I wasn’t one of those people. I didn’t dream of working with kids. I didn’t choose a career that involved kids, and when I was asked to serve in Grace Kids as part of my role at Hoboken Grace, I had to reassure myself that it would only be a temporary thing.

However, several months (and now years) into being on the kids team, that has all changed. It’s shocking to me, but I can honestly say that serving in Grace Kids has drastically changed my life and transformed my perspective on the opportunity God has given me to impact kids.

Here are a few things I’ve learned about how God values kids, and why I now say that serving those children who walk in our doors is the most meaningful part of my week.

**_Make no mistake about it, children are important to God._**  
Did you know that God talks about the importance of children over 200 times in the Bible? He clearly tells us that children are a blessing (Psalm 127: 3-5). When Jesus was here, he made a point to welcome children and to affirm their value. He even talked about punishment for anyone who abused a child. He made it clear that children are a priority to Him, and since God’s priorities matter to me, I want to be a part of working with kids.

**_The long-term impact is limitless._**  
Working in the kids ministry allows me to have a direct impact on the future. When I serve, I’m not just impacting that child in that moment. I’m potentially helping to shape someone who could be a world changer. The children I’m pouring into could change the entire future of their family and other families to come for years down the road! By showing up to serve on Sunday, I’m doing my part to help create a better story.

**_My character is growing._**  
When I’m preparing for a class on Sunday, God makes sure I understand that the lesson is just as much for me as it is for the kids. God never wastes an opportunity to reveal things in my life through the lessons we teach. He has also done some serious work on my humility (you can’t take yourself too seriously as a kids teacher) and my patience (we don’t see a return on our investment right away every Sunday). So, believe me, I’m growing just as much as the kids in my class.

**_I have never felt so loved in my entire life._**  
God knows exactly what I need, and when he delivers it’s better than anything I could ever imagine or put in place for myself. There is no greater feeling in the world than when the kids come upstairs on Sunday, look for me, call my name and run to me with a big hug. They KNOW me, SEE me and LOVE me. This is a gift from God, and every time it happens I experience God’s perfect love for me directly through the kids.

**_It’s okay to be silly._**  
It took some time for me to understand that I don’t have to be serious 24/7\. God wants me to have fun and laugh and be silly. He wants me to channel my inner child and be free of the expectations of the world. The kids ministry gives me the perfect place to do that. It was hard for me at first, but once I tried it there was no turning back. You will often find me and the other teachers dancing in the hallway to kids songs. Right now, our favorite is the “Books of the Bible” rap, and we don’t care how silly we look because we’re having a blast!

Are you curious what we do upstairs every week? Regardless of your experience, I invite you to come hang out one Sunday and see what it’s all about. Come be silly with us!

_Interested in serving in Grace Kids_? [Sign up to take a tour.](http://hobokengrace.com/kids/#volunteer)


The Most Meaningful Part of My Week

Frustrated about finances? Drowning in debt? Befuddled by budgets, investments and retirement planning? Join the countless others who have found financial freedom through [Financial Peace University.](https://hobokengrace.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/137626)

FPU is a practical, nine-week course that will teach you [how to manage money God’s way](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/the-most-important-lessons-we-learned-from-fpu/). The class covers relationships, budgeting, getting out of debt, insurance and making wise investments. The average Hoboken Grace household has experienced a more than $4,000 turnaround in their finances during the nine-week course itself.

The class will be offered Mondays (from 7:30-9:30 p.m., starting Jan. 15), Thursdays (from 7:30-9:30 p.m., starting Jan. 18) and Sundays (from 9:30-11:30 a.m., starting Jan. 21). Attendance for all nine sessions is strongly recommended, and married couples are encouraged to attend together.

Here are four stories from people who are experiencing financial freedom after taking the class:

**Dan and Rebecca**

FPU has totally changed the way we view our finances together — from how we manage everyday expenses like groceries, eating out and filling the car with gas to big decisions like buying a car, house and insurance. It challenges fundamental ideas that many today have accepted as ‘truth’ when in fact those very things are what may drive people to financial ruin. We cannot recommend this course enough for those who are struggling with debt and their finances. If we were to sum it all up — in FPU, we entered thinking debt was something to be managed and left believing it’s something to be free from!

**Andy**

FPU was great for me because it laid out a formula to accomplish financial freedom. It wasn’t an abstract set of ideals. Instead, it provided a comprehensive list of steps toward peace of mind.

The debt snowball, a simple yet empowering method of paying off debt, was my favorite and most influential aspect of the course. I highly recommend FPU for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of financial responsibility, as well as a plan to achieve the peace and independence that comes with properly handling your hard earned money.

**Tasheka**

I was always interested in finance, so much so that I pursued it as a career. Within my roles (current and past), I was always responsible for managing millions of dollars each month to ensure we are meeting our yearly goals.

