Church Life Weekly Newsletter

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Mission statement: Grace United Methodist Church is a family of faith striving to share God’s love with all people.

Lenten Calendar of Events

Friends and family of Grace, as we enter into a season of prayer, contemplation, and spiritual growth, I want to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities Grace is offering for you to deepen your faith. We will have a mid-week (Wednesday) Bible study and worship service. Both the service and the study will begin on Ash Wednesday (February 18) with a Bible study at 7pm, and an Ash Wednesday Service at 8pm. The Bible studies and services will take place every Wednesday evening. It should be noted that you can choose to attend whatever you wish, whether it be only the study or only the service, or you may attend both. Below are the dates, times, and locations for these events:

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner – Tuesday, February 17 at 7pm (Bert Keller Room)
Ash Wednesday Service – February 18 at 8pm (Main Sanctuary)
8-Week Lenten In-Person Bible Study – every Wednesday during Lent at 7pm – beginning February 18 (in the Small Chapel to the side of the main sanctuary)
Lenten Midweek Services – every Wednesday during Lent at 8pm – beginning February 25 ( in the Small Chapel to the side of the main sanctuary)

8 Week Lenten In-Person Bible Study – Beginning Wednesday February 18, 7pm

I am truly excited to share the 8-week study that we will be offering. It is titled, “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality,” and to get a sense of what this study will be about, there is a quote from the study that I have copied below. I encourage you to sign up whether it be writing your name in the church narthex or reaching out to me personally at pastoreumin@hotmail.com to confirm interest in this study. In this way, I can order the proper number of materials. There is a book which introduces the principles, a workbook with discussion questions which we will go over every Wednesday, as well as a 40-day daily devotional from which you can read short scripture passages and meditate on daily. On Wednesdays, we will watch a video summarizing the themes in case people were unable to read from the book. Here is an excerpt from this study:

Emotional health and spiritual maturity cannot be separated. It is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. When we ignore the emotional component of our lives, we move through the motions of Christian disciplines, activities, and behaviors, but deeply rooted behavioral patterns from our past continue to hinder us from an authentic life of maturity in Christ. We often neglect to reflect on what is going on inside us and around us (emotional health) and are too busy to slow down to be with God (contemplative spirituality). As a result, we run the high risk of remaining stuck as spiritual infants, failing to develop into spiritually and emotionally mature adults in Christ. Jay, one of our church members, described it best: “I was a Christian for twenty-two years. But instead of being a twenty-two-year-old Christian, I was a one-year-old Christian twenty-two times! I just kept doing the same things over and over and over again. – Peter Scazerro

Healing Services

We will hold healing services once a month, on the second Sunday of every month. They will take place immediately after the regular Sunday service in the small chapel. Anyone seeking anointing for healing along with prayer is invited to stay after the service for this time of seeking spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. In the month of February ONLY, we will have the healing service on February 15 (the third Sunday of the month). Thereafter, we will have this service on the second Sunday of the month.

Letter from the Pastor

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10

Family and Friends of Grace United Methodist Church,

As we are in stewardship month here at Grace, I approach each of you with humble gratitude, but also with a bold request. I am humbled and grateful for a church community that has warmly embraced my family, making us feel welcome and at home. Indeed, this spirit of hospitality and service seems to be at the very core of this church’s DNA. It is a humbling thought to imagine all of people who’ve been touched in the same way I have throughout this church’s 120-year-old history. I am grateful and honored to be a part of the ongoing testimony of all the saints that have come before me here at Grace.

With that said, I believe Grace United Methodist Church still has much work to do moving forward. We live in a time when more than ever before, people are in need of God’s transformative power to heal broken hearts and tear down walls of hostility. People are looking for peace, unity, and community. People are looking for a sense of purpose, the ability to do good, and to extend kindness to their neighbors. I sincerely believe that this is the mission of Grace and why God has placed us here.

At the same time, our ability to transform lives and positively impact our community will be contingent upon a spirit of stewardship. God has given each of us gifts and graces in terms of our time, talents, and treasures. To the degree that each of us is faithful in doing the best we can with what we have received is the degree to which the mission of God at Grace can be fulfilled.

