Heat Respite Update

Grace Lutheran,

Heat Respite is off to an amazing start this year. Our first week we are on track to feed over 300 meals, not including various snacks and hydration. Our community have asked me to thank everyone for not giving up on them, especially since the "Zone" is scheduled to evict everyone by July 1. 

Just in a week we were able to get many clothing, hygiene kits, hats, glasses, sunscreen, and medical care. In fact we even helped one volunteer find permanent housing. We continue to solicit your prayers as we do start each day with devotion and a scripture. Lastly, we urge everyone who can to come out and volunteer or donate snacks and items for a continued success. 

Yours in Christ

Mark Bradford, Heat Respite coordinator

Grace Lutheran Church

President's Corner

Attached is a summary of our council meeting in May.

1.      Internet access – We are contacting our provider to increase the band width.

2.      Transition Team – They have evaluated all the survey results and putting it into a summary that the council will review on June 13th and then have a congregational meeting on June 25th to approve and give the to call committee.

3.      Parsonage – The church has entered into a lease agreement with Amauri for the parsonage. We signed a one-year lease to see how things go and then will review for a longer lease in a year. Amauri is a Montessori school for infants.

4.      True North – They have been giving us a check every month until they receive a permit. If a permit is not received by December 31, 2023, we will have the option to cancel the lease.

5.      Children’s Choir: We have entered another lease with them.

6.      Heat Respite: We have decided to continue heat respite for this year with the following changes:

a.      Heat respite will run from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

b.      We will only be serving sack lunches with no breakfast.

c.       We have hired Mark Bradford to lead heat respite this year. We will be sending out contact information for Mark later or you can contact the office

d.      We are always seeking volunteers so please contact the office if you wish to help.

e.      Will run from June 12th to August 25th.

f.        Will look at a maximum capacity of 60 people but are willing to revisit this later.

7.      Security - We are going to look at contracting with a security company to drive by the church three times at night to ensure no one is camping on the property.

8.      Monument Sign – We received pricing to revise our existing monument sign to include an electronic banner installed in lieu of what we have now. The pricing is such that we will have to include this in next years mission plan if we wish to do this.

9.      Summer Worship – Council was in agreement to have one worship service during the summer at 10:00 am.

Thank you for your prayers and help. We could not have a church without everyone participating to the best of their gifts.

Grace Time & Sunday Spirit

We are taking our annual summer break from Sunday Spirit and Grace Time. We plan to resume classes after Labor Day.

Summer Worship Schedule

We’ve begun a combined worship service for the summer. Join us at 10:00 am in the sanctuary for a mixture of contemporary and traditional music. See you there!

Brondos Missionary News

God is doing amazing work in Mexico with our Missionary, David Brondos! You can read updates in his newsletter at http://dbrondos.mx/2023/06/01/brondos-news-2023-05/

Heat Respite

We are excited to announce our Outreach Coordinator, Mark Bradford, has officially started! We are happy about this addition to the Grace staff and look forward to a great summer. If you would like to say hello and welcome Mark, he can be reached at outreach@graceinthecity.com or 602-651-1182.

We are gratefully accepting donations for Heat Respite. Some of the key items we are in need of are:

Water

Non-perishable snacks

Electrolyte packets

Granola bars

Fresh Fruit/fruit cups

Trail mix

Wet wipes

Sunscreen

Hand sanitizer

Socks & Shoes (Mostly Men’s 9 & 12)

T-shirts (Men's L, XL, and XXL Women's M, L, XL)

Backpacks

Blankets

Sleeping Bags

Hygiene (travel sizes of shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, and razors)

Hats

We are also in need of volunteers. This life saving ministry truly takes a village and with the support of all the partners and groups that come together we can continue this amazing work! If you have an interest or perhaps know someone that might like to join in please contact Mark at outreach@graceinthecity.com or 602-651-1182. Thank you!!

Wilbur

Wilbur has changed, but he is still doing great work! No longer a large glass pig in the Narthex, Wilbur is a small, cute, realistic-looking pig sitting up front in the sanctuary, near the offering plate. We also have a little Wilbur in Hope Hall for early service attendees. Right now until July, he’s collecting funds for the food banks at ASU, U of A, and the University of Phoenix.

August through October, the offering will go to Christmas for Tots.

A sock drive will receive the offering in November.

Wilbur will take a short break in December and resume in 2024.

Memorial Day Holiday

Monday, May 29 the office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. The Grace Room will also be closed this day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, May 30.

Property Updates

Many thanks to Diane Simonian and her volunteers with Hope4Phoenix. Through their efforts, an evening meal is provided every Sunday in Hope Hall. Grace is blessed by this organization’s desire to help those in our community and is grateful for their on-going partnership.

