About the Children's Program

    Grace Mission has been blessed with other servant leaders over the years.  One of them is well known and loved by those who call Grace Mission their church home.  Elizabeth Crowe, lovingly known as "Miss Elizabeth" by the children of Grace, joined Grace Mission in 2000 to become the director of Grace's children's ministry.  The mainstay of that ministry is the after-school academic program.  Designed and skillfully led by Miss Elizabeth, 18 children come to Grace two days a week for individual academic tutoring from volunteer tutors.  In addition, the children of Grace participate in a Tuesday evening Bible Study.  It's not all work --- far from it.  Miss Elizabeth and her dedicated band of tutors make learning fun.  More importantly, they make the children feel loved and valued.

     But the program does not stop at the end of the school year.  During the summer, Miss Elizabeth and volunteer participants from the other churches combine learning with numerous outings so that the children of Grace can enjoy the excitement and adventures of childhood.  The major summer event is Camp Saint Michael at the diocesan camp and conference center.  This is a special time for the children of Grace to experience a wonderful camp designed especially for them.  Before they set off for camp, small groups of campers go on shopping trips with Miss Elizabeth's team to outfit them properly for the adventure.  This in itself is such a special treat for the kids.  Each child that attends must "qualify" in the sense that they consistently attend the after school program, do the assigned work, and maintain a "good conduct" record.  Accountability is a key part of the children's program.

    At the appropriate age, the children of Grace are offered the opportunity to be trained and serve as acolytes.  The waiting list is usually long.  This teaches the children the beauty of the liturgy, the reverence for the Lord that is so much a part of the worship at Grace Mission and a sense of accomplishment and contribution.  The photos and some of the statements by the children of Grace are dramatic proof that something's happening here!