As your pastor, I would like to make a bold request to you. Prayerfully consider how you might pledge to support Grace in the coming year. Your pledges and contributions are a critical part of how we can make a difference in our church, our community, and our world. Please complete the estimate of giving and return it in the offering plate or to the church office. Though it is a pledge, you may change your commitment at any time by notifying our Financial Secretary or pastor. Thank you and God bless you.

In Christ,

Reverend Eumin Kim

The Jean and Ken Larson Memorial Sunday is March 22nd. The Emergency Food Program, sponsored by the Long Island Council of Churches, had its beginning here at Grace Church in 1976 under the direction of Jean and Ken Larson with two appeals made for food throughout the year. In 1977, Jean and Ken Larson initiated a program of contributions to be made weekly, 52 times a year, and it continues until today. In their honor and memory, we would ask you to bring extra food on this Sunday (March 22nd) – there is a box labeled Jean and Ken Larson Memorial Sunday in the Narthex. Money is also welcome as the Council can purchase food at lower prices than we can. Checks should be made out to Grace United Methodist Church, put in a separate envelope and marked for the Church Office. Please continue to support this worthwhile tradition which has been going on for 50 years.

The 11th Annual Evangelism Prayer Breakfast happened Saturday, January 24, what a joy. From the bottom of our hearts the members of the Evangelism Committee would like to thank you all for another tremendous show of unity in allowing us to experience a successful Prayer Breakfast. To God be the glory, The theme Pathway to Peace was so appropriate for a time like this. Our congregation showed up for welcoming at the door, fellowship, hospitality, prayers, songs, dance, biblical story telling, testimonies, listening to words and accepting the inside job leading to a changed heart. The food was super delicious Bob, as usual delivered with a wow. Earl’s Ackee and Saltfish dish was a belly full and Pastor Kim’s Fruit of the Spirit fruit bowl set the stage for worship. We had nearly 60 of us in the room. There were friends from neighboring UMC as well as other denominations and well-wishers. What many people left with was the honesty and authenticity of Pastor Kim and his message of the Inside job starts with the battle with the mind and our thoughts. The prayers that followed reminded us of the theme pray persistently and that God is always with us. Reverend Graham was electrifying with his delivery on fire, the fire of God that burns away all that is not of him and his work to purify us. Then that same fire burns within us and energizes us to move through the mountains and fire if life. There were moments of fun, laughter and dance. We had it all.

We were blessed with net proceeds of $780 net of expenses. There is still the expectation of receiving more offerings to support our Prison Ministry. Thanks for all you do for the Lord.

See the picture above. Please feel free to share feedback and comments as we learn, grow and serve. Please save the date for the 12th Annual Prayer Breakfast January 23, 2027.

With deep love and gratitude,

Andrea Owen Boyd, Evangelism Chairperson

Game Night. The Social Events Committee would like to say thank you to everyone who turned out for our first event, Game Night, which was held this past Saturday. Twenty-four friends brought yummy treats and games to share. We had a great time getting to know each other and learning new games to play together. As the two hours together passed, laughter and joyful conversations could be heard. People mingled and enjoyed each other’s company. It was a wonderful way to socialize and have some fun together. Special thanks go to the members of the Social Events Committee: Janice Gravesande, Pat Eshun, Jane Schreiber, Kim Neri, Barbara Woodford, Idica Wilson, Dell Murray, Debbielee Thomsen, Andrea Owen-Boyd, Coleen Murray and Brian Stone. We will be meeting again soon to plan our next fun event! Hope you can join us! Janet Stone

Thrift Shop. As the Thrift Shop reorganizes, we ask all donations be held until the work is completed. We will remain open as we sort through our present inventory. Thanks to all who have donated and supported this church ministry. Marianne Pike

Grace Men’s Group will meet the last Friday of the month, at 7:00 PM.

UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH. We had a blessed United Women in Faith Sunday on September 28. We presented the United Women in Faith Missions Award to Pat Eshun. Attached is a group photo and a photo of Pat with me and Andrea. Iris, Debbielee, and Joan missed the photo because they were helping in the kitchen. Several others missed the photo who were there as well, but you can see we had a good turnout. Thank you! If you missed today, please plan to join us next year! –Katherine Perkins

Beautiful Flowers. We are sending out a BIG THANK YOU to Diane Vitacco for the beautiful Flower Arrangements that she has made and that we will have throughout the Fall Season. Thank you so much. We are enjoying them!

