Updated mission story

This week's Parent Resource is: "Adolescents Respond to Duolingo"
 
During my first retreat with Grace Students, I had an introductory conversation with a student who abruptly paused with the phrase, "I can't have that green bird mad at me again." This green bird was the Duolingo bird. If you are not familiar, Duolingo is an app that assists in teaching you another language. The brand is known for its zany nature alongside its problematic mascot, a green bird with an explosive personality. This mascot is one of the big reasons that Duolingo has been so successful in advertising on social media platforms.
 
As of 2024, Duolingo boasts a user count of approximately 88 million. Over 60% of these users are under the age of 30. With many adolescents active on this language-learning app, there are many opinions about where the company announced it is going last week. The CEO announced the company is going from human-worker run to running solely off AI. The response has been mostly negative amongst adolescents, but some are leaning into this transition.
 
Gen Alpha is the first generation in history to grow up without knowledge of a world without AI. How can we talk with them as they wrestle with the ethics of AI?

Continue the Conversation @ Home:
Here are a few questions to keep the conversation going at home:

• Do you have any friends who use Duolingo?
• What do you think are the good things that come with Duolingo becoming AI-run?
• What are the negative implications of this decision?
• How much AI is too much?
• Would this affect your choice when choosing an app?

This week's Parent Resource is: "Men Fighting Gorillas & Healthcare Advice"
 
100 Men Vs. One Gorilla (Who Wins?)
Silly debates go back to the beginning of humanity. Today, they continue. People in Europe and America are heavily debating who would win in a hypothetical battle: one gorilla vs. 100 men. This question is sweeping across social media. The reasoning behind each person’s answer is obscure and full of humor. What do your students think of the question?
 
Adolescents Finding Healthcare Advice
Healthcare is a consistent conversation among adolescents. The cost of it, comparisons to other countries' healthcare, and the morality of Luigi Mangione's case are just a few of the topics casually discussed. The newest trend shows young people are opting out of advice from doctors, instead choosing to listen more intently to their peers and the social media profiles they follow.
 
38% of those aged 18-34 have ignored guidance from a doctor in favor of information from social media, up 26% from last year. Meanwhile, nearly half (45%) of those in this age range have disregarded professional medical advice in favor of information from friends or family. The same percentage of young adults (45%) believe the average person can possess as much knowledge about health as trained doctors.

Why do you think young people are leaning more towards peers rather than medical professionals?
 
Continue the Conversation @ Home:
Here are a few questions to keep the conversation going at home:

• Who do you think would win in a battle: 100 men or 1 gorilla?
• Why do you think they would win?
• When it comes to medical advice, who do you go to first?
• Would you ever consider denying a doctors advice because a post on social media told you different?
• Do you think the average person can know as much on health as a doctor?

This week's Parent Resource is: "Talkin' About Christianity"
 
For the first time in recent history, the percentage of people who identify as Christian in the United States has increased over the past year. Where culture goes, it is sure to be seen through our media. Let's take a glance at what it looks like in recent media.
 
Madison, a young woman in Tampa, FL, found acceptance, friendship, and a sense of belonging at her church. Social situations were always hard for Madison due to her autism. That, along with her desire to find a husband, made her the perfect candidate for Netflix's newest season of their hit series Love on the Spectrum. When looking for a suitable partner, her Christian values are at the forefront of her search. The digital world has responded to her story in the most wholesome way.
 
Billy Graham stated that it's hard to find God on a golf course. "Win or Lose" on Disney+ shows that maybe He can be found on the softball field. Disney has introduced an openly Christian character, named Laurie, in this series. The series kicks off with Laurie praying to her "Heavenly Father" in her bedroom. This is the first depiction of a Christian character by Disney since 2007's Bridge to Terabithia.
 
Christianity is on the up & we see it in our media. What do our students think about this?
 
Continue the Conversation @ Home:
Here are a few questions to keep the conversation going at home:

• How do you feel about the number of Christians in America increasing for the first time in years?
• How do you think Christians should be depicted in media?
• Why do you think the percentage of people practicing Christianity has shown a growth spurt (after years of decline)?
• Do you think someone could become a Christ-follower because of a Disney or Netflix show?

