew Gray 29- Jed Londrey 30- Jane Johnson
March
Sunday Monday Tuesday 4 CARITAS Mission Study Team 8:30 am Handbell Choir 8:30 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon 11 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon 5 CARITAS Mens Lunch 12 noon 6 CARITAS Staff Meeting 10:00 am
Care Team 3:00 pm Deacons Meeting and Worship Comm. Meeting 7:00 p.m.
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Wednesday
13 Staff Meeting 10:00 am PW Circles meet see pg.3 Care Team 3:00 pm Admin. Committee 6:00 pm Finance, Christian Ed. and Fellowship Committee 7:00 pm 20 Staff Meeting 2:00 p.m. Care Team 3:00 pm
14 Carol Choir 4:30 pm Junior Choir 5:00 pm CDC Board Meets 5:00pm Wednesday Night Live 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm
21 Carol Choir 4:30 pm
18 Handbell Choir 8:30 am Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon 25 Handbell Choir 8:30 am Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon
Junior Choir 5:00 pm Wednesday Night Live 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 8:00 pm
28 Carol Choir 4:30 pm
Junior Choir 5:00 pm Wednesday Night Live 6:00 pm Chancel Choir 7:15 pm
Friday
Saturday 3 CARITAS
9 CARITAS
10 CARITAS
Bread Breakers at 6:30 p.m. 211 Queen Charlotte Road 15 Mothers Together 9:30 am SESSION MEETING 7:00 pm 22 Mothers Together 9:30 am 23 24 16 17
30
31 Monument 10 K
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March 14: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, biscuits, brownies March 21: Brunswick stew, corn bread, salad, apple crisp March 28: Chicken casserole, scalloped tomatoes, collard greens, rolls, salad, Jello and cookies
Wednesday Night programs are from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. every week in the Fellowship Hall. Programs include special guest speakers or people in our own congregation, sharing various topics.
Meals are:
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Please join us for our first Bread Breakers of 2012 on Saturday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Dana McKnight. Please bring either an appetizer, main dish, side dish or dessert to share. ALL ARE WELCOME! RSVP 358-8944
211 QUEEN CHARLOTTE Rd. (IN WINDSOR FARMS)
The Staff
Brint Keyes
2012 Officers
Our Elders serve the church as leaders. Our Deacons lead the church in service. Please feel free to approach them with any questions or feedback about Grace Covenants ministries.
Interim Pastor
Revbrint@verizon.net Chris Martin
CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley ELDERS: Jordan Ball (14) - Nominating (M); Finance Kent Cardwell (12) - Fellowship (M) Matt Hartman (13) - Missions (M) Virginia Hudson (14) - Evangelism (M) Cheryl Jacobs (12) - Worship (M); Fellowship Katie McCullough (13) - Administration (M) Dana McKnight (14) - Finance, Worship Christof Meyer (12) - Christian Ed (M), CDC (M) Tom Miller (12) - Christian Education Joy Nevin (14) - Administration Everett Reveley (12) - Finance (M) Robert Rosebro (13) - Property (M) Rob Turner (14) - Worship, Nominating DEACONS: Pat Ball (12) - Flowers Cherry Corley (12) - Communication Cards Susan Farrell (12) - Transportation, Care Nikki Hazlegrove (13) - Vice-Moderator - Meals Jan Kessel (14) - Care Team Jim McCullough (13) - Deacons Fund, Nominating Ann Pais (14) - Care Team Erika Tabor (14) - Secretary - Communication Cards Judy Waldron (14) - Moderator - Cards Dawson Watkins (13) - Care Team Carol Wood (13) - Prayer, Communication Cards Sid Yates (12) - Ushering MISSION STUDY TEAM: John Nevin (M) Matt Johnson (Co-M) Brian Baird Matt Hartman Christof Meyer Everett Reveley Brint Keyes (ex officio) M=Moderator)
Administrative Assistant
strait@grace-covenant.org Martha Rubin
Bookkeeper
Sexton
Christopher Tweel
Sunday School for all ages in the Education Building Worship Service in the Sanctuary Congregational Fellowship in the Social Room
Director director.gccdc@verizon.net
-continued from page 2This discipleship outreach is part of a larger and broader-based outreach being coordinated by our Mission, Outreach & Evangelism ministry, which has been blessed by the creation (also last month - !) of the Loaves and Fishes fund, through which anonymous members have promised to match pledges and donations of up to $1000 per month to provide direct support to Richmond families in need, as well as to international missions. May the Lord be praised for His working so fully among us, leading us to bear witness as His Body. Yet in all this, one of the things that I find most surprising is the relatively small number of people whom God is using in all this. Grace Covenant has 27 Ruling Elders and Deacons. The ministries that they lead list only 27 other members as being involved in those ministries, out of a congregation of over 300. (I will note that the Chancel Choir and the PW both of whom put in many hours and much work are not included in these totals). Nevertheless, Grace Covenants ministries are deprived of the gifts and talents of many by having relatively so few involved. Jack Corley has very graciously agreed to take up the mantle of the Time and Talent Survey that Maurice Bell had planned to administer, and has coordinated the distribution of these surveys in the worship bulletins, as well as in the narthex and other places in the church. I was not just impressed, but truly humbled by the tremendous response to the Congregational Survey conducted by the Mission Study Team. This congregation has unequivocally shown itself to be deeply committed to Grace Covenants continued mission and witness. Please continue that commitment by returning this survey, and by prayerfully asking the Lord where He would have you serve today. Also, please note that service does NOT necessarily mean attendance at monthly meetings. It means simply that you openly and deliberately offer your gifts and talents to the ministries that you have elected your ruling elders to lead. This truly has been a month filled with the presence of God in all aspects of our lives. Thank you for allowing me to share it with you In Christ,
See ya there!
Located at: 7105 University Drive, beginning at 10:00 a.m.