LEARN:  DEIJ INTERACTIVE BOOK DISCUSSION  
Have you ever wondered why some tweens, teens, and even adults are glued to their phones and whether there's a way to change that? Bill Gates says, “Haidt’s book, about how smartphones and social media have transformed childhood and adolescence, is scary but convincing. It is a must-read for anyone raising, working with, or teaching young people today. With this book, Haidt has given the world a wake-up call about where we’re headed—and a roadmap for how we can change course.”
The DEIJ team is holding an interactive book discussion on Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation. Reading the book is best, but if you don't have time, you're still welcome. Free babysitting is available. Please RSVP in Realm or by calling the office. Please indicate in your comments if you need childcare or contact Kim.

GIVE:  FORT MILL CARE CENTER
We will be collecting cereal (including grits and oatmeal) for the FMCC.  Thank you for your continued support.

GATHER:  LADIES' NIGHT OUT
May 19th, 6pm
Join us on Monday, May 19th at 6pm at Akahana Asian Bistro, Bar & Sushi!  RSVP in Realm or by calling the church office.

GATHER:  LET'S EAT 
May 20th, 12pm
Join us for Let's Eat on May 20th at 12pm at Nothing but Noodles!  Everyone is welcome!

LEARN:  ECUMENICAL MISSION TRIP TO MEXICO
May 24-30, 2025
The Providence Presbytery Mexico Border Ministry Neighborhood is excited to offer a trip for local disciples to travel to Frontera de Cristo in Aqua Prieta, Mexico. We will spend 7 days learning about the work that our local missionaries and their Mexican partners are doing. For more information  or if you are interested in attending, please contact Joanne.

SERVE:  GROUNDS CLEAN-UP TEAM
June 7th, 8:30-11:30am
Mark Your Calendar - Saturday June 7th 8:30a-11:30a
Grounds Clean Up Day — activities on the list include cleaning up beds, spreading pine needles, trimming shrubs, trash pick up, sidewalk edging/clean up and MORE!  Come for an hour, come for all three.  Bring the kids, we’ll find a job for everyone.  Contact Cole Kessell ,  Mike Pratt  or Karen Blackhurst  for more details.   Please RSVP in Realm if you plan to make it so we can plan accordingly, or you can also just show up.

GIVE:  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSION TRIP
This summer (June 12-18), 8 youth and 5 adults from Grace will travel to Javier Abreu’s town in the Dominican Republic. We will completing projects that will benefit the town such as little free libraries and a community garden. We will also connect with the people through games and as much conversation as we can manage across the language barrier.
Thank you for your support of this trip by purchasing tickets to Love Café and making donations.  Another way to help support the trip is to purchase supplies from our Amazon Wishlist. Browse this list and see which items you would like to provide for the trip. Many of the items are Spanish books to help the children learn to read.
Please let Lauren Abreu or Jason Davenport know if you have any questions. Thank you for your support!

SERVE:  ROCK HILL PRIDE 2025
June 21st
DEIJ Team invites you to represent Grace and demonstrate our statement of welcome in Downtown Rock Hill at the 2025 Rock Hill Pride Festival! DEIJ team will share further details as we get closer to the event.  
In the face of political turmoil and rising challenges against LGBTQ+ rights, Pride 2025 is our opportunity to come together, stand tall, and remind the world that love is love, equality is non-negotiable, and our voices will not be silenced.  Please sign-up for one or more 2-hour shifts at the Grace tent here.

LEARN:  2025 VBS
June 23, 2025 — June 27, 2025
9:00am to 12:00pm
For more information or to register, click here.
Deadline to register is June 9th.  Please invite friends and family to attend as well!
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kim.

SERVE:  GIVE KIDS THE WORLD
A Grace team will serve at Give Kids the World Nov 7-14. Yes, that's a ways away, but we have to make our housing and service reservations NOW. If you'd like to come, a $75 per person deposit is now due. The total cost should be around $350 per person, not including transportation or most meals. If you have questions, see Joanne.

