Greetings in the name of Christ!

I hope that each and everyone one of you had a very Merry Christmas, and that you were able to worship with us whether it was from your own home here in Houston or from afar. The staff had a wonderful time bringing the Advent season to you this year, and my wish is, even though we couldn't be present together, that you still felt the holiness that is this special season.

The birth of Christ is not the only long-awaited event this year, we are also excitedly looking forward to crossing the line into 2021. Before we do that, we wanted to take a retrospective moment and celebrate all that we have accomplished this year in ministry.

Despite all the hurdles of 2020, from the difficulties of social distancing and staying safe to the financial uncertainty the pandemic brought, we were still able to be Difference Makers in the lives of our members and in the Heights community. We plan to continue making these differences in 2021 with your help and generosity.

Be on the lookout for our 2021 stewardship campaign and upcoming sermon series, Difference Makers. The ministry reach of Grace United Methodist Church relies on the tithing and giving of you, it's members, and we strive to make the most difference in our community as possible. More on that later.

For now, let's take a look at what we have done in 2020 in this DIFFERENCE MAKING place!

Pastor Collin

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Messy Church

Our February Messy Church was a huge success. We centered around the parable of the Good Samaritan and our sermon series "Who Is My Neighbor?"

We pivoted for our Easter Messy Church to include take-home kits and a virtual gathering time for activities and lessons.

Virtual Vacation Bible Study

Captain Shield and Flame joined Ms. Mary and the kids for daily Zoom calls, which included crafts, a story, a mission project, and science!

Student Mail

In efforts to keep in contact with the children and youth of the church, we have sent mail for Mother's Day and Halloween. Keeping our relationships current and reminding them that they are cared for and have a friend during these unprecedented times has been on the forefront of Ms. Mary's mind.

We also had the children send cards and letters to seniors in the church to keep their spirits lifted as well.

Scout Sunday

On February 9, we celebrated scouts from three Boy Scouts of America Troops and three Girl Scout Troops

FEEDING MINISTRY

Food Pantry

After a temporary closure, the volunteers reopened the pantry as soon as possible and continued to feed families in need. We were able to feed an average of 360 people, or 90 families, each month.

Thanksgiving Food Baskets

We held our first ever Thanksgiving food donation for the families at Burrus Elementary. A total of 25 bags containing Thanksgiving meals, along with an extra 25 bags of food from the Backpack Buddy Program, were donated to make a difference in the lives of the children and parents.

Backpack Buddy Program

To combat weekend food insecurity, we served 22 families from Burrus Elementary school. Each family received a bag of food for each weekend of the month, for a total of 88 bags provided each month. Coupled with the quick-thinking teachers at Burrus, all of the bags were handed out prior to Spring Break and the extended COVID-19 closures.

SCHOOL MINISTRIES

Burrus Backpack
and School Supply Donations

Over 100 backpacks stuffed with pens, pencils, and other supplies were donated.

Grace Weekday School Supply Drive

To offset expenses of Grace Weekday School, we collected school supplies that saved the school about $2,400.

Back to School Blessings

We had our blessing of the backpacks and devices virtually this year. Each family could pick up tags or a magnet to remember how Grace blessed them.

New Sun Shade!

After much anticipation, the children at Grace Weekday School welcomed a new sun shade to their playground for added protection for the kids during play time.

WORSHIP

New Worship Service

We held our first Service this Hope and Healing this year in response to the great loss and challenges that 2020 brought.

Online Worship Engagement

VIEWS

1,489 views on YouTube of devotionals and services. 831 views on website page

MINUTES

26,587 minutes viewed on Facebook

LIKES AND COMMENTS

1,504 likes, comments, or shares on Facebook

Socially Distant and Virtual Opportunities

Drive Through
Communion

Wednesday Devotionals
with Pastor Collin

Socially Distant Baptisms

DISASTER RESPONSE

In response to Hurricane Laura, we raised $5,000 for hurricane relief for our neighbors in Louisiana.

Pastor Collin brought a trailer full of water, generators, and other goods needed to assist with the immediate recovery phase.

Additionally, we packed 12 Flood Buckets to contribute to UMCOR's response efforts.

PUMPKIN PATCH

After a year off due to a freeze on the farm, our pumpkin patch was back in full swing!

Many families came through to buy pumpkins and take pictures. We were able to raise a total of $8,000 for the church.

Prayer in the Patch

The pumpkin patch gave us our first opportunity for in-person worship. We had a brief prayer service and fellowship with one another surrounded by the cool air and bunches of pumpkins.

ADVENT

Lessons and Carols

Our Director of Music, Justin Langham, had the foresight to start intentionally planning Lessons and Carols as a virtual service this year, and the plans were revisited multiple times due to the virus. Pieces were limited to include singers from one household to limit exposure.

With the help of our organist, Corbin Young, Grace members, and favors from Justin's musician colleagues, Lessons and Carols was a success and one of our most viewed services!

Angel Tree

You signed up to purchase and wrap presents for 18 students at Burrus Elementary. Gifts included one clothing item and one toy item. In additional to the 18 students, 5 other families were helped by our efforts as well.

Advent
Sunday School and Bible Study

A weekly Sunday school time and a weekly Bible Study following Adam Hamilton's Incarnation was offered virtually during Advent.

Virtual Christmas Pageant

Families from across our church recorded parts for our Christmas Eve Service. Though it was different, it still had a bit of that chaos that we have grown to love during our Family Christmas Eve service.

Virtual Fall Auction

We moved our Fall Auction online and extended the sign-up time until December 3, 2020. (That means there still time!)

Members have donated various items they have made or bought from dinners to desserts, sports memorabilia to knitted table runners, and more! So far $3,000 has been raised from the auction, and it's not over yet!

THANK YOU!

Thank you from the staff! 2020 has been a challenging year, but we appreciate all the ways we are able to continue to be in ministry with you. We look forward to a bright 2021 and being Difference Makers together!