Christian Education
Elementary Youth Group Kick-Off
The Elementary Youth Group (2nd, 3rd and 4th grade) will begin the fall with a visit to the "Land of Little Horses" Farm in Gettysburg, PA. There are lots of exciting things to see and do here, and the arena performance with the various animals are sure to bring a smile to your face. The admission cost is $12 per person; please let Miss Joanne know if you are attending, so we can provide adequate transportation. We will leave the church at 12 noon and return around 5 P.M. Please bring a bag lunch along.
Colorfest Yard Sale
Our Senior High Youth will be having a yard sale on Saturday, October 11 from 7 A.M.-5 P.M. Why put up with the crowds in Thurmont when you can come to Graceham for some bargain hunting and enjoy an oyster sandwich and a delicious bowl of homemade soup.
Youth, please report to the church on Friday, October 10 at 6 P.M. to get things set-up for the yard sale. We will have our annual yard sale campfire after set-up. Anyone for s'mores?? We will spend the night inside the church, so please bring your air mattress/sleeping bag, etc.
Gifts For Gracias Christmas Project
The Christian Education Committee has selected "Gifts for Gracias" as our Christmas service project. The Sowers family will be distributing the gifts in and around the city of Gracias, in the department of Lempira. This is the poorest area in Honduras. The recipients will be the area's pastors and their families; and also children in the nutrition centers, special needs program, and in the local hospital. This year has been especially hard for the people in Lempira; the price of both rice and beans, the cheapest food available, has risen from .25/lb. to $1.00/lb. Your generous gifts of personal and household items and school supplies at Christmas will be a great blessing. The school year in Honduras starts in February, so this is the best time to receive school items.
Here's what you need to know to participate in this project. Children's gifts should be placed in a shoe box or 1 gallon zip-loc bag. Family gifts will require a larger box; last year some of the family gifts were packaged in a duffel bag, which was a big hit. All gifts should fall into one of the following categories and labeled as such.
- Baby girl or Baby boy
- Preschool girl or Preschool boy
- 5-7 year old girl or 5-7 year old boy
- 8-12 year old girl or 8-12 year old boy
- Teen girl or Teen boy
- Family Box
Suggested items for children's boxes:
- School Supplies: pens, pencils, sharpeners, crayons, markers, stamp and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads, solar calculators, stickers, colored pencils, backpacks
- Toiletry items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, combs, brushes, hair bows, etc.
- Toys: Small cars, balls, *dolls, *stuffed animals, small toys, *soccer balls
- Other: *Sunglasses, flashlights (with extra batteries), *baseball caps, socks, T-shirts, * watches
Suggested items for family boxes:
- First Aid: Band-aids, antibiotic lotion, aspirin, antacid
- Household items: Candles, small decorative items, sewing kit, *dish towels, small kitchen items, plastic storage containers, *blankets
- Office: pens, notepads, stationary, tape, small office supplies
- Toiletry items: Soap, shampoo, lotion, baby powder, aftershave, perfume, toothpaste and toothbrushes, *towels, washcloths, combs, brushes, hair items
- Other: Handkerchiefs, flashlights, small clock (non-electric), purse, wallet, shoe polish, dark socks, *belts (smaller adult sizes), *baseball hats, *backpacks, *inexpensive watches
(*Indicates especially appreciated items)
Please do not include any food or candy items of any kind.
The deadline for bringing in items will be October 12. I know this seems early, but the early time frame is needed to facilitate shipment and distribution. There will be a container available in the vestibule. Thank you so much for your love gift for the families in Honduras!
JC Crusaders Sub Sale
The JC Crusaders (grades 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th) are having a Sub Sale to benefit our "Hope Fund." Monies raised will help to send our youth to Camp Hope and help buy Christmas gifts for the family we are sponsoring through CASS.
We are currently taking orders for Cold Cut and Ham & Cheese subs; please place your order in the basket in the vestibule or call the church office. The deadline for ordering subs is October 12. Subs can be picked up after both services on October 19. JC Crusaders please report to the kitchen at 8 A.M., so we can get busy making lots of yummy subs.
Thurmont Walk And Mini-Walk
The Thurmont Walk for Human Needs will take place on Sunday, November 2 beginning at 1:30 P.M. at the Thurmont Senior Citizen Center on E. Main St. This event raises money for the Thurmont Food Bank and Ministerium. With the current economic status, there is a significant increase in requests for assistance. This is a major fund-raiser for those needs. Please contact Pastor Jeff or Joanne for more information or if you would like to participate.
Last year we tried a Mini-Walk for our Elementary Youth Group (grades 2nd-4th), and it was a great success. The Thurmont Mini-Walk will begin at the same time and same location; however our walk will be much shorter, and will include a shortcut on the Trolley Trail to the Thurmont Town Park for a snack and playtime. We will return to the center at 3:30 P.M. Participation forms & pledge sheets will be mailed to our Elementary Youth Group. Let's walk!
Religious Coalition Volunteer Needs
The Frederick County Religious Coalition is located at 27 DeGrange St., Frederick, MD 21701.
Church leaders from all over Frederick County established the Religious Coalition twenty-seven years ago. From just a few volunteers in 1981 to more than 400 men and women volunteers in 2007. There are many more opportunities to volunteer at the Religious Coalition in Frederick and you can 'make a difference' for the clients we serve. Training is available. The following are many of the opportunities available:
Exodus Project (May - October) at the Alan P. Linton Jr. Emergency Shelter (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) seven days a week. Volunteers are need to hand out supplies, stock donated items, greet clients, assign beds. The shelter is seeking volunteers to serve once per month. Call Linton Shelter at 301-631-2670 ext. 112.
Cold Weather Shelter (November - May) at the Alan P. Linton Jr. Emergency Shelter (6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 12 Midnight) seven days a week. Volunteers are needed to hand out supplies, stock donated items, greet clients, assign beds. The shelter is seeking volunteers to serve at least once per season. Call Linton Shelter at 301-631-2670 ext. 112.
The training sessions are as follows: All Saturday Training Sessions are from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. October 4th, 18th, November 8th, 15th, December 6th, January 3, 2009 and February 7, 2009. All new and returning volunteers must attend one training session. All volunteers should bring their personal calendars to the training so they are prepared to sign up for future service.
Religious Coalition Office (year round). Day time availability needed Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Volunteers needed to serve as Volunteer Case Workers - greet clients, assist with applications for rent, utility and various health care needs. The Coalition Office is seeking volunteers to serve one day a week, 4 hours per day. Also, they need volunteers to assist with data entry and receptionists responsibilities. Call the Religious Coalition Office at 301-631-2670; should be active in church leadership, the business community as well as clubs and organizations in Frederick County. Call Rev. Brian Scott, Director, at 301-631-2670 ext. 198.
Religious Coalition Committees (Leadership Volunteers). Day time and evening hours needed. The Coalition is seeking people to serve on the Finance Committee - fundraising to increase the resources, needs of the Coalition and to serve on our Board of Directors.