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Fostering Generosity at Grace

We can be certain of one thing: God has been generous to each of us. As we recognize how much we have to be grateful for, we can respond to that recognition by choosing to live generously.  We are all stewards of God's bounty on our journey to generosity. Let us accept with gratitude all our many gifts and respond generously so that we may live as faithful stewards. “Stewardship means using the gifts God has given us to do the work God is calling us to do.”

The Community Ministry committee spearheads the church’s involvement in several interfaith service agencies including the Salvation Army, Samaritan Center, and Common Ground Benevolence Office. Because of COVID-19, the parish has been collecting non-perishable foods item the second Saturday of each month, in the Grace parking lot.  Food is given on alternating months to Salvation Army and the Samaritan Center for distribution to the needy.

Salvation Army projects:

  • Prayer Garden
  • Meals at the Salvation Army center of Hope – Each month a volunteer group of Grace Church members prepares and delivers dinners on the third Sunday of each month to 40 - 60 residents of the shelter and others in the community who are hungry.
  • Red Kettle

Samaritan Center projects:

Because of COVID-19, Grace Church volunteers can no longer participate in the organization and distribution of food. Parishioners do some clerical work and serve on the Samaritan Center’s advisory council and board.

Common Ground:

Common Ground is a partnership between the First United Methodist Church and six other churches, including Grace Episcopal Church. The organization provides financial assistance through a small benevolence ministry, has a Families Forward program that works with families to become stable through housing and other needs.  Grace Church’s involvement includes:

  • Benevolence Office tasks – Each Tuesday of the month parishioners answer the phone and fill out applications for clients and give to the social workers to process.
  • Families Forward – Parishioners work as volunteer advocates for the families as they move through the program. Our deacon is the liaison between volunteer advocates, Family Forward participants and the Common Ground staff.
  • Vegetable/flower garden – Grace Church volunteers guide participating families who grow their own vegetables, in raised beds on the building grounds, for the community.

Grace Stewardship Team Recommends United Thank Offering as a Daily Discipline of Gratitude

United Thank Offering is a spiritual and financial partner in the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church. Every year UTO receives offerings given in recognition of the abundance of God’s blessings. These offerings provide grants for a wide variety of mission projects in the US and around the world, including medical clinics, safe drinking water facilities, equipment for food pantries, and many others.

Take a moment each day to be aware of the abundance of God's blessings and make a thank offering.