service opportunities

Operation Bundle Up

Grace UMC will continue to be a collection site for new and gently used coats for children and youth. United Way of Johnson County and Milto’s Cleaners are sponsors of this program. A box will be in the Narthex to collect the coats. New hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves are also being collected. Over 80 coats were collected last year. The drive will begin September 17th and end October 25th. Questions contact Sandee Trueblood – 317-736-1513

Study Buddy

More than 120 persons have served in the schools as Study Buddies assisting elementary and middle school children one-hour per week with math, English, and reading skills. Between September and April, persons work one-on-one with students and are given guidelines to help. Pick up a brochure at the Welcome Center at Grace Church to learn more.

ASSIST

Please stop by the Welcome Center to pick up information about Assist, the newly program established program in Franklin to help women and children in domestic violence situations. Several programs are underway. Please also call 317-739-4456 and speak with Ashley Reagan to make a difference.

Blessing Box Items Needed

The Blessing Box is a ministry to the Franklin Community.  It is stocked every week with non-perishable food products:  peanut butter, canned soup (pull off tops), or canned fruit (pull off tops), oatmeal, tuna in a can, granola bars, raisins, water, and beef jerky.  Bring to Missions Corner in Price Hall and place in tote marked Blessing Box.  More questions, email Pastor Jenothy Irvine at jenothyirvine@franklingrace.org.

Webb/Needham Elementary

Remember to pick up “Serving Cards” in the Lobby for Assisting with Needham or Webb Elementary Schools. Pick up, fill out, and take to the Church Office. Keep in prayer the students and staff at Webb and Needham Elementary Schools, as well as all the other schools in the area. Grace Church will be seeking to be a faithful presence in these two places throughout the year.

Computers Needed

The Preschool/Sunday School Classrooms are in need of updated version Windows 7 or 8 computers. If you have a computer you are no longer using and would like to donate it to the school, contact Sarah at 317-736-7962 or Amber at 317-494-6070.

Care Kit Items Needed

Grace Church distributes Care Kit items to persons who are homeless and food-insecure, especially at the Gleaners Mobile food Truck Days and with Soup’s On Ministry.  Here are the items:  Travel Sized – band aids, hand lotion, sanitizer, soap bars, wash sloths, tooth brush, mouth wash, dental floss, shampoo.  Bring to tote on stage in Price Hall marked Care Kit.

McDonald's Drink Cards

McDonald drink cards are available in the church office for $10.00.  Each card is worth 1 free drink a week for a year.  Proceeds will support Boy Scout projects.

Homebound Connections

Volunteers are matched with our homebound members make contact with them on a monthly basis. Volunteers make a phone call, send a card, or visit the homebound member. If you are interested in this important and fulfilling ministry call Jenny Beck at the church or email her at jennybeck@franklingrace.org.

New Ministry at Homeview Assisted and Senior Living

A new ministry is beginning to emerge at the Homeview Assisted and Senior Living Community on the south side of Franklin. This ministry will provide both physical and devotional activities for residents who live there. Meagan Edwards and others who are involved in the Zumba program at Grace Church will be looking to partner with persons here at Grace to do short devotions and songs. The meetings/gatherings will begin later in October and occur on Saturday mornings at 11:00 a.m. (to be completed by 12:00). Signup sheets will go up on September 15 in the Lobby. For more info, speak with Pastor Andy as well.

Stephen Ministry Training and Cancer Support

Persons interested in this unique "one-on-one" caring ministry can contact Jenny Beck at jennybeck@franklingrace.org or Pastor Jenothy at jenothyrather@franklingrace.org. Information about Stephen Ministry is available at the Welcome Center and at the Stephen Ministry Table in the Main Hallway of Grace Church (across from Price Hall).

Blessing of a Hot Lunch - FCSC

The need is great and there are children denied hot lunch due to lack of funds in their lunch account. For the cost of $2.60 a day or $12.00 a week an elementary student in Franklin receives a well-balanced nutritious hot lunch. If they do not have the money they receive a cold lunch consisting of a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, cold veggies (probably carrot & celery sticks), a fruit and milk. Would you consider contributing to the health and welfare of our Franklin youth by donating to a “school lunch” campaign? This will be an ongoing project through the school year. If any questions, please contact Jenny Beck jennybeck@franklingrace.org.

