Church Calendar of events
Volunteer Schedule
 

Sd

From Pastor Jim,

Have you given much thought to the year 2023? I
expect there are many other things on everyone's mind than
thinking about a time fifteen years into the future. But there is
a good reason for all members of Grace church to keep the
Ir, year 2023 in our thoughts, and our prayers. Why is 2023
important for us? It is likely to be the year of confirmation for
the five babies we expect to baptize before this year is over.
So one thing we can be sure of for 2023 is that there will be a set of kids ready to declare
their faith in Jesus Christ. But there is an important unknown. Namely, will this church
be here when those Ms (our kids) are ready for confirmation?

The session has recently formed a special task force to consider stewardship and
financial issues for our church. In the stewardship literature put out by our denomination
the writers encourage congregations to look past the current year's budget crunch (ours is
a deficit of about $7,000). They suggest looking down the road several years and looking
at the effect of the church on others instead of just ourselves. So the question becomes
what kind of church will these five babies have is 2023? And what can we do now and in
the intervening years to make this church a vital, loving and challenging place for them?
The answer to these questions may influence how we deal
with stewardship now. Baptisms are always wonderful, joyful
events for a congregation. Let us begin working now to ensure
that confirmation, even fifteen years down the line, is a
wonderful, joyful experience for those we baptize.

Winter Quarter Sunday School Attendance
     Winter quarter was from December 2 - February 24.  We had 12 Sundays with classes.  The average attendance for that time was 23 people.  This is 58% of our enrollment and down 11 % from fall quarter.  This may be due to the extremely bad weather we had on many Sundays this winter!
 

Vacation Bible School Update
     Our four day VBS, The Miracles of Jesus, will be held June 15-18 (Sunday - Wednesday) from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.  Children ages Kindergarten - grade 5 are encouraged to attend and bring a friend!  Each day will include music, drama of the Bible story, crafts, snacks, Bible memory and games.  Please mark your calendar and sign up on the list in the fellowship hall.  If you have questions, please ask anyone from the C.E. Committee.
 

April Craft for Shut-ins
     Another sure sign of spring is the birth of baby animals!  This month the children will be making soft lambs to bring to each of our shut-ins.  This should be an encouraging sign to them that spring is here with hope for a warmer and colorful season to enjoy.
 

Camp Wyoming sign-up time!
     April is the time for early camp registration in order to be sure of space in the camp of your choice.  We have camp brochures and information on all types of camps for all ages.  Please check with Pam Lica for information on camping and details on how to sign up.  Remember, our church will pay 50% of the cost for each camper to attend Camp Wyoming this year.
 

Adult Sunday School Class for Spring Quarter
     The Adult Sunday School class has made plans for their spring quarter study.  April 6 and April 13 they will finish the Bible study on the book of James.  April 20 - ? they will study the Peace, Unity and Purity of our church.  Then finally in May they will study what it means to be a Presbyterian.  Please join them.

April 5"' ~ Annual Salad Luncheon
We need workers, salads and people to come ani
enjoy the salads! Cost is $7
Buy your morn a pie for Mother's Day! We a
having a Pie Sale on May 10th. Whole pies will
available for sale and we will even gift wrap for
your mom. Slices will be served as well. Watch
for more information

Family Fun
We are having a Family Game Night on Saturday, April
26th at 5:30 pm at the church. All ages are welcome!
Bring an hors d'oeuvres to share and a favorite game
hope to see everyone there.

 Habitat for Humanity
On Saturday, March 8, a crew of twelve youth,
former youth, and those searching for the fountain of
youth, worked on a Habitat home in Sunny Acres.
The home had been flooded, the homeowner sold it
back to Habitat, and Habitat had stripped it down to
the studs and rebuilt it. We were there to help lay
tile, hang doors, putty nail holes, stain woodwork,
and rip rags. Yessirree, we ripped a lot of rags! The
new homeowner was there working with us, and she
will be able to move in soon. It was a satisfying
morning for all of us. Stay tuned for another
opportunity in the coming months to work at Habitat,
 

