grace united methodist church non profit grace …
TRANSCRIPT
Non-Profit Organization
U. S. Postage PAID
Corpus Christi, TX
Permit No. 690
GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 14521 Northwest Blvd. Corpus Christi, Texas 78410-5501
Address Service Requested
Grace United Methodist Church
14521 Northwest Blvd. Corpus Christi, TX 78410
361.933.0109 www.ccgrace.org
PORTERFIELD’S PASTORAL PONDERINGS
Dear Grace Family,
As we approach 2020, Grace UMC continues to be a strong and vibrant church, even as we have encountered some difficulties and growing pains.
You will remember in July, we delayed our search for a new parsonage because of our overall financial picture. Our congregation has a good pattern of giving that shows every sign of continuing and expanding. The challenging part of our picture today, is the growth in our budget (the commitments we make to staff, ministry, and facilities) has grown well beyond our giving. In addition, we currently have no reserve funds for unexpected expenses.
In 2020, we will be implementing some changes to help secure our foundation and prepare us for the future.
1. We have established three reserve accounts (General, A/C, Parsonage) that, over the next 5-6 years, we plan to fund with a beginning balance of $50k each. You will be encouraged to contribute, but we will also establish a “1% of the budget” line item that will be directed to these reserve funds. Our plan is for the 1% to be part of all future budgets.
2. We are in the process of refinancing our debt at a lower interest rate. This will allow us to change our payments from “interest only”, to “principle and interest” without increasing the amount we pay each month and help us reduce our debt faster.
3. Once our Expanding the Mission capital campaign ends in May, we will ask all who can and will, to continue that level of giving to fund our reserve accounts.
4. We have also established a $50,000 line of credit at Texas Methodist Foundation (TMF) that will be available to us, if needed, until our reserve accounts are funded.
TMF is our lending institution. 5. Our 2020 budget will be reduced by $39,003.
The painful part of our budget reduction is that we will not continue to have an Associate Pastor after June 30, 2020. (Please see Pastor Rebekah’s accompanying email). Pastor Rebekah is a wonderful pastor and has done an excellent job here at Grace. The blessings of Pastor Rebekah’s presence and ministry have done much ‘Kingdom Building’ through Grace. The salary package for pastors comes with substantial financial costs beyond salary. In discontinuing our Associate Pastor position, we will save approximately half of the salary package. With the other half we will seek to hire a lay person to follow Pastor Rebekah who will handle her program focuses. This is where the majority of the budget reduction will come from.
Pastor Rebekah’s pastoral duties will shift to me. The transition will require much prayer and patience as we adjust to the changes. It is our expectation that as we grow in the coming years, that we will be able to support an Associate Pastor again.
These changes will surely generate questions and concerns and I am available to answer those. In addition, our Governing Council has also established quarterly ‘Town Hall’ meetings for listening, questions, and answers. The first ‘Town Hall’ was on November 17th between our services.
As we walk through difficult times, God will guide us and bring blessings in unexpected ways.
