A word from Melissa Martin, SPRC Chair:

SPRC learned this week that Bishop Karen Oliveto and the Mountain Sky Conference Cabinet have discerned that the Rev. Laura Rainwater will be appointed to Park Hill United Methodist Church in Denver, Colorado, as the Executive Pastor beginning July 1, 2020.

She will oversee the operations of both Park Hill UMC and the Montclair ministries. She is uniquely gifted to serve this church and ministries at this point in its history with both her MDiv and MBA degrees.

Although we are disappointed to see her leave Grace United Methodist Church, we are excited for her opportunity to continue to grow in her leadership and service to our district. Rev. Laura has been a vital part of our congregation, and we have benefited from her guidance as our increase in lay leaders (including Certified Lay Ministers) has shown. It is a secure leader who can empower others to lead the congregation.

It is because of Grace’s strong sense of community that we will continue to be strong through this transition.

In the meantime, we know that this news comes as a surprise, especially during these unusual times. Feel free to reach out to an SPRC member with questions. You are also encouraged to reach out to Rev. Laura to congratulate her on her next appointment. She is not leaving our church family, only the position as pastor.

Sincerely,
Melissa Martin, SPRC Chair

Letter from DS Paul Kottke

Exploring Migration:  A Faith Journey

“Exploring Migration:  A Faith Journey” is a program of migration in the 21st Century, through the lens of our Christian faith.  This 8 session module offers participants a chance to find common ground and to discover more about themselves, their values, our God and the millions of people who are on the move in every part of the world.  If you would like more information, please contact Michelle Aldrich.

Membership Directory – Please contact the Church Office if you didn’t receive one last week.  Keep in touch with one another.

New Phone Tree – It’s coming out soon!!  We will email everyone, and mail to those without email addresses. Call the church office if you would like one mailed to you.

Emails – Check your emails for up to date information and ways to stay connected.

Grace’s Facebook page – If you are on Facebook, check out our page (CheyenneGraceUMC) to keep up with opportunities to gather via Zoom for prayer time. Soon we will offer other small groups.

YouTube – Recorded videos will be posted on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/CheyenneGUMC).

Zoom – We will have prayer gatherings and other meetings via Zoom.  Zoom is a platform to connect in video and phone calls. Church emails will include a Zoom link. If you are going to use your video on your computer/tablet/phone, just click on the link. When you use it for the first time, Zoom will need to get connected on your electronic device. Just follow the instructions.
If you are going to call in, just call the phone number provided and then type in the meeting id, which will also be provided.
Don’t know about Zoom? Contact Rev. Laura, Melissa Martin or Dave Orr for more information.

The church still needs your financial donations. We know for some of you, this is a difficult time financially. However, if you can still make a financial contribution, please either mail a check to the church or donate online:  http://www.cheyennegraceumc.com/giving/.  You can also Text-to-Give by texting the dollar amount to 307-209-9908. It should walk you through the process.

Pam Pallak is coordinating drivers who can help deliver items to those who are homebound.

Our church has a Member Aid fund. If you or someone in the church needs assistance, please contact Rev. Laura.

Family Promise is still helping families in this difficult time.  Our Family Promise is currently housing up to 3 families in local hotels.  They need support in the following ways, as shared by Lori Kempter, Executive Director:

• Be kind & pray.  During this difficult time, Family Promise cannot underestimate the importance and impact of simply being kind to one another and praying for our neighbors.
• Give supply donations. They are receiving donations of the following: milk, eggs, meat, paper products, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, fast food gift cards, grocery gift cards, and gas gift cards. Call the Family Promise office to arrange dropping off donations (307-772-8770).
• Give financially. This transition is increasing costs for Family Promise of Cheyenne. Motel rooms cost $700 per week/per family. Housing 3 families for a minimum of 2-3 weeks costs $4,200-6,000. Donations can be made on the website: www.FamilyPromiseofCheyenne.org or mail to Family Promise of Cheyenne, 2950 Spruce Drive, Cheyenne WY 82001.

Important Letter from Church Council & Rev. Laura

Click here to view

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE

Saturday, June 20  –  No Saturday Prayer Meeting due to Annual Conference being held online at the same. time.

