Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Grace Notes
Volume 42, Issue 7

July 2012

VBS RECAP

Grace Covenants Vacation Bible School

travels around the world!

On Thursday evening, June 28th, we concluded this years Vacation Bible School. The theme this year was Where do we go from here? focusing on outreach and missions. It has been quite a week! For those of you who missed out, here are some highlights: 1. Sitting around the table with VCU international students and learning how they have adjusted to US culture and hearing their thoughts about Christianity. 2. Connecting across the ocean for live conversation, video, and prayer with the Chicus from their home in Moldova. 3. Seeing recent beautiful pictures of the Zobule family. Being amazed at the dedication of Alphaeus to his calling to translate Gods word for peoples in the Solomon Islands. 4. Hearing about how folks from GCPC have been turning over the Honduras mission work to native Hondurans. 5. When our dinner plans were violently cancelled by the tornado, seeing folks walking in with fried chicken from around the city, and having several boxfuls left over! 6. Watching, hearing, and enjoying our children as they sang songs of praise from all over the world. 7. Realizing that the ultimate reason for missions work is that God deserves more glory, and the more that worship Him, the more He is glorified. Thanks to Elizabeth Gee for sharing this insight! So, where do we go from here? Each night we learned about specific ways to answer this question by: --Writing to faithful Christian workers who need encouragement, --Befriending those new to Richmond from other countries --Going to serve the poor in other countries --Giving financially to enable those missionaries to do their work effectively --Partnering with missionaries around the world by praying for them Like the boy who gave his lunch of loaves and fish, Jesus will take our small gifts and multiply them for his kingdom. We just need to be willing to give up what we have, small though it may be. I have a hunch He wants your lunch. Will you give it for His kingdom and His glory? Your friend and servant, Matt Hartman Missions Committee Chair

Volume 42, Issue 7

Page 3

BREAD BREAKERS Saturday, July 28, 2012

Time: 6:30 p.m.

1502 Park Avenue Please bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share

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Stewardship Corner and Financial Update

After a strong showing in April, which had five Sundays, contributions fell sharply to slightly less than $30,000 in May. For the first five months of this year, the total of $187,200 is 8.7% higher than the same period last year. Total income for the period is running over twenty percent lower due to lower rental income this year and transfers and repayments that accrued last year. Expenses in May were routine, other than $2,500 insurance payment, and totaled only $39,000, resulting in an operating deficit for the month of $7,800. For the first five months of the year, General Fund expenses have exceeded income by $15,600,compared to a surplus of $31,800 at this time last year due to the extraordinary items mentioned previously. Our Loaves and Fishes offering in May was $1,800, while our Five Cents Per Meal Offering totaled only $151.

Loaves and Fishes Fund Update:

The Loaves and Fishes Fund is an opportunity to give to local families in need and international missions work. To date, we have received pledges (including the anonymous donor's matching gifts) of $22,332 for this year! At the end of June we received $10,648.64 of the pledged amount. The Missions Committee has been putting your generous pledges to good use. So far we have allocated $6,256 to help three families, providing one family emergency rent support, opening the door to permanent housing for a second family, and providing a third family with much-needed car repair. We are so thankful for everyone's generosity. We are also seeking input about families known to our congregation that we might be able to help in the future. Please contact Matt Hartman (212-1961, mchartman@vcu.edu).

Openers/Closers July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Charlie Appich Rob Rosebro Rob Rosebro Kent Cardwell Rick Nochta

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. Grace Notes Deadline: July 21 is the deadline for submissions for our August edition.

Worship Kits Lisa Cardwell

Going forward, the Grace Notes deadline always will be due the 21st of each month.

Childrens Worship Kits We need volunteers to help with Worship Kits. Worship Kits are small bags we give out to children to help them follow the sermon with a bulletin and an activity sheet. Worship Kits volunteers are based on a monthly rotation. Contact Lisa Cardwell if you are willing to serve in this ministry at 804-285-7044. Filling the Worship Kits can be done on Sunday mornings as well as during the week.

