| MINISTRIES | STAFF | CHURCH HISTORY |
| Alter Guild The Altar Guild, led by Jo Rodeheffer, prepares the altar and sanctuary for worship each Sunday. |
Co-Pastor Rev. Sherry Ferriman. Reverend Sherry is our Methodist minister and hails from Colorado Springs for the 1st and 3rd Sunday services. |
One Spiritual Center: In 2002, Grace Church, a groundbreaking ecumenical fellowship, grew out of the needs of two congregations. When a small United Methodist group shared the building space of Grace Episcopal, the two churches quickly recognized the benefits of joining to form one spiritual center that could serve the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Together now as one church, the congregation is determined to impact their community and the world. |
| Congregational Life The Congregational Life group works on various events and special worship services during the year. This group is led by Judy Epperson. |
Co-Pastor Rev. Christy Shain-Hendricks blessed Grace Church by becoming our Episcopalian priest in November of 2022. Reverend Shain-Hendricks comes from Salida to lead us on the 2nd and 4th Sunday services |
This photograph shows the beginnings of the church in Chafee county, a distant link to our own congregational family today. It shows the original Methodist Church, the first to be established in the young town of Buena Vista in 1879. The establishment of the Methodist Church was soon followed by the building of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, the Congregational Church in 1880, and Grace Episcopal Church in 1882. All four churches were in the heart of Buena Vista, three of them merely a block away from each other. In the late 1920s, as the Great Depression fell upon America, the Methodists found it difficult to keep their church open. They joined forces with the Congregational Church, and the Methodists ceased to exist as a distinct congregation. |
| Angles of Grace The Angels of Grace knit or crochet prayer shawls and distribute them to anyone in need of a physical reminder that God’s people are praying for them. Hospital patients, the chronically ill, and persons grieving a loss are just some of the individuals who may appreciate the gift of a prayer shawl. Each shawl is made in prayer and blessed during a worship service. Jennifer Wright leads this ministry. |
Church Administrator Judy Epperson |
Grace Begins There would not be another Methodist congregation in Buena Vista until a small band of transplanted Methodists, with the leadership of retired pastor Dan Bruce, sought to organize a new work in 2002. They were chartered as a United Methodist Fellowship, which is the first step toward becoming a United Methodist Church. Grace Episcopal extended gracious hospitality to this fledgling group, and the two congregations quickly ecognized the benefits of joining together to form a groundbreaking ecumenical fellowship. Since 2002, this united group has expanded its outreach to the Upper Arkansas River Valley and the world beyond in dramatic and generous ways. |
| The Loose Threads Sewing Group Our ladies sewing group led by Martha Bauman creates arts and crafts, quilts, and other handmade treasures. All proceeds from the sale of these items go to local charities while other crafted pieces are donated directly to charitable organizations. This ministry is also part of the Quilts of Valor Foundation whose mission is to provide comforting quilts to service members and veterans. |
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| Women's Bible Study (CATS) Our study group for women is led by Rev. Sharon Robertson. The group meets Monday mornings at 9:30 AM at the Parish Hall. |
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| Adult Choir Adult Choir, directed by Betty Dethmers sings at our services during the summer. |
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Stewardship Committee Click image for this month’s issue of Graceful Generosity |