Getting to Know Our Church Family…

The Withers Family

-by Karen Knight

Time and again we find that personal invitation is a proven way to bring more people to Grace, and the invitation does not have to involve adults.  Becky Withers first started attending Grace when her best friend from school, Valerie Henderson (niece of Grace’s Alice Robinett) invited her to Methodist Youth Fellowship.  Although Becky’s parents, Jim and Sally Clark, attended First United Methodist in downtown Urbana, they too started attending Grace.  Bob became a part of Grace after he married Becky.

Bob and Becky have been involved in various projects while at Grace.  Becky has served as a trustee as well as on the education committee and has taught Sunday school.  She is currently an usher and helps with the card ministry.  Becky is a member of the Seeker’s Sunday school class. Bob and Becky have both helped with the corn project and also used to help in the nursery.

Although both Becky and Bob are Urbana High School graduates, they actually met while working at the same IGA store.  Bob retired in 2003 after working 30 years as an electrician at the University of Illinois.  He now works as training director for the electricians’ union.  Becky is a dental hygienist for Dr. Eric Martin.  The Withers have two children, Amanda and Blake.  Amanda is an early childhood special education graduate student at the University of Illinois and a teaching assistant at University Primary School.  Blake is in his third year as an electrician apprentice.  He is engaged to be married to Christina Alexander.

Becky and Bob are enjoying this stage of life.  They like being with family and friends and their three grand-dogs and keeping up with Illini sports.  They have also been able to do some traveling.

Having first come as a young person, it is appropriate that Becky says about Grace, “It touches my heart that Grace was started to help children”.

Sunday School at Grace 2006

-by Karilyn Newnam

Exciting things are happening with the Christian Education program of Grace Church. Classes from Pre-K through Fifth Grade are using a new Sunday School curriculum called Live B.I.G (Belief in God). The purpose of the curriculum is to teach children to hear, see and live their belief in God. Studies enable children to learn about and come to know Jesus and the Bible, and to learn about God’s creation, the world.

Live B.I.G. selects stories from the Bible that fit into a particular theme. Each month brings a new theme, a new B.I.G. idea, a new Bible verse and a new song. November’s theme is “It is good to give thanks”, the B.I.G. idea is “We believe it is good to give thanks to God with our whole hearts” and the November Bible verse is “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” – Psalm 9:1. The November song is “Gratitude-It’s an Attitude” done in an upbeat tempo.

The curriculum includes weekly video segments that are age appropriate and can spark thought and discussion with the children. The videos include a regular cast of characters the children become familiar with and relate to as the characters deal with problems in their lives. For example, one video showed one of the girls having to deal with being different from the other kids. The Bible story for that week was Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). At times, the videos take the children on “field trips” to see how other Christians live their belief in God or show pictures of God’s wonderful creation. The songs are done in current music styles.

Teacher and student learning books are also provided. Puzzles, word finds, games and crafts are included with each lesson that can be copied and distributed to the children. During the week, children can access the website ilivebig.com and go to the “Kids” area where they can select age appropriate games and “at home” activities. There is also a section for parents at this website. The teachers say there are more suggested activities in the lesson books for the children than can be offered within the timeframe of Sunday School.

The teachers this year are Marilyn Wright (Pre-K–1^st), Karen Knight (2^nd-3^rd) and Richard King (4^th-5^th). Helpers include Danielle Routh and Brenda Carter.

The children are: Jared Routh, Emma Searing, Braden Wimmer, Nathan Wright, Daniel Wright, Madison Routh, Makinzi Smith, Josh Brady, Abby Morgan, Annie Carroll, Jill Carter, Matthew McCarthy, Matthew Christman, Katie Carroll, Kyra Entwistle, Kolbi Williford, Caitlyn Baker, and Baylee Preston.

A computer is accessible to the children for the video playing in the 2^nd and 3^rd grade room, thanks to Bob Bentz and Wally Crackel. A bulletin board in the Education wing hallway is available for the Children’s ministry and currently has pictures of their UNICEF collection activities. Take time to stop by and see what is happening with the Children’s ministry of Grace Church. They are our church’s future.

Our nursery is available for children four years and under, under the supervision of Beth Morgan. The nursery provides a safe, attractive and caring environment for the children.

The Jr. High and Sr. High youth Sunday school is led by Alison Smith. This class provides an opportunity for informal discussion between the youth under the guidance of a caring adult. All youth in this age group are welcome.

Bob Hackl is currently leading an eight-week series on “Death and Dying”. The material is taken from three different resources, including Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ books as well as life experiences. The class participates in discussion with topics such as how a person deals with grief and dealing with terminal illness. There are five weeks of lessons and three weeks of professionals who deal in situations of death and dying speaking with the class. These professionals include a funeral director, a lawyer and a minister. The class has averaged over 25 people each Sunday and welcomes anyone who wants to stop in at any time. This series will be repeated in April of 2007.

Another Sunday school class for adults is the Seekers, led by June Schwartz. June shares the following information about the current study: “Some Folks Feel the Rain Others Just Get Wet”

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” Psalm 118:24

Learn the difference between celebrating life and coping with life

You can celebrate life or cope with life

You can live or vegetate

You can see everything that comes your way as an opportunity or as a burden

Some folks smell the rose; others gripe about the thorns.

Some folks embrace life; others just see it as an endurance test.

But as for you, I want you to feel the rain, smell the roses, embrace and celebrate Life!

How is it with you right now?

How are you doing?

Are you feeling the rain or just getting wet?

If we want to feel the rain and smell the roses and seize the day, there are three things we need.

Come join the Seeker class as they discover these things! Please stop by at any time.

Please join us at 9:45 a.m. for Sunday school at Grace. Everyone is welcome! 

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Birthdays for December

LaVerne Seward              1

Lowell Dickey                  9

Carly Johnson                  9

Rhoda Willard                  9

Ina Wooldridge                14

Randy McCarthy              18

Danielle Routh                19

Mark Husler                    20

Samantha Christman       21

Walt Crackel                    22

Jay Hoeflinger                 24

Byron Willard                   24

Richard Kesler                 25

Elizabeth King                 26

Bob Sostheim                  26

Marcia Burns                   27

Barbara Carrington         27

Miranda McCarthy           27

Adam Christman             28

Ron Hudson                             29

Rosemary Woods             29

Susan Ferguson              30

Janice Roy                       30

Carl Johnson                   31

Anniversaries for December

Randy and Rose McCarthy        9

Vic and Laura Christman           20

Ed and Pauline Durbin              23

Mark and Brenda Husler            23

Ray and Bee Allen                     24

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Oct. 25, 2006

Dear Pastor and Congregation of Grace United Methodist Church,

Thank you for your kind assistance of food for my client.  This family is going through some really hard times at present.  Because of your kindness, their burdens are lighter.

Sincerely,

Roxanna Webb

Family Service

Senior Services

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On behalf of the United Methodist Women:

We have over $1,800 that was raised from the Fall Festival, which is excellent. I would like to thank everyone who contributed their time and talents, those who purchased, and those who helped in any way to help make the Fall Festival a success. Many people worked very hard to make it a success.

A special thanks to the Men's Breakfast Group for setting up the tables and to Daryl King for his assistance.

Thanks,

Karilyn