Missions and Service

Tracy Huselton, Assistant Missions Minister
tracy@graceavenue.org
972.335.2882, ext. 503

SHARING GOD'S LOVE THROUGH SERVICE AND MISSIONS
Thank you for visiting our Service and Missions page. We hope you will find a place to get connected in service and mission. E-mail Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org if you are interested in being a part of any of the opportunities listed below, or if you have any questions.

SERVICE NEWSLETTER
If you are interested in receiving our monthly Service Newsletter by email, please sign up today! This newsletter will have up-to-date news about mission opportunities for all ages. E-mail Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org if you would like to receive the Service Newsletter by email.

GAMMA FUND RAISING OPPORTUNITIES
Many of our church events are fund raisers for GAMMA (Grace Avenue Missions, Ministry and Assistance). These events are the Chili Cook-Off, Rummage Sale, Golf Tournament, Pie Auction, Pumpkin Patch, Holiday Bazaar and Fall Festival. For additional information about any of these events CLICK HERE. For more information on helping with GAMMA fundraising, please contact Laura Echols-Richter at laura@graceavenue.org.

PUMPKIN PATCH SCHOOL VISITS
Each October we sponsor Kindergarten field trips for area schools to visit our Pumpkin Patch. This is an educational opportunity for the school children. Volunteers are needed to lead sessions on science, math, social studies, art, storytime and a hayride. If you are interested in helping with the school visits, please contact Laura Echols-Richter at laura@graceavenue.org.

GO ON A MISSION TRIP
We currently have two upcoming mission trips planned. If you are interested in going on one of these trips please contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org for more information.

July – Bastrop, TX
September – Plzen, Czech Republic

LOCAL AND NATIONAL MISSIONS

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
As a group, we have designated the second Saturday of each month to work on Habitat projects. All volunteers are required to complete a one-hour orientation session prior to working on a habitat job site, which covers basic information about Habitat as well as job site safety. No experience is necessary, and youth (14 years and older) can participate with adult representation. If swinging a hammer or a paint brush isn’t your thing, then you might want to volunteer at the retail store in McKinney or help coordinate lunch for the work crew. Finally, we are starting the process of getting involved with habitat global builds, getting trained on the logistics of sending a team outside of the U.S. to work on a habitat project. Contact Matt McGhee at mattmcghee@hotmail.com or 469-964-6658.

GRACE AVENUE ESL CLASSES
Grace Avenue offers English as a Second Language classes for folks in the community needing to improve their English skills. Classes are taught at Grace Avenue in the fall and spring on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The classes focus on grammar, vocabulary, reading, and conversation. Volunteers are needed to commit to assisting or teaching one night per week for either the fall or spring. Knowledge of a foreign language is not required nor is a teaching background. ESL curriculum and training is provided. Please contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org for more information.

CITIZENSHIP CLASSES
Grace Avenue is planning to offer citizenship classes for the first time in the fall. These classes will help prepare people to take the citizenship exam so that they can become United States Citizens. If you are interested in helping with this mission please contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

FRISCO FAMILY SERVICES
Grace Avenue supports many annual and ongoing service projects that are sponsored by Frisco Family Services.

Angel Adoption
Each December, angels are available for adoption from Frisco Family Services for Christmas. Each angel represents a wish from a child, youth or senior adult. Contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

Back-to-School Apple Adoption
Each year apples are available from Frisco Family Services. Each apple represents a child who is waiting for one new school outfit with a pair of shoes. The generosity of our church adopts over 100 children each August. Contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

Pantry Adoption Project
Grace Avenue adopts a shelf each month at Frisco Family Services. The next time you go grocery shopping please pick up extra items for families who are in need and live in our community. The collection baskets are located in the Learning Center Lobby by the elevator. Contact Betty Pfahler at Bpfah@aol.com.

Summer Lunch Program
We partner with Frisco Family Services to provide lunches and fun activities for children in need during the summer. Contact Betty Pfahler at Bpfah@aol.com.

Thanksgiving Box Project
Each year we collect items to fill Thanksgiving Boxes for Frisco Family Services. Contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

BREAD RUN
Join us on the Bread Run! It is approximately a 2 hour commitment on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday morning. We have 7 donor sites that give us their stock overruns of bread and other items to take to area homeless shelters. Sign up for specific dates each month. For more information, contact Candy Mann at Candy.Mann74@gmail.com

EARLY RESPONSE TEAM
Grace Avenue’s Early Response Team (ERT) is a group of specially trained individuals who assist people who have been devastated by natural disasters. The work varies from debris cleanup and removal to putting tarps on roofs. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, or getting trained please contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

COVER GIRLS
The “Cover Girls” are women of all ages who crochet, knit, quilt and sew to “cover” the babies born at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. We also make the white baby afghans that are given to the babies baptized at Grace Avenue. Our newest ministry is making scarves and caps for residents at local homeless shelters during the cold months, and we sometimes get involved in other fun projects. The Cover Girls normally meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm in the Learning Center. Contact Lisa McDonald at 972-335-8815 or e-mail her at barryandlisamcdonald@tx.rr.com with any questions.

