Social Ministry at Grace and Beyond

Souper Bowl of Caring— "Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help
us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat." Souper Bowl of
Caring began with this prayer more than 20 years ago, and on February 4th &
5th, we will continue to remember and take action to share God's love with those
in need. Please find members of our high school youth group carrying soup
kettles before or after worship and give generously to feed the hungry. All gifts
will be given to the Wednesday night PADS meals and Woodstock Food Pantry.

Woodstock Diaper Bank—Do you need diapers or incontinence supplies? The Vine Christian Church, a partner with the St. Paul Diaper Bank Partnership, now offers diapers for children and adults. To receive diapers, an application form must be filled out in advance. All who ask will receive. Elderly in need of diapers are encouraged to apply. Applications will be taken on Tuesday Feb. 7 from 9 a.m.—10 p.m. at The Vine Ministry Center located at 1132 N. Madison in Woodstock. At the corner of Madison and Greenwood Circle. For more
information call 815-338-3380.

Blood Drive Results—Heartland Blood Centers thanks the church for coordinating a fall blood
drive. Our goal for the drive was to collect 25 donations, which we were able to do with only 3 deferrals. Our support helps Heartland Blood Centers to provide hospitals in our area with a
safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products. Many patients will benefit from the
generosity of our donors.

Blood Drive Coordinator Needed—We send a special thank you to Pam (Roberts) Richards for serving as our Blood Drive Coordinator. Your help in supporting this ministry has been much appreciated! As we begin the new year, we are now in need of a new person to coordinate this wonderful ministry at Grace. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity and contact Pastor Ken if you are interested.

PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter)
On the fourth Wednesday of each month from October through April Grace members prepare and serve dinner to homeless people who are staying at the emergency shelter at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation church. Check the poster in the narthex for ways you can contribute to the meals.

PADS offers shelter and services for people who are homeless. For more information about other services for the homeless, visit www.mchenrycountypads.com.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY SHARING: Each year in December, Grace members “adopt” families in Chicago and Woodstock and make their holidays merrier by providing gifts and a meal. Look for a sign-up table in the narthex in late November so you can be part of this wonderful program.

MITTEN TREE: During Advent, we decorate Christmas trees with mittens, hats, gloves, and scarves.  Socks and underwear are also collected.  These items are then distributed through agencies such as Bethel New Life Center, Family Health Partnership Clinic, and PEACE4All, so that families in need will have these basic necessities for the winter months.

DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM —The Direct Assistance Program (DAP) is operated by the Woodstock Area Community Ministry.  WACM strives to provide emergency assistance to those families who need it most.  Because of the tremendous growing needs of the community, DAP has had to cut back on its  services due to a shortage of funds. You can help by making a regular donation to DAP using the white pew envelope.  WACM is jointly operated by 12 local congregations and     organizations, including Grace.

Hearland Blood Drive -  It's Blood Drive time AGAIN! Labor Day Weekend is an opportunity to participate in Grace's third blood drive on Sunday, September 4, 2011 from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

Faith In Action— is a volunteer organization that promotes keeping our seniors
independent in their homes. We are in need of a few people who would have 1 or 2 hours per week (or month) to help transport a few members of our
community.
One person needs to be driven to the VA bus stop at the train station. Another person would like to be taken shopping and to the laundry mat. A dialysis gentleman needs to go for treatment three times per week.
If you can help with even one of these things, please contact Caryn Rigsby at Faith In Action 815-455-3120 x223.

For more information about FIA visit their website
at www.fiamchenrycounty.org

 

Food Pantry needs

The Woodstock Food Pantry needs our help to restock its shelves. Donations of nonperishable food, paper goods, and toiletries can be placed in the basket in the vestibule. Items especially requested include canned vegetables (corn, green beans), canned fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple), soup (vegetable, cream of mushroom, chicken noodle, tomato), toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products. Cash donations through the church office are also much appreciated. Please bring your items on “Food Pantry Sunday” – the first Sunday of each month – or at any time. Thank you!

 

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County has announced that another Thrivent Builds project will begin in our area this summer. This is an opportunity for Lutherans to work together with a low-income family to make the goal of home ownership attainable for the family.
The house will be built in Marengo in the Brookside Meadows subdivision. The groundbreaking
ceremony is scheduled for May 21 at 2 p.m., and construction will start June 4. Volunteers from Grace will be needed on Saturday, June 11. There are two ways to help: 1) Join the construction crew. Construction experience is not required, but volunteers must be at least 18 years old (16- and 17-year-olds may work if a parent is present) 2) Donate sandwiches, side dishes, or other items for the workers' lunch.
Please sign up at the Information Center or contact Kristin Thurow (815-337-8214, ekthurow@owc.net). For more information about Habitat for Humanity, visit www.habitatmchenry.org (click on ―Our Projects to see progress and
a map for the Marengo house).

For more in depth information on Thrivent Builds, and this HFH build, you are also invited to
attend a gathering on Saturday morning, May 21. The meeting will be held at Zion Lutheran
Church, 412 Jackson St. in the Multipurpose Room, Marengo. The meeting will be approx.
9:00 am - 10:30 a.m. Any questions, please contact Kimberly L Spayer, Lutheran Engagement
Consultant, Office: 630-200-8934, Email: kimberly.spayer@thrivent.com.

Share the Bounty - Each weekend throughout Spring/Summer/Fall, there will be a Share the Bounty table in the church courtyard. If you have extra plants or produce to share with your Grace family please place your items on the table. If you can use any of the items, please feel welcome to take them home. It's all about ―Sharing God's Grace.

The ELCA website is a great resource for putting our faith into action through social ministry.  For more information about our church's efforts to help people who are hungry, poor,  or affected by natural disasters around the world, visit www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World.aspx.  For more information about ways we work for peace and justice in our world, visit www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice.aspx.

 

ONE Sunday
Grace celebrated ONE Sunday on September 27th, 2009] with opportunities for everyone to learn more about poverty and hunger around the world and what we can do to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of eradicating extreme poverty. Click here for more information about the issues.

 

Tanzanian Banner Gift

Grace has received a painted banner crafted by the members of our partner congregation, the Arusha Town Lutheran Parish in Arusha, Tanzania. We offer our prayers of thanks for our partners in ministry at the Arusha Town Parish. The youth at Grace have painted a banner with the message "We are One in the Spirit," which was delivered in early July to Arusha.