Local Missions
The Local Missions Team of Grace Presbyterian Church provides for the needs of the local community by utilizing the time, talents, and monetary donations of its members and friends. The team’s goals include:
AA and Al Anon
Alcoholics Anonymous provides twelve-step group meetings for individuals trying to stop addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Al Anon is the corresponding support and learning group for spouses and relatives of addicted persons. Grace sponsors this extraordinary healing ministry. AA meetings are hosted on Mondays and Fridays at 8 p.m. Al Anon meetings are hosted on Mondays at 8 pm and Saturdays at 9 am. The AA group that meets at Grace is Area 62, District 21, Tega Cay. For information on Al Anon visit www.al-anon-sc.org.
Affirmation of York County
Affirmation of York County is a support group for people who ponder questions of faith and life related to the LGBTQ community, their parents, family members and friends–and who seek understanding and acceptance within their faith communities. People of all faiths are welcome. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.. For more information call 803-547-6042 or email AffirmationofYC@gmail.com.
Angel Tree and RAINdeer
During the Christmas season we share tangible good news with people in need. A Christmas tree in our sanctuary is adorned with paper angels and reindeer which include the age and need of a person for whom a gift is purchased. The sources of referral are 1) our county social services departments for families who have someone in jail or prison, and 2) Catawba Care Center working for families who have an immediate family member living with AIDS. Contact Lori Ochsner: 803-517-9916 (RAINdeer).
Community Café
Grace Church provides a team of volunteers to prepare and serve food on the second Friday of each month at Lake Wylie Lutheran Church. All are welcome to enjoy lunch every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The mission of the café is to provide tasty and nutritious meals that will draw people; to treat everyone with love, affirmation, and respect; and to create a warm and inviting Christian atmosphere for people to gather at the table. To learn more, visit http://www.communitycafecares.com.
Fort Mill Care Center
The Fort Mill Care Center is a local social service program for residents of Fort Mill. It has been in operation since 1987 when local churches and ministers recognized the need to handle the many requests needed for family aid. The Care Center is a volunteer organization staffed completely by volunteers that run several programs for needy Fort Mill citizens. A few of the programs are: food pantry, emergency utilities, rent and qualified prescriptions, school backpacks, healthy teeth, warm blanket/winter jacket, Santa’s helper, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Their website is www.FortMillCareCenter.org and they are open Mon., Wed., and Fri., from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The Care Center can use volunteers in the front office with application/interviewing of clients and also in the pantry sorting food/serving clients. Grace supports the center monetarily and by collecting food items each month. Grace is involved with the center’s food pantry program. Each month a suggested food is listed in the bulletin and members bring their donations throughout the month. To learn more about FMCC, visit http://www.fortmillcarecenter.org/partners.html. Contact Jon Ochsner: (803) 517-1571.
Graceful Threads
The Graceful Threads quilting and sewing group meets Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. and makes prayer quilts, raffle quilts, and other projects. If you are interested in sewing or learning to sew or quilt, consider joining us. Contact Lori Ochsner: (803-517-9916).
Habitat for Humanity of York County
Grace Presbyterian assists Habitat for Humanity of York County with prayer, volunteer, and financial support for projects such as Apostles Build, Faith Build, and Women’s Build. This ministry helps families with below-median incomes build and own their own home for the first time. To learn more, visit www.yorkcountyhabitat.org. Contact Russ Cody: (803) 487-6198.
2015 York County Habitat for Humanity Faith Build - Grace volunteers will participate in the Faith Build on Saturday, May 16. Planned schedule is for interior painting. Sign up on the Local Mission bulletin board or contact Russ Cody.
Homeless Veterans
Believe it or not, by some estimates we have at least 30 homeless veterans in York County. Many more are what are called “near homeless” one paycheck away from homelessness. These men and women served our country and they should not be homeless. The Local Missions Team has been talking about how Grace can help with the efforts to help homeless veterans in York County. One of the greatest needs is for a shelter where they could stay – but none exists for homeless veterans who have unique challenges that other homeless cannot understand. Most homeless shelters in York County are addressing the issues of general homelessness and run out of space all the time, leaving our veterans to fend for themselves on the streets or in the woods.
The Local Missions Team is willing to try and develop an approach that could help these veterans who served our country. One idea is to ask for a Bequest of a home in the Fort Mill/Tega Cay area from some generous donor. If there is someone who is looking to leave a legacy, this could be your way to do so. By bequeathing a property (in almost any condition) to this effort, the LMT can partner with our Habitat team to renovate and rebuild it. If we can provide a home with 3 or 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, we might be able to house up to 8 people and help them on the road to independence and dignity. We can partner with York County and the local Veterans Administration to find ways to put together an effective program that could help these men and women by bringing them home, helping them to regain their balance and to be able to walk into a brighter future standing on their own two feet. If you or someone you know might be willing to consider such a gift, please contact Steve Kisslinger (stephen.kisslinger@gmail.com ) or the church office. Thank you!