On May 1, Martin Jimenez officially began as Grace’s property handyman.  Martin works three days a week tending to the numerous needs of our historic property.  He is a familiar face to many as he has been addressing, for nearly a year now, various needs around the church campus- emergency and otherwise. Additionally, he recently completed the final updates to ready the church parsonage for our new partners, Amauri Montessori school for infant and toddler care.

The last couple of months have dealt us some blows. Most recently, a new compressor was needed for the a/c unit in Trunk Space, as well as some electrical upgrades. Further, corroded pipes and leaks in the basement area for Little Lantanas school were discovered.  This will require further investigation and repairs after they wrap up their school year.

The office now has another door which can be used as an emergency exit. This door was simply made available after Martin removed the drywall covering it up. It is located near Jasmine’s desk. Roger continues to explore a refresh of the monument sign facing 3rd street, with added digital church information.

Thank you for your support as we continue our property upgrades. Thanks especially to Ken, Larry, and Roger from Grace, as well as New Life in Christ for regularly tending to our landscape needs.

Transition Team

The transition team had its second meeting to discuss the responses heard from the community meeting and from the first survey. They’ve created another survey which will help assist the team in creating the first draft of the Ministry Site Profile (MSP). You can complete the new survey by scanning the QR code found in the Narthex and in Hope Hall or filling out a hard copy and returning it to the office. The transition team greatly appreciates your participation in this journey to finding Grace's next Pastor.

We're Hiring!

As the summer gets closer we are preparing for Heat Respite. With this ministry comes new positions and volunteer opportunities. If you or someone you know is interested in participating please send an email to outreach@graceinthecity.com or gracepastor@graceinthecity.com.

You may also contact Jasmine (officemanager@graceinthecity.com) for more details.

Property Update

Thank you to those who gave their time on Saturday, April 1, to spruce up our property and purge items from long forgotten cubbies and closets. The large planting bed at the front of the church got a needed facelift and now boasts new and colorful flowering vegetation. Treasures were discovered that were buried deep in the choir room alcoves. These items will be made available so all can see a bit of church history.

The second phase of the church parsonage updates is in full swing. The exterior painting of both the house and garage have delighted passers-by on their way to downtown events. Just this month, Grace entered into a lease agreement for the parsonage with another Montessori school, specifically for infant and toddler care. Part of the understanding is that they will also care for the upkeep of the Grace prayer garden and current playground area. We welcome Amauri Montessori to the Grace community of partners.

Property items that are either out for bid or will commence shortly, include the following: sanding, resealing, and new working hardware for the wooden exterior doors facing Moreland. Once done, they will match the front exterior doors and receive regular maintenance to retain their beauty; timers will be added in the sanctuary to begin lighting the stained glass at night; replacement of a compressor for an air conditioning unit in the kitchen pantry; repair and refresh the monument signage facing 3rd street, with the possibility of adding moving digital information.

Thank you for your support as we tackle on-going repairs and help make beautiful our historic property.

President's Corner

Attached is a summary of our council meeting in March.

1.      Internet access – Marty did a review, and the access is good on campus. We just need to increase the speed of the internet.

2.      Transition Team – The transition team sent out a survey it should be returned before April 16th.

3.      Time and Talents – The time and talent sheets are out. Please fill out and return.

4.      True North – Good news! True North gave us a check for the month of April as agreed. We are now trying to set up monthly meetings with True North so we know construction moving forward.

5.      Please take note of the following days and please set them aside:

a.      April 15 – There will be a BBQ at 3pm in the courtyard. We hope to have all church partners present to share their ministry and enjoy fellowship. A short service with fellow pastors who share the church campus will begin the event. Last year’s BBQ was a success, and we look forward to this repeat event.

6.      Council Retreat – A morning retreat was held at the Cambria Hotel. There was team building led by Pastor Phil and positive discussions about future goals.

7.      Phone Calls – This Is not going to happen because an updated phone directory is needed.

8.      Cambria – We are talking to Cambria about letting them rent parking spaces in the south and west lot. More to come when we get further along in this discussion.

9.  Sheila led the installation of two AED devices in Hope Hall and the Sanctuary, she is scheduling training for April 16th.

I just want to say what a blessing it has been being President of the council. I have tried to visit all the groups that use our church and have been blessed in meeting the people who run them. I would encourage everyone to make it a point to come out and do the same.

Transition Team

The transition team had its first meeting to discuss what is needed to create Grace’s ministry profile as we journey to search for Grace’s next Pastor. On April 16th, the transition team will be hosting a community gathering to discuss Grace’s history, needs, and our vision for the future. A survey containing questions and topics that will be discussed has been placed in the Narthex and also on the bulletin board in Hope Hall. For your convenience, a QR code that will lead you to a digital copy of the survey, is also in these spaces. The survey also includes an RSVP section for the April 16th lunch.

