Are you ready to be a soldier of God?  Bible Boot Camp, this year's Vacation Bible School, is coming to Grace Church.  Mark your calendars for the week of July 23 - 27 and be ready to have some serious fun learning and exploring the armor of God and how YOU can be a soldier for God!

Roots are headed to Wilmore, KY for four days of Christian Rock Music on June 20-24.  Contact Joe if you want to go.

Mark your calendars for October 19-21 and plan on a weekend you won't soon forget!  "Family Rules 2012" will take place at Camp Indicoso and will include games, food, crafts, activities, campfire, a ropes course, more games, zip lines, and lots more fun!!

The following classes will be taking place in May and June.  Sign up lists and books are now available at the Welcome Center in the Lobby.

"He Said, She Said” – Begins on Sunday, May 20th, at 10:15 a.m. in
 A103 with Pastors Andy and Jenothy.  Cost of book: $11.00.  The  class will look at how men and women may approach Scripture  with different eyes.  Open to all.

Men’s Bible Study:  Acts – Begins on Wednesdays, May 16th, at 7:00
 a.m. in Wesley Room with Pastor Andy.  Cost of Book:  $10.00.
   The class will study the Acts of the Apostle in the  New Testa ment.  Men are encouraged and welcome to attend.

No Longer Silent – Begins on Wednesday, June 13th, at 7:00 p.m. in  OARC  with Reverend Mike Beck, former Senior Pastor of Grace  UMC.  Mike will share insights from his book No Longer Si lent: Doing Ministry with Excellence and Grace. Cost:  $11.00.

10 Gospel Promises for Later Life – Begins on Tuesday, June 12th at  1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the FUMC with Pastor  Jenothy.  How does God’s Good News speak to older adults who  may be experiencing fear or spiritual crisis?  What new challenges  come to the Christian life as persons live longer?  Cost:  $11.00. 

Praying in Circles – Begins the week of June 16th (Time TBA)  with
 Pastor Andy.  How may we grow in our life of prayer as individuals  and as a congregation?  What are ways we may practice ‘praying  in circles’?  Cost of books:  $15.00.  Four week class.

Gail Mercer, LMHC, is a private individual, marriage and family counselor who provides counseling services from Grace Church.  She is going to be offering a new support group for people who suffer from chronic pain (Arthritis, Back issues, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, etc.) beginning on Wednesday, May 2.  This group will meet the first Wednesday of each month @ 10:00 in the OARC.  If you are interested, please plan to attend May’s informational meeting.  If you have questions, please call Cathy Liddle @ 736-7962.

The Confirmation Orientation for youth currently in 7th Grade will take place on Sunday, May 20th, at 5:00 p.m. in Price Hall.  Youth who are planning to participate in this ministry will want to attend to receive information about the class.  Please speak with Pastors Jenothy or Andy about the class.

Recognition of Graduates at Grace Church will take place on June 2nd & 3rd.  We are now collecting information about each graduate in high school, college, graduate school, and technical school.  Please call the Church Office at 736-7962 to share information.  We look forward to celebrating this time together as God’s family.

Grace Church is still collecting non-expired medications for the St. Thomas Clinic near Whiteland. Please bring medications to the church office.

The Committee on Church & Society invites persons throughout Grace Church to pray for peace and reconciliation on Wednesdays and Fridays between noon and 3:00 p.m.

The Committee on Church & Society will be offering forums and classes on the following topics of interest:  Sacramental Faithfulness: The United Methodist Church Responds to the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints; Hijacked: How the Partisan Divide in America is Hurting the Witness of the Church; and General Conference Input and Insight. Times, places, and dates will be announced.

Sprouts E-mail List
Are you receiving e-mails about Sprouts news? If not, and you want to be included on our list, please send your e-mail address to andraland@franklingrace.org.

The following items are needed at Webb School:  Clorox Wipes, Fine Line White Board Markers, and Scientific Calculators, pink bar erasers, boxes of Ticonderoga pencils, boxes of pencils, fine line dry erase markers, Double 9 dominoes.  Please place these items in the box at the Children & Youth Table. 