Sunday, June 21 – This will be Rev. Laura’s last Sunday. She will preach in our Zoom worship. After worship, there will be a drive-thru recognition in the church parking lot. Everyone is invited to come say goodbye, in a physically-safe, socially-distanced way!

How to Address Church Decisions in COVID-19.

The Mountain Sky Conference has created a resource to help church leaders determine how to decision when and how to move into the future.

• When do we worship together again?
• What is required to keep us all safe?
• What will worship look like when we do?

The Facilities and Safety Teams will begin working through the Study Guide provided by the Annual Conference, diving into the issues affecting our decisions. There are 5 Modules that the Team will work through, and all church leaders and members are welcome to participate as well.

Our first Zoom meeting working through Module 1 will be on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.  You are welcome to participate.

We want to follow John Wesley’s rules:  Do No Harm, Do Good and Stay in Love with God. We believe this Study Guide will help us be faithful.

Please contact Rev. Laura Rainwater, LuAnne Cook-Ludwick, or Brian Martin for more information.

Reminder Office Closed
Just a reminder and correction from Monday’s email that the church is closed to the public with the exemption of office staff.

Just Faith Sunday School Class
Every minute 24 people are forcibly displaced worldwide.  “Exploring Migration:  A Faith Journey” is a program of JustFaith Ministries that invites people of faith to explore what it means to be a displaced person in today’s world.  This eight session module offers participants a chance to find common ground and to discover more about themselves, their values, our God and they millions of people who are on the move in every part of the world.  We will be offering the Exploring Migration program beginning April 19.  If you would like more information or would like to register to join this small group, contact Michelle Aldrich.

Family Promise Assistance
Lori will Family Promise has asked if anyone can help, they are in need of diapers and wipes and grocery cards due to the coronavirus.  If you can help, please call the church office or Family Promise at 772-8770 so arrangements can be made to drop off your donation.  Thank you!

Family Promise Help Needed
As Family Promise is helping more families outside our program, we are in need of supplies for those families. The following are items we are taking as donations right now-milk, eggs, meat, paper products, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, fast food gift cards, grocery gift cards, and gas cards. Please call our office to arrange dropping off donations since our office is only open by appointment 307-772-8770.

New Directory
Yesterday, the new directory was sent out to our members.  Please review and if you have any changes, please let the office know.  On Monday, a new directory will be sent out.  Thanks for your help!

Help End Human Trafficking
See something, say something!!!  Call the anonymous hotline at 888-373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to “BeFree” (233733).  Human trafficking is here in Wyoming.  Let’s raise awareness to end this 21st century form of slavery!

Missions
The Grace Giving Grace Table is collecting undies & socks for the Cheyenne community youth in February and March.
Coins collected in February and March will go to UMCOR.

Lay Equaliztion Delegates to Annual Conference
If you are interested in attending the annual conference as a Lay Equalization Delegate, please talk to those who have attended in the past:

• Pam Pallak
• Brian Martin
• Wanda Denton
• LuAnne Cook-Ludwick
• Dr. Michelle Aldrich
• Rev. Laura

They can give you information on what to expect at the conference.
The annual conference will held in June in Gillette.

Pam Pallak is our delegate to the annual conference, as elected at our circuit charge conference.  Several of you have attended in the past as a Lay Equalization Delegate.  In short, each district should send an equal number or lay and clergy delegates.  Because we have retired clergy in our district, we need to send more lay delegates.  Because Annual Conference this June will be in Gillette, more lay members are asking to participate.  The Wyoming Leadership has agreed that people can nominate themselves to serve as a lay equalization delegate.  This will be approved at the Wyoming District gathering March 28 (locations to be decided soon).  If you are interested, please let Rev. Laura know so that she can send on your information.  It’s possible that everyone who would like to serve can, but we won’t know until later in March.  Any questions, please contact Rev. Laura.

We are no longer accepting ink cartridges to recycle!!
We are no longer accepting ink cartridges to recycle.  However, if you something that you would like to recycle, we have several empty drawers by the northeast door.  Let the office know and I will put a label on it for you.

Check out monthly newsletter, Grace Notes.

Grace Notes is our monthly newsletter. In it you will find notes from the pastor and church leaders. You will find up-to-date information on upcoming events and read testimonies of the impact our church makes.