Meals on Wheels
Grace provides meals on Sunday afternoons for four Fort Mill residents. Teams serve on a rotating basis approximately every six to eight weeks to prepare and deliver a warm meal. Contact Saran Scott: 704-763-6439.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This knitting/crocheting group meets at Grace from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday evenings. They provide prayer shawls to York County Hospice and to our own church family in need of some comfort. They also supply baby caps to CMC Pineville for newborn babies. New knitters/crocheters are always welcome as are donations. Contact Bonnie Mendenhall: (803) 548-2976.
Providence Presbytery
Our Presbytery is the aggregate of 58 PCUSA congregations in northern South Carolina. Our giving to the presbytery helps to provide funding for the services (personnel and program) of Providence Presbytery, the Synod of the South Atlantic, and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Local missions supported by our Presbytery include Faith New Church Development in Indian Land (this is an important ministry for our congregation as we seek to “pay forward” the generous resources offered when Grace was a New Church Development), Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center, food programs for elderly poor and disabled people in our Presbytery (through Dimes for Hunger), and Providence Carpenters (which provides critical renovations and home repairs for those needing assistance in our Presbytery,) campus ministry at our local colleges and universities, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest, and Kids to Kamp (funding for children to go to Bethelwoods who would not otherwise be able to attend). Contact Joanne Sizoo: (803) 548-0800.
Renew Our Community (ROC)
Renew Our Community (ROC) helps people in York County who are homeless or in crisis. ROC’s hub is ROC Central, a “social emergency room,” providing resource referrals, emergency assistance (including food, clothing, utility/housing assistance), and spiritual guidance. ROC Central also serves as a day shelter for homeless adults. In addition to ROC Central, ROC operates a thrift store (ROC Emporium) and a work program (ROC Works), that helps put chronically unemployed people to work. To learn more, go to www.renewoc.org. Contact: Jenny Overman: (803) 804-8737.
The Saluda Center
Grace offers space to the Saluda Center as their professional counselors work with clients. The Saluda Center is a ministry of compassion as they:
Scouting Ministries
Grace believes scouting is a healthy program to grow maturity, service, and leadership in children and youth. Grace is host and sponsor partner with three scouting units: Cub Scout Pack 250, Boy Scout Troop 250, and Venturing Crew 250. Contact Ray Scott: (803) 370-1613.
Vacation Bible School
Children experience Bible study, crafts, singing, and dancing as they share the love of God and grow in his word. VBS is a great form of community outreach with 75% of our children coming from outside our church family. To learn more and get involved,contact: Jeffrey Scott: 803.548.0800.
- Disseminating information about Grace’s local mission opportunities to new and existing members.
- Raising awareness and increasing visibility of current missions.
- Helping everyone to become more engaged in local missions.
- Assisting members as they engage in potential new missions.
AA and Al Anon
Alcoholics Anonymous provides twelve-step group meetings for individuals trying to stop addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Al Anon is the corresponding support and learning group for spouses and relatives of addicted persons. Grace sponsors this extraordinary healing ministry. AA meetings are hosted on Mondays and Fridays at 8 p.m. Al Anon meetings are hosted on Mondays at 8 pm and Saturdays at 9 am. The AA group that meets at Grace is Area 62, District 21, Tega Cay. For information on Al Anon visit www.al-anon-sc.org.
Affirmation of York County
Affirmation of York County is a support group for people who ponder questions of faith and life related to the LGBTQ community, their parents, family members and friends–and who seek understanding and acceptance within their faith communities. People of all faiths are welcome. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.. For more information call 803-547-6042 or email AffirmationofYC@gmail.com.
Angel Tree and RAINdeer
During the Christmas season we share tangible good news with people in need. A Christmas tree in our sanctuary is adorned with paper angels and reindeer which include the age and need of a person for whom a gift is purchased. The sources of referral are 1) our county social services departments for families who have someone in jail or prison, and 2) Catawba Care Center working for families who have an immediate family member living with AIDS. Contact Lori Ochsner: 803-517-9916 (RAINdeer).
Community Café
Grace Church provides a team of volunteers to prepare and serve food on the second Friday of each month at Lake Wylie Lutheran Church. All are welcome to enjoy lunch every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The mission of the café is to provide tasty and nutritious meals that will draw people; to treat everyone with love, affirmation, and respect; and to create a warm and inviting Christian atmosphere for people to gather at the table. To learn more, visit http://www.communitycafecares.com.
Fort Mill Care Center
The Fort Mill Care Center is a local social service program for residents of Fort Mill. It has been in operation since 1987 when local churches and ministers recognized the need to handle the many requests needed for family aid. The Care Center is a volunteer organization staffed completely by volunteers that run several programs for needy Fort Mill citizens. A few of the programs are: food pantry, emergency utilities, rent and qualified prescriptions, school backpacks, healthy teeth, warm blanket/winter jacket, Santa’s helper, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Their website is www.FortMillCareCenter.org and they are open Mon., Wed., and Fri., from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The Care Center can use volunteers in the front office with application/interviewing of clients and also in the pantry sorting food/serving clients. Grace supports the center monetarily and by collecting food items each month. Grace is involved with the center’s food pantry program. Each month a suggested food is listed in the bulletin and members bring their donations throughout the month. To learn more about FMCC, visit http://www.fortmillcarecenter.org/partners.html. Contact Jon Ochsner: (803) 517-1571.
