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Vol. 62 No. 1 January 131, 2019 DEAR PARTNERS, new year is before us with opportunities for new beginnings. We may not like to make New Years resolutions, but still, it is good to pause and reflect on our lives and life together. A new class of Congregation Council members will join those who have served for a year or two, and our work together becomes new. In January, we will hear the ideas and hopes of the congregation for renewed attention to Christs call to mission and ministry in this place through the Long-Range Plan- ning Task Group. It is a good time to pause as individuals and families as well, to stop and take a breath, take stock, remember who and whose we are in baptism, and to let that knowledge shape the time we have. How do we spend our days? What has our attention? What is God calling us to be and do going forward? In a devotion for New Years Day, January 1, Frederick Buechner, Presbyterian pas- tor and author, writes, I discovered that if you really keep your eye peeled to it and your ears open, if you really pay attention to it, even such a limited and limiting life as the one I was living on Rupert Mountain opened up onto extraordinary vistas. Taking your children to school and kissing your wife goodbye. Eating lunch with a friend. Trying to do a decent days work. Hearing the rain patter against the win- dow. There is no event so commonplace but that God is present within it, always hiddenly, always leaving you room to recognize him or not to recognize him, but all the more fascinatingly because of that, all the more compellingly and haunting- ly……if I were called upon to state in a few words the essence of everything I was trying to say both as a novelist and as a preacher, it would be something like this: Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.Let us open ourselves to this life of grace, enjoy the wonder of it, and share it with others so that they might have hope. Your partner in ministry, Pastor Martha Sims A
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Vol. 62 No. 1 January 1 31, 2019 - gracewin.orgat 7:00 pm following worship using the book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an instant society, written by Eugene

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Page 1: Vol. 62 No. 1 January 1 31, 2019 - gracewin.orgat 7:00 pm following worship using the book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an instant society, written by Eugene

Vol. 62 No. 1 January 1—31, 2019

DEAR PARTNERS,

new year is before us with opportunities for new beginnings. We may not like to make New Year’s resolutions, but still, it is good to pause and reflect on our lives and life together. A new class of Congregation Council members will join

those who have served for a year or two, and our work together becomes new. In January, we will hear the ideas and hopes of the congregation for renewed attention to Christ’s call to mission and ministry in this place through the Long-Range Plan-ning Task Group. It is a good time to pause as individuals and families as well, to stop and take a breath, take stock, remember who and whose we are in baptism, and to let that knowledge shape the time we have. How do we spend our days? What has our attention? What is God calling us to be and do going forward? In a devotion for New Year’s Day, January 1, Frederick Buechner, Presbyterian pas-tor and author, writes, “I discovered that if you really keep your eye peeled to it and your ears open, if you really pay attention to it, even such a limited and limiting life as the one I was living on Rupert Mountain opened up onto extraordinary vistas. Taking your children to school and kissing your wife goodbye. Eating lunch with a friend. Trying to do a decent day’s work. Hearing the rain patter against the win-dow. There is no event so commonplace but that God is present within it, always hiddenly, always leaving you room to recognize him or not to recognize him, but all the more fascinatingly because of that, all the more compellingly and haunting-ly……if I were called upon to state in a few words the essence of everything I was trying to say both as a novelist and as a preacher, it would be something like this: Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” Let us open ourselves to this life of grace, enjoy the wonder of it, and share it with others so that they might have hope.

