July 2014

5/23/2018 July 2014

1/12

Grace NotesGrace Covenant Presbyterian Church Volume 44, Issue 7 July 2014Community Gardens Not Just a Fad

I continue to be impressed by how many in this congregation enjoy gardening.Many of you have your own backyard gardens, others share a community gardenstill others frequently make their way to Shalom Farms (shalomfarms.org) to assin ensuring folks throughout Richmond have access to fresh, healthy produce.

This inclination toward gardening came to my attention at the most recentWednesday night cookout where a group from the church discussed a passage

from David NauglesReordered Love, Reordered Lives: We forget the place ofland in the purposes of God, Israel, the church, and new creation. What does itmean we forget?

Time and again, folks responded that there is just something that happens whea person spends time using their hands in a garden. Hard and even frustrating as the work can be at times,they spoke of the peace and focus they experience in the effort. They spoke, too, of a deeper sense of connetion to God who, after all, first calls us to be stewards of the land (Gen. 2:15). In other words, communitygardening is hardly a fad or side hobby. Truly we are made to tend this land on which God one day will makall things new.

Nevertheless, worried that this current excitement over gardening in our culture might fall out of fashion, thauthor and farmer Wendell Berry puts it this way: stewardship is hopeless and meaningless unless it involvlong-term courage, perseverance, devotion and skill.

Its no different, then, than any aspect of our call as followers of Jesus a slow, steady, courageous walkwhere something happens when our hands work faithfully. Sometimes we cannot put into words thesomething, other times we name it as the deep affirmation of Gods grace running through us and we givthanks!

I hope you will continue in your steadfast love of Gods creation, and please share your stories with me! Hois God teaching you through your daily gardening? How do you describe the something? It seems Jesusfound plenty of lessons for our soul simply by paying attention to the rhythms of the land.

I leave you with this brief quote from John Calvin, who recognized that our stewardship of the land is notsimply utilitarian, but Gods grace makes our endeavor so much more:

Now if we ponder to what end God created food we shall find that he meant not only to provide for necessity

but also for delight and good cheerIn grasses, trees, and fruit, apart from their various uses, there is a

beauty of appearance and pleasantness of odor.

Grace and Peace, Bobby Hulme-Lippert

5/23/2018 July 2014

2/12

Appreciative Inquiry for the Centennial CelebrationAs many of you know, I have remained at Grace Covenant this summer tohelp with a project for the Centennial Anniversary. I have had the great pleasure of sitting down with several of you so far to discuss fond memories andfuture hopes, but I still need to see many more! Of course I will be around

asking you to meet up and calling you to schedule something, but everyone more than welcome to reach out to me as well. You can reach me using mycell phone number, which is (910)470-7003, or you can contact me througmy email account, which is [email protected]. Just as a reminder, theare the primary questions that the interviews will be focusing on:

1. Remembering your entire experience at out church, when were you most alive,most motivated and excited about your involvement? What made it exciting?Who else was involved? What happened? What was your part? Describe what you

felt.2. What do you value most about our church? What activities or ingredients or ways

of life are most important? What are the best features of this church?

3. Make three wishes for the future of the church.

Thank you so much for your involvement; I look forward to meeting with you!

Sincerely, Luke W. WoodcockCentennial CelebrationIn April 2015 Grace Covenant will celebrate its first 100 years. TheCentennial Committee has decided on a quilted banner to celebratethis occasion.

A design has been created and materials are now needed. The goal is

to use 100 different fabric squares in this project. If you would like tocontribute a fabric(s) or have any questions, please contact Cherry Corley at 515-7330 [email protected].

Keep in mind that fabric MUST BE 100% COTTON, clean, pressed,and large enough to cut a 3 inch square. Deadline is July 15.

5/23/2018 July 2014

3/12

5/23/2018 July 2014

4/12

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday1Staff Meeting 10:00 am

2

Backyard BBQ

(see page 9)

6Prayer 9:15 amSunday School 9:45 am

Worship 10:55 amFellowship Hour 12:15 pm

7

Mens Lunch 12 noon

8

Staff Meeting 10:00 am

Worship Committee Meeting

and Property Comm. Meeting7:00 pm

9

Care Team 2:00

Backyard BBQ

(see page 9)

13Prayer 9:15 amSunday School 9:45 amWorship 10:55 amFellowship Hour 12:15 pm

14

Mens Lunch 12 noon

Christian Ed. Comm.Meeting 6:00 pm

15

Staff Meeting 10:00 am

16

CDC Board Me

Backyard BBQ

(see page 9)

20Prayer 9:15 am

Sunday School 9:45 amWorship 10:55 amFellowship Hour 12:15 pm

21Mens Lunch 12 noon

GRACE NOTES

ARTICLES DUE!

