Grace Lutheran Activities that are Making a Difference in the Foster Community/Iglesia de la Comunidad
English Classes at Iglesia de la Comunidad (Hispanic Mission Church)
Free English classes have been conducted at Igelsia de la Comunidad since January 2009. These are free classes with volunteers from Grace doing the teaching and babysitting. Jack Renfro is the faithful leader of this ongoing program. Thanks to the teachers and babysitters: Phil, Kleone and Erik Nelson, Craig, Marion and Clint Camealy, Kelly Godwin, Lila Nelson. Martha Baumann, Karen Crout and Jack Renfro. It has been a wonderful experience for all.
Children’s Day - April 30 in Mexico
The Children’s Day celebration was held at Iglesia de la Comunidad April 26th 2009.
The children received 60 goodie bags containing Easter treats / toys that were put together by a small group from Grace.
McDonnell Chapel / Iglesia de la Comunidad Revival
Jim and Martha Baumann attended a Hispanic Revival April 11-12, 2009, and captured the spirit filled moments on film for them. You do not have to speak Spanish to be filled with the spirit at one of their revivals or services.
Serve the City as One – April 18, 2009
Carpet was torn out, a fence worked on, clean up was done inside the kitchen and yard work was done by Grace volunteers. Then a community picnic broke out at McDonnell Chapel! Thanks to, but not limited to, Dennis and Sheila Sierk, Keith Godwin, Becky and Heff Heffelfinger, Randy and Kim Dague, Norma Palmer, Bill Zecher, Ron and Marge Schmitz, Bill and Sandy Robinson, Pastor Clark, Rosemary Sweet, Lila Nelson, Marion Camealy, Donna Behnken, Carol Childs, Dave Cherry and Cameron Young from Grace who joined other local churches to help Make a Difference! Special thanks to Pastor Blair Clark and Becky Heffelfinger for coordinating the event.
Ridgecrest Elementary School Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Thursday, May 14, 2009 Ridgecrest held a Volunteer Appreciation luncheon. Those receiving certificates from Grace were Norma Palmer, Phil Nelson and Kleone Nelson who mentor at the school. Students entertained the group and each volunteer got a plant and a goodie bag. Our efforts to Make a Difference in the lives of children are greatly appreciated!!!
Shoes That Fit
An ongoing program (since 2004) led by Kim Dague, and sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. It provides free shoes and clothing to needy children in the Ridgecrest Elementary School.
Chapel Cabinets and Sink - May 2009
There are new cabinets and sink in the Chapel kitchen. Anyone who has ever worked in that kitchen knows that an update was desperately needed. The kitchen looks great because the new cabinets and sink have Made a Difference. Thanks to all (especially Becky Heffelfinger) who worked on this project.
McDonnell Chapel to Iglesia de la Comunidad (Officially)
The original McDonnell Chapel (United Methodist Church) congregation conducted their last service in June 2009 at the Chapel. They are turned the Chapel over to the Iglesia de la Comunidad Hispanic members led by Pastor Macedonio Roblero, as a mission church of the United Methodist Church. This was a big step for both of the congregations.
Vacation Bible School – July 2009
Thanks to assistance of volunteers from Grace Lutheran, VBS at Iglesia de la Comunidad was a success. Approximately 30 children enjoyed Bible stories, crafts, snacks and the Grace Youth Puppet shows. The puppet shows are always a hit! Thanks to everyone who contributed to VBS.
Annual Back to School Picnic - July 25, 2009 4 to 6 PM
Over 75 people in attendance from Refining Fire, Grace and the Foster community enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, puppets, fellowship, a deal on school supplies and the bouncing toy. Thanks to everyone from Grace who assisted with the Back to School picnic and to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Iglesia de la Comunidad Fence – August 2009
The fence is complete and the gates are up. Special thanks to Becky Heffelfinger for being the project lead and for getting that monumental task accomplished. The fence is something that the congregation will appreciate for many years to come. Special thanks to Ed Hoover who removed a tree so the fence could be put up.
Mentoring at Ridgecrest Elementary School
Volunteer lunch was September 10, 2009 at Ridgecrest and was attended by member of Grace. There are always many volunteer opportunities at Ridgecrest including passing out fruit and / or weekend snack bags, working in the library, etc. in addition to mentoring.
Iglesia de la Comunidad First Anniversary
Over 150 people, including Mayor Battle, helped celebrate their first anniversary, September 27, 2009. Grace Lutheran Church was presented a framed certificate of appreciation for all they have done to help make the ministry a success. They wanted to extend gratitude to the many volunteers, from Grace, who have been active in their community. The relationship we have established with them is appreciated and they look to us as missionaries in their community. They told us Grace has been a blessing to them. They actually have been a blessing to many at Grace too!
LOG Babysitting Assistance
LOG (Kay Davis) has assisted Susie Rodriguez by babysitting for children of parents taking the nutrition class she is teaching through A&M at Ridgecrest Elementary School. Thank you very much for making it possible for parents to attend this educational program. You have Made a Difference in the quality of their life by sharing your time to help them.
Be the Church
Sunday, October 18, 2009 was a special day at Iglesia de la Comunidad! A group of Grace youth took over their Sunday School time and taught the parishioners how to do a puppet show. The Grace Puppet team participated in and livened up the following church service. Thanks for being the church in the Foster Community.
Quarterly Grace Ladies of Grace (LOG) Meeting
Information about what is happening in the Foster Community was shared with LOG October 20, 2009 by Kleone Nelson. The LCMS stance on ministering to the Hispanics regardless of their legal status was presented. In brief, the Joint Statement Regarding Immigration Concerns dated June 2006 and signed by Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, President of LCMS and Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director of LCMS World Relief/Human Care said, “In order to fulfill our Christian obligation, we request that the charitable act of providing assistance to undocumented aliens not otherwise engaged in illegal activity not be criminalized ipso facto.” We should remember Hebrews 13:2 and Matthew 25:40.
Ladies of Grace (LOG) Wrote Stories for the English Classes
The ladies in attendance at the quarterly LOG meeting in October wrote short paragraphs on topics of local or personal interest to be used in the free English classes being taught at Iglesia de la Comunidad. Thanks to all the ladies for sharing.
Consumable Donations by Ladies of Grace (LOG)
Thank you to LOG for consumable contributions to Iglesia de la Comunidad in the form of Styrofoam cups, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. Pastor Macedonio and the congregation are very appreciative.
October Fall Festival – October 2009
The children loved their festive goodie bags, especially the chocolate and the glow in the dark crosses. Thanks to the small group from Grace who put the goodie bags together.
Christmas Fiesta Soup and Gifts – December 2009
Thank you to all of you at Grace who donated the small gifts and made soup for the Iglesia de la Comunidad Christmas Fiesta. You Made a Difference in the lives of little children with the gifts and you warmed the hearts of Iglesia de la Comunidad with the delicious soup!
Grace Lutheran School Third Graders and Family and Friends
The industrious Third Graders (and family and friends) from Grace put together over 40 Valentine goodie bags February 14th, 2010, for the English students and members of Iglesia de la Comunidad. In addition to the goodie bags which were filled with small gifts, candy, snacks, Valentine greetings, etc., there were beanie babies for everyone. They were very surprised by and appreciative of the love conveyed. Their smiles showed you Made a Difference!