This week's Parent Resource is: "Food Layaway & Morning Routines"
 
Food Layaway
I remember in '05 watching the Saturday morning cartoons (after adjusting the TV antenna to the right spot) and seeing K-Mart commercials talking about "Layaway." That now seems like a thing of the past, right? Afterpay and Klarna have something to say about that.
 
Klarna and DoorDash have agreed on a partnership that allows 0% interest "Eat Now, Pay Later" plans for food ordered through the app. Although many adolescents are joking about it, this can become a legitimate concern for those who see it as a cheaper way to get food at the moment. AfterPay has been normalizing this, but through the use of loaning money for streetwear, sneakers, and merchandise.

It seems this will not be going away anytime soon, so how should we approach this conversation of "Food Layaway" with our students?
 
Morning Routines
If you've been on social media long enough, you have seen some pretty theatrical morning routines. Ashton Hall recently made headlines for his 3 AM wakeup call and his odd choice of facial plunges into bowls of Saratoga Spring Water & ice cubes. Hall, who has amassed over seven million followers, has been the inspiration for countless memes across social media. Adolescents everywhere are flocking to social media to poke fun at the routine that went viral.
 
"Maybe we should know less about each other" is a frequent comment on vlog posts similar to this one by Hall. It is also a common question posed by adolescents who frequent social media. This viral morning routine brings that question up again. How much of our lives is it okay to share on social media? When is it too much?
 
Continue the Conversation @ Home:

• Here are a few questions to keep the conversation going at home:
• How hungry would you have to be to do the payment plan 'Eat Now, Pay Later' with DoorDash?
• What do you think about the 'Eat Now, Pay Later' addition to DoorDash?
• How do you feel about people posting their timestamped morning routines? Do you think they're an actual look into their day? or just a polished version?
• What is "too much" to share on social media? Is everything on the table if it gets views?

This week's Parent Resource is: "High Risk, High Reward"
 
It's hard to drive into Atlanta without seeing billboards advertising sports betting. Brands such as PrizePicks or DraftKings are taking over ad spaces everywhere (TV with influencers such as Druski and Sketch; billboards; heavy social media presence). This high-risk, high-reward mentality is part of Gen Z's core personality.
 
Yes, sports betting has become a huge cultural part of Gen Z as they turn 18. This high-risk, high-reward behavior follows Gen Z in many other spaces such as careers, relationships, and schoolwork. The temptation for adolescents to pursue careers as influencers or streamers has been increasing, as we see a decline in the desire for the "traditional" career. With so many influencers gaining popularity (usually due to the luck or favor of the ever-changing algorithm), even in conversations with our Grace Students, you'll hear them debate the ethics behind cheating on a test or assignment. It is no longer truly a debate of ethics, but rather an attempt to "survive."
 
These high-risk, high-reward actions are responses to what is becoming culturally normal. These careers as "entertainers" are now more tangible than ever; they are also continuously in the faces of adolescents. Adolescents are now aware of the intergenerational wealth gap (Gen Z is the first generation in American history to be financially worse off by age 30 in comparison to their parents before them). All of this effects their motivation to become more high risk in their decision making.
 
With the mentality of many adolescents feeling things are high risk, what is happening when the reward feels smaller than expected?
 
Continue the Conversation @ Home:

• If you could become an influencer, would you attempt that?
• How do you feel about cheating on academics? Is it okay if it is helping your grade survive?
•  Do finances stress you out? What do you feel about the future of your finances as you become an adult?

This week's Parent Resource is: "The New News"
 
With the rise of streaming, it's nothing new to anyone that network TV is seeing considerably less viewership. Normal news networks (i.e., Fox News, CNN, etc.) are seeing fewer and fewer viewers each year. This leads us to ask the question, where are our students (one of the most informed generations in history) getting their news from?
 
Three years ago, in 2022, approximately 50% of Gen Z in the U.S. consumed their daily news through social media (Statista). Around 75% of students stated that social media is their most effective way to get news (FOSI). Forty percent of young adults received most, if not all, of their news from the (now unbanned) app, TikTok (Pew Research Center).
 
Many are now making their living attempting to add humor (a trait Gen Z clings to in order to cope with the many tragedies that have happened in their lifetime) to daily or weekly news. Accounts like @MorningBrew are leading the charge. Gen Z is seeking informative, unbiased news about finances through accounts such as @KylaScan (author of In This Economy?) as she helps teach about the market and everything in between.
 
How is your student consuming news on pop culture, politics, etc.?
 
