MINISTRIES
SUNDAY WORSHIP
WEEKLY GATHERINGS: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
At Urban Grace, we value the time we spend together on Sunday mornings and hope it is a meaningful time for everyone that attends. As an ecumenical congregation, we follow the liturgical, or Church, calendar which roots us in ancient Christian tradition and connects us to the larger body of Christ. We hope these rhythms and seasons deepen our spiritual practices as we remember together God’s promises and the story of our reconciliation to God and one another.
Every Sunday is unique including the worship band, preacher and themes, so you’ll need to visit a few times before you can get a realistic picture of who we are. Whether you like traditional hymns with organ, gospel music or bluegrass, there is something for everyone when it comes to our musical styles. We often incorporate poetry, dance or art pieces into our worship services as well. All are welcome!
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Children are welcome in our services anytime. We love the sounds of babies and inquisitive kids throughout the morning! But if you’d prefer, we also offer quality nursery and Sunday School programs during the service. We start all together in the sanctuary, then kids will be dismissed after the Blessing of the Children.
We offer nursery care by trained staff and volunteers for those four years old and under. Our classes for kids take place during our worship service and follow a lectionary-based rotational model following the liturgical (or Church) calendar. Each week they focus on a story that corresponds with the church season and look at that story from different angles through activities like games, songs, drama, crafts and other hands-on projects. The first Sunday of the month is our congregation’s communion Sunday, so our Sunday School class is shortened so children can be a part of this meaningful time with our church family.
Our youth group (4th grade – high schoolers) is on Sunday afternoons at Urban Grace. We join with about seven churches in the area in order to provide a robust group for small churches that would normally not be able to provide a program. With our large age range, we break up into age-appropriate groups for discussion and some activities. Pizza, games, discussions about faith, and laughter are provided each week.
We take the safety of our children seriously and hope that all families feel secure in the policies and procedures that have been set up to ensure their child’s well-being. Please take a look at the policies we have and let us know if you have any questions.
Youth & Family Safe Conduct Policy
SHEILA KOVATS
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY COORDINATOR
On Sundays, Urban Grace offers two Sunday School classes for students ages 4-7 years and 8+ years as well as a nursery for children 3 and under. With years of ministry experience, Sheila oversees these classrooms as well as our other youth and children’s programs with great enthusiasm and a love for helping children explore faith in new ways.
A Note from Sheila...
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Nursery & Sunday School Sundays, 10:30 A.M.
Multi-Church Youth Group
Sundays, 4:30-6pm @ Urban Grace (September 16-December 9)
SMALL GROUPS
CARE & PRAYER
Our Congregational Care Team gets together regularly to help meet the immediate needs of those in the church and help integrate new congregants into the life of Urban Grace. Whether you or someone you know needs hospital visitation, prayer, meals, community resources, or the schedule of social events, the Congregational Care Team can help get you connected.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
We place particular significance on the poor, marginalized, and oppressed and seek to reach out through providing services that meet immediate needs as well as supporting, collaborating, and developing efforts to strive for justice and equity for all who live in our city.
This weekly breakfast is a unique way to meet those in need in the community. Every Sunday over 200 people are served a free, hot breakfast and are always looking for a listening ear and friendly face. Come join us! Contact Willie to volunteer or for more info.
On the second Sunday of every month, volunteers with the UW MedEx physician assistant program come to the Community Breakfast to provide free foot care and health screenings to anyone who needs it. They serve about 15-25 people per month, and provide valuable one-on-one time with the attendees of our breakfast. Read article about the foot care clinic from MedEx Magazine. Read article and see video about foot care clinic from Tacoma News Tribune. NEW MedEx Foot Care Clinic Video!FAMILY HOUSING NETWORK
For many years, Urban Grace has partnered with Family Housing Network (FHN) to provide shelter, meals and fellowship for families in transition. Twice a year, our building becomes full of beds, children, warm meals, and laughter as our congregation volunteers to provide dinners and overnight supervision for these families in need.
Next FHN Dates: Saturday, April 21-Saturday, April 28, 2018
HALLOWEEN PARTY
Through this annual event, Urban Grace provides a safe and fun place for families to celebrate Halloween. This party is not just for families within our own congregation and neighborhood, but also reaches out to other churches partnering on our joint youth group as well as those at Tacoma Rescue Mission.
2018 Halloween Party: Sunday, October 28, 4:30pm
For more information or to volunteer, contact the church office.
CREATIVITY & ART
“These Stones” Music Video, Lyrics by Elizabeth Archer Klein, Music and Vocals by Emily Wickman & Adam Ydstie
Downtown Mural Sponsored by Urban Grace and the City of Tacoma’s Innovative Grant in 2009. Design and Artwork by Fab-5.
We value the arts as a unique and strategic part of our community context and as a means for exploring, expressing, and communicating truth and beauty about God and one another. We encourage creativity and freedom of expression in our worship and practices. We also seek to develop and nurture the arts and artists through the use of our facility as a community arts center.