Stewardship of Creation
The United Methodist Church believes that in the Bible a steward is one given responsibility for what belongs to another.  The Greek word we use to translate as steward is oikonomos, or one who cares for the household and acts as a trustee.  The word oikos, meaning household, is used to describe the world as God’s household.  Christians, then, are to be stewards of the whole household or creation of God.  Oikonomia, “stewardship,” is the also root word of the word ecology.  Thus, in a broad sense, stewardship, economics, and ecology are, and should be, related.  A faithful and wise steward must relate them (Luke 12:42)

Stewardship Resource
A new resource is available to those who would like to learn more about being good stewards entitled I Was Broke, But Now I’m Not by Joseph Sangl. This resource is available at the Welcome Center for $15.00. Persons will learn to become debt-free while learning basic skills to plan for retirement and other forms of debt-freedom.

Ideas for Giving
The Stewardship Team wants to remind friends and members of Grace Church of the other forms of giving and sharing.  See Laura Bowman to set up these kinds of giving opportunities:
Publicly Traded Securities
Closely-Held Stock
Personal Property
Real Estate
Gifts-in-Kind
Paid-Up Insurance Policies
Charitable Lead Trusts

Pay Pal Coming
Plans are currently underway to connect with Pay Pal.  Please watch to see how you may access this way of giving

New E-Giving
Giving to the ministry of Grace United Methodist Church just got easier!  Online giving is now possible through e-giving:  This new approach to giving allows persons to donate via checking and savings accounts, or though credit or debit cards.  Access is also 24/7 via the internet. This process also does not reduce ‘giving’ to the act of bill-paying.  Call Laura Bowman in the Church Office to set up your e-giving account.  
                                                       

Grace United Methodist Church

An easy & secure way to contribute your offerings to God

Go to www.franklingrace.org

Click on link "Give"

Follow the easy directions to set-up recurring or one-time donations.

Grace Church is known for the many ways it shows love and care to our own church family and to those within our community.

The attendees of the new “Christian Caregiving: A way of Life” class have gotten a taste of what it means to give “Distinctively Christian Caregiving” and received just a glimpse of some training that will be available to future Stephen Ministers.  It was an exciting class and has stirred some to ask, “What’s next?”

The process of recruiting Stephen Ministers will likely begin in May and the training will start early Summer.  Please be praying about whether you are feeling called into this special ministry.

You can always find our latest newsletter here

The fifth and sixth graders meet in the SYC Room 1 at 10:10 a.m. for Sunday School.  Join us there to learn about God's word and how to apply biblical principles to pre-teen life. 

We are looking for parents and other interested adults to volunteer to teach a month or more of Sunday School to this group.  If you are interested in teaching the Sprouts Sunday School class, contact Andra Land.

The UMW sponsoring Hands-on Mission Project
The UMW is collecting new underwear for at-risk and homeless youth (both young men and young women) in our community.  You are invited to contribute to this mission project by bringing new underwear (underpants, t-shirts, bras) to church between April 21st and May 6th and placing them in the bins outside the sanctuary.  Remember that many young people wear adult-size clothing.

Recycle Newspapers at Grace
Please remember to bring your newspaper to the Recycle Bin behind Grace Church in the parking lot corner.  The Mary's Circle receives income from this collection site which it uses to help mission projects in the community.  Thanks for bringing your newspapers to Grace Church to  be recycled!

Did you know
The United Methodist Women is one of the largest supporter of missions in the world? Members raise up to $20 million each year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. Grace United Methodist Church is proud to have a strong group of active women involved in the UMW tradition. April 28-29 we will be celebrating this organization and its efforts to combat the injustices and social issues of the world. Plan on attending to learn about this organization. Members will be available  during coffee hour from all the of affiliated circles to answer questions.

UMW Meetings
Circles meet each month as follows:

Executive Committee, 1st Thursday, 7 p.m.
Friendship Circle, 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m.    
Joanna Circle, 3rd Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
Mary Circle, 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
Priscilla Circle, 2nd Thursday, 10 a.m.
Susannah Circle, 2nd Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.

You are invited to attend any circle.  Call Joy Stukey (736-1385) for information or the church office to find out meeting locations.

Missions Corner Items
The Missions Team puts out the following plea for items to help various groups & ministries in the community.  Bring items to the Missions Corner in Price Hall. This is another way to be in mission.