Continue the Conversation @ Home:

• How do you learn about what's happening in the world?
• How important is it to you to stay up-to-date with everything happening around us?
• Where is your favorite place to learn about the news?
• What makes someone a trustworthy news source?
  

Parent Resource Sources
Pew Research Center. (2024, September 19). Americans’ news consumption across platforms. Pew Research Center. 
 
Tierney, L. (2024, January 29). Large-Scale Survey Reveals How Students Are Using Social Media in 2024. FOSI.  
 
Gen Z News Consumption-US. Statista

Student Ministry Continues to Serve at Clarkston: For the second year in a row, the Student Ministry served in Clarkston, GA during Summer 2024. As a way to continue to build upon the established relationship, Student Pastor, Noah Wright shares, " Grace Students will soon continue to grow our relationship with Clarkston community. During High School House Church on September 22nd, these enthusiastic, ready to serve students will be visiting Carriage Oaks III Apartment Complex located in the heart of Clarkston. During this time the students will spend time loving the children and teens as our adult volunteers cultivate relationships with the parents. The student leaders aim to create a welcoming environment that fosters connection and support among residents while also addressing immediate needs within the community.  As our student leaders prepare for their visit, they are not only focused on the logistical aspects of their project but also on building meaningful relationships with the residents of Carriage Oaks III. Our High Schoolers intend to do this by playing soccer, sharing snacks, and engaging in free play with the young residents of the apartment complex. The initiative is set to offer more than just material support; it will provide an opportunity for the students to learn from and engage with the diverse population of the apartment complex. Through their efforts, they hope to inspire a sense of unity and shared purpose, leaving a lasting impact on both the community they serve and themselves. This collaboration with the residents in Carriage Oaks III shows how our student leaders can make a big difference and how helping others with kindness can bring communities closer together. Soon we plan to bring along our Middle Schoolers as well!
 

Many of us grew up hearing amazing stories of missionaries, reformers, and 1st century Christians that excited and challenged us. But that dreaming had a downside – it could make the idea of living faithfully seem far away – unattainable. But there are stories of goodness, grace, faithfulness, and service going on all around us. People are living sacrificially, humbly, and lovingly in our church family. God is working mightily, graciously, and beautifully right here in our community. We think it’s only right to tell those stories too.
That is what StoryWorthy has always been about. And that’s what the communication or stories at Grace will always be about, but that rhythm is changing slightly moving forward.

We believe that sharing these stories is an essential part of cultivating goodness in our community. So, we want to take time and tell them more thoroughly, more creatively, and more thoughtfully than we have given ourselves time to tell them before. This means, we will no longer be publishing the shorter blog-style stories every week.  About once a month, we’ll tell a larger story – in various formats and in different media – with more details and tie-ins to the grander story of Grace Church and what God is doing here. You will still receive those “StoryWorthy” emails to help you find the content, but you will also be able to find this reimagined series on our app and on our YouTube channel (more details to come).

Be on the lookout for the first StoryWorthy video article coming soon. And if you have stories that you think are story-worthy, send those stories to info@gracefayette.org.
Stories are one of the most captivating tools for connection and communication that we have at our disposal. They grab our attention and pull us in – sometimes it can feel like we are sharing each other's experiences with a good story. We can’t wait to share more of yours.

On Sunday, August 4th, Next Gen launched a new program called Prayer Partners! The goal of the program is for the children and students of Grace Church to be covered in prayer through the duration of the school year. Adults of Grace are invited to choose a child from the Prayer Partner display in the back of auditorium. Once they have a child to pray for, they should connect with the parents who are listed on the back of the photo to let them know who they are and learn how they can pray. Throughout the school year, parents and partners can connect from time to time for prayer needs and updates.  

Many people have already partnered up, but there remains about 20 children waiting for their prayer partners. On Sunday, August 11, please join in the program by selecting a child and signing your name to their tag, taking the photo with you and leaving the tag on the display! 

For more than 20 years, Grace Church has made an annual trip to Vogel State Park as a church family. It is a time to get away from our normal weekend rhythms, enjoy nature, rest, play together and worship. 

Vogel 2024 is September 6-8. Registration is now open and is filling up fast! 11 cottages and 7 campsites remain. Reserve yours through the Grace website today! Everyone is invited and encouraged to join. For first timers, it can be a bit overwhelming but come anyway! There will be intentional opportunities for connecting with others like the Friday night catered dinner and Saturday evening organized fireside chats at designated campsites and cabins around the campground.