SERVE:  CHILDCARE AND CHILDREN'S CHURCH VOLUNTEERS
To follow safe sanctuary policy, we need to have two adults in a room with children. We are dependent on volunteers assist our paid workers to make this happen. If we cannot find volunteers, we cannot provide Childcare or Children’s Church. Please look at your schedule and see what days you are available to help.
To volunteer for Childcare, click here; for Children’s Church, click here. Please contact Kim with any questions.

LEARN: ADULT EDUCATION GROUPS

• Tuesday Study Group (10am on Zoom) Exodus From Scratch, by Donald L. Griggs and W. Eugene March.
• Wednesday Study Group (7:30pm on Zoom) Wholehearted Faith, by Rachel Held Evans.
• E-mail Joanne for more information about either of these groups.
  • Thursday Study Group (10-11:30am hybrid) is beginning a new book:  Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies by N.T. Wright & Michael F. Bird.  Here is the link for Zoom.
• E-mail Celia Wilson for more information. 
  • Adult Sunday School (Sundays at 9am in room 15) is using The Bible Project as a guide (short video and discussion.)
• E-mail Dre Manoni for more information.

SUNDAY SCHOOL 
Please look over the list of classes and we hope that you and your family will join us.
Nursery and Toddlers (Infants through 2 year olds) – Room 8
Early Childhood (3 year old - 5k) – Room 9
Primary Class (1st - 5th grades) – Room 5
Youth (6th-12th grades) - Youth Room
Adult Sunday School  - Room 15

GATHERING AT GRACE  :  What opportunities for fun are available at Grace? Where do I belong? 
Our (sort of) age related gatherings are for anyone who wants to come and have fun with others. No ID checked! If you want to hang out with folks, no one will turn you away.

• GRACE FAMILY FIRST NIGHTS - We meet on the first Sunday of each month for food and fellowship. Following our meal, one of our awesome musical groups will sing and we usually end the night with a mission project to support one of the many groups we serve.  Kim Palmer coordinates this group.
• -ISH GROUP - people who are the age of the parents of our littles and elementary school kids gather for food and fun. Dre Manoni coordinates this group. 
• GAP GROUP - We don’t need babysitters (or we do and get them) and can still drive at night. We gather the 3rd Friday night of each month for food and shenanigans. Sometimes we’re at the home of a member, sometimes we can be found at a local pub or restaurant, but we can always be found laughing and having fun. (What’s in the name? It was the group in the gap between our young adults and seniors…that’s not really true anymore, but the name stuck.) Ray Scott is our coordinator.
• DAYTRIPPERS - We go on field trips during the day. From spider lilies to Hello Dolly to Fort Mill History Museum and more. Watch for the monthly adventure. Annmarie Clark coordinates this group. All are welcome!
• VINTAGE GRACE - This group of Seniors gathers annually for a Christmas lunch and gift swap.
• YOUTH - 6th through 12th graders gather weekly for faith-building, service and fun. More details here.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING - DEVICES AND APP
If you have trouble hearing the message and other speaking in the sanctuary, please let the people in the sound booth know. We have three assistive listening devices. It is recommended that you bring your own headphones that can be plugged into the device.
We now have an app available that streams the service. Please check the website for details on how to download and use it.

PARKING ON SUNDAYS AT GRACE
On Sunday mornings, please reserve all of the parking spots in the circle for those with limited mobility unless you hold the monthly Space of Grace.

NAMETAGS
Please remember to wear your nametags on Sunday mornings. We have had quite a few guests attending worship, so it's helpful if we are wearing our nametags. If you are missing your name tag, let Ami know.

SOFT PLASTIC RECYCLING
Great job on continuing your collections! We have received several benches with half going to the Historic Paradise Foundation. Have you ever wondered where the plastic goes after we collect it? The following 2 videos will provide those  answers:
Recycling program
Trex factory  

HUG ME DOLLS
Do you know someone who needs a hug? Melissa has been making some hug-me dolls and is ready to make some more. They come in a wide variety, with each one just waiting to be hugged. They are $10 with all proceeds going to Thornwell Home for Children and Teenagers.

INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP WITH TEMPLE SOLEL
Presbyterian Church & Jewish Temple Partner – Sharing Lessons of Hospitality: CN2 News article