Old Batteries	Community recycling efforts
Old Cell Phones, Ink Jet Cartridges, MP3's, PDA's, I-Pods	Special Olympics in Johnson County
Box Tops/Campbell Soup Labels	Webb Elementary School supplies
Old Mail Stamps	Kafa Training Center in the Congo
Aluminum Can/Pop Tabs	Riley Hospital for Children
Used Glasses	Lions Club International
Hygiene Items	Troops at Camp Atterbury
Empty Pill Bottles	African Clinics

Persons wanting to make a first-time commitment to Christ can speak with one of the pastors to learn about the steps to be taken to make such a commitment.  Information is available at the Welcome Center:  Finding Christ:  The Step Toward God.

The Missions Team, along with the All God’s Children Preschool, participated in the April Campaign to raise awareness about child abuse in Johnson County.  Grace Church contributed $150.00 to Prevent Child Abuse Johnson County. 

Potato Drop Set
The Men of Grace Church will be sponsoring a Potato Drop on Saturday, November 17th, 2012. A Potato Drop is a ministry of the St. Andrews Society. Over 40,000 lbs of potatoes will be coming to Grace Church to be distributed among families in need. 

Men’s Prayer Group
Remember to attend the Men’s Prayer Group on Saturday mornings at 7:15 a.m. in the Wesley Room at Grace Church.  Open to all men.

Men’s Bible Study
Remember that the Men’s Bible Study meets on Wednesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. in the Wesley Room. Topic: I & II Thessalonians

Sick, in the hospital, upcoming surgery, homebound, death, loss of job, etc.????????
Please let us know if you are experiencing any challenges in your life.  With privacy laws being what they are today, it’s hard to get information or updates on you or your loved ones, particularly in the medical arena.  In order for us to provide care and support, we need to know what your needs are!  We WANT to know what your needs are!   Please call the church office, Pastors Andy or Jenothy, or Cathy Liddle with information and/or updates.  Help us help you!

Tornado Relief Support
Please remember that relief efforts are underway in southern Indiana with respect to tornado relief.  To support the relief efforts make checks payable to Grace UMC/Memo - Tornado Relief.  To date, Grace UMC has given approximately $8,300.00.  Thank you!

Tornado Relief Efforts
If you would like to go down on your own, we do have contacts; all efforts must go through Bonnie Albert, our Conference Volunteers in Mission Coordinator.  Contact her at bonkay@hotmail.com, bonpotee@yahoo.com, or call 502-599-8556.

The Missions Team wants to thank everyone who gave generously to the special missions offerings to help the victims of tornados in Southern Indiana.  To date, Grace Church has given $8,300.00 to relief efforts.

Grace Church will be working with other groups and agencies in the community to promote a new community-wide initiative to promote reading among children and youth.  Called Franklin Reads, the initiative will seek to create a culture of literacy in the area, working with preschools, schools, and other communities of learning.  Please watch for other information as how persons at Grace Church can help.

The Missions Team thanks those who support the Good Sam Ministry in the church which helps local families with immediate needs.  To date, forty families in Franklin have received emergency assistance. Currently, this missions fund is running low.  Please mark check memo Good Samaritan Fund if you feel led to support this ministry.

The Missions Team wants to thank those who volunteer at the Food Pantry of Johnson County and who give financially to support this local ministry.  The Interchurch Food Pantry was able to feed 9,214 families in Johnson County in 2011.  
 
Don’t forget to bring canned goods, dried foods, paper products, cleaning supplies, etc. to the Food Barrel in Price Hall.

Kic-It – Kids in Crisis Intervention Team 
Grace UMC is now working closely with KIC-IT (Kids in Crisis-Intervention Team), a new community-wide effort to support and empower youth to break the cycle of homelessness and despair and promote independence and responsibility.  Flyers and brochures are available at the Welcome Center in the Lobby.  Go to www.KIC-IT.org for more information.

Kic-It Forum
An informational Forum about Kic-It and about the issues surrounding poverty among young people in Johnson County will take place on Tuesday, May 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. in the Schrader Youth Center. This forum is open to all persons who would like to learn about Kic-It and what action steps churches and individuals may take.

Kic-It Meals
Persons who may want to help feed approximately fifteen youth at Kic-It can contact Amanda Ott.  Grace Church will be providing a meal on the third week of the month (on Tuesdays and Thursdays).  

