Looking forward and backward with Gratitude.

After a summer of our building being short-staffed with often 1-2 staff members gone, our building is bustling with new people and possibilities.  

We are excited to welcome Molly Schroeder to our team, who is our Interim Director of Children, Youth and Family (CYF). Molly has hit the ground running meeting with everyone and reaching out to volunteers. Some calendar planning and recruitment has happened already, and we are now entering the research and development stage of our process to get ready for fall. See below to learn more about Molly and the work she has done prior to her time at Grace. 

Tracie Russell will also be joining our staff in a job-share with Frances Fernandez. Tracie has been volunteering to help in the interim during Samantha’s kidney transplant, but because of ongoing medical appointments and needed flexibility, Frances continues to need more time away from Grace. I am thrilled to have Tracie working on our staff a few days a week (M, Tuesday mornings and part of Weds). She brings so much compassion, faithfulness and competency. I can always count on Tracie to ask a good question and to thoughtfully consider different perspectives. 

And finally, Pastor Maria is planning her return to Grace starting next Monday. She is needing to ease into the role, so I hope you will respect her needing quiet and rest while she figures out what she can and cannot do. I am so excited about her return! It will be a lot of experimenting and learning for all of us as we welcome her back and discover the new normal.

I want to say a huge word of thanks to Pastor Christine who has been our interim this summer and all of her help with bible studies and preaching. She is not officially done with us yet, but I know I couldn’t have gotten through this summer without her. Thank you to the many volunteers who have worked so hard to help out this summer and continue to reach out to keep Grace running. You know who you are and you are the best. 

So many of you have been holding us in prayer during this time. I am grateful for your care, your prayers and your faithfulness.

Blessings,

Pastor Joanna Michell

Meet Molly Schroeder

Interim Director of Children, Youth and Family

Hello new friends! A little about me, my husband Clayton and I both grew up in the northern suburbs, Coon Rapids, and Ham Lake. We moved to Big Lake in 1996 and have raised our three children, Tanner (27), Meghan (25), and Parker (18) there. We also have three furbabies (dogs) ranging in size from 4 pounds (full grown) to nearly 100. I have worked all of my adult life with children of all ages, and find pure joy in those “light bulb” moments when something clicks for them upon discovering something new and watch their faith grow. I love to nurture relationships and connect people and see their relationships develop, especially between those in different stages of life. I am committed to helping youth thrive and grow in relationship with Jesus, know they are loved, and a valued part of faith communities. I have worked in the full spectrum of Children Youth and Family ministry throughout my career and have loved every moment. I have a Master’s degree in CYF Ministry, a Master’s of Theology degree in Congregation, Mission, and Leadership from Luther Seminary and I am more than half way through my Doctorate in Transformational Leadership. 

I have mentored and coached students at Luther Seminary and have worked alongside professors to assist students in their final thesis projects. I also worked as the team lead of education and small groups for the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE) for the ELCA. I have also founded two nonprofit’s, the most recent a youth center in Big Lake in 2019. I love to spend time with my family, volunteer in the community, kayak, run, and go hiking at State Parks. 

My work here at Grace is to serve alongside the congregation as you experience times of transition and change in your children's and youth ministry leadership staff. Together we will discover possibilities and goals for the ministry, work through current needs and changes, and come alongside students, parents and volunteers to dream, create and implement a viable, Christ-centered children's and youth ministry built from the congregation up. Therefore, my role here is two-fold. First, to be responsible for the maintenance of the current children's and youth programming. Second, to help the church evaluate, discern, and strategize for the future of the children's and youth ministry program and leadership. This is an exciting time and I can’t wait to meet you! 

Blessings,

Molly Schroeder

Summer Worship

-Sundays at 8:30am Traditional

-Sundays at 10am Contemporary

-Wednesdays at 7pm Contemporary

Fall Worship Times

Begin Sept. 11, 2022

-Sundays at 8:45am Traditional

-Sundays at 10:30am Contemporary

-Wednesdays at 7pm Contemporary

Hope 4 Youth Donations Needed

Hope 4 Youth now includes 50 young families. To help meet their needs we are asking for the following donations that can be placed in the container in the narthex marked HOPE 4 Youth. We plan to package bags of support on Sept. 18, God’s Work, Our Hands Day. The following items are needed: Diapers, Baby wipes, Baby powder/lotion, Story or coloring books, Crayons, Simple puzzles, New toys, Baby bottles, Pacifiers, Bibs, Baby body wash. Thank you for your generosity. If you have questions or would like to join our team, contact Jan Anderson at 763-712-7415 or jmanders79@gmail.com.

Rally Sunday

Rally Sunday is on September 11, 2022 from 9:30am-12:30pm and we plan to have fun activities for kids through adults (weather dependent) including Bounce House, face painting, outdoor games, etc. as well as food, music, a ministry fair to check out and sign up for all of the ministry opportunities that abound at Grace, blood pressure screening, a 9/11 remembrance and more.

