CANDI KOHNER
      As you read this, I am gone from Grace Presbyterian Church, but you can be
reassured, I am thinking of all of you! It will be good to be back at Grace Church on March 7.

     From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of you for all the volunteer work you
do to make Grace Presbyterian Church what it is today. There are many hours donated to
Grace in one week's time. I can safely say there is not a day that goes by that someone is
not giving time to this church.
    Before I started as Administrator, I was very involved, but had no idea of all
the work that was needed to make it click! I appreciate all of you and only wish I had the
time to personally thank you. (That is something I am working on.)

    We at Grace are a very lively and loving church. We are family, ...something that I
value deeply. To all of you who are making Grace the wonderful church that it is,
THANK YOU!

I will see all of you next week and it will be great to be home!
We at Grace are truly blessed,
Candi

DOUG ROSENDAHL
 
 

      There is obviously much that we cannot know about the mysteries of God. But having said
that, there is much we can know. Much has been revealed to us.
Much has been passed on by faith communities who have preceded us and struggled with what it
means to believe and obediently follow in a world like ours.
     I am convinced that serious disciples must be serious students of the Bible. The Bible is a
treasure trove of spiritual guidance for the patient reader who is willing to let a story percolate and gestate,
the student willing to set aside our modem obsession with instant inspiration and meaning. "For the
Rabbis and Church Fathers", writes Burton Visotsky, "reading the Book was an adventure, a
journey to a grand palace with many great and awesome halls, banquet rooms and chambers, as
well as many passages and locked doors. The adventure lay in learning the secrets of the palace;
unlocking all the doors and perhaps catching a glimpse of the King in all his splendor."
     This may frustrate those with little time for nuance."The Bible may be difficult and confusing at
times, but it is meant to challenge our intelligence, not insult it. It becomes insulting when it is
distorted by fanaticism and foolish religiosity", says Thomas Merton. The "authority" of the Bible finally
rests not on pompous ecclesiastical pronouncements assuring the faithful that it is inherently "holy", but rather
on the power of scripture to transform and liberate God's people. This is the final test of the Bible's authority in
any age: whether we are a changed people as a result of reading and living the Word.
     Blessings upon your journey these Forty Days of Lent and the Great Fifty that follow.
Doug
 
 

Al Kleinsasser
 

I really have enjoyed my two Sundays of Ministry thus far at GPC. You have all
been very welcoming and affirming! Just a reminder: I am at GPC on Wednesdays
from I to 5 pm if for some reason you need to contact me. Or, of course, you are welcome
to call me at First Baptist Church (452-9133) as well.
     I thought I would use this column for the next several months to introduce myself to
you arid more about my background and family. So l'11 begin with my immediate
family.
     A number of you have already met my wife Linda. Linda is employed by the
Guidant Corp. in the Cities as a regulatory affairs associate. She is also currently completing
an MA degree in Leadership from Bethel College. I have four step-children: Katy, an
internal auditor with Medtronics; Andrea, newly employed also at Guidant and
getting married on Memorial Day weekend; Ben, a freshman at Calvin College in Grand
Rapids. MI; and Alicia, a Senior at Woodbury High School. I continue to look forward to
potential of shared ministry opportunities in a number of areas.
      May the Lord stretch us to trust Him for a greater work for Him in our community.
Blessings in Christ,
Al

Lenton Bible Studies

Mark your Calendars for the Lenten Luke Studies at Grace Presbyterian and First Baptist
Churches on the five Wednesdays evenings from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. during the month of
March. We will be alternating churches and sessions will be led by Rev. Al Kleinsasser and
C.L.P. Doug Rosendahl. We plan on participants bringing a Bible and a snack to pass if
you wish to do so. Remember these are joint Lenten Bible studies and we would like to
see you at each church. We will enjoy food and fellowship and inspiration through
observations, interpretation and application from Luke for this Lenten season.
The schedule is as follows:
March 3 @ Grace led by Al, scripture: Luke 22:1-9
March 10 @ FBC led by Doug, scripture: Luke 22:31-53
March 17 @ Grace led by Al, scripture: Luke 22:54-71
March 24 (a). FBC led bv Doug. Scripture Luke 23: 1-43
March 31 (a). Grace led bv Al. scripture: Luke 23:44-24:12