Learn more and register at Vogel 2024.

Check out the events page to see new information about Fall Studies for Men and Women! 

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• Today - Register for Vogel!
• July 28 - Grace Kids 2nd Hour Leaders Training
• August 5 - Women's Back to School Breakfast 

Dear Grace family,

The 2023-2024 fiscal year closed on June 30, 2024. Although we did not end the year in the black (see table below), we made great strides to balance our expenses against our income. When we began our spending reductions in April, we showed a spending overage of $59,895 YTD. We have reduced that to $346; that is amazing and a blessing! We thank you for your generosity in giving of your time, treasure, and talents to make this happen and we are looking forward to the new church year!

In the months leading up to August 2023, a group of ladies came together to fill a need that they observed within the Grace Family. LuAnn Stohrer, Kem Williams, Melody Benson and Bee Fortunato noticed a need, formed a team and launched Children's Church in August 2023! 

With a year of ministry under their belt, this team has made a great impact in the Grace Kids Ministry as well as in the lives of children and parents. Each Sunday, children in 1st - 5th grade join the service with their families for worship and are then invited to attend Children's Church. 

The focus of Children's Church is one of our core values: missions. This past year, the children learned powerful stories told by our storyteller, Bee Fortunato. Bee has a gift of telling stories in an engaging way while using simple props like dolls, boxes and common toys. The children love it! Each morning begins with a fun ditty called, "Dum Dum Ditty", created by LuAnn Stohrer. LuAnn sets words to a catchy rhythm that help children remember the big idea of each missionary story. It's a time of moving and singing! She also helps the children memorize scripture that connects to each story. Following the opening time of song and movement, Bee dives into the story. After story time, the children are blessed and eager to create re-enforcing craft projects that are designed and planned by Sally Simon and Melody Benson. The projects take weeks to complete and help the children remember what they have learned!

The Children's Church team has grown and now includes Melody Benson, LuAnn Stohrer, Bee Fortunato, Sally Simon, Beth Ann Webb, Marilyn Satre and Dena Gilmore! The work this team is doing plays an important role in the shaping and development of the spiritual lives of the children of Grace.  As the 2024-2025 school year approaches, the team has just begun a new missionary story series focusing on Samuel Morris (Prince Kaboo). 

Thank you to the Children's Church team! You are making a difference in the lives of these children, and we appreciate you!

If you would like to join the Children's Church team, we would love to have you! Please contact Melody Benson at melody@gracefayette.org.

Check out the events page to see new information about Fall Studies for Men and Women! 

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• Today - Register for Vogel!
• July 28 - Grace Kids 2nd Hour Leaders Training
• August 5 - Women's Back to School Breakfast 

Dear Grace family,

The 2023-2024 fiscal year closed on June 30, 2024. Although we did not end the year in the black (see table below), we made great strides to balance our expenses against our income. When we began our spending reductions in April, we showed a spending overage of $59,895 YTD. We have reduced that to $346; that is amazing and a blessing! We thank you for your generosity in giving of your time, treasure, and talents to make this happen and we are looking forward to the new church year!

Grace Church is filled with stories of people practicing the way of Jesus in their daily lives! Celebrating these stories is what StoryWorthy is all about! Three years ago, Jennifer Hetland began attending Grace Church. She has developed meaningful relationships, served and supported in a variety of ways and when invited to participate in StoryWorthy, she humbly agreed to share some of her story with us. 

"My story began in Albuquerque, NM, 1961. I was the third born, only girl and found out fairly young that I carry Cherokee blood. I thought that was pretty cool. My dad was a Minister of Music and my mom was a homemaker! I realized pretty early that I wanted to please my parents, please God and stay out of trouble! My brothers, not affectionately, called me Mommy 2 due to the fact that I wanted them to stay out of trouble too. We moved quite frequently and ended up in South Alabama in 1968 and was I raised in the south until I married.

Fast forward to 1988, when I met my Norwegian husband, Leif. We had our son here in the states and then moved to Norway for nearly 7 years where we had our three daughters. I also chose the vocation of Mom and have never regretted the time I was able to be blessed to be home with them. We returned to the states in 1998 and in 2000 we started Global Mission Awareness, a non-profit geared to raising up indigenous people to do the work of the Father in their countries, giving them ownership in what God is doing in their land. We moved our ministry to Peachtree City in 2012 to get my husband closer to the Delta hub as he travels up to 260 days a year.

