Interim Grace Notes

LIFT Ascension Service

We had a fairly good turnout for the LIFT Ascension service. Pr. Paul did an excellent sermon, and we did did prayer and laying on hands for healing, and Holy Communion. Heather led some activities at the back table for children who were present, and there was lots of PIE in the fellowship room after the service.

Picture Directory Off to Printer

Our picture directory has ben sent to the printer, and we should have them delivered by mid-June. There's still time to reserve your copy, which you can do by calling the church office, or completing the online form HERE.

Migrant Baskets

You may remember that LIFT congregations were requesting donations for welcome baskets for arriving migrant workers, with Pastor Mary Carmen taking the lead. Pastor Paul took lots of good pics from the distribution at the migrant camp earlier this month. You can see them HERE. Thanks to all who donated and made this outreach ministry possible.

LIFT Notes

You read the most recent issue of LIFT Notes HERTE. Take special note of the following LIFT sponsored and supported activities:

• Outdoor Worship at Trinity site on Trinity Sunday, June 4. Time is 10:30, and light lunch to follow.
• Summer Park Tour. Heather will again be one of the key leaders for this muiti-date, multi-location activity.
• Hearts, Hands and Voices Acadamy. Sounds like a fun time for kids, youth and adults June 26-29 from 9:00 am - 12:15 pm. Tom Curry is the man both behind and in front of the curtain.

LIFT Board Meets Sunday

The LIFT Board is scheduled for their bi-monthly meeting this Sunday at 12:30 pm. We have received word that Pastor Dennis Wansitler, for many years the pastor at Emanuel, has announced his retirement at the end of August. The congregation is considering several options: Closing, less than every week worship with supply pastors, or an increased partnership with LIFT, meaning Pr. Paul would make Emanuel a preaching point. This would possibly mean that one or both Emanuel and St. Mark would need to change their worship time.

Synod Transitional Leaders Met

Synod Transitional Leaders met Thursday for our usually monthly Zoom meeting. A bakers dozen were present for this meeting - it's always good to touch base with other leaders and congregations that are in transition.

Seeds Monthly

You can read the latest issue of Seeds Monthly (resources for congregation leaders) HERE.

ELCA Worship

You can read the latest issue of ELCA Worship HERE.

Just Three Things

In case you missed it, you can read this week's Just Three Things HERE.

Constitution Revision Update

The Constitution Revision Task Force, comprised of John Avers, Linda, and me, met again on Wednesday. We are making slow progress, but the key word is progress. Our working documents are the ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations, and the most recent update of the Grace constitution which was done in 2017 and approved in 2018. There are two main parts of the constition - the chapters (1-9 to be precise) which are required to conform to the model, and chapter 10-19 which are not required to conform, and reflect local practice and preferences. You can see the Model Constitution HERE and the Grace Constitution HERE.