Concerns
Loel Gordon's sister, m Iowa, died recently. Please keep the
Gordon's in your prayers.
Joys
Jon Lica was chosen for the All Tournament team in a tournament held at WSU in
December. He was one of 12 finalists for AAA Awards at WSHS and also was one of the
Winterfest Court at WSHS

Session Report
Clerk Pro tem  Mickey Barr

The Session Meeting of February 27 approved motions presented by committees to further the work
of GPC, and held lively discussion on a number of topics.
      Concern over the arrangement of the chairs in the sanctuary was expressed as uncomfortable by some
members. Others felt it should be left as is for a period of adjustment, as we could always move it back to
a center aisle arrangement in July, after giving it a 6-month lease. Ministry of Worship will take the
matter under advisement.
        The change of time for Fellowship and Worship was addressed. Although in place for only a few
weeks, it is unwieldy for greeters (especially if they are in choir & must rehearse prior to worship), for
visitors, and for parishioners who wish to visit with Pastor Al. After input by the Ministry of Christian
Education rep and others, it is felt that Sunday School can start at 9:15 am to 10:30 am. Worship at
10:45 am with Fellowship at 11:45 am. This schedule will begin March 7th.
 

Christian Education

Spring Quarter Teachers
(March 7 - May 23)
Nursery             - Holly Martin
Ages 4 - Grade I - Dave Polachek
Grades 2 - 6      - Kathy Rosendahl
Grades 7 - 12    - Heather Boesch & Jean Hayes
Adults               - Kathy Weiner & Janet Nustad
Parenting           -Cindy Burt
Music Leader    - Kathy Weiner

February Frolic was Fantastic!

Our annual February Frolic was held on Sunday, February 15
with 8 youth and 6 adults attending. All the youth and four of the
adults went to Wee Valley where they found excellent sledding and
snow boarding!! It looks like that just might be the spot we choose
next year, too. After two hours of fantastic fun, they returned to the
church for soup and sandwiches. Everyone had smiles on their
faces I
 

The Corporation Committee finalized plans with the hired cleaners of
the church.  The schedule for weekly cleaning will be the week which
includes the first Friday - Hired Cleaner; second Friday - ORC; third Friday
- Hired Cleaner; fourth and fifth Friday (if needed) - Volunteers. For those of
you who have said you wouldrather help to pay someone to clean the
church, here is your opportunity. If you would like to donate to the janitorial fees, please
mark your check as: Janitorial Services" and hopefully we will gather enough money to
support the janitorial expenses for this year.
      On the other hand, if you would rather clean, here is your opportunity to do so.
Just sign up on the cleaning sheet on the bulletin board. There is one or two times each month available.
      This will be a great solution for those who want to or do not want to clean the church.
      The committee discussed the new handicap water cooler which will be ordered soon.
As soon as the wax arrives, the Fellowship Hall floors will be scrubbed and polished.
       The committee thanked Dave Kennebeck for the great job he is doing to
keep our parking lot and sidewalks free of snow.

Worship Committee
If you have any artistic tendencies, or just neat ideas, we'd like to highlight them on OUT weekly bulletins.
Children and adults are invited to submit drawings with seasonal or topical themes to this committee. Don't
be shy! We know GPC is filled with talent!

M&S
The total giving for the Souper Bowl of Caring was $55. The total at the present time nationally is $3,967,194
(including ours) with 11,521 organizations reporting.

Hunger Fund Offering
If you have not turned in your bank, please do so as soon as possible.
Home Delivered Meals
April is our month to deliver meals for Volunteer Services. We will NOT deliver to Valley View. There will
be a regular route - basically Goodview - with 7 to 9 stops. We need 5 teams to take one day a week.
For those who are uneasy about doing this type of route, Brenda, from WVS, has volunteered to go
with you the First time.
       Please contact Dorothy G. if you wish to volunteer or have any questions or comments.
We need to know how many teams we have by March 21. Thank you.

Fundraising Committee
The Chow Mein Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 13, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
There are two sign-up sheets on the bulletin board for food donations and time donations. Except for
the cake, all food donations should be in the kitchen by Thursday, March 11.
The Salad Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 17, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Proceeds from these two events will purchase a new water cooler and a new refrigerator
at the manse. Mark your calendars for both these dates.
 

Circles
Circle I will meet at Gloria Sallings march 18 at 7 PM
Circle !! and !!! will not meet untill April
 
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

The OGHS offering will be taken on Easter, April II. Envelopes will be in the
next Newsletter and in the pews. A calendar is included in this Newsletter to
make your giving a little more interesting as you consider the problems of others and
the blessings we have. Check it out - you will find some very interesting facts,
plenty of food for thought and lots of reasons to contribute to help others.
 