I was in a season of needing a church home that was a bit more grounded in the Word! I actually met Charlie and Anna Nelson at a fund raiser and sometime after Charlie reached out to see if my husband and I could meet with Anna to discuss Norway as she was heading there for a trip. My husband is Norwegian and even though he couldn't meet, I could. It was through the dinner that Anna mentioned Grace! I came the following Sunday, wept during the first service and felt a hunger to get involved. That Sunday, on the screen were the opportunities to become involved in the community and I love that aspect of service. Anna and Kem quickly became fast friends and reached out immediately, praying for trips I was to go on, praying for my children and more.

I recently became a grandmother for the first time, Dec 2023 and again in Jan 2024. It has been a joy to continue to love my children by loving theirs.

God is still teaching me so many things. I was recently pondering why some of it had to wait until so late in life, but I am eternally grateful that He is still teaching! I have a strong plumb line that I try to maintain and share with my children, (now all adults) to try and focus on what is eternal. Everything else will burn or be left to others, but humans are eternal. Stuff will pass away and the only thing that is truly important is what we are "giving" the next generation. I want to be known for loving Jesus well and representing Him well to others."

Finally, just for kicks, we asked Jennifer what she likes to do for fun! She shared, "I love to bake and cook and read. I love to do Jigsaw puzzles! I can speak Spanish, (enough to get in trouble) and Norwegian and I really enjoy Hallmark!"

Hearing the stories of those around us creates opportunity for connection and friendship! Thank you, Jennifer, for being willing to share your story! 

Nominate someone for StoryWorthy! 

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• July 18 - Mobile Food Pantry
• July 28 - Grace Kids 2nd Hour Leaders Training
• August 5 - Women's Back to School Breakfast 

One of our favorite, long standing and most meaningful traditions at Grace is our churchwide annual getaway to Vogel State Park! Each year we set aside a weekend to go to the mountains and enjoy a time of outdoor fun! Just like moms and dads enjoy watching their children play, explore and connect with nature, so does God! God enjoys watching all of his children, no matter their age, play, rest, and fellowship with others all while enjoying his creation! This special time together as a church family is open to all and we invite everyone to save the date now as we work hard to open registration!

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• June 30 - Student Ministry Parent Meeting
• July 7 - Lunch on the Lawn

The Student Ministry returned from their mission trip on June 14! It was a meaningful experience for our students and leaders, not to mention, hot! The students served at Camp Encounter in Clarkston, Ga. If you are not familiar with Clarkston, it is known as one of the most diverse square miles in the world. There are countless languages spoken and 120 people groups represented in this 1.8 square mile city.

During the week the students helped run Camp Encounter., a six week day camp that serves as a primary summer outreach of Clarkston International Bible Church.  Our students taught sports, academics, art, and science to the refugee children who call Clarkston home.

Not only did our students teach them beautiful life skills, but they also modeled for the campers what it looks like to live like Christ. Multiple conversations were overheard between the campers about what they were learning.  A Grace student shared that their favorite part of the entire camp was when they spent one evening at Olivia’s (a Grace Student Leader) apartment complex hanging out with some of the refugee kids. During their time together, laughs were shared, bubbles were blown, soccer balls were kicked & many memories were made for Grace students and the campers!

We are beyond thankful for the opportunity to serve and grow together as well as create these memories as a student ministry. Thank you to everyone who donated so generously and prayed for us during our time in Clarkston! We appreciate your support, and we are excited to visit Clarkston again soon!

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• June 28 - Quilters
• June 30 - Student Ministry Parent Meeting
• July 7 - Lunch on the Lawn

New Financial Update

Two months ago, Grace Church welcomed Oleg and Lena Vasilevsky, long term mission partners who oversee Radooga in Ukraine. During their time with us, they shared about a mission trip opportunity this summer in Spain serving displaced children from Ukraine. Susan Stohrer, Paul Jasczynski and Tali Perez and her daughter, Valeria Blanton felt the Lord's invitation to serve and will be traveling to Spain on July 4. StoryWorthy is a place to share what is happening in the lives of Grace people so this week we hear from Susan, Paul, Tali and Valeria!