Your partner in ministry, Pastor Martha Sims

A

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OUR WORSHIP THIS MONTH

Sunday, January 6, 2019 – Epiphany of our Lord – Epiphany means “manifestation.” On this day we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi’s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epipha-ny of God’s grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst. The readings are: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-14, Ephesians 3:1-12 and Matthew 2:1-12. We gather for two services of Holy Communion, 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, January 6, 2019 ~ Grace Place, an informal service of Holy Communion is offered on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m., accompanied by piano and guitar. All are welcome! Sunday, January 13, 2019 – The Baptism of Our Lord – As we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord, we recall and give thanks for our adoption as daughters and sons, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promised com-pany of almighty God when we “pass through the waters . . . the rivers . . . fire.” On this day the heavens open again for this assembly, and we receive the gift of the beloved Son of God in bread and wine. The readings are: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:24-17 and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22. Services of Holy Communion are at 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, January 13, 2019 ~ Grace Place, an informal service of Holy Communion is offered on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m., accompanied by piano and guitar. All are welcome! Sunday, January 20, 2019 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – We join with our ecumenical broth-ers and sisters in prayer for unity in the church. Our theme is “Justice, Only Justice, You Shall Pursue”. The Scripture reading is Deuteronomy 16:18-20. Services of Holy Communion are at 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019 ~ Grace Place, an informal service of Holy Communion is offered on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m., accompanied by piano and guitar. All are welcome! Sunday, January 27, 2019 – Third Sunday after the Epiphany - The glory of the Lord is revealed in the reading of scripture. People stand at attention. People weep. People prostrate themselves in prayer. The uni-ty of the church is another reflection of the glory of God. Most gloriously, the promises of God are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Gather round. Listen up. Glimpse the glory of God. The readings are: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a and Luke 4:14-21 We gather for two services of Holy Communion, 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, January 27, 2019 ~ Grace Place, an informal service of Holy Communion is offered on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m., accompanied by piano and guitar. All are welcome!

The Nurture Corner from Nurture Ministry Council and the Faith Community Nurses

Stewardship of the Body classes will begin again in January on Thursdays, January 17- March 21, at 5;30 pm in the library. The leader is Susie Carter and focus is on creating new healthy habits to sustain good nutrition, weight, and health. Cost is $100 for the ten weeks. Limited to 7 participants. If you are interested, contact the church office, 540-662-6678.

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Our Stewardship of Worship Sunday School Grace Place 8:15 11:00

November 18 90 (11/17) - 43 131 114

November 25 94 (11/24) - 9 89 132

December 2 87 (12/2) - 34 104 139

December 9 Business Mtg. (12/9) - 39 125 113

FOR THE RECORD “Growing in the Grace of Giving” Report of Offerings for 2018

Anticipated Each Week

Given Each Week Nov. 18 Nov. 25 Dec 2 Dec 9

Anticipated Year-to-

Date

Given Year-to-Date

$8,262

$5,797

$8,718.98

$10,397

$7,060

$404,838

$399,922.62

$1,635

$2,513.50

$1,855.33

$2,687

$4,201.65

$80,115

$74,011.57

$288

$825.26

$407

$586.10

$335.10

$14,112

$14,261.81

$119

$0

$0

$0

$0

$5,831

$5,519

$5,587

$5,587

$5,587

$5,587

$5,587

$273,763

$273,763

$354

$354

$354

$354

$354

$17,346

$17,346

Revell Trust Income $290,502 budgeted for 2018.

Covenant Income Income from fees, interest, grants, $6,200 budgeted for 2018.

Faith Offerings Loose Cash/Check Giving $15,000 budgeted for 2018.

Grace Offerings Non-pledged Envelope Giving $85,000 budgeted for 2018.

Promised Offerings Pledged Envelope Giving $429,603 budgeted for 2018.

Bartko Fund $18,420 budgeted for 2018.

Closing of Financial Secretary’s Record of Giving The Financial Secretary’s Records of Giving for 2018 will close on December 31, 2018. To be included on your 2018 Giving Statements, contributions for the 2018 tax year must be in the church office by December 31st or must be mailed to the church with a postmark of December 31st or before. Online contributions take a few days to process, so those made close to December 31st may be posted for 2019. Any offerings received after that date will be posted in records for giving in 2019. The IRS does not allow for any checks or gifts received or postmarked after December 31, 2018, to be noted as a gift for 2018.

Our Stewardship of Worship for Wonder & Worship

Worship

Wednesday, November 14 31

Wednesday, November 21 27

Wednesday, November 28 78

Wednesday, December 5 45

Wednesday, December 12 200

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FAITH FORMATION & YOUTH NEWS

Adult FAITH FORMATION Opportunities:

Wednesday Morning Bible Study - Dwelling In The Word - 7:30 am Continental Breakfast served. Come together

and prepare for worship on the coming Sunday by studying the Scripture readings ahead of time. Studying together helps Scripture come alive – Leaders: Pastor Jonathan Boynton, Pastor Martha Sims and lay leaders from the group. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Wonder & Worship book study - On Wednesday evenings, beginning January 9, there will be an adult discussion

at 7:00 pm following worship using the book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an instant society, written by Eugene H. Peterson, translator of the paraphrase of the Bible, The Message. In his review of this book by scholar, Craig Barnes, he writes, “Every day contemporary culture invites me to rush about in a hundred different directions that tear at my soul. I have found Eugene Peterson to have no patience for such crazed busyness. Instead he shows me how to stay focused on the long, biblical direction home to God.” Come and join us for life-giving conversations about faith. Leader: Pastor Martha Sims. Meets in the Grace Cafe.