Blessings, Mark
December 2019 Altar Rail Offerings will go to support the Methodist Children’s Home
Church Office: Main: 361.933.0109 fax: 361.933.0154
Pastors: Reverend Mark Porterfield ext 205
Cell: 512.657.0405
Reverend Rebekah Rochte ext 204
Cell: 540.288.7141
Director of Youth Ministry: Victoria Low ext 203
Director of Children’s Ministry: Debbie Shannon ext 206
Director of Communication: Kristen Veit ext 200
Office Manager: Ira Besse ext 202
Property Manager: Jon Borhauer Cell: 361.548.7638
Financial Secretary: Cathy Chaloupka ext 221
Director of Music Ministries: Michael Perez
Pianist: Natalie Rumfield [email protected]
Wesley Counselor: Erica Garcia
Cell: 361.658.9708
Wesley Nurse: Laura Rivas
For Appointment: 361-933-0109
FINANCIAL REPORT THROUGH October 31, 2019
October Received for Ministries -
$68,984.06 Invested in Ministries - $61,581.28
YEAR TO DATE
Received for Ministries - $661,314.70
Invested in Ministries - $654,205.74
14521 Northwest Blvd TMF Loan
Balance January 1, 2019 - $1,498,128.69
Year-to-date Payments $117,839.92
Balance October 31st - $1,380,288.77
Expanding the Mission
Received Year-to-date $111,849.17
Year-to-date Payments $106,130.47
October 2019
Visitors
Cassandra Cochran
Michael Osadebey
Kevin Padilla
Average October
Worship 8:50 138
11:15 114
Nursery 10
Small Groups (Sunday School)
Average 98
A Moment in Time #64
Years ago, a group of Chinese farmers got together and decided they would eat the good, big potatoes and just use the small ones for seed potatoes. In a few years, they realized this had been a mistake, because the small potatoes soon produced only small potatoes. They learned they could not keep the best things of life for themselves and use the leftovers for seed. The laws of life decreed that the harvest would reflect the planting. Planting small potatoes is still common practice. Too many folk take all the big things in life for themselves and only plant the leftovers. They expect that by some crazy twist of the laws of nature our selfishness will reward us with blessings. This holds true for family relationships, friendships, on the job, in community affairs, in politics, and in the church. So long as we continue big plans, startling activities, attempt great things for God, we can expect great things from God. We succeed when we sacrifice. What kind of “ potatoes” are you planting?
The Good News of Grace October 31st. 1985. Mary Lutz
Historian
As this year draws to an end and we anticipate the coming of the Christ Child, please let us pause to think of the less fortunate in our community. If you have gently used clothing items, especially those in smaller men’s size, please bring them to the Thrift Shoppe for the homeless in our midst. Blankets and warm coats are especially needed at this time of the year. Women’s and children’s items would be greatly appreciated as well especially sweaters, coats and even boots and other warm shoes.
Once again, we thank you for your generous donations which enable the United Methodist Women to meet their goals for mission giving.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all!!!
Adult Ministries
The Young at Heart group is still collecting and recycling #5 Medicine Bottles as an outreach project with Matthew 25: Ministries.
Please continue bringing your empty medicine bottles to recycle. This mission project for Mathew 25: Ministries is full-filling the needs of those who don’t have access to medicine bottles. Thanks to all who participate.
Missions and Outreach
We continue to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world! There are so many opportunities to volunteer, donate, or otherwise change the world! Whether you’re interested in an ongoing project or have an idea for a new one, contact Pastor Rebekah ([email protected], 540-288-7141) or Pam Fordtran ([email protected], 361-537-3979) to get started.
Serve
Feed Our Friends: Help us make PB&J sandwiches, assemble sack lunches, donate food items, or volunteer to serve the hungry in Artesian Park! Join us on 2nd Sundays every month. Food Bank Distribution: We have grown! Help us distribute food to over 100 families on 2nd Wednesdays (9-11 AM) at the Thrift Shoppe or 4th Fridays (1-3 PM) at Oak Park! You can also donate canned meats and beans to supplement our supplies.
Donate
Funding: From grocery/gas gift cards to food to hygiene items and more, monetary donations help us accomplish the mission of changing lives. Food items: We support several feeding programs, and are always in need of supplies like peanut butter, jelly, canned foods, healthy snacks, etc. Supply Drives: We regularly set out collection bins throughout the year for things like school supplies, coats, backpacks, and more, so keep an eye out for how you can help!
UMW NEWS
JOY Circle will meet on Wednesday, December 11 at 6:30 PM in Rooms 136-137. Join us for snacks and a program entitled, “A Light that Interrupts.” We hope you will join us.
HOPE Circle will meet on December 17 at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. We will gather to go visit the shut-ins followed by lunch together.