Kroger Rewards Program

Support Franklin Education Connection every time when shopping at Kroger. Easy to do. Stop by the Welcome Center and pick up an Instruction Flyer outlining the simple process.

Morning Pointe Worship

Persons who may want to work on a Worship & Care Team to provide devotions and songs for residents at the Morning Pointe Care Facility in Franklin can sign up in the Lobby. Grace Church would like to offer services six times per year. Schedules can be created to accommodate the needs of team members. Contact Pastor Andy to learn more at pastorandy@franklingrace.org.

Interchurch Food Pantry

The Interchurch Food Pantry provides food relief to persons and families in Johnson County. Items for the Pantry can always be brought to the Missions Corner: simply place in the barrel. To volunteer at the Pantry, please contact LeTheda Noonan at 736-5090.

USO Items Needed

The USO at Camp Atterbury distributes the following items to troops as they leave base:  travel sized toothpaste and tooth brushes, laundry pods, mittens, gloves, deodorant, sunscreen, razors, shaving cream, feminine care needs.  Place in USO tote on stage in Price Hall.

Caring Team Ministry

Sometimes notes of encouragement are needed to share that extra word of support. Volunteers are needed to display this kind of care. Speak with Care Coordinator Jenny Beck at jennybeck@franklingrace.org. The Caring Ministry Team meets twice a month at Grace Church.

Helping Hands Outreach

Reaching out to the community of Franklin takes both “helping hands” and “legs that work.” Persons who would like to help or serve with many of the outreach ministries of Grace Church may sign up at the Welcome Center. Training will be provided for persons interested in helping with delivering flyers, contacting community partners, or picking up items.

FCHS First Scholars

The Franklin Education Connection is looking for adults who will serve as mentors to high school students who are seeking to attend college or technical school but whose family has never attended. Mentors are needed to meet with a student once a month during the lunch hour at Franklin Community High School. All monthly activities will be planned, A training session will also be provided. All that is required is steady attendance, positive attitude, and genuine interest in helping a student whose family has never attended college succeed. Professionals across all sectors of the community are invited to apply. We hope to a have a class of Mentors that represent various career types (i.e., law, business, education, medicine, etc.). The time commitment for this program is limited, but potential impact could be great. If interested, please contact Melissa Parramore at parramorem@franklinschools.org or (317)524-8544, or sign up at the Welcome Center in the Lobby.

Bridges Alliance Servants

The Bridges Alliance completed its first class on From Surviving to Thriving: it is always looking to have persons help in different capacities. If interested, please stop by the Welcome Center and sign up. Amanda Ott, Volunteer Coordinator, will make a contact and share. Bridges Alliance is a program that is helping to move persons out of poverty.

FCSC Bible Study Clubs

Persons who may want to contribute two hours a week serving in a Bible Study Club may sign up at the Welcome Center. Persons would serve in an “after school” environment helping children learn basic Bible Stories. Three adults are needed, for example, at Webb School. Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. There are currently 241 children involved in such after school club in Franklin.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Needed For Cove Ministry

It’s time to have our Chocolate-Chip Cookie Bakers for the Cove to provide two-dozen cookies each week. Please sign up at the Welcome Center if interested. Five persons are needed each week. Contact Pastor Andy for more information on where to bring the cookies.

Pop Tabs for Riley

Pop tabs are being collected in support of young Riley as he battles Leukemia.  Bring to the tote on the stage in Price Hall marked Riley.   Contact Sandy Adams for more information at grace@franklingrace.org.

Soup's On

The Soup’s On Ministry takes place on Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It is part of a network of ministries in the community that provides a hot meal to persons and families. The following food items are needed: Number Ten Can Fruit Cocktail and Cake Mix (but no icing!). Please place on the Soup’s On Table in the Hallway across from Price Hall.