Grace UCC Community News & Events

Free STD Testing - Frederick County

Recently, experts investigated the rising number of STD cases in  Frederick, MD. In order to help combat the worsening problem, Testing.com created a comprehensive resource that features helpful information about the challenges Frederick is facing when it comes to STDs and a directory of local non- profit  organizations that provide a wide range of free and low-cost health care services to help stop the spread.

 Click the Link to access your Community Resources! https://www.testing.com/std-testing/frederick-md/

The Grace UCC Community and Testing.com are passionate about changing the dialogue around sexual health and working to ensure people have access to the information and health care they need. We’re excited to be a part of the solution and hope to help continue rasing awareness.

Thank you Grace UCC Family for your continual   devotion and support to our community!

We are better together!

Wonderful Wednesdays
Virtual Small Groups Wednesdays

Virtual
New Members Classes

Sunday, January 31, 2021
&
Sunday, February 7, 2021
9:45 AM

Members Received
Sunday, February 14, 2021
during Worship

If you want to learn more about the UCC or
make Grace UCC your official Church family,
please talk to pastor Rob!
pastorrob@grucc.com
240-217-2767

```````````````
ZOOM LINK
Topic: new members class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85160977304?pwd=c1R4QTlDek1pcGQ5NlVJWGM2VlUwdz09
Meeting ID: 851 6097 7304
Passcode: 860658
 

Ordination of Jessica Townsley

 Sunday, December 20th

 2:30 PM

 attend virtually via

 www.youtube.com/gracelivefrederick

Join us this Sunday, December 20th at 2:30 PM
as we celebrate the Ordination of Jessica Townsley.

We will gather in the Grace Sanctuary and you will join us on our Youtube channel 

just like we do on Sunday mornings!

As Jessica is being ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament,
she will be celebrating Holy Communion with us for the first time
as an ordained pastor!  You are welcome to join us at home with your bread and wine/juice.

Don't miss this wonderful way to celebrate with Jessica and to thank her for all her gifts to the Grace Church family! 

Remember...
THIS Sunday at 2:30 at
www.youtube.com/gracelivefrederick

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Virtual

Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship

Presented By VISIT FREDERICK

This year's annual Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship in Downtown Frederick will not take place in the same way it typically would. However, Visit Frederick is excited to share that a special encore presentation of the tour's anniversary special will be available on the Visit Frederick page beginning on December 14, 2020!

Virtual Event will launch December 14 at 9am, and can be viewed here: https://www.visitfrederick.org/events/annual-events/historic-houses-of-worship/

This special tour celebrates Frederick’s tradition of religious diversity, local history, and the holiday season. This is a free virtual presentation and is a great opportunity to peek inside some of its most beautiful buildings.

The Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship is made possible through the generous support of:

The Plamondon Companies, Tourism Council of Frederick County, Inc., Bella Trattoria, Pistarro's, Ayse Meze Lounge, Brewer's Alley, Isabella's Taverna & Tapas bar, PNC Bank, and Everedy Square & Shab Row.

Visit Frederick is working diligently to design the webpage that will be hosting the links to your wonderful videos.  
 
We have also created a Facebook Event that can be seen and shared, this can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/728530584458489/ .  The Facebook event will run December 14-28.
 
This event marks our 34<sup>th</sup> annual tour! 

Zoom Visit with St Nicholas!!!

Sunday, Dec 6th, 2020 at 2PM

Don't let Covid spoil your holiday traditions! 

This Sunday, Dec 6th is St Nicholas Day. 

Join us for a zoom visit with the real St Nicholas to tell him all your Christmas wishes! 

All kids are welcome, so please invite friends. 

Just please put your child's name in the zoom screen so St Nicholas can be sure to call them by name! 

Topic: Visit with St Nicholas!
Time: Dec 6, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87077500698?pwd=RCsvdGJxaHhack00QnNSQTNyZ2pkUT09

Meeting ID: 870 7750 0698
Passcode: 146919

Grace Church will participate in Key 103’s
Drive Through Trick-or-Treat
at the fair grounds
on October 26th.   
Grace will be
collecting bags of candy
to handout at this event. 
Please drop your
donated bags of candy
at the church by October 25th.    
Thank you!

May 27, 2020

ARTICLE Written by Connie Larkman

Maryland church partners with local restaurants to feed community health care workers

https://www.ucc.org/news_maryland_church_partners_with_local_restaurants_to_feed_community_health_care_workers_05262020

Click here for

Bible and Book Study News

CLICK Rev. Rob Apgar-Taylor, Article 

as shared on the national UCC.org website

UCC pastor:

"The necessity of communion at this time..."

Written by Rob Apgar-Taylor

Join us for

Virtual Worship

on Sunday Mornings

YouTube@GraceLiveFrederick

POSTPONED UNTIL JUNE 28TH

"Put a Bonnet on It”

Grace UCC Fundraiser

Orioles Nest 331, 1037 W Patrick St  

(on the Golden Mile)

Afternoon/Round 1:  1:00 PM

Evening/Round 2:  6:00 PM

COST: $35 per person ($45 at the door)

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW:

WILL BE UPDATED SOON!

Afternoon Tickets "Put a Bonnet on It" DRAG BINGO

Evening Tickets "Put a Bonnet on It" DRAG BINGO

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

POSTPONED:  DATE TBD

New York City Bus Trip

(US Coachways)

FUTURE DATE

TO BE DETERMINED

ALL DAY

Depart Frederick 6:00 am

Park and Ride Rt 144, exit 56 off I-70

Return from Manhattan Leaving 8:00 pm

Cost: $48/per person

Make checks payable to Grace UCC

MEMO:  NYC Bus Trip

Who? Everybody!

Grace Church, Family and Friends!

This is a 49 passenger bus, seats are limited.

But, we want to fill it up!

RSVP ASAP to tonyhemler0@gmail.com

Questions?  

Contact Tony Hemler 443-536-6829

or Missy Moxley 301-305-9561

ARCHIVE