July Birthdays
Mary Kaye Johnston Matt Johnson Betty Phillips Whit Whitley Lewis Rosebro Coco Wayne Tom Miller Hank Downing Ben Williams Harry Warthen III Jean Massey Georgeanne Pace Itunu Adekoya Kaille Padgett-Nowakowski Nela Bostian Kaete Unterzuber Dave Martin Bob Brooks Jef Londrey Robert Cole Pamela McElrath Sallie Leys Julia Kerns Rosie Turner John Roberts Nikki Hazlegrove Neil Luning Will Campbell Morgan Jean Flaherty Nelson Reveley Franklin Stone 3 3 4 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 18 18 19 19 20 22 23 23 23 26 27 29 30

New Pictorial Directory

The Pastor Nominating Committee is hard at work in a long process to call our next pastor. When (s)he arrives, one important and valuable tool for getting to know the congregation will be an up-to-date pictorial directory of all GCPC members. In the interests of lower costs and greater flexibility, we have decided to produce this in-house rather than commercially. Phil Coltrain has agreed to take photographs and other members have volunteered to schedule appointments and take care of other logistical details. Additional information will be forthcoming in future editions of Grace Notes. Stay tuned and plan to be included in this photo album of the congregation.

Titanic 100 years later

Author and Descendant to Speak on August 1st
Albert Caldwell was 26 years old on April 15, 1912, when he survived the sinking of the Titanic along with his young wife, Sylvia, and infant son, Alden. Julie Hedgepeth Williams knew Albert well he lived to be 91 and told her the story of the Titanic dozens of times. Caldwell was Williams great uncle. Williams heard the stories of how Albert and Sylvia were missionaries in Siam, how they toured Europe on their way home to the United States, and how they ended up on the Titanic. She heard Caldwells descriptions of the beautiful ship, their harrowing rescue on Lifeboat 13, their agony at hearing the screams of the people who could not be saved, and the terrifying night on the Atlantic as they waited to be rescued. It was a true story as he told it. But years later, in the course of research to write her book, Williams discovered the untold part of the story that the Caldwells were fleeing their mission posts and caught up in a cat-and-mouse chase around the globe that continued even after the Titanic sank, with a great deal of money at stake. A Rare Titanic Family: The Caldwells Story of Survival is the fascinating narrative woven from the stories that Williams heard from her great uncle and the circumstances she learned from her research. Come hear Julie Hedgepeth Williams tell this story and share her insights at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1, in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, or to RSVP for a complimentary dinner beforehand, please call 804/359-2463 or email info@grace-covenant.org.

July
Sunday 1 Monday 2 Mens Lunch 12 noon Tuesday 3 Staff Meeting 10:00 am Wednesday 4 Happy 4th of July!

Church Office & CDC Closed

8 Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Disciple 1pm

9 Mens Lunch 12 noon Property Committee Meeting 7:00 pm 16 Mens Lunch 12 noon

10 Staff Meeting 10:00 am Care Team 3:00 pm Deacons Meeting 6:00 pm Finance Meeting 6:00 pm Worship Comm. 7:00 pm PNC Meeting 7:00 pm 17 Staff Meeting 10:00 am Care Team 3:00 pm Fellowship Committee 6:00 pm

11 CDC Board Meeting

15 Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Disciple 1pm 22 Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Disciple 1 pm 29 Prayer 9:15 am Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:55 am Fellowship Hour 12 noon Disciple 1 pm