Jesus’s call to serve the poor - Join Dr. Dick Nanna as he addresses Jesus's call to serve the poor, and how Micro-

finance helps move people from dependency to dignity. He will cover ROSCA's (rotating savings and credit associations), ASCA's (accumulating savings and credit associations), and the benefits and spiritual pitfalls of microfinance. This will be meant to challenge the paradigm of Christian giving. Class will meet on Sunday, January 6th in the GMOC Assembly Hall at 9:30 a.m.

The Life, Writings and Impact of St. Paul - St. Paul is beloved, sometimes misunderstood, and definitely interest-

ing. In this study, we will journey with the Apostle Paul from Acts through the Epistles and learn about his life, writings and powerful impact on the world. Each participant will receive a copy of the study resource, The Greatest Story: Paul. We will also be using additional resources including video. Join Pastor Martha Sims January 13 - April 7 for Adult Sunday School.

The Book of Psalms - Martin Luther once wrote, “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations

of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful gifts God has given us. Music and poetry help create, shape and inspire faith in ways words often cannot. The Psalms are the first hymns of the church. They represent poems, prayers and hymnody sung by real people living with the pains and challenges of real human life. Join Pastor Boynton starting on January 27th for a Adult Sunday School series on the book of Psalms.

W.I.L.D. Women help families through the Christmas season . . . Much thanks to all of the WILD Women and others who participated in our Gift Card Ministry. We were able to provide food, fuel, and necessities of every day life because of your generosity. Thank you so much!

W.I.L.D. Women will meet on Monday, January 14th in the G.M.O.C. Assembly Hall. Please sign up on the WILD Board outside of T. Shafferman s office to help out or contact

T. at [email protected] for more information.

Women of Grace will gather on Tuesday, January 15th in the G.M.O.C. Assembly Hall at

10:30 am. We will be using a new resource Close Encounters of the Jesus Kind: Studies In Luke. All Women of Grace are invited to attend.

Leaders: Pastor Martha Miller Sims, Pastor Jonathan Boynton

Bible & Brew – Adults are welcome to attend Bible & Brew held at Piccadilly Brew Pub the fourth Monday

of each month. Plan to join us Monday, January 28th, 2019. Come for fellowship and discussion. For more

information contact Pastor Jonathan Boynton or T. Shafferman. [email protected].

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FAITH FORMATION AND YOUTH NEWS 5

Christmas Eve - Monday, December 24th - Consider helping with Order of St. John, Christmas Eve Actors, and serving as a Candle Lighter. Please contact T. Shafferman to sign up. Thanks! Dinner & A Movie on Sunday, January 6th - 5:30 - 8:00 pm Youth Showing: Youth Room—I Can Only Imagine Adult Showing - GMOC “The Man Who Invented Christmas" Children Showing: Eisenberg Hall. “The Star”

Dinner, Popcorn & Candy provided. Sunday, February 3rd - SUPER BOWL PARTY! 12:15 - 2:00 pm. Wear your team jersey and come have some fun. Please bring your favorite Football watching food and plan to have a great time. Friends Welcome! Sunday, February 17th Youth to Sponsor Annual Report Meeting. Please contact T. Shafferman to volunteer to bring in a breakfast item. 7th Day is a Synod sponsored event for all 5th & 6th grade youth. This event is offered Saturday, March 2nd - March 3rd, 2019. The registration deadline is Sunday, February 3rd, 2019. Please watch your mail for your registration form. This event is awesome.

Order of St. John - CALLING ALL CONFIRMATION STUDENTS AND YOUTH! Your leadership and assistance is so appreciated. Please sign up for Order of St. John on the Youth Bulletin Board. Thanks!

Winter Celebration Winter Celebration is scheduled for January 18th - 20th, 2019. We will depart for Winter Celebration on Friday, January 18th at 2:30 pm and will return on Sunday, January 20th at 4:00 pm. Please pack warm clothing, Bible, fitted twin sheet, pillow case (no pillows please) & towel, sleeping bag, toiletries, snack to share and your favorite bottle of soda. Thanks! For more info. please contact T. Shafferman at [email protected] or 540-327-5190.