`````````````````````

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that on March 8th, FIFTEEN (Yes 15!!)

people from Grace UCC will be heading to New Orleans for a  Mission trip.

How can YOU be involved?  Not everyone can make a mission trip for many reasons, but EVERYONE can be involved!  I know there are plans for a silent auction fundraiser.  That's a great way to help!   And perhaps some of you will want to help even though you can't be present.  Your gift will help pay for the trip!  This trip is self-pay, so we are not using church funds to offset costs.  The van is $1100, for example.  The cost per person for lodging and meals is only $40/night!  If you are able to make a donation to help offset the total cost, please do!  Just make sure to earmark your check for New Orleans so we know. Thanks so much!

"Whoddat going to N'awlins??"    Grace Church! Dat's Who!!

On FEBRUARY 16th, we are holding a SILENT AUCTION  

in the Good Shepherd Room right after church to help fundraise for the trip.

See you on February 16th for a N’awlins Style Silent Auction!

Mardi Grace Dinner at Grace!

Join us on Saturday, February 22nd -- 5-8 PM

as we host a fundraiser dinner at Grace Church

Shrimp Etoufee'

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Salad, Dessert, and drinks

Price $25/person

We need your help!  Please spread the word and invite people to join us! 

Also: help will be needed that week with set-up/decorating as well as tons

of food prep and cooking. It's an easy meal, but there are a lot of

veggies to chop!   Mark your calendars! 

Join us! 

Sunday, December 15

11AM

Third Sunday of Advent

Worship &

“Christmas Dreams”

A CANTATA

11 Songs of the Season

17 memer choir

9 member orchestra

German Advent/Christmas Service

Advent/Weihnachtsgottesdienst in deutscher Sprache

Sonntag, den 22. Dezember

19.00 Uhr

Gemeinde Grace UCC

Deutsche Liturgie, Lieder und Kerzenlicht

Alle sind herzlich eingeladen!

Tuesday, December 24

7:30PM

Christmas Eve Service

at 

Grace United Church of Christ

Planning for a Secure and Happy Future

Join us on December 1st at 1 PM as we learn together about ways we can secure our futures and take care of those we love.  Pastor's Rob's rotary colleague Zane Schreiber will be here to talk about financial planning, how the new tax laws affect your giving and saving, as well as why we need a will, when to change your will, why you would want a medical power of attorney, living will and other important things we all need to know. The entire presentation will last one hour including time for Q&A.  You will leave with information in hand that will help you feel more educated about important decisions for your future!  Join us! 

As a financial advisor, Zane likes to enrich the client experience by making personal finance come to life through goals based financial planning. From there, he works with clients to make their financial lives simpler through succession planning, wealth management and risk management. Zane also helps with institutional consulting, where he helps businesses through the process of establishing a healthy retirement plan, or recreating already established plans to better suite their model. He also sits on the investment committee, which creates and monitors our investment strategies and portfolios.

Before joining the Wells Fargo Advisors, he was a student-athlete at The George Washington University, where he accepted a baseball scholarship. Zane is securities registered, passing both the Series 7 & 66. Currently, Zane is working toward the rigorous CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP <sup>®</sup>) designation.

Congregational Life News

Saturday, October 5<sup>th</sup> — 10 am

Church Cleaning and Declutter Day!

We need as many people on deck as possible!

