Grace Ministries – Where You Make a Difference

Imagine Grace Church as a big, beautiful, complicated, multi-piece puzzle where God has specially crafted each piece to interlock perfectly with all the pieces around it, where no piece is the whole puzzle, and where the puzzle itself always has room for one more piece.  Where will you fit in?

To learn more about any of the ministries below, get in touch with the contact person or people listed in parentheses.

Christian Formation Ministries

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The children’s spiritual formation program meets Sunday mornings, 9:00-10:15. Using a Montessori approach that allows children 3-9 years old to explore their individual spirituality with the sacramental structure of our faith, it offers an environment where “the Holy Spirit and the child meet!” The role of a catechist is to be a guide to the child, not by giving answers but by exploring with them to discover what the answers might be.  (Shannon Townsend, gstownsend@att.net)

Monday Morning Bible Study
is offered weekly at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. This study group focuses on the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday. (Lorie Tola, lorie.tola@gmail.com or Tim McRee, timothymcree@gmail.com)

Women Walking the Way
Come walk with us! Thursday mornings at 8:20 a.m. we gather at the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary pavilion for a lively discussion of the following Sunday’s Gospel reading as we walk. It’s a peaceful time of fellowship, an opportunity to discover new insights, and a wonderful way to make new friends. (Ann Lewis, annaflewis7@gmail.com)

Adult Formation. Classes are offered on Sunday mornings by a team of gifted teachers. Offerings are publicized in Grace communications. (Greg Townsend, townsendsnc@gmail.com or Emily Fuerest, ebsowder00@gmail.com)

Outreach & Advocacy Ministries

Outreach at Grace Church intertwines with almost everything and everyone in our parish as we all seek to serve God by advocating for and responding to the needs of the disadvantaged, the disenfranchised, and the suffering. An Outreach Ministry group meets regularly to seek a clear spiritual focus for parish outreach ministries. In addition to keeping the parish informed about current outreach opportunities, theOutreach Ministry plans and administers the outreach budget; distributes funding and serves as a liaison between the parish and various outreach-related agencies; andproposes and supports outreach projects.  (Kim Hayes, kimhys53@gmail.com)

Action & Advocacy. If you are worried about the world and curious about how followers of Jesus can engage to make a difference; if you long to be among others who share your concerns, please join in.  (Tahani Sticpewich, tahaniweb@gmail.com)

Parish Life Ministries

Building and Grounds
Grace Church is beautiful inside and out! This Committee oversees maintenance and landscaping. (Ron Sims, simstbolt@gmail.com)

Communications Team
Through email newsletters, church bulletins, the website and social media, this team keeps the Grace family informed. (Kim Hayes, kimhys53@gmail.com)

Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
All women of Grace are welcome! Our mission is to share God’s love within our church and beyond, building community and providing fellowship opportunities for the women of the church while working together on church projects and needs. Our annual rummage sale supports outreach programs, Camp Henry scholarships and more. (Cheryl Aull, ckaull@charter.net)

Endowment Committee
Our Endowment Fund is administered by a five-person committee. Members serve three year terms. (Steve Birkhofer, sbirkhof@unca.edu)

Foyer Groups/ Tabernacle Groups
Small group gatherings bring the Grace family together. A great way to meet new friends! (Lucy Bowen, lucyabowen@yahoo.com)

Grace Greeters
These volunteers are often a visitor’s first impression of Grace Church. Mingling in the foyer on Sunday mornings and during Coffee Hour, our Greeters make introductions, answer questions and provide directions. Skills needed? A friendly smile, a warm handshake or hug, and an eagerness to demonstrate the loving welcome Grace has become known for. What a great way to get to know the members of your Grace Family! (Diane Wilkey, thewilkeys@gmail.com)

Hospitality/Coffee Hour/Special Event Hosts
Every Sunday following worship and often for special services, we gather in the parish hall for refreshments coordinated by a dedicated, behind-the-scenes team of coffee hour hosts. As Fr. John says, “Yes, [Coffee Hour] is about coffee and tea and tasty snacks, but more importantly, it is a time of fellowship and welcoming our visitors. It is a time of deepening relationships with one another. It is also a first step towards Grace Church becoming a church home for our  newcomers.” (Bea Russell, bsrussell46@gmail.com or Susan Sudimak, Songstermom@aol.com)

Live Stream Audio/Video Crew
This behind-the-scenes crew makes sure worship services and other special events are streamed for those unable to attend in person. (Ben Scales, ben@benscaleslaw.com or James Cannon, imjcannon@charter.net)

Men of the Church
We meet on  the second Tuesday of each month and ALL men are welcome. Our biggest fundraiser, the Pig Pickin’, generates funds in support of many needs. (Jack Frue, jack@frue.net or Ron Sims, simstbolt@gmail.com)

Pastoral Care Team
The Pastoral Care Ministry supports the sick, homebound, bereaved and lonely of Grace Parish and is defined by this mission statement: The mission of the Pastoral Care Team at Grace Episcopal Church is making the compassionate presence of Christ known through intentional connection and through the physical and spiritual care of those in need.  (Cliff Albertson, clifford.albertson@verizon.net or Lorie Tola, lorie.tola@gmail.com)

PubSing
Come join us for our PubSing, an informal gathering on the second Sunday of each month to sing hymns, old-time gospel, folk, and Americana inspirational music. The band also plays occasionally for special events and services at church. (Monty Wooten, montywooten@bellsouth.net)

Stewardship
This committee works to sustain and expand God’s important work at Grace through the annual stewardship campaign.

