On this page, we offer images of goings-on at Grace Church -- goings-on that bring edification and joy to God’s people, and glory to God!

In addition to images of the December 23, 2007 children’s Christmas pageant immediately below, you’ll find the December 9, 2007 production of the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, the June 24, 2007 celebration of Pastor Melody J. Williams’ service as Grace’s Associate Pastor, the 2005 Peace Bridge Event, Grace United Methodist Women’s 2005 Spring Fling, “Celebrate Life,” and the 2005 Day of Caring Pancake Brunch on this page.

2007 Children’s Christmas Pageant

With the help of more than a few adults and youth, Grace’s children presented “Christmas in the Toy Shop” at the 10:30 worship on Sunday, December 23.

When the toy shop was open for business, the toys were still and lifeless...

...but they came alive after hours, singing and carrying on!

The shop carried fancy dolls...

...and princesses...

... and more dolls, and a nutcracker, and action heroes!

With the help of her toy friends, the Easter bunny was to be transformed into a Christmas bunny.

Thomas the Pirate was a fearsome character. Below, he brandished his sword alongside Spiderman, Harry Potter, Barbie, and two Raggedy Anne dolls.

...and Alex Mikos. Here, he was addressing the question all the toys wanted answered: what is a gift? Alex explained, “If you buy something but don’t give it away, keeping it instead for yourself, it’s not a gift!”

...and even the clown listened intently as shepherds read the scripture.

29^th Annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival

Grace Church presented its twenty-ninth annual production of the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival in two afternoon performances on Sunday, December 9, 2007. Perhaps the oldest continuing festival of the Christmas season, this musical-drama has been staged for centuries to foretell the coming of Christ. It features marching companies in bright costumes, singing the ancient songs of Christendom and carrying the gaily bedecked head of a wild boar, symbol of evil conquered by the innocent goodness of the Christ Child. The festival signifies and celebrates the victory of grace over sin.

Festival preparations entailed untold hours on the part of many dozens of participants, among them Production Manager Susan Nordyke and Music Director Dr. Robert Jones. The cast alone numbered nearly one hundred and included friends of Grace and members alike.

The Paschall family filled four roles: Adam (left) was the drummer in the boar’s head company; Michelle was a banner-bearer; Fran was in the cook, mince pie, and plum pudding company; and Dave made a smashing beefeater.

	Nobody was counting, but we are sure that the family of Elaine (in blue, next to farthest left) and Richard (in red, center rear) Green took the prize for most family members in the cast.

	Like the Greens, the Sipes family cast members spanned three generations.

All the Palmers (from the left: Adrienne, Jenny, Randy, and Madeline) were in the cast, too.

Singing lutist LeAnn Kinner welcomed festival-goers to the sanctuary with soft Christmas music.

	Carol Jones steadied the Maypole as dancers swirled around her.

	Beefeaters -- traditional guardians of the king -- processed into the sanctuary to begin the performance.

There, they stood their guard of honor.

After the beefeaters marched out of the sanctuary, the sprite lit the great festival candle, held by Rev. Marla E. Brown.

	The Lord and Lady of Grace Manor, portrayed by David Williamson and Susan Bennett, welcomed everyone to the great celebration.

There followed much revelry, dancing, and joyous singing, with the audience participating in the latter.

	The procession featured the head of a genuine hog (as boars are hard to come by), roasted and garnished for this special event -- but not eaten.

Stephen Jones and Jackie Borda (left) and Madeline Palmer (in family photo above) played the waits -- street singers of Christmas carols.

Here, Stephen sang to the Lord and Lady of the manor.

King Wenceslas (Jason Amos) and his page sang their bright tale of women and men caring for each other.

	But the reason for the great festival is the birth of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel — God with us! The Lord of the Manor so reminded us all, reading from both Isaiah 9, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light...” and Luke 2, “An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds...”.

And shepherds there were, leading all in singing...
Hail to the Lord’s anointed, Great David’s greater Son! Hail, in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun!

	Gary King (left), Larry Ramey, and Jack Bish — the three kings — led the singing of “From a Distant Home.”