If you can help, please let Gwen know at

Ggedwards922@gmail.com" data-mce-href="mailto:Ggedwards922@gmail.com">Ggedwards922@gmail.com or 717-360-6331.

````````````````

Sunday, October 13<sup>th</sup>

Pastor’s Appreciation Day

If you would like to present something special for Pastor Rob and/or

Pastor Jessica, contact Gwen Edwards at ggedwards922@gmail.com." data-mce-href="mailto:ggedwards922@gmail.com.">ggedwards922@gmail.com.  

We are also collecting gift donations to present to them on October 13th. Make sure your donation is clearly marked:   Pastor’s Appreciation Day.

Grace UCC will have a table at

In The Street on

Saturday, September 14th, 2019

from 11AM - 5 PM

in Downtown Frederick

Grace is looking for volunteers to man the table again this year…

particularly with Kids activities!   If you are skilled at Face-Painting or know someone who is, PLEASE let Pastor Rob know!  Thanks!

Grace Youth News

Friday, September 20

The Great Frederick Fair

FAIR DAY FRIDAY (Kid’s Day)

The Youth Group will be kicking off the new school year with a day outing to the Great Frederick Fair on Friday, September 20 (Kid’s Day).

Please join us (and bring a friend or two)!

Further plans for fall youth events to follow. Stay tuned! All youth grades 6-12 are welcome! We’re looking forward to continued growth and engagement in the Grace Youth Group!

Please direct questions to Pastor Jessica at jessica.townsley@ctschicago.edu. 

~ Peace, Pastor Jessica

Join us at Grace United Church of Christ

Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 1 PM

Lunch at 12PM (Sign-up to bring a dish.)

For a Panel Presentation:

SPEAK UP, SAVE A LIFE

"In 2007, there were 195 fatal overdoses from heroin or fentanyl in the entire State of Maryland.  From January to September 2017, that number jumped to 1,427.  In 2018, 334 Frederick County residents experienced an overdose event, both fatal and non-fatal.  The Opioid Crisis is real.  Do you know what to look for or how to respond in an overdose situation?

Please join us at Grace United Church of Christ at 1:00pm on Sunday, August 18, 2019 as a panel of experts present "Speak Up, Save a Life," a panel presentation aimed at raising awareness of the opioid epidemic, the laws passed in response, and the ways in which everyday citizens can spot the signs of an overdose and save lives."

For more information contact Trevor Addie at trevor.grucc@gmail.com

Pride Interfaith Service at Grace UCC

Saturday, June 22<sup>nd</sup> -- 11 a.m.

Join us on Saturday, June 22<sup>nd</sup>as we celebrate Frederick Pride!

The Day begins with an Interfaith Pride Service at Grace UCC at 11 AM.

Our guest speaker will be JJ Warren, a United Methodist college student from Sarah Lawrence College, whose impassioned speech at the 2019 UM General Conference went viral on social media.  Come join us as we celebrate the common faith we share and the affirmation of all People as God's beloved community! 

Following the service, join us at the Carroll Creek Linear Park for Frederick Pride.

We are in need of volunteers to staff the Grace UCC table at Pride.

Please contact Trevor Addie at trevor.grucc@gmail.com">trevor.grucc@gmail.com. 

Please consider giving 2 hours of your time to this worthy event! 

CLICK HERE FOR POSTER

 ARCHIVE

Volunteer Opportunities at Grace Church

Are you ready to be more involved at Grace?

We have plenty of opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and interests! 

Are you ready to get more involved in your church?  We have plenty of opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and interests:

• Acolytes, Altar Guild, Children's Sermon volunteers, Lay Caring Ministry, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Scripture readers, Ushers, and Youth Ministry - please speak to Pastor Rob
• Grace Choir - please speak to Jonas Dawson
• Hand Bell Choir - please speak to James Taylor
• Fellowship Hosts and Greeters - please speak to Rob Apgar
• Congregational Life activities - please speak to Gwen Edwards
• Sunday School teachers, Children's Church leaders, and Nursery volunteers - please speak to John Brehmer
• Offering Counters - please speak to Lloyd Taylor
• Outreach and Missions - please speak to Trevor Addie

Sunday School Classes for Children and Youth

Our Youth Class (for teens and tweens in grades 6-12) meets at 9:45 on Sunday mornings during the school year.  They meet on the 2nd floor on the "comfy couches" outside of the church office.

Younger children have their own "mini-Church" during the second part of our 11:00 worship service. We call it Children's Church, and we use a curriculum called Deep Blue Kids One-Room Sunday School, which incorporates Bible lessons, crafts, songs and other fun activities. Each Sunday, all elementary school kids (K-5) are invited to join us as we leave the Sanctuary after the children's sermon.

Let's keep in touch!

Each week, the Grace Vine eNews is sent out to our members and friends to keep everyone up-to-date on upcoming events. If you haven't been receiving these Friday updates, please email the church office to be added to the list - admin@grucc.com.

Greeters and Fellowship Hosts

Volunteer greeters are needed every Sunday morning to welcome our members and guests to worship.

Volunteer fellowship hosts provide snacks and drinks after worship on the first and third Sundays of each month. On the last Sunday of every month, the Congregational Life Commission will host a birthday party for everyone who celebrated a birthday during that month. (Please be sure that the church office has your birthday on file so that we can recognize you!)

If you would like to serve as a greeter or host the fellowship time one Sunday, please sign up on the sheet in the Good Shepherd Room (posted on the fridge) or speak to Rob Apgar ("Cop Rob").

FREE ZUMBA CLASSES!

Join Nikki on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the Good Shepherd Room for this FREE drop-in class!  Zumba is a fun way to exercise, and is appropriate for men and women of all fitness levels.  Please join us!

A Pastoral Care note

Due to the current HIPAA (Privacy) laws, hospitals are not permitted to contact churches on behalf of patients. If you know of a church member who is hospitalized, please inform the church office. If you or a family member is hospitalized in an emergency situation, please contact Pastor Rob at 240-217-2767.