"Oleg came to Grace this spring and invited me to come to Spain to teach English to Ukrainian refugee teenagers this summer. It was one of those opportunities that I couldn't stop thinking about. By that evening, I knew it was something I wanted to do.

God is always teaching us and through this experience God has reminded me that He knows our passion areas, what makes our hearts pump with excitement, and uses them for His glory. Also, he has already blown me away with His provision for the trip! Jesus continues to remind me that when He calls us, He also equips us, and takes care of the details. We can trust Him.

I have had a heart for Ukraine since traveling there with Grace in 2010 to serve at a Radooga camp. Now, Alik Shipuk, pastor of Slavic Baptist church in Valencia, Spain, has a heart for Ukrainian teenagers that he regularly meets in Valencia."

"In partnership with Radooga Ministries, his church and our team will share the Gospel with Ukrainian teenagers who were torn from their homes through a weeklong summer camp where they will attend English classes, play games, worship, and hear from God’s word. Teams will assist with English learning classes, camp games, and build relationships with students and leaders from the community and Slavic Baptist Church. Through this camp, the church desires to establish a consistent student ministry within their church for students to attend weekly."

"Approx 2-3 months ago Oleg and Lena came to Grace and shared details about the Mission trip to Spain to help the displaced children of Ukraine. I felt I need to help with this, so I prayed and asked God to either allow me to do this or not do this.

Through this experience I have been learning to trust God through all challenges and situations. While I am not really sure about teaching English to the children, I've never done it before, I am trusting God that he will use me to further his Kingdom. Also, I am grateful and humbled that God is allowing me to be part of this."

“I, (Tali) have been following the war in Ukraine closely from the start, but to get to do so through the eyes of Oleg and Lena has been moving, especially as their ministry had to evolve to accommodate displaced children. As a family, we have prayed for Ukraine, and we have collected and sent humanitarian aid. But now Valeria and I are honored to have the opportunity to meet Ukrainian children and serve them in person in tangible ways. I am excited to see what God does through his people there.”

To Susan, Paul, Tali and Valeria, thank you for sharing your stories with us! We are inspired by God's activity and provision in your life and will be praying for the children you serve and the work you will do! 

The results of the Bylaws vote and the 2024-2025 Budget vote has been tallied. Both votes passed. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Bylaw amendment process and in the casting of your votes for both. We look forward to serving another year with you!

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• June 19 - Students to Swing (mini golf)
• June 20 - Mobile Food Pantry 
• June 28 - Quilters

For the last couple of months, we’ve learned about the Story of God as told in the Scriptures. It’s been a good learning journey. This summer we’ll reflect on our stories and the ways God meets us in them. The Psalms provide a unique and personal window into the wide variety of ways God meets us. Like a personal journal they speak into the range of our thoughts and emotions as we walk with God in our everyday lives.

We’ve asked different members of our teaching team to select a Psalm that has played a special role in shaping their personal journey. Not only will we become better acquainted with a number of Psalms we’ll get a unique glimpse into the personal stories of those who teach us.

Here’s an overview of our summer:

• June 9 Psalm 46 John Bell
• June 16 Psalm 139 Sara Storck
• June 23 Psalm 27 Gary Franklin
• June 30 Psalm 130 Whitney Drake
• July 14 Psalm 57 Gary Franklin
• July 21 Psalm 86 Eric Flintoff
• July 28 Psalm 1 Fiona Thiessen

I encourage everyone to invest the summer months in each of these Psalms. I also invite all our small groups to discuss the Psalms when you gather. Let’s make this a rich and shared spiritual journey as a family.
- Gary Franklin

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• June 9 - Grace Students Mission Trip
• June 11 - Grace Kids Baby Splash

Grace member Jonathan Benson, son of Matt and Melody Benson, is headed on a 5 -week mission trip this summer and it is our joy to share his story.  

My family moved to Georgia in 2014 when I was 12 years old. I quickly jumped into the youth group as a 6th grader at Grace. Currently, I am entering my senior year at UGA where I serve in leadership with Cru's International Student Ministry. This summer, I have the privilege to serve with Cru in a greater capacity overseas. I will be traveling with students from different universities in the United States to South Asia (for safety reasons we are not allowed to disclose the exact location) for around 5 weeks!! While we are there, we will be working on a college campus while focusing our efforts on building relationships and spreading the love of Christ while also growing in our own faith and trust in Him. While I am serving overseas, I would love to have the Grace church family praying for me. I am leaving on June 4th and will return on July 9th. I would love to talk with anyone who is interested or answer any questions anyone may have about the trip!