18

23 Mens Lunch 12 noon

24 Staff Meeting 10:00 am Care Team 3:00 pm

25

30 Mens Lunch 12 noon

31 Staff Meeting 10:00 am Care Team 3:00 pm

TITANIC SPECIAL August 1st at 6:00 pm

Page 9

Thursday 5

Friday 6 Community Group 5:45 pm

Saturday 7

12

13

14

19 SESSION MEETING 7:00 pm 20 Community Group 5:45 pm 21 GRACE NOTES ARTICLES DUE

26

27

28 Bread Breakers at 6:30 pm 1502 Park Avenue

Brothers and sisters in Christ In all likelihood you will have already (by the time you receive this letter) heard the news that the GCPC Session approved our Church Information Form (CIF) at its June meeting. I am deeply grateful for the many, many people who contributed to the publication of this document. I dont say that because I think the document itself is extraordinary. As anyone who has served on a PNC will tell you, the CIF that all PCUSA churches are required to use is a highly-formatted and rigidly-structured document that offers little space for expression and even less space for customization. Its purpose is to limn the contours of a congregation and provide just enough substance to help a candidate determine whether this is a congregation he or she would like to learn more about. Rather, my gratitude is for the integrity and faithfulness of the effort that Grace Covenant has put forth over this past year in preparing to publish this document. Given this congregations particular recent history, it was not surprising to find a good many in the spring of 2011 who wanted simply to call a new pastor and get on with things. Dr. Goodloe finished his ministry here in 2007; in the five years since then Grace Covenant has had three different pastors. In itself, such rapid turnover in leadership is difficult for any congregation. Particular events in the life of the GCPC during that period only added to the strain. A year ago, several people shared with me their exhaustion and frustration at the prospect of having to conduct yet another Mission Study. I suspect there were a number of others who were not as forthcoming, yet who felt the same way. But looking back over the last 12 months the prayer, the discussion, the researching, the writing, the surveying, and all that went into the Mission Study, and subsequently into the drafting of the CIF its clear that this process has borne fruit in our ministries and in our self-understanding: We have reaffirmed the distinctive style and strong music ministry that we offer to the Lord and worshipers in our worship services (Psalm 100) We have lifted up tithing as an essential element of faith and stewardship (Malachi 3:10) We have prayerfully considered our overall ministry structure in light of our budget (Luke 14:28) We have responded to the survey results indicating an overwhelming desire for broader ministry in the local community with the establishment of the Loaves and Fishes fund, the continuing strong congregational support of CARITAS earlier this year, and a fresh consideration of local mission partners (Matthew 25:31-46) We have affirmed the blessing of our existing Sunday School classes and are using them as a cornerstone for a comprehensive Discipleship ministry that will minister to people of all ages, at every stage of faith (Matthew 28:19-20) We have recognized the importance of a healthy and faithful childrens and youth ministry to the churchs mission, and have begun identifying leaders to shepherd that ministry forward (note: it will require involvement from additional congregation members in order to be viable) (Proverbs 22:6) We have identified Evangelism as an essential ministry distinct from Mission (even while acknowledging much complementarity between the two) and are developing a ministry plan that integrates personal outreach with the churchs use of its website and social media (2 Timothy 4:2) -continued on page 14-

Page 11

Grace Notes

FELLOWSHIP CORNER
Summer Fellowship opportunities abound! The summer is heating up, but we can stay "COOL" with the abundance of summer activities sponsored by your Fellowship committee.

JULY
DINNER FOR 6: Last opportunity for these groups to meet. We will be adding new participants and realigning new groups for this fall. See page 14 for more details. BREADBREAKERS: July 28 Cheryl and Bill Jacobs have graciously opened their home for this fun event. Please bring a side dish to share. See page 3 for additional info.

AUGUST
Wednesday Night, August 1 We are delighted to host a program by Titanic survivor and member of Grace Covenant, Albert Caldwell. His great-niece Julie Williams has published a book accounting this ordeal. Saturday, August 4 PEOPLE GROUP will be held at Betty Appich's Rivah home near Tappahannock. Stay tuned for details. Wednesday night August Musicales return with a fine lineup. August 8, 7:00 pm, Lisa Edwards-Burrs, soprano, and Michael Simpson, piano. August 15, 7:00 pm, Sonya Chung, violin, and Russell Wilson, piano. August 22, 7:00 pm, Brass quartet and organ featuring Michael Davison, trumpet and Christopher Martin, organ. Saturday, August 11, 6:30 pm Flying Squirrels baseball game with Fireworks! We will reserve a block of $7 reserve tickets so get your order in to Kent Cardwell early! And please join us every Sunday after worship for punch, coffee, and cookies.

Page 12

Newsletter Title

Interest Survey
Recently you were asked to participate in a survey to identify members interests in Grace Covenants various ministries and programs. We received fifty-five completed surveys and distributed the results to group and committee moderators so that they can contact interested members. Thank you for your participation in and support for Gods work here at Grace Covenant.

Sunday Morning Prayer

One of the privileges of a Christian is being able to spend time with God in prayer. During his life on earth, Jesus prayed that his will would be kept in accord with Gods will and that the ministry of his disciples would be strengthened. In keeping with this example, there is a small group that meets each Sunday morning in the social room at 9:15 a.m. to pray for the ministries, programs, officers, and members of Grace Covenant. We believe the prayers of Gods people are heard and that they are answered. We invite you to join us and make this important time with God a part of your Sunday morning worship.

William Byrd Community House

Grace Covenant has been giving non-perishable foods items to the William Byrd Community House for several years to assist in filling their food pantry. The William Byrd Community House maintains a food closet that serves Richmond City and the adjacent counties. When available, their food pantry also provides individuals with the basic household items and toiletries to maintain themselves and their families. These are everyday items that Food Stamp dollars will not cover and may be very costly to a low-income family. We have partnered with this ministry by giving nonperishable food items. In the past Grace Covenant has collected food one Sunday a month, but this is a collection we can support every week. Items can be placed in the grocery cart outside of the Social Room.

6:30

Page 14

Newsletter Title

Dinner for Six

A glorious new event.... It is a wonderful way for people to know each other on a more personal level, and both John and I loved every minute with our vibrant group.... This one is a KEEPER! - Joy Nevin
Friends spanning the generations grew closer together in Christian fellowship as they broke bread with each other in our inaugural season of Dinner for Six. It is now time to form new groups and make new bonds of friendship. If you participated in the dinners during the spring, you will be contacted in August with information about your new group. For those interested in joining the fun this fall, please contact one of the Dinner for Six coordinators listed below.

