N.O.W. Ministries
Nurture, Outreach and Witness (N.O.W.) Ministries
Nurture, Outreach and Witness (N.O.W.) ministries drive the programs of Grace and are open to anyone interested in serving.
If you have a suggestion or an idea, you do not have to wait to be nominated or assigned to a committee. All are invited to get involved by simply asking the coaches of the N.O.W. ministry teams when the next meeting is scheduled. The N.O.W. structure emphasizes "doing" more than "meeting."
Nurture:
Nurture ministries focus mostly on the internal needs of the congregation, such as Sunday School, Bible Study, family retreats, choirs, special worship services or social groups. Nurture addresses the need for Christians to be nurtured in the faith if they are to cultivate the spiritual resources necessary to provide effective Outreach and Witness ministries.
The Nurture coaches for 2011 are Sue Minorini and Amy Cochran.
Outreach:
Outreach ministries focus on the church's local, state, national and international neighbors. John Wesley believed, "the world is our parish." Outreach oversees P.A.D.S. services to the homeless, organizes mission trips, serves as liason to missionary initiatives such as Iling Island and participates in Lake County United, the organization of churches, synagogues and mosques that works for social justice in our area. Grace's annual Christmas tree sale raises thousands of dollars for missions and is organized by the Outreach team.
The Outreach coaches for 2011 are John Burkhardt and Frances Clemo.
Witness:
Witness ministries focus on developing and strengthening evangelistic efforts within our church and in our community. The prayer shawl ministry, Fourth of July parade, senior care, visitor gifts, and community events and mailings are among the many opportunities under Witness.
The Witness coach for 2011 is Bill Motzer.
The N.O.W. structure replaced the old committee system and is growing in popularity and effectiveness in many United Methodist congregations. Grace was among one of the first churches in the Northern Illinois Conference to adopt the N.O.W. way of fulfilling the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a "bottom-up" emphasis, relying on the passion and ideas of each member rather than the "top-down" version of assigning obligatory duties. If you are not sure exactly where an idea fits into this structure, ask. Please get involved in any way you can.
Grace needs your talent. Your neighbors need your help. God needs your commitment.
