What is Embrace Grace?
St. Mary’s is launching a new ministry/small group called Embrace Grace. This group provides emotional, practical, and spiritual support for single, young pregnant women who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy. The primary goal of Embrace Grace is to empower the church to be a safe and nonjudgmental place for these young women to run to when they find out they are pregnant, instead of the last place they are welcomed because of shame and guilt. It is a 12-week program that teaches them about God's love and grace.
More information to follow in the coming weeks!

Making Life Disciples is coming to St. Mary’s beginning in January 2020!
This interactive training consists of six sessions that better equip church members to champion compassion, extend hope and offer help to men and women making unplanned pregnancy decisions and to those who have experienced abortion.
Those who participate in the training will lead the way in creating a safe place for the wounded to heal and the fearful to rise up. Ultimately, through this training, we will be more equipped to openly communicate the Gospel story, model the love of Jesus and remind those hurting of His redemptive work. Making Life Disciples provides us with practical tools of communication and truth with grace to engage, encourage and help others as they journey forward toward building a meaningful, Christ centered community so that they might experience the abundant life Jesus offers to us all. The focus of material is first response to unplanned pregnancy, however, the content is easily applicable to many areas of spiritual struggle and for anyone interested in Life ministry.
Training will be on Tuesday evenings @ 6:30 beginning on January 7.
*Making Life Disciples is a training curriculum for those interested preparing for
Embrace Grace coming in March 2020.
For more information or to register for the January training, contact Gail Lahr; larussell1@yahoo.com, 616-847-0149.

On Sunday, October 6, we celebrated our 45th year of Crop Hunger Walk in the Tri Cities (and 50th nationally) at Ferrysburg Community Church. The walk was a success. More than 250 walkers and volunteers joined together. More than 40 churches, groups and businesses partnered with us this year. We have eclipsed $43,000 and hope to achieve our goal of $45,000. St. Mary’s raised $2,283 (16 Walker envelopes) with 20 plus walkers. A tremendous thank you to all who walked, volunteered and shared a gift!  Your kind support is making a big difference in the lives of hungry and hurting people in our community and around the world!