When you are cleaning for the holidays, please keep in mind the Thrift Shoppe desperately needs:
1. Men’s warm winter clothes and shoes 2. Kids warm winter clothes 3. Women's winter clothes 4. Any item you no longer need
Thank you, Joan Morgan
Blood Drive Update
The turnout was great! Our goal was 22 units of blood and we had 22 draws. Thanks to our Grace donors 66 people can receive blood and have a better life. There is no greater gift than giving life saving blood. There is no substitute for blood, thanks to each of you for your life saving gift.
We hope everyone will come to one of the two services to join the Grace Choir and a 17-piece orchestra to praise the coming of Jesus’ birth! The cantata is written by Mary McDonald & Joel Rainey and is a joyful combination of Christmas hymns and original music to glorify our Lord!
Angel Tree
This year we will not have the Christmas Child boxes but we will be helping the Wesley Center in Robstown with Christmas gifts for 26 children. There will be a Christmas tree with Boy or Girl Angels. They will have the names for the children and their needs or wishes. We are asking for only the items on each angel tag. Some will have clothes with sizes, others will be the wish list that the children would love to have.
The Tree will be up from November 17th - December 8th. We will need all gifts by Dec. 8th so the children will have their gifts by the Wesley Center’s Christmas Party. Please put items in a gift bag (Do not wrap them). If you have any questions please contact Kris White at 944-6628.
“Did You Know…”
1. Grace UMC is participating in a jobs program in conjunction with Calallen High School. This program allows youth with special needs to work at the church and learn skills for future jobs.
2. Adults and youth joined together on Sept. 29 in the heat of the day to unload pumpkins. They unloaded 2,698 large pumpkins and around 600 small pumpkins!
3. 2 pipes in our septic system have been fixed! 4. The chairs in the Worship Center have been
rearranged. 5. The Beautification Team has been trimming
the hedges and taking care of some much-needed gardening around the church.
6. We are having quarterly Town Hall Meetings. Our first Town Hall Meeting was on Sunday, November 17th between worship services.
7. Grace UMC gave $500 worth of donations to some of our community partners for Coastal Bend Day of Giving. Partners Grace UMC donated to this year included: Wesley Community Center, Ark Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter for Youth, Coastal Bend Food Bank, Metro Ministries, Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, and Mission 911.
8. Joe and Lisa Newcomb joined the church! 9. Colton and Jessalyn Dixon joined the church! 10. Home in a Week needs your coffee
containers! These empty coffee cans will be used as paint containers for when we paint homes for families in need.
Sea Gulf Villa
We will be providing Christmas gift bags again this year to the approximately 100 residents of Sea Gulf Villa in downtown Corpus Christi. Sea Gulf Villa provides affordable housing for elderly or low-income residents. The gift bags contain basic hygiene items, socks, and holiday goodies. Please watch the Ministry Table in December for the opportunity to sponsor a gift bag for $12 each. For some of the residents, this will be the only Christmas gift they receive. Grace's generosity is always appreciated by the residents and management at SGV.