22

Staff Meeting 10:00 am

Deacons Meeting 6:00 pm

23

Care Team Me

Backyard BBQ

(see page 9)

27Prayer 9:15 amSunday School 9:45 amWorship 10:55 amFellowship Hour 12:15 pm

28

Mens Lunch 12 noon

29Staff Meeting 10:00 am

30

Backyard BBQ (see page 9)

July

5/23/2018 July 2014

5/12

Thursday riday Saturday3 CDC Chapel

10:00 am4

CHURCH

OFFICE AND

CDC ARE CLOSED

5

10 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

11 12

17

CDC Chapel10:00 am

18 19

Shalom Farms 8:00 am

Date Night 5:00 pm

24 CDC Chapel

10:00 am

25 26

31 CDC Chapel10:00 am

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

5/23/2018 July 2014

6/12

Openers/ClosersJuly 6 Wayne CaseyJuly 13 Hank DowningJuly 20 Cal GrayJuly 27 Rick Nochta

Fellowship HourJuly 6 CorbyJuly 13 SavageJuly 20 JacobsJuly 27 Kessel

SummertimeOffice HoursFrom Monday, June 23, to Friday, August 29,

the office hours will be as follows:Monday -Thursday open from

8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. andFriday open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

July Birthdays3- Matt Johnson

6- Lewis Rosebro

6- Coco Wayne6- Whit Whitley

7- Hank Downing

7- Tom Miller

7- Ben Williams

8- Harry Warthen

9- Jean Massey10- Georgeanne Pace

12- Itunu Adekoya

16- Cecilia Rubis

18- Bob Brooks

18- Jef Londrey

19- Sallie Leys

21- Pat Tyler

22- Rosie Turner

23- John W. Roberts

26- Will Campbell

29- Nelson Reveley30- Franklin Stone

5/23/2018 July 2014

7/12

GCPC,

We had so much fun this month talking about summer! Thchildren learned how to be safe during the summer by praticing applying sunscreen, and discussing what clothing towear to keep cool. They learned the importance of hydra-tion by bringing in their own water bottle to drink out of a

day. In addition, hands-on activities like watching a water

melon dry out and seeing how the water is so important tothe watermelon, just as water is important to our bodies.

The children reviewed safety rules like stop lights and signs, looking both ways, and usingwalking feet inside. They discovered what plants grow in the summertime, as well as howthe rays of the sun felt on their skin. They even got to play with their shadows through different shadow experiments! We also started water play, which is a great sensory learning activitas well as super fun!

With June coming to a close and the Fourth of July on the way, we will switch gearfrom summer fun to in the ocean! Children will explore different classes of marine life,

such as octopi, underwater mammals, fish, crustaceans, jellies, coral, shells, and seaweed, anbe able to identify some of their characteristics. They will discuss the difference betweenmammals and fish, and find out what land mammals have in common with sea mammals.Through hands-on science exploration of different plant and animal life under the sea, childrewill be able to explore different textures, colors, shapes, and sizes. They will see what plantslive under the water, as well as how different underwater creatures eat, sleep, and live. Ofcourse, we will continue learning through water-play activities as we explore the depths of thocean during the month of July!

Director of CDC, Nicole Williams

Parents Night Out/Date Night: Grace Covenant is happyto offer this blessing up to our families again on Saturday,July 19, and Saturday, August 23, from 5:00 -8:00 p.m. Acharge of $5 per child will help defray the costs of childcare --though there is a $10 maximum per family withmore than two children.

CARITAStime for Grace Covenant is just aroundthe corner. We will be providing a temporary homfor homeless women in our community from Au-

gust 30 until September 6. Everyone's help is needed and much appreciated. Please take a minute to contact Susan Farrell 314-1937, susanbarr311@ aol.com to let her know how you ca

be a part of this ministry opportunity.

5/23/2018 July 2014

8/12

2014 Vacation Bible School at GCPCJesus Christ is Living Waters for our Bodies and Souls

-We learned how God used water and how he wants us to use and share this precious gift.

-We shared five great dinners together, with special water to drink each night.

-We made a huge creation banner, and crafts, a rain stick and a well, and painted t

-shirts.

-We sang and danced and played in water and watched puppets.

-We heard Bible stories from Scuba Sam.

-Some of us even adopted a fish!

-We sang the songs and read the lessonswe learned for our closing program andthen ate ice cream.

