News from Christian Education
Sunday School Offerings
Make a Difference
Sunday School Offerings may sometimes seem like part
of a routine, but they truly make a difference in the lives
of those in our church, in our community and those who
live around the world. Here are a few ways that our
offerings are making a difference.
February Offerings Total $185.14
During the month of February our offerings from all
classes totaled $185.14. This money will be used to pur-
chase supplies for our Sunday School classes. Thank you
for giving generously!
Grace an Honorary Delegate for UNICEF
Grace is an honorary U.S. Fund for UNICEF Delegate
for 2011 due to our continued support of their program.
Congratulations to all who contributed, participated in
the Trick or Treat for UNICEF program and to our Sun-
day School teachers for encouraging our children and
youth to help others. For more information on our Sun-
day School offerings, stop by our bulletin board on the
2nd floor stairwell (north) in the Education Wing.
March Offerings Help Campers
Our March Sunday School offerings will support our
Grants for Campers program. This program helps cover
part of the cost of camp for anyone from Grace who at-
tends a Methodist church camp. In previous years, we
have given out approximately $2,500 per year. Our
Camp Sunday collection generated about $1,400 and we
have about $500 in reserve, so we still need to raise
$600. If you have not had an opportunity to do so, please
donate to your Sunday School class offering or designate
your contribution through the offering plate or online
giving.
Grants for Campers Applications Due May 1
Anyone attending a Methodist camp this summer is eligi-
ble to receive a grant from our Grants for Campers pro-
gram. Our goal is to contribute $125 or half the cost of
the camp, whichever is less, to each person from Grace
attending camp. Applications are due Sunday, May 1
and are available in the church office.
Overnight Vacation Bible School Dates All
3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders are invited to attend
Overnight Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 18
and Tuesday, July 19 as we head to Springbrook State
Park. Registration forms and details will be send home
in the coming weeks and will also be available in the
church office. This year we are expanding this oppor-
tunity to include all 3rd graders. We have also sched-
uled it so that our 6th grade students can go to Over-
night VBS and still participate in the UMYF work trip.
Shake It Up Café VBS June 26-30
Registration information for the Shake It Up Café Va-
cation Bible School is now available. Information will
be coming home from Sunday School in the next few
weeks. Our Shake It Up Café VBS is for children 3
years old (and potty trained) through 5th grade. Please
join the fun.
Volunteers are the key to a successful VBS.
If you would like to be involved during VBS, please
contact Coreen in the church office. Whether you can
help prior to the start, for 30 minutes each day of VBS
or want to lead part of the program, we can use your
help.
Carrier Program Implemented
Our CE area has implemented a carrier program for all
information that comes home from Sunday School or
other programs. Here’s how it works. Any information
sent home that is applicable to all grade levels, will be
given to the youngest child in each family. This will
ensure that each family has the information and will
also prevent duplication. Let us know your thoughts
on the program and how we can improve it as we
move forward.
Middle School Class Donates Blankets
During the past few months, the middle school
Sunday school class collected and donated blankets to
Blank Children’s Hospital. The blankets were
delivered in February and will be used to help
comfort children who are in the hospital and their sib-
lings. Thanks to Patty Link and the other middle
school teachers for encouraging our middle school
children to care for others.
Our new Director of Christian Education is:
Coreen Witke
Director of Christian Education
Grace United Methodist Church
CoreenWitke@gracedesmoines.org
515-255-2131 ext. 230