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!

For a start, we offer the December 13, 2009 performance of the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, Grace’s thirty-first annual production. 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 the participants, among them Production Manager Susan Nordyke and Music Director Dr. Robert Jones. The cast alone numbered many dozens and included friends of Grace and members alike.

Immediately below, you’ll find an Album Book, currently filled with two albums: GraceFest 2008 and Easter 2009. Click on the name of an album near the upper-left corner (beneath “Album Book”) and then on a thumbnail photo from the “Images in Album” column beneath that; see also the play  and stop  pushbuttons near the lower-left corner. Click on an image in the “Image Viewer” pane of the Album Book to see a larger version in a new window.

Scroll further down the page to find images of ...

• the December 23, 2007 children’s Christmas pageant
• 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”
• the 2005 Day of Caring Pancake Brunch.

 

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.

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!

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?