We had the best teachers and helpers, a thank you to: Artwork:LewisDoormen:Dick and KentMusic: Chris, Katherine, Suzanne, Vivian, and the Puppeteers Food:

Vanessa, Erika, Billy, Janet, Dottie-Ray, Pat, Pete, Suzanne,Ann Crafts:Lisa, Cameron, Reagan T-shirt spon-sor: Caroline Teachers:school age group:Luke, Everett, Brian preschool:Christopher & Leah little ones: Chery

andBeth Adults:Nelson,DawsonStoryteller: Scuba Sam

Thanks to all who came and shared the work and the fun!

It was a great week of VBS at GCPC!

5/23/2018 July 2014

9/12

Wednesdays in July! You are invited for a backyardBBQ each Wednesday. Arrive anytime between 6:00and 6:45 p.m. for burgers and hotdogs. Stick aroundfor either a Bible study or a book discussion that willend no later than 7:45 p.m.

July 2 Hulme-Lipperts house, Acts 5July 9 The Reveleys house, Acts 28July 16 Bairds house, The Prodigal GodJuly 23 Bairds house, The Prodigal GodJuly 30 Hulme-Lipperts house, Acts 9

You can purchase The Prodigal God($8) from the church office. Even if you cannot completthe reading beforehand, you will still be able to participate in the discussion. All are welcom

CHRISTIANEDUCATIONANDDISCIPLESHIP

Sunday School is held every Sunday from 9:4510:30 a.m. The nursery crib room and SundaySchool are available for children age 2 and up.

Combined Adult Sunday School is in the Fellowship Hall during the summer. We will look at a different Hero of the Faith eachweek.

July 13 Joshua Ralston Mitri Raheb

July 20 Virginia Hudson Leo Tolstoy

July 27

Christopher Tweel

Samuel Morris

August 3 Luke Woodcock J. R. R. Tolkien

August 10 Tom Miller Charles Spurgeon

August 17 Joshua Ralston TBA

August 24 Virginia Hudson TBA

August 31 Labor Day Weekend Fellowship Breakfast

5/23/2018 July 2014

10/12

The Tweels Are Sticking AroundWe are delighted to share that God has called ChristopherTweel to serve in our newly created positionDirector ofChristian Formation and Pastoral Assistant.

Christopher will begin his full-time ministry with GCPC

on September 1, 2014. Below is a brief overview of hisposition along with a biography of Christopher, Leah, andAmara. Though the Tweels are a well-known and well-loved family already, be sure and extend a warm welcometo them next time you see them!

The Position

As the Director of Christian Formation and Pastoral Assis-tant for GCPC, Christopher Tweelwill support the spiritualdevelopment of the children and members of GCPC such

that they grow in the knowledge and love of God as grate-ful disciples of Jesus Christ. This person will design, im-plement, and oversee the direction and operational man-agement of existing and future programs. Presently, thismeans coordinating and, as needed, leading the ChildrensMinistry Programs (birth 5th grade) and Youth MinistryPrograms (6th 12th grade), as well as serving as resource for Adult Ministry Programs. As a Pastoral Assistant, Christopher will assist invisitation and leading worship.

BiographyChristopher and Leah are excited to continue the relationship they began at Grace Covenant in the fall of 201

and an answer to God's current call on their lives. The church has been a wonderful place of support duringthis past three years while Christopher was in seminary (he received his Master of Divinity degree a coupleweeks ago), and he is looking forward to coming on full time to help the ministries here flourish further.

Christopher came from a deep religious background beginning with a great-great uncle who was an orthodoxpriest, his uncle who was a Episcopal priest, and his mother who was a minister of music for many years.Christopher and Leah came to school at Union Presbyterian Seminary by way of North Carolina, where theyspent five years in Greensboro and two in Mooresville at Presbyterian churches there. Their very first churchwas First Presbyterian in Charleston, West Virginia, where Christopher got his official start in ministry, andLeah began her education in what Reformed Theology was really all about!

Christopher and Leah met in college at West Virginia Wesleyan where Christopher studied Sociology and Htory and Leah studied Art and English. They married in April 2003 and spent the following years in travel anservice together, and supporting one another through Leah'sMasters in Library Science.While in MooresvilN. C., they wereblessed by the birth of their daughter Amara, in the early summer evening of May 20, 2011We hope you willshare in our joy at answering God's call to ministry at Grace Covenantstarting this comingSeptember. We are energized to see how God will continue to grow our church in spirit, health, and actioninour time together!