Fed & Forgiven Participants complete instruction - We give thanks for the following children and their parents for supporting them with their faith journey. They are: Kennedy Combs, Julianne

Hornbaker, Dani Jennings, and Cam Riley. They will receive Holy Communion during the Christmas Season.

Children & Youth Christmas Musical On Sunday morning December 16th our

children and youth offered a program called the Promise. We give thanks for

all who attended and for the leadership of Becky Stern our costume

coordinator, Tim Mayfield our singing shepherd, and a special visit from our donkey David Sims and Mark McKee.

We greatly appreciate all of the wonderful gifts they shared with the

congregation. Thank you!

20’s/30’s Group Are you in your 20’s

or 30’s? You are invited to join us on Sunday, January 6th at 5:30 pm. For a

TRIPLE FEATURE for DINNER & A MOVIE For more information please contact Pastor Boynton at [email protected] or Sara

Power at [email protected]

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PEOP LE

NEWS

In Our Prayers Members who have been in the hospital or are in need of our prayers of healing: Peggy Mendel, Donna Miller, and Rob Wilson

Prayers of Comfort Christian Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Christel Doerwaldt, upon her death on December 5, 2018.

Thanks We would like to thank the congregation at Grace for their many prayers and expressions of caring during her illness and following the death of my sister, Patricia Lecat. Sincerely, Xavier Stewart and family

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Service and Outreach Helping Hands for the month

Highland Food Pantry +We will serve our

neighbors in need by help-ing this ministry.

+ January 15 we will meet in Church alley to carpool at 5:30 or arrive at Highland Presbyterian Church at 5:45. +Please sign up on our web-

site under Service and Outreach Ministry or let Pastor Boynton know you are plan-ning to come so that he can let the pantry plan accordingly.

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Living Lutheran Magazine

Anyone not currently receiving the Living Luther-an magazine (The magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, formerly named The Lutheran) and would like to be added to the church’s subscription list, please call/e-mail Joan Carroll in the Church office at 662-6678 or [email protected]. Please note: If you are not currently receiving Living Lutheran, you must call/email to be added. Using your offering envelope to make a donation will not automatically add you to the mailing list. Thanks!

Chancel Flowers

Opportunities for donating Chancel Flowers are available January 20 and 27, and the entire month of February! Call Joan in the church office (662-6678) to reserve your Sunday!

New Way of Ordering Flowers for

Worship

Flowers are signs of life, growth and beauty of creation. If you would like to donate the flowers for worship in memory or honor of someone in your life, please contact the church office to sign up for a given Sunday. You will deal directly with the church. The cost is $45; make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church and have flowers noted on the memo line. Going forward, we will be using Winchester Floral to provide floral arrangements. Unless requested otherwise, flowers are delivered to members in the hospital, skilled nursing, in special care at home, or re-purposed for church events.

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Happy New Year to everyone! Our students are learning so much and are excited to head into the second half of our school year! January brings the Lion’s Club for their annual Kidsight Screenings and a school lunch provided by Chick Fil-A! Soccer shots will also begin!

We want to remind everyone that our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Silent Auction will be on Tuesday,

March 5th from 5-7pm. We are collecting donations for the auction, so if you can help in any way please contact us! We

already have some wonderful baskets and gifts to bid on throughout the evening. There will be children’s entertainment

provided starting at 6:00 in the preschool building. Please save the date and join us

for a fun dinner that supports our preschool!

Preschool Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year: February 4th – All currently enrolled families February 11th – Open Registration

We offer a variety of classes for 2-5 year olds. Learn and grow in a faithful community!