HOLY WEEK

This Sunday begins Holy Week with Palm Sunday. The Contemporary Worship will be in Hope Hall at 8:30 am and the Traditional Worship Service at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary.

Maundy Thursday is April 6 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary . We will gather for Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar.

Good Friday is April 7 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. We will come together for Tenebrae service.

Easter is April 9, the Contemporary Worship time and location will be sent out Wednesday, April 5. The Traditional Service is at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary.

Easter Lilies

Would you like to donate lilies to decorate the altar for our Easter season? You can help beautify our church home in honor of someone you love or make a gift of thanksgiving. All thanksgiving/memorials will be listed in our Easter bulletins. Suggested donation amount $12.00. You may place your order by sending an email to Jasmine or by calling the office (officemanager@graceinthecity.com, 602-258-3787). Please place your order by noon on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

President's Corner

We had our church council meeting in February which was very productive and covered the following items:

1.      Internet access – We are looking to make sure our internet is accessible throughout our campus. Marty will be suggesting a couple of companies to evaluate our internet access. A company will evaluate our internet needs.

2.      Transition Team – The transition team was selected and started their work. They will be providing updates and have asked us for prayer and help as needed.

3.      Super Bowl - Thanks to everyone during the super bowl for your understanding of suspending services for two weeks. Thank you to the Grace staff for making this a smooth process.

4.      Time and Talents - We have decided to do our time and talent sheets during Easter. Please be on the look out for these and make sure to return them.

5.      Parsonage – The council is looking at leasing the parsonage to another Montessori School for infant care. The couple wanting to rent the parsonage are currently running their school out of their home. They know Sarah from Little Lantanas Montessori School who utilizes the church basement.

6. Phone Calls – Please note that someone from the church council will be contacting you via phone to remind you of our April 15 get together.

Upcoming dates to remember:

a.      April 1 – Workday at church 9:00 to 2:00 – We will have inside and outside work projects to work on. Also, if you can help prepare and serve lunch, that would be great.

b.      April 15 – There will be a BBQ at 3:00 pm in the courtyard. We hope to have all church partners present to share their ministry and enjoy fellowship. A short service with fellow pastors who share the church campus will begin the event. Last year’s BBQ was a success, and we look forward to this repeat event.

Thank you for your prayers and help. We could not have a church without everyone participating to the best of their gifts.

Did you know?!

Here are some fun facts about our Grace family!

We currently have nine groups that we share Grace Lutheran with. Three of these groups are other churches that worship here. We are excited to announce we’ll soon be adding one more group to this list!

Roger Ark and Fran Fry have known each other since elementary school! They attended the same elementary and high school!

Ken Ehlen recently retired from a career with the City of Phoenix!

Allison Sigala has been singing in the Contemporary Worship for 10 years!

Jasmine celebrated her one year anniversary as our Administrative Assistant on February 7th, which is also her birthday!

If you have more fun facts you’d like to share in our next newsletter please let us know by sending an email to officemanager@graceinthecity.com!

Grace's Transition Team

The transition team had its first meeting to discuss what is needed to create Grace’s ministry profile as we journey to search for Grace’s next Pastor. On April 16th, the transition team will be hosting a community gathering to discuss Grace’s history, needs, and our vision for the future. Next Sunday, March 26th, the transition team will be providing a survey link via email, hard copy, and posting a QR code around Grace regarding questions and topics that will be discussed at the community gathering. The survey will also include an RSVP section for lunch on April 16th.

Property Update

The trees in the garden are blooming and wildflowers will soon appear where seeds have been tossed.

This month the courtyard tree got a long overdue trim. It has been thinned of debris and the huge dead

limb is gone.

An emergency plumbing issue is being addressed in the sacristy bathroom off the choir room. A cracked

pipe sent sewage spilling. Martin and Micah are on the messy and unpleasant repair.

Perhaps you haven’t heard, but Hope Hall, the parsonage, garage, and garden ramada have ALL been

reroofed. Many thanks to Roger for coordinating with all the contractors to make this upgrade to the

church property a reality. This process began prior to COVID; it has been a long journey.

Graffiti is an on-going occurrence, especially following a weekend. We see it often on the trash

dumpster, but also on the walls of Hope Hall and the garden, parking meters and signs. Thank you,

Tammy for jumping on this and keeping our property beautiful.

The office has another layer of security. Jasmine’s desk and interior workspace now have a plexiglass

barrier. This upgrade helps all those working in the office area feel a bit less exposed.

Many thanks to Roger, Ken, and Larry for cutting and caring for our extensive lawn around the church

and parsonage twice monthly. New Life in Christ does the same on the opposite weeks of the month.

They have partnered with Grace for years and we appreciate their time and care for the property.