Young Children & Families
A team dedicated to providing support for our children’s programs. (Robert Hartmans, Hartmansrobert@gmail.com)

Wedding Hosts
The perfect wedding could very well begin when the bride-to-be contacts the wedding hosts at Grace. They offer tours of the church, answer questions and provide assistance. (Ali Schaefer, alischeafer1@gmail.com or Cheri Potter, cheripotter82@gmail.com)

Prayer Ministries

Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a method of contemplative prayer that helps individuals deepen their relationship with God through silent rest and presence. A weekly Grace Centering Prayer group meets on Zoom.

Healing Prayer
A dedicated group of trained intercessors offers prayer and comfort to the sick. These prayer ministers also offer a weekly Soaking Prayer service. (John Rice, johnrice3e@outlook.com)

Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Trained LEVs take communion and comfort to those unable to worship in person. (Robert Hartmans, Hartmansrobert@gmail.com)

Worship Ministries

Acolytes
Acolytes have various roles at the altar each Sunday – everything from processing with the cross in and out of the church to lighting the candles, holding the Gospel Book during the reading of the Gospel lesson, and assisting during the Eucharist. Boys and girls ages ten and older, as well as adults, are welcome to become part of the Acolyte Program. (Shannon Townsend, gstownsend@att.net; Greg Townsend, townsendsnc@gmail.com; or Lorie Tola lorie.tola@gmail.com)

Altar Guild
Who makes sure our altar is prepared for worship? Who keeps vessels polished to a shine and candles filled with oil? Who makes sure there is bread and wine for our Eucharist? These are all responsibilities of an amazing team of Grace parishioners. Your attention to detail and your love of liturgy might make you a perfect candidate for a ministry that makes sure our worship functions seamlessly. (Shannon Townsend, gstownsend@att.net)

Chalicists
Chalicists are trained by the Clergy and licensed by the Bishop of the Diocese to administer the wine during the Eucharist. Their attentive participation assists the Celebrant and models a sensitive welcome to all at the Lord’s table. Chalicists at Grace often volunteer to take on dual roles during worship by also serving as readers or intercessors. (Shannon Townsend, gstownsend@att.net)

Children’s Chapel
Children ages 5-12 are welcome to join a liturgical, musical chapel service on Sunday mornings in the “Children’s Chapel.” Adult helpers are always welcome. (Casey Hartmans, cassandra.miller@gmail.com)

Flower Guild
Beautiful altar arrangements, breathtaking floral creations during Easter and Christmas — these are all gifts offered by the Grace Flower Guild. Bring your skills. Learn new skills. (Pat Davis, patdavis.avl@gmail.com or Teesha Holiday, teeshjohnson@gmail.com)

Music/Choir
Grace Church is blessed with a talented group of vocalists always ready to offer their musical gifts to enrich our worship. In a day when people are hesitant to give up their free time, Grace is truly fortunate to have a choir of giving and dedicated singers – a rarity in many churches today. Parishioners are encouraged and always invited to consider joining the choir and sharing their musical talents. Choir rehearsals take place on Sunday mornings before worship. (Jim Cassarino, jamescassarino@gmail.com)

Presenters
Volunteer members of the congregation—often friends or families—bring bread and wine forward to the altar at the beginning of the Eucharist.  (Shannon Townsend, gstownsend@att.net)

Taizé Music and Prayers
Grace’s Taizé service is attended by an ecumenical congregation. Worshipers enjoy the reflective, communal, contemplative form of worship in the midst of candlelight, incense, chants, meditative readings, prayers – and in these days, perhaps rarest of all, peaceful silence. Healing prayers for yourself or on behalf of others are also offered at the service. We look forward to having you join us. (James Cannon, imjcannon@charter.net or Monty Wooten, montywooten@bellsouth.net)

Ushers
In the back of the church on Sundays and special worship services, these friendly volunteers hand out smiles, words of welcome and bulletins. They also answer questions, help us “pass the offering plate” and provide guidance as we go up to the altar for communion. (Todd & Katherine Kaderabek, kaderabek@bellsouth.net)

Worship Committee
This group meets weekly to assist in planning worship services. (Shannon Townsend, gstownsend@att.net)

Worship Readers and Intercessors
Lectors and Intercessors are the people who read the lessons and lead the Prayers of the People each Sunday. (Jenny Thomas, jumfrv@aol.com)