A Celebration of Life service for Rev. Barb Dinnen, who died April 3, 2020, will be held at Grace on Saturday, September 25 at 10:30 a.m. A lunch will be served at 1:00 p.m. at Christopher's, 2816 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines. Please keep Barb's loved ones in your prayers. https://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Barbara-Dinnen/Urbandale-IA/1871349
Join us in worship this Sunday as we welcome
new members to the Grace family.
The Grace Youth will share a presentation on their recent
trip to France during worship on Sunday. Don't miss it!
The Ministry Fair is this Sunday!! If you are wondering how to get involved in a ministry or committee at Grace, you need to attend. We start at 11:15 in the Activity Center on Sunday September 26. Stroll around the room and learn about all the ways to get involved at Grace. Don’t miss this opportunity!!
This year's Charge Conference will take place Sunday, October 10 at 5:00 p.m. at Walnut Hills UMC.
Faith Builders Needed for Sunday School
Throughout their years of Sunday School, children develop a foundation of faith that will support them throughout their lives. At Grace, we are in need of adults who are interested in guiding our younger members, as they build that foundation, during Sunday School. As Christians, we are called to share our faith. It is a divine gift to have the opportunity to do so with children and youth. All curriculum is provided, as are all materials needed for each class. If you are feeling the nudge to share your faith, please contact Coreen Witke at 515.255.6400 ext. 230 or at coreenwitke@gracedesmoines.org. Our prayer is that we have a team of teachers that allows personal connections with each student and enough flexibility so that the responsibility for teaching is shared. Take some time to pray about your calling to see where your faith takes you.
Due to the new CDC guidelines strongly encouraging people to resume wearing masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, we are asking all people attending worship or other events at Grace UMC to wear a mask inside the building at all times until further notice.
Since children under the age of 12 cannot receive the vaccination, and we want children to be welcome in worship (and our preschool), please plan to bring a mask along when attending events at Grace. Thank you.
We invite you to attend the Open Table on Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Room 201. As our name implies, we model our group off the belief in the Methodist Church that all are welcome to the communion table, and we likewise welcome ALL including our LGBTQI family, agnostics, and anyone who has been hurt by the church to our weekly discussions. We are an open-minded and open-hearted group meeting weekly to discuss faith, spirituality, and social justice. We strive to create a space where contemplation, conversation, and questions are welcome and uncommon hospitality can take root. We value open dialogue, foster relationships, and seek to create a community where we can both challenge and support each other as we explore what it means to live out our Christian faith.
If you are looking to reconnect with others following a year of COVID isolation, if you are interested in wrestling with questions of our common humanity, if you are searching for another way to hear God's voice, or if you just like the idea of sharing light snacks and soda with other flawed humans - please consider joining us for a night! Come to the table.
The next Grace U.M.W. unit meeting will be
October 7, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Looking forward to seeing you all!
Grace recently purchased multiple A-frame signs to help guide new folks to our parking lots. We are looking for folks willing to put them out each Sunday morning, and if you are willing, we would let you collect them after worship, too! If you are interested in helping or would like more information, please contact Coreen Witke at coreenwitke@gracedesmoines.org.
2021 Thanksgiving Ingathering
It’s that time of year again. School supplies will be going on sale in July, and we will be accepting donations for the 2021 Ingathering soon. You may place your items in the receptacle in the church entryway. These items are used during natural disasters and, more generally, to help those in need.
Below are the items needed to complete each kit. If you have any questions about the items, you may contact Lisa Blair (641-223-2372 (please text first); lb29nholding@yahoo.com) or Jean Kerber (979-733-3697). For information about making the cloth bags, contact Susan Ryon (515-829-6511).
Personal Dignity Kit Contents:
1 Bath Hand Towel - No kitchen towels and please avoid the larger plush towels. We have limited space in the bag.
Since we have not been able to host the Tuesday free meal at Grace due to Covid-19, Grace has partnered with Lucky Horse to give free meals to the community. Lucky Horse is a new restaurant in the Drake neighborhood and we are excited to have this new opportunity to provide meals to those that need them.
If you need a meal, please let us know and we will get you a card that can be redeemed for a free meal at Lucky Horse.
You can also thank Lucky Horse for their support in our community by ordering a meal to-go or eating in if you are comfortable doing so.