Katherine Baird katherine.laybourn@gmail.com 804-586-4158

-Continued from page 10-

Janet Miller millerj3025@msn.com 804-745-2129

Erika Tabor e.g.tabor@juno.com 216-570-3473

We have strengthened our commitment to and our engagement with our Child Development Center (CDC) as it emerges from a challenging year with faithful new leadership and greater parental involvement (Luke 18:17) The Mission Study also prompted the drafting of a Statement of Faith that reaffirms our conviction that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God; that they represent the complete revelation of His will for salvation and redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ; and that they are the unfailing rule of faith and practice for the Christian faith. While I would not consider any of these to be particularly novel at GCPC, I can honestly say that 12-18 months ago, we were not prepared as individuals or as a Body to witness coherently to these contours of our faith, ministry and our life together as a congregation. I can now just as honestly affirm that, by Gods grace and the power of His Holy Spirit at work among us and using the Mission Study process as an instrument Grace Covenant now is prepared to make a much more unified, coherent, and faithful witness to the world and to those whom the PNC will be interviewing in the weeks ahead. We have passed through a season of healing, of self-examination, of rebuilding, and of prayerful, humble, and honest conversation as Christs Body to discern faithfully where God is next leading GCPC. And I give thanks to the Lord for every person in this community who has given of their time, their effort, and their prayer to help this congregation be faithful during this season. What lies before us is faithful and steady pursuit of the works God has prepared for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10), even as we keep our hearts and eyes fixed upon Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The next few months will bring yet more instances of God working His will among us and through us. I look forward to sharing that testimony in next months Grace Notes Yours in Christs service,

Volume 42, Issue 7

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Child Development Center

Happy Fourth of July, Grace Covenant! June has been an excellent month, with several exciting things going on. Last week, we celebrated Father's day in the classrooms. We learned all about our Fathers and the role they play in our families. We learned that some Fathers live at home with their families, while other families are sometimes different. Some people's Fathers live in a different house, and that's OK! We made our Fathers out of play dough, talking about what shapes Dad is made out of. Some of us made a Dad collage, finding all the things Dad likes in a magazine, cutting them out, and gluing them onto a picture. We learned our Dad's first name, and the sign language sign for "Dad." We pretended to be Dad in the housekeeping center, and talked about what kinds of things our Dad does for us at home. We went for walks and found things Dad likes to do with us outside. We even had a Father's Day Picnic at Lombardy Park! Water play usually starts at the end of May, but the weather since then has been so cool that we thought it'd be better to wait. So, next week we'll get out the tarp, the hoses, the sprinklers, and water tables. Children will get to explore their world around them as well as their own bodies as they run, slide, pour, splash, and play in the water. They will learn important self-help skills such as drying themselves off, changing their own clothes, and manipulating the water. They will learn how their bodies react to being wet, and gain a sense of autonomy as they feel the sensation of water and how the substance acts. We will not only learn, but have fun at the same time! Coming up in July will be plenty of exciting things as well! Weve been promoting Vacation Bible School in the CDC, so hopefully lots of kids joined GCPC for its VBS program! Make sure and give CDC guests a warm welcome! We will be closed for the Fourth of July, and learning that week all about our Country. We will learn our country's colors, and identify the American Flag. We'll make apple pie and play some baseball. Lots of great things coming up! Thank you for welcoming me by allowing me to give the Children's Sermon on Father's Day. As usual, your church service was beautiful and I am honored to have been a part of it. Looking forward to working further with Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church! Have a great month everyone!

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

Director of Music and Organist

martin@grace-covenant.org Vanessa Strait

CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley ELDERS: Jordan Ball (14) - Nominating (M); Finance Kent Cardwell (12) - Fellowship (M) Wayne Casey (13) - Small Groups (M); Stewardship Jack Corley (13) - Finance, Mission Matt Hartman - 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

Administrative Assistant
strait@grace-covenant.org Martha Rubin

Bookkeeper

bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org James Greene

Temporary Sexton
Christopher Tweel

Student Assistant for Christian Education

Christopher.Tweel@upsem.edu Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Phone: (804) 359-2463 Fax: (804) 278-6298 www.grace-covenant.org Sundays: 9:30 a.m.
10:55 a.m. 12:00 noon

Sunday School for all ages in the Education Building Worship Service in the Sanctuary Congregational Fellowship in the Social Room

Grace Covenant Child Development Center Nicole Williams

Director director.gccdc@verizon.net