Presbyterian Women
PW's Mission Box is missing the pattern for an adult
gown and the bandage rolling machine. If anyone
knows the where abouts of these items, please contact Ellie Griesel.
 

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

World Day of Prayer, sponsored by Church Women United of Winona, will be held Friday March 5 at
Central United Methodist Church.
      The worship service will begin at noon in the Chapel. Women from several local churches will lead
the service written by Christian women in Panama. The offering will be used by CPU for national and
international programs.
      A lunch of soup and breads will be served after the service. An opportunity to give to the
Fellowship of the Least Coin will be available at the luncheon.
       CWU is an organization that unites women from Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and other
Christian groups as they work and pray for peace and equality for all.
 

Letter from Mary Lowery
Jerry and I went for a walk in beautiful 80 degree Kona, Hawaii, and we came to a little wooden white
church that was right on the beach. One side faced the ocean, one side the street, and the other two sides were
surrounded by hardened lava, palm trees and "beach." The door was open. In fact, there was no door. Jerry
and I went up the three steps and sat down on one of maybe 20 wooden benches and just looked ahead. There
was a tiny alter with a cross on top that had been carved from a small stump. The stump was still attached. Bui
- and this is the best part - straight ahead facing the ocean was a huge etched window. The scene etched on the
window - well, do you remember Al's sermon about the "fishermen?" That's it. The scene was showing Jesus
I   by the sea talking to the fishermen as they straightened their nets. Jerry and I sat there, mesmerized, for maybe
10 minutes. Then we got up and read the story of the church on the back wall: The church had actually been oi
another beach but had collapsed during hurricane Iniki in 1992. Not a board was lost during this terrible storm!
The local people gathered up board by board and reconstructed the entire church as it was on this new beach
site. The church is open 24/7. There is no graffiti or vandalism near this little church. The grounds around it
are immaculate. It is truly a labor of love. As we left the little white church, we saw a surfboard up against a
tree. A young girt in a wet suit climbed out of the water, grabbed her surfboard, looked at us and said, "Neat
little church, isn't it?" then she walked down the road.
The next day we couldn't resist and we walked back to the tiny church. It was Saturday and they were
having a wedding there. We approached the small crowd and watched their preparation. A small Japanese
woman came over to me and said, "We have a lovely mass here at 7:30 am every Saturday morning."
When you come to church March 14 and after, look for the pictures on the bulletin board of St. Peter's Catholic
Church of Kahaluu. This is truly one of "God's Little miracles."

PITCH IN PITCH IN PITCH IN PITCH IN PITCH IN
 

    Did you know ? In like a lamb and out like a lion (or vice cersa) applies to March weather; the first day of
spring is in March; March has 31 days; March winds bring April Showers; March is Minnesota Food Share Month;
and most important - March is the first of three major food drives for Winona Volunteer Services in 2004?
       The Deacons are heading up the food drive at Grace Presbyterian Church. In all of 2003 our church
collected 350 pounds. Our GOAL for March is 300 pounds. Let's really top that figure. No, no one will sleep
on the roof if we meet or surpass that figure nor are we going to weigh our ministers and use that figure as our goal
but we may come collecting if the goal is not being met.
in 2003 an average of 457 households shopped at the Winona Volunteer Services food shelf. About
200,000 pounds of food were distributed by WVS in 2003.
Our slogan is "When times get tough, we all pitch in." The need is great in Winona. Can we count on you? Let's fill those
barrels in the front hall and watch the poster shopping bag fill.  The food will be delivered to WVS every Friday
during March so we can start with empty barrels on Sunday. Bring canned fruits, meats, soups,
vegetables, etc. Also dry cereals, instant soups and dried fruits. NO BABY FOOD
     We will be collecting both food and cash/checks. If you wish to give cash. put it in an envelope or pew envelope and mark it for Food Shelf. If your contribution is a check, make it out to Grace Presbyterian Church and MEMO it for Food Shelf. A dollar buys an average of about 2 pounds of food. it may buy as little as 1.5 pounds or as much as 25 pounds, depending on what they are able
to buy. Help us restock those shelves.
Help us help those people who need help. Help us reach and surpass the goal of 300  pounds in March Can wi- do 400 pounds ?')