Our Blog
How were your donations used?
While this report focuses on Grace’s financial aspects, we can’t understate the unrecorded value of contributions of time and energy from members who have led and/or participated in the church’s operations and its projects. Without these efforts, the finances have...
How we work together with other congregations
We combine our resources with other Lutheran churches to do more than one church could do. Last year Grace contributed $ 17,650 (approximately 10% of operating fund income) to support this collaborative work of the Synod.
What is our Pastor’s role in administration?
One of my least favourite tasks as a pastor is administration, however it is a necessary component of pastoral ministry. For a congregation to fulfill its mission, there needs to be order and records. At the end of the previous year, Grace’s long-time secretary,...
How does our Pastor reach out to others?
Baptisms and Baptismal Counseling Baptisms are a joyous experience for the congregation, family, and pastors. The baptismal event is something that we all have experienced. Some are more memorable than others, depending on the activity level of the one who is being...
How our Pastor connects with the wider church?
Wider Church / Interfaith As a pastor in the ELCIC, I also must stay connected with what’s known as the “wider church”. This connection usually happens through email and other mailed correspondence. However, sometimes I attend meetings with other clergy. From time...
Worshipping together
Our members have leadership roles in our services. Over the year Dean Oswald, Tom Herauf, Lorna Haufschild, Wendy Ball, Leann Eberley, Stephanie Hartmann and Ilse Phoenix have been assisting ministers. When Pastor has on vacation, Lorna Haufschild, Wendy Ball, and...
How does the Treasurer act as a good steward of your donations?
Ray Henrickson, Treasurer. The treasurer’s role is about mission as much as it is about collecting the money, paying the bills and dealing with the bank.
Serving others through Kerr Street Mission
Grace Lutheran has been involved with Kerr Street Mission for several years, volunteering to host one of the Family Night Dinners four times per year. We need 8-10 volunteers each time we host the event, for about a three-hour period on a Monday evening. The meal is...
What does Council do to lead our community of faith?
You elected Ardie Archer, Dean Oswald, Dwight Gutzman, Christina Herauf, Ilse Phoenix, Elaine Schneider, and Grant Swanson to be your Council. Pastor is also a member. Your Council generally meets on the third Tuesday of most months between 7:00 and 8:30. Our...
Youth Group – small but mighty
Confirmation and youth have dwindled to a small but mighty core. This year Pastor Rick has been conducting confirmation classes. There are three second year students approaching confirmation this year. Definitely a family oriented program with brothers in class, and...
Serving others through Sleeping Children Around the World
Grace members were very generous with their time, talents and wallets in 2017 as we raised funds once again for SCAW. We focussed our efforts in May to coincide with SCAW's annual Oakville Garage Sale which took place on our lawn and parking lot. Grace hosted a Bake...
How we care for our property
Tom Herauf, Wendy Ball, Charles Little have been busy caring for our property and ensuring that it is not idle when not being used for worship services and learning experiences. Property management went through two changes in 2017. Lori Kennedy, our long-standing...
What does a Pastor do to prepare for a worship service?
Most members regularly encounter the pastor on Sundays in worship. My one friend has joked for years that “I have a pretty good gig by only having to work one day a week for an hour.” (He’s an airline pilot, so I joke back that he has a pretty good gig by only having...
What is it like being the Parish Musician?
Stacey Schloo, Parish Musician. An article about Stacey’s own experiences at Grace Lutheran Church.
Serving others through Safety Net and Kerr Street Mission
Tracey and Luke Harrison lead us in celebrating 500 years of Reformation through local action. We took the 3X500 challenge! On October 31, 1517, Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany, bringing attention to the...