Honoring Evelyn - a Grace Faithful

This post is in honor to Evelyn, who we lost this week to Heaven.  She was such an example to me.  I wrote this on her birthday in 2009.  

Her Funeral information is HERE


and this is the post from 2009:

I have a confession to make. 15 years ago, I was a teenager who did teenager things. My buddy Benny and I could really give adults some stress. Our actions actually helped originate the phrase, "shock and awe".
As teenagers in the youth group we came to be constant pests to Grace's faithful custodian. She learned to always worry(and rightfully so) when we were around. I am sure she grew to dislike summer when kids were off school because of us.

Some headaches we graced her with:

• racing wheelchairs down the hallway
• shooting water balloons off of the roof of the church
• water fights in the hallway
• food fights in the hallway

I know what you are thinking. What was wrong with me? Good question.

Don't worry, I think I turned out okay. As God would have it, after a long stretch in the business world - He planted me here at Grace as Director of Staff and Ministry Development AND her supervisor. (Not quite sure how she felt about that at first)
I would like to publicly say what an honor it is to learn from her and watch her service and dedication in action.

Some lessons she has graced me with:

• What a servant of God looks like
• What is means to be a dedicated hard worker
• The work you do when no one is watching speaks volumes about your integrity

Happy 74th Birthday Evelyn! You are the heart and soul of Grace. Please thank Evelyn for all she does when you see her in the hallways. Over 30 years of faithful service!“Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others.”

New Vision Initiatives at GRACE - You in?

Hard to believe it has been a year since this transition:

Staffing Structures and Team Updates (part 1 of 5)

And now we are into a year of new Vision Initiatives at Grace.  Derek spoke about these HERE.  Everyone has a chance to be a part of these and help move them to the next level of development.  Which one gets your attention?

Personal Vision - Helping to define your mission, vision and purpose? Check this event out for NOV 1st!

Reaching - Check out the date for these conversations!

• November 8 - Vision Initiative #1 - 3 more multi site locations.  RSVP by 11/7 to join this conversation and be notified of location. 
• November 12 - Vision Initiative #2 - 50 local churches serving the Erie community.  RSVP by 11/11 to join this conversation and be notified of location. 
• November 16 - Vision Initiative #3 - 2 global church to church partnerships.  RSVP by 11/15 to join this conversation and be notified of location.

Family - 936 (# of weeks from birth to 18)

• For more information on how we are partnering with parents for 936 weeks contact Aaron. 
• But check out THIS and THIS 

Discipleship - 212 (#boiling point)

• To be a part of this discussion on how we are bringing the temperature of discipleship to 212 degrees, contact Aaron. 

We are so pumped about where we are being led these next few years and would love any participation you may want to have in helping to get us there. 

For a better understanding of our staff structure over the last year, check out the following

Weekend/Creative Team Update (part 2 of 5)

Operations / Stewardship Team Update (part 3 of 5)

Family Team Update (part 4 of 5)

Next Steps/Elder Team Updates (part 5 of 5)