July 10, 2020

Dear Grace of Christ Family,

In the midst of our waiting and watching, God is at work.  There are blessings to be received.  There are blessings to be given.  There are celebrations in heaven, and on earth.  Anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, as well as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and the 4th of July.  I want to share a couple of celebrations and give you an update on our plans to worship together in the near future.

• Ali Hildebrand, our Interim Youth Director, has been doing an amazing job ministering to and caring for our students in these very unusual times.  She has such a compassionate heart for students who are also having to deal with these unusual times.  In partnership with Young Life she has been mentored by Don Stuber and has recently completed a three month training period that can be accredited through Fuller Theological Seminary.  She has been learning and growing in tremendous ways.  Don says, “Ali got an ‘A’ finishing every assignment, memorizing Scripture, learning how to lead leaders in how to present Christ to students and how to give talks based on Scripture.  She has learned ways to build a board and understand and implement incarnational ministry.”  You can bless her with a text: 509-834-0405.  Congratulations Ali.

• Jason Wickson, our Traditional Worship Director, has also recently had a great accomplishment.  He has graduated from Central Washington University with a Masters in Music Performance.  Congratulations Jason.  We are so blessed to have such a talented and God honoring person directing our choir (not to mention his wife Naomi).

• The Adopt-a-Family program has been a huge blessing. We are pleased to inform you that some of the adoptive families are returning to work and do not need food distribution.  So, Pastor Alex is asking that no more money be given at this time.  However, there are other needs, Doug Kaplicky, the new Adams principal, is asking our church to donate use books for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.  You can take books from your bookshelf and bring them to the church gym on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  You can also purchase books to donate.

• With input from staff, Elders and even some church members, we are making plans to hopefully reenter the sanctuary for worship with great caution and thorough preparations.  The concern is to open too soon, only to shut down again.  We also want to see what happens following the 4th of July weekend.  As I write this letter, I am aware that over 400 new cases in the past 24 hours.  In trying to map out a reasonable plan, it has been agreed upon that August 9th would be the earliest reentry.  I will continue to keep you posted.