5/23/2018 July 2014

11/12

Stewardship CornerMays contributions totaling $26,900 were down 6.8% from Aprils total, butwere up over 10% from May a year ago. For the year through May contribu-tions of $189,400 are up around 9% from the same period last year, exclusiveof contributions received applicable to prior year pledges. Total income forthe year, due to higher rental income, is up 7% over the same period last year.

Expenses of $40,300 in May were relatively low, and, as a result, income forthe month exceeded expenses by $700, reducing the year to date operating def-icit to slightly more than $10,000.

Mays Five Cents Per Meal offering was $90, the Loaves and Fishes offering was $405, and the Mercy offering tobe divided evenly between the two, was $278. Gifts for the Ghana mission work enabled the church to contributtotal of $3,000 for our departing guests, David Nambu and Samuel Misrowda.

Gratitude from GhanaRev. Samuel Misrowda wrote from Ghana

and thanked the many of you who contrib-uted to the gift for his ministry in Gha-na. He said via email, I want to thank you so much for the giftyou gave us. This enabled me to present a brand new laptop andprinter to the congregation. I also presented microphones to an-other congregation in my hometown. There was so much joy inthe two congregations! We give thanks that God has used ourgifts to facilitate worship and the hearing of Gods

Word! Samuel went on to ask for our prayers, saying, "I am going on transfer to a smaller congregation inSeptember. Pray that I will be able to lift this congregation and make it a lively place and to overcome the

challenges they are facing. Even as we pray for Samuel and David, letslikewisekeep them in our prayers

Congratulations to Our SeminariansChristopher Tweel and Luke Woodcock both graduated from UPSem this pastSaturday. Christopher received The Glenn Gibson Memorial Award established in 1963, this award is awarded to a student whose courageand winsomeness in Christ perpetuate those quali-ties so excellently demonstrated by Glenn Gibson,Jr., for whom the award is named.Luke received The James and Elizabeth ApplebyBook Award established in 1977; this award

provides books for students entering the pastorateand are given to those whose commitment toChrist and spiritual promise indicate particularlyfruitful pastorates to the glory of God.

Notably, our two seminary interns for this comingfall Rex Childs and Linda Pitts both receivedmerit awards from the Joseph and Laura MaeStebbins Memorial Fund.

5/23/2018 July 2014

12/12

Bobby [email protected]

Chris MartinDirector of Music and Organist

[email protected]

Vanessa StraitAdministrative [email protected]

Martha [email protected]

Christopher Tweel

Christian Education Coordinatorfor [email protected]

Luke WoodcockSeminary [email protected]

Church Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.6:00 p.m.

Friday, 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.

Phone: (804) 359-2463

Fax: (804) 278-6298

www.grace-covenant.org

Sundays:

9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages inthe Education Building

10:55 a.m. Worship Service in

the Sanctuary12:00 noon Congregational Fellowship inthe Social Room

Grace Covenant Child Development Center

Nicole WilliamsDirectordirector.gccdc@verizon.netwww.gracecovenantcdc.com

Our Elders serve the church as leaders.

Our Deacons lead the church in service.

Please feel free to approach themwith any questions or feedback about

Grace Covenants ministries.

CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley

ELDERSJordan Ball (14) - Nominating (M), Finance

(Co-M), Property (Co-M)Matt Hartman (16) - Missions (M)Virginia Hudson (14)Cheryl Jacobs (15) CE/Discipleship (M),Caroline Leith (15) - Fellowship (C-M),Katie McCullough (16) - Administration (Co-M)Dana McKnight (14) - Worship (Co-M),

Christof Meyer (15) Evangelism (M)Joy Nevin (14) - Fellowship (Co-M)Everett Reveley (15) - Finance (Co-M),

Property (Co-M)Pete Sizemore (16) - Administration (Co-M)Rob Turner (14) - Worship (Co-M)

DEACONSLisa Cardwell (15) - FlowersCourtney Clements (15) - FellowshipPhil Coltrain (16) - Deacon Fund

Mary Gray (15) - MealsJan Kessel (15) - CareAnn Pais (14) - Care and Deacon FundJennifer Schooley (15) - Greeters and UshersJudy Waldron (14) - Visitation

Greeter/Usher - Jennifer Schooley (Jan - Apr),Courtney Clements (May-Aug),Erika Tabor (Sept - Dec)

Guest follow-up/Inquirer Class - Erika Tabor (14)Justice Ministry - Jessica Reveley (16)Glass Office - Phil Coltrain (16)

Moderator - Erika Tabor (14)Secretary - Judy Waldron (14)

TRUSTEES:Caroline Leith (14)John Roberts (15)Warren Zirkle (16)

The Staff Church Officers