Global Missions Team The Global Missions Team is excited to announce our decision to support the Faraja Primary School in Tanzania with a gift of $2800, money that has been generously contributed by the congrega-tion in support of work in Tanzania. Founded by Don and Joann Tolmie (Lutherans from Norfolk Vir-ginia) in 2001, and visited by Pastor Utt and the group he led to the Northern Diocese of Tanzania in 2008 ….. Faraja Primary School for Children with Physical Disabilities stands proudly beneath majestic Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa. Faraja provides love and opportunity to young people in a country where the disabled are deemed not worthy of educa-tion and inclusion as full members of society. At Faraja, the students push their limits, discover opportunities, and master skills. Nationally recognized for its record of student achievement, Faraja School is a caring residential community that provides academic rigor and medical support to help each student strengthen mind, body, and spirit.1

For more information, check out their website at www.farajaschool.org. What a beautiful use of the gifts we have been given to share. 1Quoted from the Faraja Primary School website Home page

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Snow Removal Team Needs Help It is winter time again, and that brings with it the threat for snow. Following snow events with measurable accumulation, it is the responsibility of the church to keep the sidewalks and entrances to the church property clear. While the church contracts for plowing the rear parking area and alley, volunteer help is needed for sidewalk shoveling and salt spreading. At this time, we have no volunteers, so if you are able to assist with snow re-moval, please consider becoming a volunteer member of the snow removal team. Please contact Robert Taylor at [email protected] or telephone the church office at 662-6678, so that your name can be added to the snow removal team call-out list. Thank you very much for your support.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS All offerings received in envelopes marked “Christmas Outreach” and all loose offerings at the Christmas Eve Services and the Christ-mas Day service will be used for Service and Outreach Ministry to our local community.

SNOW AND ICE CANCELLATIONS What is our cancellation policy when we are hit with bad weather? Worship Ser-vices are rarely cancelled because of in-clement weather. Other church programs sometimes are cancelled. All cancella-tions will be placed on the Grace Church website (www.gracewin.org) and on WINC FM Radio (92.5 fm) as soon as a decision is made. Cancellation notices for religious organizations are not always announced in a timely fashion, but they are posted almost imme-diately on the website ~www.winc.fm

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Your offering envelopes for 2019 were mailed recently in December 2019 Offering Envelopes Your offering envelopes for 2019 were mailed recently by bulk mail. This year your envelope number re-mains the same number as your number in 2018. Please do not start using these envelopes until January 2019. Any 2019 offering envelopes, that we receive prior to 2019, will not be opened or processed until the Sunday, January 6, 2019, offering count. It would be very helpful to the Financial Secretary, if you would write your name on your envelope each week. Your 2019 offering envelope packet contains extra envelopes. The first envelope in the packet marked Initial/Special Offering is intended to defray the cost of the envelopes ($10.00). The third envelope in your offering packet marked Living Lutheran/Special Offering may be used to help defray the cost of the Living Lutheran magazine (formerly The Lutheran magazine for 2019 ($9.00). (Please note: If you have not received the Living Lutheran magazine in the past, you must, also call/e-mail Joan in the church office to be added to the list. 662-6678/[email protected]) Scattered throughout your offering envelope packet are special offering envelopes marked for vari-ous ministries, please do not use them for your regular offering, as they will be used for the designated ministry as noted on the envelope.

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Welcome New Members!

On the first Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018, we received the follow-ing new members into the congregation and we give thanks for those who are serving as their sponsors: New Members Sponsors Helena Catapano Sheila Miller Kelly Lawhorn Cortright Becky Stern and daughter Stephanie The Rev. Shelby DePriest and Pastors George and The Rev. Dr. J. Paul Balas Martha Sims John and April Flanigan Steve and Mary Thomas Mark and Vivian Lindgren John and Kathy Henry Dick Taylor and Sue Towley Kay Hallett Megan Waters Sara Power and son, Edwin Associate Member Greg Behan Sean Gallagher

ANNUAL REPORTS

If you were the leader of a Ministry Council or task group, director of an auxiliary or know you have to complete a report, it’s time to start working on those annual reports. Have your report to Beverly Dennis, Parish Administrative Assistant, no later than January 27, 2019. The Annual Report Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2019, following the 8:15 am worship service. The preferred format is Microsoft Word or Publisher sent by e-mail to [email protected]

Tables of Grace

Saturday, January 19, 2019

11:30 a.m. at Oak Stone Craft Pizza 1000 Valley Avenue

Winchester, VA 22601 www.oakstonepizza.com

540-450-5262

4.7 Rating out of 259 reviews (They offer much more than pizza.)

R.S.V.P. to Kay Hallett

by Friday, January 18, 2019 703-795-0740

[email protected]