Kic-It Supplies
GUMC  invites persons to donate the following items to KIC-IT: 

Bring these items to the Missions Corner in Price Hall.  Other avenues of helping Kic-It are also available:  volunteering and giving.   To learn more about Kic-It go to www.kic-it.org.

CIEE is seeking mission driven and loving host families for exchange students who will arrive in the area in August. You do not have to have teenagers to be able to host. Be a part of this unique educational adventure! Open your heart and your home ... share your faith, community, and country! For information, contact Debbie Gray, debgray@sbcglobal.net, 812-764-4433, or visit www.ciee.org/highschool
 
 

Faith-Promise Missions Support
The Missions Team would like to share the following distribution of funds to support mission projects here and around the world.  Many thanks for the faithfulness and generosity to God’s mission! 

Good Samaritan Fund	$1000
Brightwood Community Center in Indianapolis	$1,000
Care-Net Crises Pregnancy Center	$500
Vida Nueva Family Center in Indianapolis	$1000
Turning Point Domestic Abuse Shelter in Columbus	$1000
Appointment Congo, Missionaries Paul & Marty Law	$1000

Want to use the talents and gifts God has given you to help others?  We want to establish a roster of people and areas of help they are willing to offer our Grace family.  There are many situations where people are in need of short-term help to get through trying times.  If you are willing to be called when some of these needs arise, please let Cathy Liddle know via church phone, 736-7962, or email, cathyliddle@franklingrace.org.  Here are a few areas to consider:

Provide transportation:  to/from church, doctors appointments,shopping, etc.
Run errands; do shopping
Provide respite for caregivers or babysitting for new &/or single  moms
Provide a meal for new moms, post-hospitalized patients, grieving family members
Lawn work/snow removal
Small home repairs
Car repairs and/or basic maintenance for those in financial need
Provide light housekeeping, laundry, etc.
Make phone calls to shut ins, visitors or new members

The list could be endless!  Please pray about how God would like to use you in this hands-on caring for one another!  If you didn’t fill out a volunteer card offered in March, please stop by the Welcome Center and pick one up.  You would be amazed at the stories shared by care receivers of our gracious members doing the simplest of tasks (providing a ride, a meal, a card, a phone call, etc.).  It really does make a difference!

"Won't You Be My Neighbor" is the theme for the 2012 Day Camp experience at Grace UMC.  Children ages 2 through 4th grade (completed) are welcome!  Time:  Monday through Thursday, 9:00 - 12 Noon, June 11-28, 2012.  Cost:  $45 per week per child (sibling discounts available).  Space is limited!  Deadline for registration is May 30, 2012.  Contact Pastor Jenothy Rather, 736-7962, for more information.

Day Camp 2012 Flyer

Day Camp 2012 Registration Form (PDF)

Day Camp 2012 Registration Form (Word)

Interested in going on a mission trip to the Henderson Settlement in southeastern Kentucky?  If so, please sign up at the Welcome Center in the Lobby.  Shirley Tanksley is looking to take a group in October, 2012, with specific dates to be determined depending upon availability.  Speak with Shirley or contact her by email at sbtanks@aol.com/

Are you ready to play some softball?  If so, please sign up at the Welcome Center in the Lobby.  Grace Church needs women and men to sign up.  Teens may also play (above age 14).  There is no cost.  The season begins on Sunday, May 20th at Providence Christian Church south of Bargersville.  See Coach Chuck Rairdon for more information.

Help is needed for Coffee Hour during the months of April, May, and August.  if you or your group is interested in helping, call Nina Miller at 317-417-2703.

When is Faith-Promise Weekend?
Faith-Promise Missions Giving Weekend takes place on Saturday, May 19th and May 20th during the services of worship. 

What is Faith-Promise?
The Faith-Promise Missions Commitment is a personal commitment to give to missions beyond your weekly or monthly tithes and offerings:  It is a commitment that depends solely on God’s grace to fulfill and on your promise to respond faithfully.  Each person at Grace United Methodist Church is given the opportunity to make a commitment.  If you have already made one, we thank you in advance.  

Prayer as Basis for Mission
The first step in giving toward mission is to pray.  We invite you to pray about the kind of commitment God wants make through you.  An example prayer may help:

Commitment Cards
Commitment Cards will be mailed, but cards will also be given on May 19th and 20th before worship.  We will present our “commitments” at the close of the service.