The building is approaching completion! It’s time to get ready for a wonderful transition.

Perhaps you can celebrate by showering the church with a gift of equipment or furnishings, above and beyond giving to the General Fund or Building Fund. There are many needed items, large and small, not paid for by our building budget.

The trustees have approved a “Wish List” of items that are needed to make the transition. This does not include disposable items or larger capital improvements to be accomplished later, but gives us furnishings and equipment needed to make our building usable upon entry.

It will work very much like a Gift Registry for a wedding. Here are instructions:

1. The Gift Registry including item details is posted in the hallway at church. A copy for reference is at www.graceumchsv.org/wishlist but in order to register for a gift, you must sign the Gift Registry at church before you buy (or contact Todd Noren-Hentz and ask him to do so). If you prefer confidentiality, you may ask Todd to mark the list for you and keep your name privately on file for reference.
2. If possible, please purchase the item yourself and store it at home until we open the building (there is no storage available until then). With a receipt, tax credit can be given for in-kind donations.
3. If you prefer making a monetary donation, you must use the Gift Registry to specify items you want your gift to go toward (and mark them “paid” after giving toward it). You may indicate a general area you want your gift to go to if not a specific item. There is one designated fund, the “Wish List Fund,” for receipts toward all items. Checks should be made to “Grace UMC” and marked “Wish List.” It is the responsibility of the donor to use the Gift Registry to clarify what your gift goes to (rather than marking your check). Partial gifts toward expensive items may be accepted. Unspecified gifts and funds left after needs are met will be used for remaining items on the list, as prioritized by trustees.

See the Gift Registry for Food and Fellowship, GraceFull Players, Office Furnishing, Adult Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Café, Sports and Recreation, and Technology items we would love for you to give!

Bishop Willimon preached at Grace UMC on Sunday, March 29 and led consecration ceremonies for our new Ministry Center along with Superintendent Tom Bell and Pastor Steve West.

The Ministry Center is approaching completion by late June. It will be a 24,000 square foot building with gym, walking track, stage and backstage, youth center with cafe (break room), elevator, additional nursery, classrooms, restrooms with showers, and offices. Opening the building will initially double the church’s floorspace, while the second floor will be finished later. Pastor West notes, “Nine years ago, Grace opened its doors and took a bold step into the journey of a new church. God has blessed. Once again, we are standing on holy ground set apart for ministry that touches lives. We pray many will ‘find grace at Grace’ as we build a Ministry Center that reaches the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.”

Thanks to all those who took the time to participate in our Family Life Ministries Survey. Your participation will help us to discern what new ministries to consider starting. Here are some links to the results of the survey:

Full Results (68 responses)

Results for Ages 24 and Under (6 responses)

Results for Ages 25 to 40 (21 responses)

Results for Ages 41 to 60 (29 responses)

Results for Ages 61 and Over (12 responses)

Results for Females (41 responses)

Results for Males (26 responses)

If you would like to see the pictures that are in the Grace Pictorial Directory online, please click the link below. Also note that the site requires a password and because of privacy concerns, it cannot be posted here. Please contact Joanne Weis or one of the office staff for the password. Joanne can be reached at 430-0003 Extension 805.

Link to the Grace UMC Pictorial Directory