Festival-goers joined in the refrain: Glory in the highest, to the Son of heaven And upon the earth, be peace and love to all

	The entire company gathered to adore the Christ child, singing “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” ...
	... with its glorious conclusion, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord most high!
	The festival ended with everyone singing “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful.”

Beefeater John Schrimpf (left) joined the Lord and Lady of Grace Manor after the performance, wishing festival-goers a Merry Christmas.

Celebration for Pastor Melody J. Williams

Grace celebrated Melody J. Williams’s years of service at Grace and bade her farewell on her last Sunday as our Associate Pastor, June 24, 2007.

During the 10:30 worship, Pastor Melody received a Grace prayer shawl presented by Pastor Marla.

After worship, Pastor Melody’s celebration began. Held in the gymnasium, this event held to United Methodist tradition with a feast!

five photographs (one above, four below) courtesy of Larry Ramey

Below, Pastor Melody posed with family and friends before the cake-cutting.

Dayton’s own New Harvest brought their glorious gospel music to the day. (Learn more about this outstanding group and hear selections of their music at a Dayton Daily News web page, read still more here, and listen to more music samples here.)

Below, Pastors Melody and Marla shared a joyful moment on stage with a young admirer between them.

Jean Worth, Warren Rogers, and Pastor Melody made a handsome trio as they posed for the photographer.

Pastor Melody shared her thoughts with everyone in the packed gym on this bittersweet occasion.

Spring Fling

The Grace United Methodist Women presented their annual Spring Fling on Saturday, April 23. This UMW event, their biggest of the year, featured baked goods, arts and crafts, flowers and plants, a silent auction, an extravagant lunchtime salad buffet, and a live auction led by Bobbie Roland, realtor and auctioneer. Six thousand dollars was raised, and it all goes support UMW mission projects, to serve humanity and to glorify God!

Items great and small were offered at silent auction in Fellowship Hall.

In the gymnasium, folks looked over items to be sold later ...

... in the live auction ...

... while they waited on line ...

... for the deservedly renowned salad buffet.

Beautiful growing things and tableware were among the items available.

Auctioneer Bobbie Roland led the live auction after lunch ...

... selling items like this summertime relaxation group, right.

The quilt behind Bobbie was the most sought-after item. Crafted by Grace United Methodist Women and friends, it is made up of 3,375 pieces. Every stitch was done by hand. It took seventeen women over seven hundred hours to create and assemble.

The winning bidder parted with a thousand dollars (an all-time record bid for Spring Fling auctions) but took home a real treasure as the detail at right shows.

Still, nothing compares to the artistry of the Creator. Here, Pat and Donna share a moment of exclamation over God's handiwork.

Children, youth, and adults all took part.

Elizabeth Swisher soloed in "I Quietly Turned to You" while Sharlyn Stephens Radcliffe, left, looked on.

Banners proclaimed the good news!

Music Director Gary C. Johnson led the sanctuary choir and Grace Puppeteers in "The Three Kings."

Grace youth Stephen Jones and (right) Clark Ramey served as narrators. They also sang and played guitar.

Tambourinists and singers alike made a joyful noise unto the Lord!

15^th Annual Day of Caring Pancake Brunch

Sunday, February 27, 2005 marked the 15^th Annual Day of Caring Pancake Brunch. This event brings individuals together to raise money for local nonprofit agencies that serve the needs of the hungry and homeless in our community. Established in 1991, Day of Caring has more than doubled both the number of sites and volunteers for its annual brunch. In 2003, more than $25,500 was donated to local Emergency Hunger and Housing Coalitions. Grace's gymnasium - activities building and adjoining kitchens were one of the twenty-six sites throughout the Miami Valley hosting the 2005 event.

Bev Rench, Day of Caring site Chair, reports that at Grace, we served about 225 people in the 2005 event, raising $1,122!

The activities building - gymnasium was buzzing.

Back in the kitchen, servers provided pancakes and sausage, while those cooking made more.

Singers and musicians offered diners violins, voice, and guitar.

Good company around a sunlit table, pancakes and syrup, sausage and orange juice -- who could want more?