GRACE FOR ALL

Member of the Reconciling Ministries Network

GRACE FOR ALL, INC

P. O. Box 1006

Wilmington, DE 19899-1006

Helpline: 302-740-3608

QUOTE "I am deeply disturbed that in the face of some of the most horrendous problems facing Africa, we concentrate on 'what do I do in bed with whom'. For one to penalize someone for their sexual orientation is the same as penalizing someone for something they can do nothing about, like ethnicity or race. I cannot imagine persecuting a minority group which is already being persecuted. The God I worship would not consider that [gay clergy] to be a priority concern. Churches should instead be thinking about poverty, HIV/AIDS and conflict resolution."

-- Bishop Desmond Tutu

Mission Statement

We the members of Grace For All, INC, advocate for the inclusion and full participation of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the Christian Church, both in policy and practice. We aspire to create a welcoming space for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in the community of Christ. By fostering opportunities for dialogue through education, ministry, advocacy and witness, we seek to bridge the division in the Church on this matter.

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History

The body that would become Grace For All, INC started as a small group of United Methodist individuals, both lay persons and clergy, within the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. Initially inspired by one family’s personal struggle to find acceptance in their church community, the group was drawn together to be in ministry to GLBT individuals and their families, offering support and providing resources where little or none had previously existed.

The need for this ministry within the local area was immediately clear and became the focus of our work at the onset. As word spread about Grace For All, the group began to grow, attracting new members each month. A hotline and weekly support group were established to further extend our outreach. Individuals from other denominations also joined, which not only added to the group’s diversity but confirmed the need for an agency that could reach not only the UMC, but the greater Christian community, as well.

As Grace For All grew, we began to see our ministry would need to reach out in many ways to many different communities with one central goal - spreading the love and grace of Jesus Christ to all. Our Mission Statement says: We, the members of Grace for All, INC, advocate for the inclusion and full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the Christian Church, both in policy and in practice. We aspire to create a welcoming space for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in the community of Christ. By fostering opportunities for dialogue through education, ministry, advocacy and witness, we seek to bridge the division in the Church on this matter.

After the October 31, 2005 rulings of the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church, we drew up our Position Statement on Ruling 1032 of the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church. In the spring of 2006 Grace For All joined The Reconciling Ministries Network. Because of our roots most of our current focus is specifically directed toward events and rulings within the United Methodist Church. However, it is our desire and mission to minister and advocate for all the community of Christ.

In April of 2007 Grace For All became incorporated in Delaware.

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Ministries

Support Group

Parents – a Parental Support Group is in development. Please check back for updates.

GLBT, Friends and Family Bible Study

In September 2006, Grace For All launched a new Bible Study Ministry for the GLBT Community and their friends & family. This Bible Study meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Monday of each month from 7:15 to 8:30 PM at the Skyline United Methodist Church. This Bible Study is designed for all Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender members of the community and their friends to come and experience the Love and Grace for ALL as truly taught in the Bible and shown in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Skyline United Methodist Church

Skyline Drive and Linden Hill Road ~ Pike Creek

Wilmington, DE 19805 (Yahoo! map)

Check out the Out in Scripture study material by clicking here…

Education

Grace For All believes that through open discussion and prayer the true love and grace of Jesus Christ can be seen as meant for all – not just the select. The Bible is not to be used as a weapon; rather, it needs to be used to show the true intent of Christ Jesus.

Advocacy

Grace For All is working with local pastors, churches, congregations and Christian groups to help expand the welcoming love of Christ. In opening widely all the doors of the church to all persons, no matter who they are, all will come to feel the UNCONDITIONAL GRACE of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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Calendar of Events

GLBT Bible Study

2^nd and 4^th Mondays

7:15 – 8:30 PM

Skyline United Methodist Church

Skyline Drive and Linden Hill Road ~ Pike Creek

Wilmington, DE 19805 (Yahoo! map)

1^st and 3^rd Mondays

7:00 – 8:30 PM

Epworth United Methodist Church

19285 Holland Glade Road

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Next Meeting:

TBA

Maps…

The maps and/or directions provided are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, or other events may cause road conditions to differ from the map results. Maps and directions provided via Yahoo! Maps® and/or Google Maps, Inc.

Upcoming meetings:

Please note: Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Please check back prior to a scheduled meeting to confirm the time and location. Weather cancellation or changes will be posted here and updated as quickly as information becomes available.

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Resources

Printed Materials:

Click on the link below to request a printed copy or view the online version.

· Grace For All, INC brochure (printed copy)

· Silent Voices – A Collection of Personal Stories (online) (printed copy)

· Suggested Reading List (online) (printed copy)

Online Links:

PFLAG

Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a grassroots organization which envisions a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

PFLAG National

http://www.pflag.org/

PFLAG Wilmington/Northern Delaware

P. O. Box 26049

Wilmington, DE 19899

http://pflagwilmde.home.att.net

pflagwilmde@worldnet.att.net

PFLAG Chapters in Maryland (9)

http://www.pflag.org/Maryland.213.0.html

CAMP Rehoboth

Create A More Positive Rehoboth

A grassroots community group working to create a welcoming environment in Rehoboth

Beach, Delaware for the GLBT Community, their family and friends.

37 Baltimore Avenue

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

302-227-5620

GAY AA

Clean But Not Straight –

Sundays at 6:00pm

Westminster Presbyterian Church

1502 West 13^th Street

(at Pennsylvania Ave)

Wilmington, DE 19806

Gay/Lesbian Adult Children of Alcoholics and Al-anon Group - Thursdays at 7:00 PM

A 12-step Support Group for people in the GLBT Community affected by parents, partners, friends and/or relatives drinking and/or drug use. Enter via the back entrance off of the church parking lot.

Limestone Presbyterian Church

3201 Limestone Road

Wilmington, DE 19808

Meets in the

"Upper Room", 2^nd Floor

Contact Randy @ 302-456-9129

GLBT Friendly Travel

The Travel Company

1708 Lovering Ave, Suite 203B

Wilmington, DE 19806

302-652-6263

www.travelcompany.ws

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Membership in Grace For All

Membership to Grace For All, INC is open to all who will advocate for the inclusion and full participation of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the Christian Church, both in policy and practice… and aspire to create a welcoming space for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in the community of Christ.

To join Grace For All please send us an e-mail by clicking here or by calling our Helpline at 302-740-3608.

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Reconciling Ministries Network

Grace For All, INC is a Community member of the Reconciling Ministries Network. The RMN is open to individual, group and church membership. To find out more about what joining the RMN means to you, your group or church go to www.rmnetwork.org/.

Reconciling Ministries Network is a national grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church, both in policy and practice.
-RMN Mission Statement

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Contact us

GRACE FOR ALL, INC

P. O. Box 1006

Wilmington, DE 19899-1006

Call us: 302-740-3608

E-Mail us: grace-for-all@comcast.net

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Finding comfort in the Lord…

John 14: 27

^27“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 7:37-38

^37-39On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says." (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)

This is the word of the Lord;

Thanks be to God.

As found in The Message (MSG)

by Eugene H. Peterson

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It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies,

but even more to stand up to your friends.

-- J.K. Rowling

Grace For All, INC