PW BIRTHDAY OFFERING
The annual PW Birthday Offering will be taken in April. For the
2008 Offering, the Creative Ministries Offering Committee of
PW chose 2 projects rather than the usual 5 to receive money so
the grants to each could be larger and make more of an impact in
their communities. The goal for this offering is $1.2 million.
The first grant will go to the Congo. The Presbyterian Church of
Congo and the Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa are planning on
"Building a Strong Future for the Congo" to strengthen ministries
in education, nutrition and technical assistance, improving the
lives of at least 700,000 people.
The Moringa tree's leaves are high in nutritional value. Monies
will be used to promote distribution of seeds and cuttings and
develop nutritional programs in the use of the powdered leaves.
In Mbuji-Mayi in the East Kasai region, grant money will build a
5 bedroom guest-house with a conference room and kitchen
facilities. Other hospitals and mission houses will be repaired,
painted and equipped with water and solar systems and mosquito
nets.
The other grant will go to the Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Weekday School in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is a licensed
daycare center. In August 2005, the school was flooded with
more than 8 feet of water. The water stayed inside the school for
2 _ weeks and destroyed everything but the outside shell of ihe
building.
The grant will be used to help rebuild the facility and equip it to
meet the current and changing demands of multiple age groups, ll
will be able to meet the needs of a greater number of people and
will extend its hours of service.
More information and envelopes will be handed out in April to be
returned by April 27.

PC and 10
Remember Initial Offering (suggested $2.00 per box of
envelopes) and Per Capita ( $25.98 per communicant
member). We have nearly reached our budgeted goal for
Initial Offering. We will pay Presbytery $3,326 as our
commitment for Per Capita and we have received about
$2,000. If you have not paid your share please consider
making a payment as soon as possible.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MEALS
Any contributions toward the meals served the first Saturday
of each month will be greatly appreciated: main dish,
veggies, milk, bread and dessert also volunteers needed to
deliver the meals to the workers. Contact Kathy Weiner or
Janet Nustad.

Corporation Report
Thanks for all who helped with the sanctuary before and
after painting! We appreciate all the help!
Thanks to those who have volunteered to clear sidewalks
this winter and a belated thank you to Dick Graham for
cleaning the janitors closet.

Among the many "un-simg" (pun intended)
members ofGPC is Dorothy Gilbertson. She
and Wait moved to Winona in 1959 and have
been members of the church and choir since the
early 1960's.
Dorothy started singing as a child in church
choirs and has a vast knowledge of church
music. For the past few years she has been
invaluable in selecting and coordinating the
music the choir sings, as well as stepping in as
assistant choir director.
Thanks, Dorothy, for your efforts!

JOYS:      
Pastor Jim Scaife and Jean Hayes are home after their
trips to Africa. Jim went to The Democratic Republic of
Congo with his father to help the people at the Bunia
Children's Hope Center and orphanage set up fanning
procedures and other projects that will help the
orphanage.
Jean went to Tanzania with a medical mission group and
then to Kenya to visit Imani's relatives.
Both had outstanding experiences that they shared at a
special program after church on March 16.

CONCERNS:  
Kjersti Anderson had an appendectomy on March 17 and
is doing very well
Continued prayers for Del and Deb Braaksmas - our
missionary friends in the Sudan. The needs there are
great and the situation is very dangerous.
Prayers for Candi Kohner's father who is having health
problems. Candi and her son, Kolin, will be making a trip
to Arizona to bring Candi's parents back home. Our
prayers are with them for a safe journey
Helen Walter is in the Rushford Nursing Home and will
remain there.

Circle I will meet on April 14th at 7:00pm at Mary
Lowery's
Circle II will meet on Tuesday, April 8 at 12:30 p.m.
for lunch. Watch the Bulletin for the place to meet.

Camp Wyoming sign-up time!
April is the time for early camp registration in order
to be sure of space in the camp of your choice. We
have camp brochures and information on all types of
camps for all ages. Please check with Pam Uca for
information on camping and details on how to sign up.
Remember, onr church will pay 50% of the cost for
each camper to attend Camp Wyoming this year.

John Knox PW
Sprmg Gathering
United Presbyterian Church
730 Cedar St
Wisconsin Dells, Wl
Saturday, April 12,2008
Registration and Coffee - 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Heart's Treasure

Our featured speaker will be Susan Becker. She will
be sharing her experiences on her fall mission trip to
Alexandria, Egypt and Bethlehem, Palestine. We will
receive a message from Pastor Steve Keller on our
scripture for the day, Matthew 6:19-21. It will be a filll
day of learning, fellowship and beautiful music.
Please have your reservations to Audrey Henry (608)
254-8767 by April 7*. Cost $6.

Do you have email?
Interested in saving Time & $$$$???
GPC can send you the monthly newsletter online in a
Portable Document Format (PDF) readable on a PC
or Mac. You'll still receive the newsletter the last
weekend of the month, but you'll be saving the cost
of copying. mailing, and secretarial time'

you  can even send comment/articals to the editor

Just return this sign-up, by email to:
mbarr@ridge-riinner.com, or drop at the office,
and start enjoying Grace Press onlinel

YES - I'm interested in getting the Grace Press

my name is_________________

My email address is___________________

 Grace Presbyterian Church -- Winona Minnesota Calendar of events