Graceful Threads
The Graceful Threads quilting and sewing group meets Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. and makes prayer quilts, raffle quilts, and other projects. If you are interested in sewing or learning to sew or quilt, consider joining us. Contact Lori Ochsner: (803-517-9916).
Habitat for Humanity of York County
Grace Presbyterian assists Habitat for Humanity of York County with prayer, volunteer, and financial support for projects such as Apostles Build, Faith Build, and Women’s Build. This ministry helps families with below-median incomes build and own their own home for the first time. To learn more, visit www.yorkcountyhabitat.org. Contact Russ Cody: (803) 487-6198.
2015 York County Habitat for Humanity Faith Build - Grace volunteers will participate in the Faith Build on Saturday, May 16. Planned schedule is for interior painting. Sign up on the Local Mission bulletin board or contact Russ Cody.
Homeless Veterans
Believe it or not, by some estimates we have at least 30 homeless veterans in York County. Many more are what are called “near homeless” one paycheck away from homelessness. These men and women served our country and they should not be homeless. The Local Missions Team has been talking about how Grace can help with the efforts to help homeless veterans in York County. One of the greatest needs is for a shelter where they could stay – but none exists for homeless veterans who have unique challenges that other homeless cannot understand. Most homeless shelters in York County are addressing the issues of general homelessness and run out of space all the time, leaving our veterans to fend for themselves on the streets or in the woods.
The Local Missions Team is willing to try and develop an approach that could help these veterans who served our country. One idea is to ask for a Bequest of a home in the Fort Mill/Tega Cay area from some generous donor. If there is someone who is looking to leave a legacy, this could be your way to do so. By bequeathing a property (in almost any condition) to this effort, the LMT can partner with our Habitat team to renovate and rebuild it. If we can provide a home with 3 or 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, we might be able to house up to 8 people and help them on the road to independence and dignity. We can partner with York County and the local Veterans Administration to find ways to put together an effective program that could help these men and women by bringing them home, helping them to regain their balance and to be able to walk into a brighter future standing on their own two feet. If you or someone you know might be willing to consider such a gift, please contact Steve Kisslinger (stephen.kisslinger@gmail.com ) or the church office. Thank you!
Meals on Wheels
Grace provides meals on Sunday afternoons for four Fort Mill residents. Teams serve on a rotating basis approximately every six to eight weeks to prepare and deliver a warm meal. Contact Saran Scott: 704-763-6439.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This knitting/crocheting group meets at Grace from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday evenings. They provide prayer shawls to York County Hospice and to our own church family in need of some comfort. They also supply baby caps to CMC Pineville for newborn babies. New knitters/crocheters are always welcome as are donations. Contact Bonnie Mendenhall: (803) 548-2976.
Providence Presbytery
Our Presbytery is the aggregate of 58 PCUSA congregations in northern South Carolina. Our giving to the presbytery helps to provide funding for the services (personnel and program) of Providence Presbytery, the Synod of the South Atlantic, and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Local missions supported by our Presbytery include Faith New Church Development in Indian Land (this is an important ministry for our congregation as we seek to “pay forward” the generous resources offered when Grace was a New Church Development), Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center, food programs for elderly poor and disabled people in our Presbytery (through Dimes for Hunger), and Providence Carpenters (which provides critical renovations and home repairs for those needing assistance in our Presbytery,) campus ministry at our local colleges and universities, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest, and Kids to Kamp (funding for children to go to Bethelwoods who would not otherwise be able to attend). Contact Joanne Sizoo: (803) 548-0800.
Renew Our Community (ROC)
Renew Our Community (ROC) helps people in York County who are homeless or in crisis. ROC’s hub is ROC Central, a “social emergency room,” providing resource referrals, emergency assistance (including food, clothing, utility/housing assistance), and spiritual guidance. ROC Central also serves as a day shelter for homeless adults. In addition to ROC Central, ROC operates a thrift store (ROC Emporium) and a work program (ROC Works), that helps put chronically unemployed people to work. To learn more, go to www.renewoc.org. Contact: Jenny Overman: (803) 804-8737.
The Saluda Center
Grace offers space to the Saluda Center as their professional counselors work with clients. The Saluda Center is a ministry of compassion as they:
- Provide counseling for emotionally troubled individuals, couples, and families
- Provide ongoing training for clergy and helping professionals
- Provide growth services for personal and emotional needs
Scouting Ministries
Grace believes scouting is a healthy program to grow maturity, service, and leadership in children and youth. Grace is host and sponsor partner with three scouting units: Cub Scout Pack 250, Boy Scout Troop 250, and Venturing Crew 250. Contact Ray Scott: (803) 370-1613.
Vacation Bible School
Children experience Bible study, crafts, singing, and dancing as they share the love of God and grow in his word. VBS is a great form of community outreach with 75% of our children coming from outside our church family. To learn more and get involved,contact: Jeffrey Scott: 803.548.0800.