When asked about what motivated him to become involved in the Cru International Student Ministry, Jono replied, "Growing up in a home where traveling the world was a common occurrence has shaped my worldview today. I love experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, and sharing love with those around me. While at UGA, God has opened many doors for me to build relationships and share Christ with international students on campus. "

This Sunday, as a church family, we will have the opportunity to pray for Jonathan before he heads out. 

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• June 2 - Lunch on the Lawn and Student Mission Fundraiser
• June 3 - Grace Students Book Club
• June 5 - ROMEO (retired old men eating out) 8 am, Broadway Diner
• June 9 - Grace Students Mission Trip
• June 11 - Grace Kids Baby Splash

June 9 - 14, Grace Students are going on a mission trip to Clarkston, GA! This will be their 2nd summer serving in Clarkston. They will be helping lead a summer VBS style camp for the children in attendance. Clarkston is a community that is made up of refugees and our students will have the opportunity to listen to stories, serve the children, learn from others and grow in faith through serving, worshipping and being present.

On June 2 we will enjoy our monthly Lunch on the Lawn with a twist! The grill will be fired up cooking burgers and dogs, the tent will be lifted shading a bounty of baked goods and the water hoses will be blasting cars clean while students wash them down! The cookout, cars and cakes will provide a wonderful fundraising opportunity for the Student Mission Trip! If you are able, please plan to support the mission effort by donating what you can! Donations for the lunch can be made online when registering. There will be buckets for cash and checks for the baked goods and carwash.

Register today so we know how much food to provide! 

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!
Coming up:

• June 3 - Grace Students Book Club
• June 5 - ROMEO (retired old men eating out) 8 am, Broadway Diner
• June 9 - Grace Students Mission Trip
• June 11 - Grace Kids Baby Splash

Who doesn't love a good celebration? As a church family, we have a lot to be thankful for and celebrate! On Sunday, May 19 everyone is invited to join for 2nd Hour in the auditorium. This will be a time of gathering to celebrate those in our family who have decided to declare that Jesus is King of their lives through the act of baptism! What an exciting opportunity to witness!  

We will also be celebrating the many graduates we have this school year! During this time our graduating seniors, 5th graders and kindergartners will be acknowledged in a special way.  

Finally, all NextGen leaders will be celebrated for their love, commitment and investment they have made into the lives of the children and youth this school year.

Here are the details you need to know:

• May 19
• 2nd Hour Celebration in the auditorium 
• Grace Littles are invited to join in the celebration, their classrooms will be closed 
• Cake will be served!  
• Everyone is invited!  
• No RSVP required

We want everyone to come! Marking milestones together is an important part of being a family and we value our Grace family very much!  

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!

On a Wednesday night in August 2022 a group of women came together to form the Grace Kids Guiding Team. This team meets every other month to plan, discuss, dream and organize for the better of our children's ministry at Grace. Together they were able to host two new meaningful events this school year, Ties + Tiaras and Farmapalooza! In January, the team began planning for Summer 2024. Inspired by a wonderful program from 10 years ago called, "Finding Your It", the team landed on a similar idea for this summer, Kingdom Doers!

The Grace Kids Guiding team invites you to help give Grace Kids a glimpse of the Kingdom by contributing to the summer series, Kingdom Doers! James 1:22 motivates us by teaching, "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. DO what it says." As we explore how we can all partner with God to demonstrate & reveal his kingdom, would you consider joining us?  

Grace Kids is looking for individuals to share their passions and interests. The commitment is one Sunday during the 2nd hour this summer to share in a creative and interactive way some aspect of your work, hobby or interest. Consider where you see God reflected and revealed in your work and hobbies? What activities bring you joy? What fascinates you?  Come and share your passions and interests with Grace Kids and help them see the goodness, beauty and creativity of God’s kingdom in and through you.

Need inspiration? Consider art, aviation, bee keeping, bird watching, dance, design, drama, first aid, food, gardening, history, jewelry making, journaling, leaf collecting, cooking, cake decorating, hospitality, storytelling, missions, mushrooms, languages, instruments, origami, painting, photography, pickleball, pottery, quilting, rock collecting, rock painting, sewing, song writing, science, writing!

