GCC News - February 2 (with pancake fundraiser date correction)

GCC News - February 2

NO REGRETS MEN'S CONFERENCE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4

8am - 1:15PM @ GCC

Last chance to register! Please register in advance HERE or just come on the day and register and pay at the door. All men are welcome!

VALENTINE'S DANCE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

6:30pm - 8:30pm

We will be holding a Valentine's Day Dance on Saturday, February 11 at GCC. Come and enjoy an evening of dancing to music from the 70s onward with DJ Kensie Story, desserts and drinks. This event is for GCC adults only, but childcare is available. Cost is $5 per adult. You can register and pay online HERE or in the lobby on Sunday February 5

SCOUT PANCAKE FUNDRAISER

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

6pm - 8pm

Our GCC Scout Troop 677 will be at the church on Sunday, February 5 to help out during services for Scout Sunday. They will also have a table in the lobby after services where you can buy tickets to their Shrove Tuesday Pancake Fundraiser on February 21 from 6 - 8 pm at GCC. You can also purchase tickets HERE anytime.

TWO DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

7pm @ GCC and Livestream

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

SUNDAY, MARCH, 19

4pm @ GCC

For the past year and a half, Stacie Hintz has been serving GCC as a licensed pastor as part of her seminary training. Simultaneously she has been providing leadership to our Student Ministries, first as Co-Director and now as the sole Director. She has been a tremendous blessing to our congregation. Now that Pastor Stacie has completed her Master of Divinity degree, it is the recommendation of our Board of Elders that Stacie be ordained by the church as a minister of the gospel, and also be called as a permanent part of our leadership team as an Associate Pastor. Both ordination and the calling of a pastor are decisions reserved exclusively for the congregation to make. To that end, we will gather on March 19 at 4pm to hear, discuss, and act on the recommendations and specific motions of the Elders. More details will be made available in the coming weeks for you to review and prepare yourself for this important meeting.

RENEWAL LEAVE

FROM THE GCC BOARD OF ELDERS: In keeping with our GCC "Renewal Leave" policy for full-time ministry staff, the Elders are pleased to announce that Carrie Yeaman will be on Renewal Leave starting on February 20. The purpose of Renewal Leave is to honor God and build up our congregation, specifically Children's and Family ministry parts of the congregation, by giving Carrie a time for rest, spiritual renew and refocusing. Renewal Leave in general addresses the unique demands of full-time ministry, promotes emotional and spiritual health, and makes it easier for individuals to stay in their role for many years without "burning out." Carrie has been in her role for 7 years, and we look forward to many more years of her exceptional leadership.

Carrie will be on leave from Monday, February 20 - Sunday, April 2. During this time, you can help Carrie to fully experience this Renewal Leave by directing any Children's and Family Ministries questions to Pastor Brian at brianwalter@gcchome.org. We are excited to send Carrie on her Renewal Leave in the coming weeks and ask that you keep Carrie and her family in your prayers during this time.

Please feel free to contact Pastor Chris (chrisstephens@gcchome.org) and the Board of Elders with any questions you may have.

PLEDGES

If you missed turning in your stewardship pledge last Sunday, its not too late! We would still love to have your pledge information in the next couple of weeks if possible. Fill in a paper form (available on Sundays in the Lobby or download and print your own HERE). Alternatively, you can complete your pledge online HERE.

BIG GREAT LAKES VALENTINE'S SALE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Lobby after services

BiG Great Lakes will have a sale of items for Valentine's Day on Sunday, February 12 after services in the Lobby.

BIG GREAT LAKES GALA AND ART AUCTION

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

MIDLANE COUNTRY CLUB, WADSWORTH

BiG Great Lakes will be holding a gala and art auction on Friday, March 3 at Midlane Country Club in Wadsworth. Enjoy a fun evening as we showcase and auction off artwork created by the BiG Great Lakes Citizens. More information and tickets HERE. Early bird pricing ends February 6.

LAKE COUNTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

@GCC

STUDENT WINTER RETREAT

Scholarships Needed

In March our GCC middle and high school students will be heading to Camp Timber-Lee in Wisconsin for a weekend winter retreat. We know that for some families the cost can be a financial burden, and so we have a tradition of asking if any of our GCC family would like to help by providing money for scholarships. The full cost for one student is $100, but any amount is greatly appreciated. If you would like to help, please make a check to Gurnee Community Church, write "youth scholarship" on the memo line and pass to Stacie Hintz (or mail to GCC and mark envelope ATTN Stacie Hintz). Many thanks

IF:2023 WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

MARCH 3-4

@ Village Church of Gurnee

Save the Date! This year Village Church of Gurnee will be hosting the annual IF Women's Conference. Please visit the Village Church website for more information and tickets.