Many congratulations to our youth, Dominic Becker, Ava Bolden, Alanna Bolden, and Eli Kim on their Confirmation on June 29th. We warmly welcome them as full members of Grace UMC.

Prayer List

♥†♦ Family and friends of Pastor John Cole, ♥†♦ Family and friends of Evelyn Neber, ♥Anthony Nicosia (stepson of Debbie Nicosia), ♥Lisa Becker, ♥Bill Smyth, ♥Steve Savarese, ♥Ana G (student of Naomi Brown), ♥Chris Ukanwoke, ♥Rhoda Lankins and Roosevelt Lankins, ♥Country and People of Nigeria, ♥Juana Fernandez (mother of Marisa Pershad), ♥Elmer Alfaro and Dion Alfaro (friends of Andrea Owen-Boyd), ♥Family of Jennifer Seymour (friend of Andrea Owen-Boyd), ♥Prayers for everyone in Cuba and Jamaica, ♥Kalli Medina (student of Naomi Brown), ♥Barbara Woodford, ♥Pat Panzarino, ♥Sonia Elliott, ♥Amanda Brown (Naomi Brown’s mother), ♥Diane Rutledge (Naomi Brown’s aunt), ♥George and Jeanne Simmons, ♥Maudlyn Scarlett, ♥Marianne and Don Pike, ♥Jerry Noble (Tom Noble’s dad), ♥Lionel Brown, ♥Diane Vitacco, ♥Heather Manning (friend of Kim Neri), ♥SofiaRose Curry (relative of Sing Larson), ♥Edie Zipperlen, ♥Mary Flynn (mom) and Maureen Andersen (daughter), ♥Manny Kurz, ♥Debbielee Thomsen, ♥Cliff McBride (friend of Debbielee Thomsen), ♥Everon Palmer (son of Enid Simpson), ♥Carol Whyte, ♥Winston Scarlett (brother-in-law of Maudlyn Scarlett), ♥Jennifer LaRochelle (friend of Kim Neri), ♥David Biegler, ♥Vin Dowling, ♥Garvin Phillip (nephew of Eleanor Phillip), ♥Elaine Treske, ♥Marilyn Eller (sister of Elaine Treske), ♥Jim Poch, ♥All our Military men and women, ♥Barbara Siegl, ♥All UMW in Rehabilitation and Nursing Homes, ♥Castells Family (family of Elaine Treske). † – Death in family, ♦ – New entry

Note: Prayer List names will continue to be listed for two weeks. After that period of time, the names will be removed unless you call us with current information. † – Death in family, ♦ – New entry

Sunday School

Church School meets September through May. My name is Janet Stone and I invite your child to join us for Church School each Sunday. Church School is where students will learn about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and how to live a Christian life. We learn Bible stories and we learn how to use those stories to help us be better people. All PreK-8th Grade students are welcome. Children start out in Church at 10:00 with their families and are sent to Church School following the Children’s Sermon. Please note that on the first Sunday of the month, children are directed to the Education Building first and then return to the church building in order to be with their family for communion. I am looking forward to a wonderful Church School year! Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns at mom2springers@gmail.com ~Janet Stone

March 1, 2026

Today’s Church School lesson was taken from Mark 4:35-41. Jesus had spent the day teaching the crowds with parables. Then he had privately explained to the disciples the meaning of the parables. By evening Jesus was tired and suggested to the disciples that they cross over to the other side of the lake. Several times when Jesus wanted to get away from the crowd, he would cross to the other side of the lake looking for some time alone. The disciples left the crowd and took Jesus in the boat to cross the lake. Jesus went to the rear of the boat and fell asleep. A storm arose with gale-force winds and large waves were crashing against the boat. The boat took on so much water, the disciples were afraid they were going to sink. When the disciples were desperate, they woke Jesus and cried out to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?” Jesus stood up and gave the order, “Silence! Be still!” Immediately there was a great calm. Without question or comment, Jesus dealt with the problem. But the cowardly response of the disciples was opposite of what Jesus expected of their faith. Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?” The disciples, who had heard Jesus’ teaching, had everything explained to them, and had just witnessed Jesus miraculously control nature, still responded in fear, not faith. The disciples, speaking to each other, asked, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” They still wondered who Jesus was and how he could do miracles. Their doubt and confusion continued through Jesus’ ministry, trial, and crucifixion. They were encouraged when they saw Jesus resurrected, but the fear was still there. When the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost and indwelled them, only then did their faith become unmovable.

