CLERICAL COMMENTS

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

There are several important days this month, both sacred and secular, including The National Day of Prayer (6^th), Mother’s Day (9^th), Ascension Day (13^th), Armed Forces Day (15^th), Pentecost (23^rd), Trinity Sunday (30^th), and Memorial Day (31^st). In addition to these days there is an important day for our congregation and for our Houston Association on Saturday, May 15^th. This is the date of the Spring Meeting of the Houston Association. At this meeting, our own Church’s Member in Discernment, Brenda Fluitt, will go before the Houston Association for her Ecclesiastical Council, at which time a vote will be taken to determine if she should be ordained. Brenda is one of four candidates who will be part of the Ecclesiastical Council that also includes Aster’s husband, Rameen. God’s blessings overflow! Two of the candidates are women, including Brenda.

The United Church of Christ has been ordaining women for over a century. We have been blessed by their leadership. Almost two millennia ago the Apostle Paul gave thanks for the influence of Timothy’s mother and grandmother and how their faith shaped his life. I am overwhelmed when I think back to all the generations that passed their faith on to us. My material grandmother, Margaret, was the daughter of a minister who passed her faith onto my mother Julia, who passed her faith onto me. Esther’s grandfather, and father were ministers that passed their faith onto her, as did her grandmothers and mother, and she has passed her faith onto our daughters who are passing their faith on to their children. Sometimes it is a godparent or a friend who passes on the faith to the next generation. I think of and give thanks for all the church schoolteachers and members who have faithfully taught the next generation to know the love of Jesus. We are blessed at Grace to have so many faith sharers in the congregation! Who were the ones who shared and passed on their faith to you? How are you passing on the faith that was passed on to you? What Timothy or Tammy will be so influenced by your sharing that in the days and years to come, it will be easy to identify how your faith lives on in them?

Yours in Christ, Pastor David

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Grace Events

May 6 & 20 - Brighter Bites Food Distribution for area Head Start Programs 2:45 - 4

May 15 - Houston Association UCC Spring meeting on Zoom. Registration at 8:30 AM. Meeting begins with worship at 9AM. Election of Officers, Ecclesiastical Council - including Brenda Fluitt, and welcoming a new congregation into the Association.

Zoom Fellowship Meetings on Thursday, May 6,13,20 and 27 at 6PM.

June 12 - SCC Virtual Annual Meeting

July 11-18 - UCC General Synod

Welcome to the newly called Rev. Hodson as our next Conference Minister

March 13, 2021

To my friends in the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ:

I am so excited to be a part of the renewing and expanding work of the Spirit across the South Central Conference! As the grandson of a pastor and student of history, I have seen the mighty work of God across the generations to renew the church. I am confident the Divine continues to imagine new ways of being the church and carrying the vision of “the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven” forever forward.

A little about me: I am the devoted husband to Joelle. We’ve been married since 2008 and are the proud parents of four sons: Xander (9), Xane (7), Xackary (3), and Xavier (4 months). I received a Bachelors of Science from Purdue University and a Masters of Divinity from Southern Methodist University. In the pastorate, my focus has been on evangelism, administration, and finance. I have served in congregations that have experienced renewal, moved through the process of a merger to attain new growth, and seen lives transformed through church planting. I have a passion for seeing fresh expressions of the Spirit’s power at work across every aspect of church life. I also believe strongly in relational ministry, am looking forward to

spending time listening to and learning your stories. I see the role of the Conference

Minister as one who is here to help. On my desk is a bronze sailboat given to be my grandfather many years ago. The

Scripture etched upon it is my guiding light in ministry and I invite you to pray it along

with me as we embark on this next chapter of faith and life together: “‘For I know the

plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you;

plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Blessings, Rev. Phil Hodson

All church events have been postponded until after the pandemic ends.

Worship will be by video found on line and Facebook

MAY BIRTHDAYS

Ellen W - 1, Rachel K - 2, Patrick P - 5,

Rita P - 6, Jason D - 10, Peter L - 11,

NamNam P - 11, Niesan E - 13,

Jaime B - 16, Ken and Tim M -17,

Aster F Z - 21, Jessie S - 22,

Dave M - 25, Dmitry R -30

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

THANK YOU TO ALL GRACE UCC VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED DELIVER

FOOD CONTAINERS FROM BRIGHTER BITES.