We will also be collecting food for the Grace All May Be Fed food pantry.

And we will be collecting books of all genres for a Girl Scout Gold Award project in conjunction with Hope 4 Youth. Project is being conducted by Olivia Surratt.

There are several ways to help out and make Rally Sunday 2022 a fun time for all!  Please click on the button below to sign up. 

W.O.W. (Women on Wednesdays)

W.O.W. will begin again on Wednesday, September 14^th! Please join us in our journey as we study God’s word and connect with other women each week in this fun-loving and encouraging environment!

WOW meets Wednesday mornings from 9:30am to 11:15am.

Please join us for our KICKOFF meeting on September 14th.

All are welcome! Please consider inviting family and friends, even those who are not members at Grace. WOW follows the Anoka-Hennepin SD 11 student schedule (ex. no school, no WOW). Childcare is provided for a small fee.

Spoiler alert: The Joneses are broke. That means keeping up with them will only get you into MORE debt! It’s time to run fast and hard in the other direction, and Financial Peace University will show you how. Join the class at Grace Lutheran Church starting September 18, 2022 at 6:30pm. Sign up and start your 14-day free trial of Financial Peace at fpu.com/1152048.

New Church Directory Coming Soon!

Mark your calendars and plan to have your family photo taken for our new Church Directory. Photography dates are October 27, 28 & 29 as well as November 17, 18 & 19. More information coming soon about how to set up your photography appointment. Thanks to Deb Stang and Deb Corey, who have agreed to be our Volunteer Directory Coordinators.

Children's Ministry Volunteer 2022-2023

There are many ways that you can volunteer to grow our kids in faith. You can volunteer in our nursery and care for our youngest members and attenders. You can be a substitute leader for small group for Catechism on Wednesday nights. If working with middle school kids is your jam this is the spot for you. Our youth need caring adult leaders. Prayerfully consider if this might be a gift you have to share with Grace. Or perhaps you are better behind the scenes or for one time events. We need your help with lock-ins, retreats and other Children, Youth and Family activities. 

On September 7th at 5:30pm we will be gathering for a Volunteer Kick off. This is for both Catechism and Sunday School and Kids Night Out helpers. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30pm and then break out into groups at 6pm for more specified instructions pertaining to various age groups. Mark your calendars and join us with this wonderful opportunity to grow our kids in faith. Please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell with any questions or sign up on Realm. 

Own Your Faith Orientation

2022-2023

9th Graders and guardians, we hope you can join us for an overview and orientation for your final year of Catechism at Grace Lutheran Church. After 3 years participating in small groups and events at Grace on Wednesday nights, our 9th Graders final year of catechism is to work one-on-one with a mentor. Together they will be discussing questions of identity and faith and doubt. These one-on-one conversations happen on your own time, and we provide all the materials you need to have these important conversations. 

This year we are starting something new and inviting our Own Your Faith students to gather once a month for a shared event where we can have a time of fellowship and connection. We are very excited about the upcoming year and all that it will bring. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Joanna Mitchell at joannam@graceadover.org.

Worship Nursery Helpers

Do you like playing with little children (infant to three years old)? Volunteer in the nursery during worship on Sunday! Volunteers must be high school students or adults. Middle School students are welcome to help with an adult volunteer. Interested? Reach out to Pastor Joanna Mitchell at joannam@graceandover.org

Food Shelf Needs

With the rising cost of gasoline and every day necessities, the Grace Food Shelf has seen an increase in need. The food shelf is need of the following items. Please drop them off at the food shelf door or the office.

• Syrup
• Cream soups
• Baked beans
• Cereals
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Boxed Potatoes
• Tuna Helper
• Paper Bags

Prayers of the Church

Please pray for: Gloria KroegerJan Glavin, Dick & Lu Henning, Adam Howard, Bonnie Howard, Mary Ritt, Shannan Gautschi, Danica Hanson, Kyle Quick, Gina Trousil, Marty Lukaszewski, Linda Breyette, and those in need of long-term prayers: Lois Vadner, Pastor Maria Markman, Diane Rosky, Harland Johnson, Shirley Fystrom, Kathy Beckman, Jason Beckman, Lu Henning, Alison Husak, Juleen Klawiter, Carroll Potter, Clint Trousil, John Malecha, Stephanie and Samantha Fernandez, Christopher Sluis, Julie Swedberg, LaDonna Lilyquist, Charlotte Montei, Linda Christiansen, Judi Wold, Ralph & Colleen Wernimont.

We celebrate with Sierra & Alek Lopez the birth of their son, Nathan Alexander and with Nathan’s proud Grandparents, Frances & Carlos Fernandez.

We also pray for those who have recently lost a loved one, especially Rick & Linda Breyette grieving the death of Linda’s brother, Doran Slater.