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Historical Tidbit: Who was Evva May Miller? Evva May Gough was born January 14, 1919, in western Frederick County, the only child of Clifton and Lola May Milhon Gough. This month marks the 100th anniversary of her birth. Evva May graduated in 1936 from Handley High School and married Samuel Vincent Miller, Jr., the same month. Sammy was a life- long member of Grace Church and he died in 1998. They were married 62 years and had no children. Evva May Miller had several clerical jobs in the community before she was hired as our parish secretary in 1947 by Pastor Eisenberg. When the 380 page manuscript for the first edition of This Heritage needed typing, Evva May took the job, using her own portable typewriter at home. Following publication in 1954, she started keeping files of topics for a future edition. This was the beginning of our Archives at Grace Church. In 1956, the long time financial secretary, Robert Bell, retired and Evva May took on his duties. She was the person who typed TIDINGS each month and ran it off on a mimeograph machine. Because of her great attention to detail we have a strong history of our church until her retirement in 1973. Following her retirement she cared for her mother at home. In the 1990s, Pastor Utt asked her to begin con-tacting former pastors in preparation for our 250th anniversary in 2003. Evva May and a few friends began meeting once a week to update the annual files of information to document the history of our congregation. Out came the portable typewriter and lists were made and carefully filed. She was named Archivist by the Church Council. On October 26, 1997, an Archives Room was dedicated in the undercroft. The room had been created as a Boy Scout project of Mitch Dickey. Evva May served as a consultant to This Heritage, Expanded Edition. Her many files were invaluable to the committee writing the updated version of the history of our congregation. When the book was published in 2003, it was dedicated to her. She died on Sunday, October 23, 2005, at her home at Westminster Canterbury. Evva May was an active member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. In addition to being the Archivist, parish secretary for 26 years, and simultaneously the financial secretary for 17 years, she served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member and member of the arts and crafts committee. She was buried in Mount Hebron Cemetery. Her celebration of life service was conducted by Pastor Utt whom she always referred to as “James Howard.” She was especially fond of butterflies. When I began helping her in Archives in the 1990s, she asked if I would take over when she “turned up her toes.” It has been a privilege to serve in her footsteps. Mary Froehlich, Archivist

Stephen Ministry

Was It Really Only Last Year? You stayed up to watch the New Year come together.

You talked about the past year, all the memories, good and bad.

How you laughed over some of them.

But this year you’re alone.

And memories bring you nothing but pain.

During this time of pain, a Stephen Minister would like to be there for you. He or she will listen and care as you sort through your feelings. If you need some-one to listen, if you know someone out of town needing someone to listen, your Stephen Ministry Team is but a telephone call away. Talk to Pastor Sims, Pastor Boynton, or call Christie McKee at (540) 431-1932 for a referral.

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GODFREY MILLER FELLOWSHIP CENTER SCHEDULE

January 1 –31, 2019

For a full calendar of upcoming events check our website www.godfreymillerhome.org. If you have any questions or to sign up, please call 667-5869 and ask for Sharon Thornton ([email protected]).

“Celebrating History while Building Community”

Wed. 1/2— 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Range of Motion Thurs. 1/3— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 1:00 pm Chair Yoga Mon. 1/7— 10:00 am Hand and Foot 10:00 am Party Bridge 10:30 am Knitting 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class 7:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Tues. 1/8— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Canasta 10:00 am Teddy Bears 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Wed. 1/9— 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Range of Motion

Thurs. 1/17— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Chair Yoga Mon. 1/21— 10:00 am Hand and Foot 10:00 am Party Bridge 10:00 am Party Bridge 10:30 am Knitting 10:30 am Bible Study 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Range of Motion 7:00 pm Bowers Bridge Tues. 1/22— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Canasta 10:30 am Painting Class 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Wed. 1/23 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randies Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class

Thurs. 1/24— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Chair Yoga Mon. 1/28— 10:00 am Hand and Foot 10:00 am Party Bridge 10:30 am Knitting 10:30 am Bible Study 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Range of Motion 7:00 pm Bowers Bridge Tues. 1/29— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Canasta 10:30 am Painting Class 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Wed. 1/30 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randies Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class Thurs. 1/31— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Chair Yoga