BLOOD DRIVES
The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation. Please join us to maintain a safe and stable blood supply by signing up to give blood at one of the blood drives scheduled at Grace Avenue during the year. Contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MENTORING/TUTORING PROGRAM
Grace Avenue is partnering with local middle schools to provide mentors and tutoring for at-risk youth. The commitment is typically once per week to once per month, depending on the situation. Frisco ISD and church background checks are required. Contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

BOOKS 'N BAGS
The Books 'N Bags Ministry provides free children's books, as well as a snack, to children in need. For many of these children, only Spanish is spoken in the home. This is a great mission opportunity for families with children. Contact Joyce Cravens at joyce@graceavenue.org for more information.

PRAIRIE ESTATES MINISTRIES
Prairie Estates is a skilled nursing facility located near Grace Avenue on West Main in Frisco. Residents look forward to interaction with our members and are blessed by the many events and services provided. If you have a heart for elderly people, consider getting involved in this fantastic ministry. There are many opportunities listed below.

Bingo every Saturday
Join us any Saturday morning at 9:00am as we play BINGO with the residents. This is a great opportunity for individuals and/or families to volunteer together. We are always in need of BINGO prize donations including hand lotion, socks/slippers, granola bars, sugar free candy, figurines or other dollar store items. A collection box for prizes and other donations is located in the Learning Center Lobby. Contact Renae Fogarty at wrenae7@msn.com.

Gift Shop Volunteers
Volunteers are needed daily from 10:30am - 12:00pm. You can also work on a craft or read a book / study while you wait for customers to stop by. You can choose one day, one day / week or month or more if you wish. Please contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

Nail Painting
Every Thursday from 9:30 - 11:00am. Supplies are provided. To volunteer, please contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

Mother’s Day Tea and Donuts with Dad
Each year Grace Avenue hosts a Mothers’ Day Tea and Donuts with Dad for the residents of Prairie Estates. These two events occur on a Saturday morning before Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. To find out how you can become involved in these special events, contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

RELAY FOR LIFE
Relay for Life is a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. It is a family event that brings our community together each May. We join our community in remembering those who have lost their lives to cancer and honoring those who continue to battle and are courageous survivors of the disease. It is an overnight event filled with music, food and fun. Team members raise money (minimum $100) to help find a cure for cancer and then join the fun at the actual event. Staying overnight is optional. Watch for opportunities to sign up to be a part of our team, to walk throughout the night or to make a donation. For more information, contact Russell Hankins at russel_hankins@yahoo.com.

CLOTHE-A-CHILD
Clothe-A-Child is a community project that works with Kohl’s to clothe underprivileged kids in Frisco and Little Elm. Each child is identified by the Frisco ISD/Little Elm ISD as someone who would benefit from this program. On a Saturday in October, the children and their families go to Kohl’s in Frisco where each child is given a voucher for $100 to be used towards clothing items. Each family is matched with a volunteer. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older to assist with the shopping. Many volunteers are needed to make this program a success. Contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

GREEN TEAM
Interested in organizing a Green Team to help Grace Avenue and its members focus on ways to be good stewards of God’s creation? Contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org.

SUSAN G. KOMEN FOUNDATION - 3-DAY TEAM
The 3-Day Walk for the Cure benefiting the Foundation takes place in November. Grace Avenue has a team of walkers who participate in the 60 mile walk over three days. Participants train several weeks prior to the event. For more information on the walk or on how you can join the 3 Day Team, contact Laurie Hanson Roberts at 972-335-2882 ext. 510 or at lhr@graceavenue.org

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Grace Avenue UMC is connected to the Czech Republic through our partner church Maranatha UMC located in Plzen. Every year, we send a mission team to share in ministry with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Holy Hill and our partner church. Our next Czech Republic Mission trip will be September 14-24, 2012. For more information contact Charles and Lisa Hampshire at Lisa@HampshireHouseProductions.com or 214-738-1256.

We also sponsor the God’s Child Project in Guazapa, El Salvador which serves the children in this poverty stricken area and helps them find God’s hope in their midst. For info, contact Tracy Huselton tracy@graceavenue.org.

Our newest International Mission connects us with ZOE Ministry. ZOE’s Giving Hope Empowerment Project gives orphans the resources and support they need to break the cycle of poverty and dependency forever, while learning the love of Jesus Christ. Please contact Tracy Huselton at tracy@graceavenue.org for more information.

ADDITIONAL MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

Additional mission opportunities can be found through the United Methodist Church.

For questions or additional information on mission/service opportunities, please contact
Tracy Huselton, Assistant Missions Minister, at tracy@graceavenue.org.

Relay for Life