2009 ANNUAL REPORT

The Proclaiming Commission is charged with overseeing all outreach activities for Grace Church.  Our publications now proudly proclaim the brief vision for Grace in the theme, “GRACE MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.”  All Commissions and staff are urged to proclaim this vision any chance they get. The Commission is short on members and is looking for additional volunteers. We urge you to consider joining this exciting work for the Lord. Members of the Commission in 2009 were Nancy Munro & Bill Issel, Co-Coordinators, Christy Gipson, and Council liaison Gayla Cutler.  The Commission’s work slipped somewhat in 2009 due to Nancy Munro having to be full time caregiver for her mother.  We realize now what a vital role Nancy plays in the work of this Commission.  The Commission’s ongoing outreach programs and specific events in 2009 were the following:

MISSIONARY SPONSORSHIP: Grace sends an annual contribution of $1200 to Pastor Brondos for his ministry plus Love Offerings.  He heads up a Seminary in Mexico City training Mexican citizens for the ministry.

HOSPITALITY FOR VISITORS:  First time visitors have a gift bag with information and treats delivered to their home to welcome them and inform them about activities and programs at Grace.  We thank the many Grace members who have willingly visited first time visitors to drop off the gift bag.

SHEPHERDING PROGRAM: Geographic zones are established with a contact person (Shepherd) overseeing each zone and organizing assistance and information for members in their zone who need support.

LUTHERAN LIGHT NEWSLETTER: A monthly newsletter is mailed to all members. We thank  Lorraine Huynh and Merry Ann Hansen for their talented work as Editors.

PHOTOGRAPHY: A team of photographers capture photos of most events for publicity purposes.  Photographers in 2009 were Terry Domm, Dick Lorenz, Stan Long, Chuck Frew, Ingrid Busch,  Ana & Michael Hulsey & Carl Ludemann.

PUBLICITY: News releases on Grace activities are prepared and sent to print, radio, and TV news media.  Chuck Frew, Nancy Munro, Ruth Smiley, Bill Issel and Carol Oen prepared news releases in 2008.

TAPE MINISTRY: This ministry to bring sound recordings of church services to shut-ins is not active now due to the need for someone to deliver the tapes to shut-ins. If you are interested, please volunteer at the church office or to any member of the Proclaiming Commission.

PET FEST & BLESSING: Our eighth annual Pet Fest & Blessing occurred on Oct. 3rd with over 100 people attending. Over half of them were not Grace members.  It brings in people from the community to celebrate and bless their pets, and honor the companionship that pets bring to our lives. This event is held in the parking lot, pavilion and school grounds.  There were more pet adoptions and foster care sign ups than in previous years.  Thanks to Woodland School for participating with a pet-oriented art show. The Economic Recession reduced attendance by Rescue Groups this year due to declining contributions.  In 2010 it will be on October 2nd.

NAME TAG  SUNDAYS:  Name tags are provided to all members on the 2^nd Sunday of every month to promote name recognition and fellowship among members and visitors.

SEMINARY PARTNER:  Grace signed up for a third year with the Seminarian Partnership program at Southeastern Theological Seminary in Columbia, SC.  At a cost of $500 to the church,  a seminary student is “adopted” by Grace to give that student regular prayer support, encouragement and interaction. The current student is Jennifer Krushas, who visited Grace on April 26^th and delivered the sermon in all three worship services. The Blanket Workshop presented Jennifer with a hand-crafted quilt as a gift from Grace Church.

BREAD OF LIFE MINISTRY:  Several Grace members take consecrated wine and bread to shut-in members so that they have a regular opportunity to take Communion.

NEW RESIDENTS: Welcome bags have been placed in the kiosk in the Narthex for any Grace member to take to new residents in their neighborhood and new colleagues at work.  Also, Proclaiming Commission is mailing attractive invitations to new homeowners in Oak Ridge, inviting them to make Grace Church their church home.

GREETER TIPS:  Tips to educate Grace members on the best ways to greet first time visitors are put in the monthly Lutheran Light Newsletter.  The source of these tips is “How to be a Master Greeter” by Rich Liedtke.

DOABLE EVANGELISM: Proclaiming Commission is studying this new concept of making evangelism a normal spiritual practice again, like reading your Bible or Prayer, instead of another church program.  Ways of applying this concept in Grace Church will be recommended after our study is complete.

Submitted by Bill Issel