Use of Kitchen – Just a gentle reminder that clean-up in the kitchen after use is the responsibility of the user(s). Our Sexton is only responsible for mopping the floor.

A Big Welcome to our newest members – Cherissae and Lionel Brown, Allison LaVoie, Janet Wilson, and Desrine Edwards who joined our Church on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Youth Dinner Church – Many thanks to those who have prayed for the youth and also helped cook as well. If you have questions call Pastor Prumeh at 646-280-9885 or email Prumeh.lee@nyac-umc.com.

We had a lovely Fellowship Time after church on Father’s Day hosted by the United Women in Faith. We appreciate our men of Grace!

Happy 102nd Birthday to Dick Tiedge!!

We (Pastor Kim, Everett, Carol, and Eileen) were so very happy to see Richard (Dick) Tiedge and his daughter Jeanne. Dick looks great and Jeanne says his health is good. We were in the BKR and reminisced, told funny stories, heard stories of involvement in the war, and had a lot of laughs. Jeanne told us that her Dad was sweeping up leaves at his home in Malverne! Dick will be remaining at his home in Malverne and will be celebrating his 102^nd Birthday – May 2025! What a Super Man!!

PRAISE MUSIC. We have started a Praise Singing group that performs every other month in church. February 8th is Praise Sunday. If anyone would like to sing for Praise Sunday, please arrive to church at 9:15AM to rehearse the music. The praise music will be in celebration of Black History Month. If you are interested or have any questions, please see Kim Neri or call Kim at at 515-644-0979. All are welcome!

Chancel Choir rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 8:00pm in the church. All adults and teens who like to sing are welcome to join!!

Please sign up for Coffee Hour, now known as Fellowship Hour. Please use the sign-up sheet in the BKR or call the Church Office. UWF will host March 15. Thank you!

MISSIONS

Super Bowl Food Drive- –Thank you so much for the generous donations of boxed and canned foods. In addition to the food items already given, donations totaling $287.66 will be used to shop for additional food and given to the Interfaith Nutrition Network, to aid them in serving those in need. May we continue to be a generous and caring church! Janet Stone

You can give to Missions at any time. You may put your money in an envelope marked “Missions” or write “Missions” in the memo line of your check or Zelle. Your giving through Missions goes to Far Rockaway Mission, Anchor House, Methodist City Society, Brooklyn United Methodist Church Home, and El Porvenir (clean drinking water projects in Nicaragua).

Far Rockaway Mission (also called United Methodist Center in Far Rockaway), which operates a food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays and provides hot meals Monday through Friday, is one group that we support with our Missions money. On November 19, 2025 we delivered canned cranberry sauce to Far Rockaway Mission for their Thanksgiving meal. Thank you!

We delivered a trunk-full of food to Long Island Cares on November 19, 2025 and over 550 pounds of food to the INN in Hempstead for their Thanksgiving food drive. Thank you!!

We had a wonderful International Potluck Dinner on Saturday, April 26, 2025. We shared lots of delicious food from around the world. Rev. Prumeh and Pastor Kim shared about their time as missionaries in Kazakhstan, about the people and culture there, and about the United Methodist presence there. There was an engaging question and answer period and a table of items from Kazakhstan. We collected $717 for mission projects in Central Asia (which includes Kazakhstan.) If you missed the 2025 International Potluck, we hope you will join us this year on April 25!!

Give to Disaster Relief through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). We encourage you to give to UMCOR for Disaster Relief following the floods. The link to the UMCOR giving page for disaster relief is https://advance.umcmission.org/p-620-umcor-us-disaster-response-and-recovery.aspx. That link takes you right to giving for Advance #901670. When you type in your information, you will be able to choose Grace Valley Stream as your local church.

