September 18, 2024

 

Dear Members of Grace,

 

What a great day in the life of our church we had on Sunday.  The sanctuary was filled with long-term parishioners who had a chance to reconnect with the sixth pastor of Grace, Reverend Paul Jann.  The many voices sounded great in song, filled with the joy of what the day was to bring.

 

Pastor Leah Woehr-Grande did not disappoint as she delivered a poignant message for both the children and adults.

 

Following the beautiful service, you overwhelmingly approved the recommendations of both the call committee and council by voting to extend her a call to become the Ninth Pastor of Grace Lutheran.  AND SHE SAID YES!!!!!  We are a blessed congregation to receive such a gifted person to lead us forward.

 

Unfortunately, Pastor Leah cannot start tomorrow.  She will return to her home in Wisconsin on Monday to tender her resignation, then communicate the news with her congregation by Wednesday.  She has a lot of work ahead of her to close that chapter of her ministry.  Our mutual hope is that she will be at Grace by December 1, the first Sunday of Advent.

 

In the meantime, we have contracted with Pastor Tina Mackie to serve as our Bridge Pastor until Pastor Leah arrives.  Pastor Tina was an intern at Grace many years ago and is very excited to return here to help with worship and visitation starting on October 13.  This will also allow us to serve communion every Sunday.

 

Finally, I ask you all to be understanding and patient with our staff over the next several months as they navigate all the changes ahead without a Pastor or Christian Ed Director. There is light at the end of this transition tunnel as our future comes into sharper focus.

 

Regards,

Kurt Meyers, Council President

Hello family of Grace,

     With a mix of emotions, I write to inform you that I am resigning as your Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry.  I have been at Grace for 10 years and am so thankful and blessed by our ministry together. I have accepted a position as the Director of Camp
Nawakwa near Gettysburg, PA.

     My last day with Grace will be Sunday, September 15th. I love the people of Grace and God’s work in this place. I plan to set-up the Christian Education and youth programs for success in my absence, with people to take-over responsibilities and partner with other local ELCA congregations. 

     Without a doubt, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the families and youth at Grace and to be a part of such an amazing community. The time I have spent with the youth at Grace on trips, in youth groups, and confirmation have been some of the most rewarding and fulfilling of my ministry. I will always reflect on my time here with fond memories and gratitude. I am so thankful for all the support and for how God has moved this place and the people of Grace. Thank you for letting me be a part of the story.

Kelsey Tomlinson

Graces Good Garden – Decommissioned

Greetings,

    About this time a year ago, we planted the garden for our 11th season.  On Monday, May 13th, the garden was decommissioned!  All of the raised beds built by the boy scouts in 2013 had severely rotted.  The fence was a mess after a huge branch fell on it last year.  We would have faced a major rebuild to make the garden look good again.  The future of this space is yet to be determined, but for 11 years it served the community by providing more than a couple thousand pounds of fresh produce to Open Door for distribution.

    We have had more than 30 congregants who participated in this ministry over the years.

Look at the pictures.  In what was a fitting end today, Bill Kilcoyne, the young boy who built the garden as his Eagle Badge project, was on campus to repair an air conditioning unit.  Where he helped build the raised beds and gate as a youngster, he carried the last boards to the dumpster as a young man.

     With gratitude for your contributions to the success of this ministry.

Kurt Meyers

   If you love digging deep into historical facts and want to better understand why racism is so embedded in our current culture, read “When Affirmative Action was White” by Ira Katznelson.  Or you could try reading Ta-Nehisi Coates’ award-winning book “Between the World and Me.”  

   Also, you could watch the powerful & thought-provoking true story “Just Mercy” about systemic racism and the battle for justice.  You can currently watch this move for FREE on all digital networks.

   Another excellent book is White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo.   Other informative, challenging, and well-done resources include Selma  (movie),  Dear White People (movie and Netflix series), andThirteenth   (Netflix documentary).

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me…. Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”  – Matthew 25:40-45.

Mental Health Resources:   For you or someone you love…

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)  HelpLine can be reached Mon.-Fri., 10am–6pm, ET.  1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org

Montgomery County Mobile Crisis  Immediate support for crisis

situations available 24/7 at 1-855-634-HOPE (4673).

Mont. County Children’s Crisis Support Program  Immediate

support for crisis situations available 24/7 at 1-888-HELP-414.

Mont. County’s teen talk line  If you’re a teen feeling overwhelmed & need another teen to talk to, please call at (866) 825-5856 or text (215) 703-8411. It is available, free of charge, Mon.-Fri., 3 to 7pm.

PA Department of Drug & Alcohol Program (DDAP). To find

addiction treatment or a treatment provider, call the 24/7 toll-free

1-800-662-HELP hotline.

Laurel House  (domestic violence)  24/7 hotline: 800-642-3150,

Women’s Center of Montgomery County’s  (domestic violence)

hotline: 800-773-2424.

Alcoholics Anonymous   www.aa.org for help with a drinking problem