Does this make you curious and excited?  Check out the Grace Kids webpage or use this simple sign-up sheet and indicate your availability and note your subject! Feel free to grab a partner or partners to work with you and add their name(s) as well! We already have two out of six Sundays filled with painting with Sally Simon and Beekeeping with Ewout van Oosten!

Contact samantha@gracefayette.org. if you are interested in presenting your passion or if you would like to 'listen in' with the kids and be a volunteer leader. We need both presenters and support leaders!

The Children's Ministry Guiding Team
Samantha Harris, Melody Benson, Cara Colson, Terri Triplett, Beth Ann Webb and Cassandra Webb

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!

• May 16 - Mobile Food Pantry
• May 19 - Celebration Sunday

In recent months, ideas have been growing within and throughout our Grace family concerning a garden project. A few months ago, Mark and Debbie MacLachlan shared with us about their current work and skill set in the world of agriculture. Fast forward a few months and they have formed a small team to help bring the Grace Gardens Project to life!

Ryan, Peyton and Finn Kitchens began attending Grace in May 2021. They quickly connected in a variety of ways like joining the decorating team, the Grace Kids team as well as a small group. Peyton has a particular passion for gardening and is one of the Grace Gardens team members. Wanting to know more about the project plan, we reached out to Peyton;

"As I’m getting ready to share this story with you, I am walking through my garden and it’s giving me so much peace in the midst of a busy day. I’m seeing all of God’s goodness surround me. Watching things grow, hearing the birds, and feeling the warmth of the sun.

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!

• May 5 - Lunch on the Lawn provided by Cleveland Elementary! Please RSVP so they can prepare appropriately! Also, sign up to help with set-up or clean-up! 

Guest artists, a spruced up space, and a special night of worship for Grace Students.

This past Sunday our students gathered for our first worship night since our new Student Pastor, Noah, joined us nine months ago. A little over 30 students joined us, and the musical friends we brought in from all over the Atlanta area, in a night of worship & learning about prayer. Rodney Massey & Hope Singh started us off with beautiful melodies, followed by Bailey & James Cole helping continue the cultivation of the worship environment. Pastor Ben and his wife Lana joined Liam Hurde, Janine Dako, Jo Van Oosten, and Eden Haasenritter - some our Student Worship Team - to help close out the night on a high note! Between the songs we heard a homily about prayer from our Student Pastor, Noah Wright, along with a conversation about prayer led by Jacob Drake with Noah and Sharon Townsend. Seeing our students lead scripture reading, worship, sound/visuals, and so much more, was a true blessing.

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!

• May 5 - Lunch on the Lawn provided by Cleveland Elementary! Please RSVP so they can prepare appropriately! Also, sign up to help with set-up or clean-up! 

The McEachron family of 7 began attending Grace Church in December 2020. They moved to the area with Operation Mobilization (OM) and had a few friendly connections to Grace upon arrival. Since that time, they have been active attenders of Grace, a part of a small group and serving with Glow Ministry, a local non-profit that Grace supports in a variety of ways. Recently, they were nominated to share their story with us! The nomination read," I nominate Eric and Rachel McEachron because they do a lot for Jesus! Most people at Grace do not know all the ways they serve and the opportunities they are involved in, and we would all love to know more of their story!" Read more...

Wanna know what's going on at Grace? Stay connected to the events page through the app or website!

Meet the Teaching Team for the new sermon series, "The Story of God" beginning April 14. 

Stay in the know about what is happening at Grace. Check the events page regularly.

• Taylor University Chorale - Saturday, April 13, 7:30 pm

Grace Church has the privilege of hosting the Taylor University Chorale on Saturday evening, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. Invite your friends and come enjoy an hour of beautiful music, testimony and worship!

Over the years, Grace has been connected organically with Taylor University in a myriad of ways!  Currently, four of our Grace college students, Caleb Williams, Kiersten Williams, Grace Bolton and Joshua Benson (a member of the chorale) attend Taylor. We also have a large number of Taylor alumni at Grace.

The concert will begin promptly at 7:30 pm with doors opening at 7:00 pm. 

Stay in the know about what is happening at Grace. Check the events page regularly.

• Lunch on the Lawn is April 7!