Meet missionaries on Zoom. The link to Register to meet missionaries on the Still In Mission monthly Zoom is https://umcmission.org/stillinmission/.

2024 Missions Giving Summary: In 2024 Grace Church gave $450 to each of the five groups listed above plus an additional $366 was spent to provide meals at Far Rockaway Mission. Thank you!

Flood buckets. Yay! We assembled 25 clean-up kits (flood buckets) for UMCOR on February 2, 2025 after church. See the attached photo taken by David Boyd. We set the items up on an assembly line and each person slid a bucket down the line, filling it with items like laundry detergent, trash bags, scrub brush, insect repellent, and gloves. Thank you so much to everyone who donated items or money for the buckets! Our buckets will join with others assembled by other churches in the northeast. UMCOR will give the buckets to people who are cleaning up after floods and other natural disasters.

NYAC. As of 12/31/2025 our Apportionments have been paid – 100%.

RECORD OF CONTRIBUTIONS 2025 – They have been sent out via email or USPS if you do not have an email. Please call the Church Office or email (GraceVSNY@aol.com) if you have not received it. Thank you.

SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERINGS – 2026

MISSIONS – January/April/July/October 2026

HUMAN RELATIONS DAY – January 18, 2026

UMCOR SUNDAY – March 15, 2026

EASTER – April 05, 2026

NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRY – April 19, 2026

PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY – May 31, 2026

GOLDEN CROSS SUNDAY – August 9, 2026

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY – October 04, 2026

UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY – November 29, 2026

CHRISTMAS EVE – December 24, 2026 (Thursday)

CHRISTMAS DAY – December 25, 2026

CALENDAR – If you have any dates that you would like to have on our calendar, please send them to me (Eileen) at GraceVSNY@aol.com. The meetings could be weekly, monthly or just a special meeting or event. Thank you.

PLEASE put your envelope number on any of your donations (check/Venmo/Zelle). This will help our Counting Teams, It also helps the Church Office to input your donation to the correct account.

COUNTING TEAM SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 2026

March 01 – Debbie Nicosia

March 08 – Marisa Pershad

March 15 – Marisa Pershad

March 22 – Debbie Nicosia

March 29 – Everett Fitch

Where You Can Volunteer

Liturgist or Reader – Contact Pat Eshun
Sunday School – Contact Janet Stone
Evangelism – Contact Andrea Owen-Boyd
Thrift Shop – Contact Marianne Pike, Andrea Owen-Boyd, or Maudlyn Scarlett
Music – Contact Drew Banzhoff or leave a message for the Music Ministry Office (516/825-1940)
Missions – Contact Katherine Perkins
Worship – Contact Kim Neri or Carol Provenzano
Acolytes – Contact Tim Neri or Mike Provenzano
Ushers – Contact Mike Provenzano or Carol Provenzano
Counting Team – Contact Marisa Pershad or Eileen Robertson
Hospitality – Contact Bob DiSalvo

(Please call Eileen if you need contact information – 516/825-1182)

Weekly Meetings and Rehearsals

Please note whether meetings are in-person at the church or via Zoom. Thank you.

*Every Sunday – Church School (September-May – 10AM/start in Church (except 1^st Sunday of the month start 10AM/Education Building)

*Every Second Sunday of the month – Healing Service after 10AM service/Small Chapel

*Fourth Sunday of every month – United Women in Faith (no UWF meeting in July and August)

*Every Wednesday – Bible Study 7:30PM-8:30PM/Zoom (Same Zoom Link every week)

*Every Thursday – Bell Choir 7PM/Church

*Every Thursday – Chancel Choir 8PM/Church

*Every Last Friday of the month – United Methodist Men 7PM/BKR

*Every Saturday – Prayer Meeting 8AM/Zoom (Same Zoom Link every week)

*Every Saturday – Thrift Shop 10AM-2PM

Upcoming Meetings and Events

*Sunday, March 8, 2026 – Daylight Savings Time – Clocks go forward 1 hour

*Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – Board of Trustees Meeting 7:30PM/BKR

*Saturday, April 25, 2026 – International Potluck Dinner 6PM/Gym

*Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – Board of Trustees Meeting 7:30PM/BKR