Dear Friends,
It seems like Christmas comes earlier every year, doesn’t it? I noticed that the local Walmart put out holiday decorations the day after Halloween – did we skip Thanksgiving?! Our culture celebrates some kind of “Christmas season” all through the month of December. Even I have accepted the habit of starting to put up decorations and bake cookies and put on the occasional Christmas-themed movie starting December 1. Sure, a lot of this trend toward an early and extended Christmas season is driven by commerce, but a recent scientific study suggested that decorating for Christmas early actually helps lift your mood, evoking nostalgia and childlike wonder. But if you want to be a liturgical stickler, Christmas decorations shouldn’t show up until Christmas Eve. As Christians, we follow a different kind of calendar. The Christian year – which generally follows major events in the life of Christ – actually begins on the first Sunday of Advent. Advent comes from a Latin root that means coming, arrival, or emergence, and is the first of three seasons that focus on the mystery of the Incarnation. It’s a period of anticipation, not unlike that anticipation we experience while waiting nine months for a child to be born (sound familiar?). During Advent, we look forward to the many comings of Christ – in his birth, his continual in-breaking now, and his final victorious return. Advent is a season of preparation. Just as a family may spend months stocking up on diapers and decorating the nursery and going to doctor’s appointments in preparation for the arrival of their new child, Christians spend these four weeks preparing for the coming of Jesus. Historically, spiritual disciplines like fasting helped to re-focus our attention on God. We mark time by reading the Scriptures about the events that preceded Jesus’ birth, and meditate on the Psalms and prophetic passages about the hope we have in the God who promised to dwell among the people. We make ourselves ready to receive Emmanuel, “God With Us,” once again. Advent is also a season of hope. We recall the hope of our spiritual ancestors who eagerly awaited the fulfillment of God’s promises of love, peace, and presence, and we rest in our own hope in how God will continue to come into the world and profoundly change things for the better. It’s a time when we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus, but it is also an opportunity to reflect where we see Jesus in the world today, and on the hope we have in his return. Once December hits, it can be so easy to focus exclusively on a single day of celebration, but we cannot skip over the blessing of Advent. The fullness of the nativity is better realized after we have gone through that season of waiting, watching, and wondering. Having rekindled our hope, perhaps we can welcome the Christ Child with fresh eyes and open hearts. To help you prepare for Christ’s coming during this Advent, here are a few ideas for you: We have family devotionals available for you; I invite you to come to the children’s program “Birthday for Jesus” on December 1 or stop by the Church Office later that week to pick one up, and engage in a few minutes of reading and prayer each day leading up to Christmas. Another great practice is to read one chapter of the Gospel of Luke every day – you’ll finish the whole Gospel by Christmas Day! Use an Advent Calendar (every year, my dad sends me the same kind of calendar with little chocolates that my family used when I was growing up!) to mark time and to talk to your kids about what it means to watch and wait for Jesus. Try fasting once a week and focusing your attention on reflecting on Scripture or singing Christmas carols about Jesus’ birth. However you may prepare your heart and life for Christ this season, may you be blessed beyond measure!
Yours in Christ,
Revolution Youth Christmas Party December 4th 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Place: Skateland (Fun, Food, and Fellowship) Invite friends to attend! Each person attending needs to bring $7.00 to help offset the cost of the party.
Revolution Youth WNL will resume January 22, 2020.
Revolution Youth Uprising…
Sunday morning from 10:00 – 11:00
The Bible is filled with stories of miracles and inspiration, but it also teaches us how to reach out and connect to others. The youth will be working through a bible study about Advent.
Upcoming Dates for Confirmation…
December 1st Confirmation Class “Worship” December 7th Make Up Class (For anyone who missed a session this semester) December 15th Confirmation Class “Sacraments” January 3rd – 4th Confirmation Retreat at Camp Zephyr
Memories from November…
Birthday for Jesus
Christmas Program
Sunday, December 1st 6 PM
Join us Sunday evening, December 1st in the Worship Center for Birthday for Jesus as the children of Grace UMC perform in their annual Christmas program. The Birthday for Jesus
celebration will continue in the Fellowship Hall with cake, cookies, and punch.
Volunteers Needed!
Help us make Breakfast with Santa bigger and better than ever before!
Can you make pancakes?
Serve in the kitchen?
Donate a silent auction Item?
Help children with crafts?
Decorate and set up for the event?
Then contact Debbie at 933-0109 or
During Breakfast with Santa, we will be having a Holiday Bazaar. If you have items you would like to sell
during the event, contact Debbie at 933-0109 to reserve your booth
space.
Silent Auction items are also needed. Please drop off your items to the church
office no later than Sunday, December 8th
Saturday, December 14th Grace United Methodist Church
14521 Northwest Blvd.
*Silent Auction *Arts & Crafts *Vendor Booths *Food and Fun!
Bring your camera to take a picture with Santa!
Free Admission!
Breakfast is only $5.00 per person $20 maximum per family