Thurs. 1/10— 10:00 am Mahjong! 11:00 am Party Bridge 11:30 am MOBB 12:00 noon Randie’s Lunch 2:00 pm Chair Yoga Mon. 1/14— 10:00 am Hand and Foot 10:00 noon Party Bridge 10:30 am Knitting 10:30 am Bible Study 2:00 pm Arthritis Range of Motion 7:00 pm Bowers Bridge Tues. 1/15— 10:00 am Mahjong! 10:00 am Belle Amies Book Club 10:00 am Canasta 10:30 am Painting Class 12:00 pm Bowers Duplicate Wed. 1/16 10:00 am Dominos, Party Bridge 12:00 noon Randies Lunch 2:00 pm Arthritis Strengthening Class

Meeting Highlights

The Annual Business Meeting of the Congregation was held on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 9:30 AM. Congregation President, Christie McKee, led the meeting. The following are highlights of the meeting:

• A budget for mission and ministry for 2019 was approved.

• The Congregation Council class of 2021 was elected: Richard Bue, Suzanne Conrad, Roxanne Lovejoy, John Matticks, Donna Stewart, and Steve Thomas.

• Youth representatives to Congregation Council were elected to a one year term: Ben Rayburn and John Whitley.

• Elected Frits Geurtsen as a congregation representative of the Mission Endowment Fund Board.

• Grateful thanks was expressed: To the outgoing members of Congregation Council class of 2018: Jody Bloomfield, Scott

Boswell, Diane Cooper, Jonathan Hornbaker, Patrick Marsden, and Christie McKee, and youth representatives, Grace Dennis and Daniel Marsden.

To John Henry who has served as chair of the Mission Endowment Fund Board. To the Trustees of the Congregation: Jerry Kerr, Roger Milburn, and Gene Fisher.

Congregation Council met on the evening of Sunday, December 9, 2018, for the annual Christmas fellowship dinner, and a brief meeting during which two facilities use requests were approved.

Page 12: Vol. 62 No. 1 January 1 31, 2019 - gracewin.orgat 7:00 pm following worship using the book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an instant society, written by Eugene

THE PEOPLE OF GRACE - THE MINISTERS Martha Miller Sims - Pastor ([email protected]) Jonathan M. Boynton—Pastor ([email protected]) Dudley Oakes– Director of Music/Organist ([email protected]) Joan R. Carroll - Parish Secretary ([email protected]) T. Shafferman- Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry ([email protected])

Beverly Dennis - Parish Administrative Assistant ([email protected]) Robert Taylor - Facilities Manager ([email protected])

Brenda Miles - Sexton Sean Dye—Children’s Music Program Coordinator Suzanne Reid - Assistant Treasurer ([email protected]) Erin Ritchey - Nursery Attendant; Jeanette Kline - ESL Nursery Erin Reeve and Lisa Zerull - Faith Community Nurses ([email protected])

Jennifer Strickler - Director of Preschool ([email protected])

Sharon Thornton - Director of Godfrey Miller Fellowship Center, ([email protected]) James H. Utt - Retired, Pastor Emeritus

SUNDAY SCHEDULE Worship Service: 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion is celebrated at all services. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Grace Place: Sundays at 5:00 p.m.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 26 W. Boscawen Street Winchester, VA 22601 Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID WINCHESTER, VA

PERMIT NO. 96

The deadline for input to the next issue of TIDINGS (covering February 1—28, 2019)

is 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 16,2019

• Wonder and Worship resumes January 9, 2019

• Dinner and A Movie ~ January 6 at 5:30

• Global Missions Team announces new support

• Annual Reports Due January 27, 2019

• Welcome New Members

• Offering Envelopes have been mailed

• New Congregation Council Members Announced

• January Worship Assistants and Calendar

OFFICE HOURS

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday -

Friday

Telephone: 540.662.6678 FAX: 540.662.6682

E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.gracewin.org

Preschool: 540.678.0635 Godfrey Miller Center: 540.667.5869

Prayer Team We invite all who are interested in caring for others through prayer to join the prayer team. Contact Becky Swanson Stern, at [email protected]

Prayers for those in our Military Services

should include: Seth Anton, Brian Baker,

Brett Bozeman, Stuart Carper, Andrew Flanigan, Corey Flanigan, Elizabeth Grove, Ben Grove, Ellen

Haines, Mitra Haines, Trenton Hornbaker, John Lyons,

Tyler Manuel, Kristjan Rauhaula, Brandon Reeve, Ted Schulz,

Christine Sears, Alex Simpson, Danny Smith and Scott Zerull.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church is a

Stephen Ministry Congregation.

[email protected]