There will be a Special Congregation Meeting on Sunday, March 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Worship Center to discuss the renewal of Beth Ann Oakley's contract as deacon at Grace. All members of Grace are invited to attend.
"Being Together" is the name of our youth group. The group meets once a month and all elementary youth are welcomed. Check here or refer to the calendar for the next meeting.
In addition to various learning experiences and group prayer, in the past, the youth group has decorated cakes, engaged in art, prepared food for pot luck, held car washes, and a soccer school.
Beyond the Church community, the youth group engages in service at My Refuge. The group sponsors activities for the children of My Refuge, a home for children experiencing abuse and neglect. In the past, the youth group has provided backpacks with supplies to start school, held a skating party, egg hunt, and pool party.
If you have questions, contact Cynthia through the contact form.
February Update on Soldier Care Packages
The following is correspondence between Cynthia and Darlene, the soldier in Afghanistan, to whom the youth hav sent care packages. The youth have received a flag flown over the base as well at other things.
Dear Cynthia and Being Together Youth Group,
I love the Christmas Carepackage! You guys are the bomb! All the movies,
Christmas decorations, and treats were absolutely amazing! Your generosity is overwhelming, and I'm truly grateful!
The picture was the best, and is currently on display in my office. It's so nice to see what you all look like! I'm very glad that you liked the flag....the only other person who received a 9/11 flag from me was my WWII Navy Uncle, so realize that you are all very near and dear to me!
Your friend in the sand, (rocks and mountains),
Darlene
Darlene,
So glad you received the package. We were not certain you would still be deployed. Any chance you will be coming stateside soon?
Patricia purchased us a flag case so we can properly display the gift from you. ...
We will continue to keep you in our prayers. I must tell you it is wonderful to hear them speak out in prayer for you and your fellow soldiers. We have group prayer and typically they are very quiet and unwilling to step out and speak up but when it comes to the topic of you there is a round robin of prayer requests. You can hear the sincerity and concern in their voices. They always include your families in their requests. The energy you can feel in the room is un explainable.
Cynthia
Cynthia,
Our team is currently inside the 60 day mark, but with all the stops, I will probably make it home just before April.
How nice of Patricia to obtain a flag case for the youths! They sound like such a wonderful group of kids, and it would be nice to meet all of you some day.
I sent a package of patches and post cards that were purchased on a trip recently to Jalalabad. Not sure if the kids will want to split them among the group or make a bulletin board....who knows what ideas they might come up with!
Please thank them for their prayers, I know that they are making a real difference.
Just a quick thank you for all those who have donated to one of our soldier boxes. I just know Darlene and her friends will be thrilled to receive the boxes. Love the thought of bringing some Christmas cheer to the base. The decorations were fantastic and will be appreciated.
For those who haven't heard yet, we received a box from Darlene! It was a huge surprise. Inside was a US flag that was flown over the forward operating base in Afghanistan as well as a document of authenticity for the flag! Wow to have a chance to touch the flag that was flown over our soldiers base was very cool and quite an honor. See the photos below of our group with the flag which we included in the Christmas packages.
Again thanks for all the donations. I know the economy is terrible and purse strings are tight. Seeing the kids place hands on the boxes and pray for our soldiers was worth every cent. Just being reminded to be thankful for our freedom to gather important.
Our next meeting date is TBA. We want to go to Ben and Jerry's before Christmas - doesn't everyone want to go there?! - and maybe our college buddies can join us. I will be in contact as soon as we have a date.
Also, be sure to check out the crate stacking pictures from the youth group's last outing to the rock climbing gym in October.
Follow-up on youths’ care packages sent to Afghanistan
The following email was sent to the group from the recipient of the care packages. As you see, they were quite appreciated. There may be plans to send a Christmas package as well. Contact Cynthia if you are interested.
What a wonderful surprise to receive some carepackages in the mail from your sister in law's youth group! They seem like such a nice group of kids!
We do not have a post office here on the FOB, and there was no email address included in the packages, and so I thought you could send this message to them much quicker. (Kids are used to more instant methods of communication, right? Hahahahaaaaaaa)
Attached is a picture of me taking a break from the office and pulling guard duty. Can the kids imagine wearing all the get up, including gloves, in over 100 degree temps? Holy sweat box!
So many of my teammates were thrilled with the goodies, magazines, movies, and cards/letters. It was all such a blessing, and thoroughly treasured!
Thank you so much to Cynthia Montgomery and the fine group at Grace Lutheran Church. Your prayers are deeply appreciated!
Ministries 
"Being Together" is the name of our youth group. The group meets once a month and all elementary youth are welcomed. Check here or refer to the calendar for the next meeting.