Hundreds of boxes of fruits, beans, and vegetables from the FOOD BANK where shared throughout this past year from the church parking lot. THANK YOU!!

We distribute the food every other Thursday (March 11 & 25) from the church parking lot for two Head Start Communities from 2:45 - 4:15. Call the church office for details.

Volunteers are welcome!

Update on Church Building

Dear Friends,

As you know, the church building suffered a great deal of damage caused by broken pipes during the ice storm. The damage was primarily to the classroom wing, kitchen, fellowship hall and the entry hall near the front door (by the nametag board).

The remediation company is about to finish their work of removing damage and mold, and drying out the building. We are now at the stage where a contractor is to be selected and decisions made as to the details of the repairs. The council is asking for volunteers to serve on the Re-Building Committee to help with the decision-making. We need your guidance. If the spirit moves you to serve, and I pray it does, please contact me.

Email: jaroszewski@att.net

Cell: 713-703-0202

Blessings,David Jaroszewski, President

The church was just awarded a $1,900 grant from Houston Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston to help with the rebuilding. Miguel C was a huge help in securing this grant. Bless you!

We have also applied for a Solidarity Grant from the United Church of Christ. We hope of hear soon if this application was successful.

Christian Community Service Center - COVID-19 Update:

CCSC is open & helping those in need. CCSC is continuing its work and mission, while taking the necessary precautions with our staff and volunteers. The CCSC food pantries are essential services - serving as a grocery store to our clients - in compliance with the "Stay at Home, Work Safe" order issued by the City of Houston. Your assistance is needed now more than ever. CCSC continues to closely monitor recommendations from local and national officials and experts regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. After significant consideration, we have made the following adjustments to program operations:
*The Emergency Services sites (3230 Mercer and 6856 Bellaire Blvd) are focused on providing food to those in need. We have modified operations to get clients served quickly - foregoing interviews and supplying a preassembled grocery package. Thank you to Donna Cardinale and Jane Eixmann, who continue to volunteer to help serve clients during this pandemic.
We are conducting phone interviews for financial requests for help with rent or utilities for residents living within our zip code range. If you need financial assistance and live in one of these zip codes: 77002, 77003, 77004, 77005, 77006, 77007, 77010, 77011, 77012, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77023, 77025, 77026, 77027, 77028, 77030, 77031, 77036, 77046, 77056, 77057, 77072, 77074, 77081, 77096, 77098 and 77401, please call for an appointment--713-8719741.

The community can help by donating nonperishable food items or making a donation. Go to ccschouston.org and click on the "Make a Contribution" button.
*JobNet is primarily serving clients via phone, e-mail, and online tools. In person appointments may be scheduled for limited services, based on need. New and existing clients are encouraged to call JobNet at 713-626-8320 to receive ongoing virtual support during this time.

*Scheduled Martha's Way classes are postponed until further notice.

There are two convenient ways to make a donation: Donate on-line by visiting our secure website www.ccschouston.org OR Mail a personal check to CCSC, PO Box 27924, Houston, TX 77227 (Please make checks payable to CCSC with "Back To School" written in the notes section.) Donations needed and accepted year-round!

Slumber Falls Winter Work Weekend - March 12-14, 2021

The Slumber Falls Winter Work Weekend is March 12-14 instead of February 5-7, 2021. Hopefully this will allow us to avoid any cold wet weather. If you are planning to attend, mark March 12-14 on your calendar for now! Just like the Fall Work Weekend, there will be no charge for this event although "love" offerings are always appreciated.

Register Now for Summer Camp 2021 at Slumber Falls!

June 20-23 - CIT Training Camp

June 23-26 - Springs Alive

June 27 - July 3 - Roaring Rapids & Sports Camp

July 4 - 10 - Geek Week & Streams of Faith 1

July 11-17 - Eco Camp & Living Waters

July 18 - 24 - Streams of Faith 2

For more information and to register go to www.slumberfalls.org or call the church office. Discounts for early registration - Scholarships are available!

to all our guests!