However, when it came to my own personal finances, I lacked the same enthusiasm and insight. I knew I had my fixed monthly expenses that were paid timely, but outside of this, all my discretionary income would just disappear before the close of the month, and I was hardly saving enough for any life emergencies. I started a new job last year that pays monthly, and I knew I needed to get my spending under control for fear of getting myself in a financial bind.

I decided to sign up for FPU, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. After starting the class, I created a monthly budget every month to account for how each dollar will be spent, I now have a growing savings account and, most importantly, I’ve been able to tithe as soon as I get paid (instead of paying all my bills and then seeing what I have left).

This class has been a blessing to my life because I am no longer stressed about something as important as my finances.

**Angela**

Financial Peace University gave me a plan. Prior to taking the course, I had no real plan for the money I was saving, and without a plan, I felt no strong sentiment for the money I was spending.

I had the attitude that since I was living in Hoboken, where rent is high and it is hard to save anyway, I might as well live well — support every local coffee shop, never say no to a happy hour and sport a new dress for every occasion. Increasingly louder was the inner conviction that this was not God’s intention for my earnings and for the countless hours I was spending at work.

FPU matured me as I accepted the truth that how I handle my finances now will contribute to the ease at which I can achieve the plans and desires in my heart in the future. Dave Ramsey’s passionate interpretation on financial planning caused me to waste no time in putting together a realistic budget and seeking to understand where every dollar of my income was going.

My boyfriend and I took this course together, and we’re so grateful for establishing these FPU principles in the foundation of our relationship. Our Uber trips up and down Washington Street have since subsided, and now when we’re covered in sweat going from A to B, we smile at one another and say “live like no one else now so later we can live like no one else!”

_Financial Peace University groups starts Sept. 9th. [Register here.](https://hobokengrace.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/137626)_


Living a Life of Financial Freedom


With a growing number of people who have stepped into leadership, dinner groups are more accessible than ever. There are dinner groups for women, men, couples, families, middle school and high school students. There are groups that meet during the evenings, mornings and at lunchtime.

But for some, being able to meet each week still proves difficult.

As a student at Stevens Institute of Technology, Athina’s class and study schedule often prevented her from being able to attend dinner group on a weekly basis.

“Every minute counts when you are a student, and after factoring in the commuting time to get to the meeting location and to come back, I realized it would cut into my study time or sometimes it was my actual class schedule that would interfere,” she said.

So last year, Athina started a dinner group for people who found themselves in the same situation. The group meets online, through a video conferencing app called Zoom. The app allows each person to identify who is talking, while simulating the experience of everyone being in the same room.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/DSCF8093-1024x682.jpg)

Having attended other dinner groups in the past, Athina admits most people experience a quicker connection when meeting in person. For example, if someone is sharing something that makes them emotional, another member could put their arm around them. But there is still a connection being made online, she says, and the group works for individuals who otherwise would not be able to participate each week.

And there are plenty of circumstances that might make an online group a good fit.

“Someone who travels quite often now has the ability to call in from wherever they are around the world,” Athina said. “Someone with a babysitting issue, especially if you are a single parent, can call in from home and participate. There is also the likelihood of a disability that may not make it possible for someone to attend our weekly services, people that may only be able to watch services via Livestream.”

In the end, says Athina, there isn’t a right group or a wrong group. The most important thing is to be part of a dinner group, and to choose the one that allows you to be most consistent.

_For more information about dinner groups or to sign up for one, visit hobokengrace.com/dinnergroups. Interested in starting your own group or have additional questions? Email dinnergroups@hobokengrace.com._


Can’t Commit to a Dinner Group? Read This

Throughout the year, Hoboken Grace offers mission trips designed to encourage us to step outside of our comfort zones, challenge our assumptions and transform our perspectives. Mission trips are one of the best ways to live out God’s word, allowing Him to work through us to serve others and love boldly. But many of us are afraid to take this leap of faith because of a number.

Is there a trip you’ve been eyeing but counting out because you don’t think you can swing it financially? Below are a few tips to help make your trip a reality.

**1). Create an online giving page:** Create a fundraising page where you can tell your story and share information about the organization you will be working with on the trip. Many of us feel called to go on a mission trip for different reasons. Let people know what you are fundraising for, and give them the opportunity to be a part of something greater than themselves. Your friends and family will want you to succeed.

**2). Social media:** Use social media (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to build awareness around your mission trip “campaign.” Over time, your inner circle of family and friends will begin to share your story in an effort to reach more potential donors. Be sure to include a link to your fundraising page and include easy to understand instructions regarding how to donate. Remember, every dollar counts!

**3). Matching gifts:** Reach out to local businesses and see if they have a matching program. Let them know what you will be doing on the trip and how their funds will benefit those you are serving. Many businesses will match charitable contributions.

**4). Get crafty:** With a little ingenuity and some planning, you can host a local community day or initiative. Set up a donation booth at your local high school’s home basketball game or hold a bake sale in a public space. Clean out your drawers and host a garage sale as spring rolls around, or sell cute DIY gifts.

**5). Reach out to the Missions Team.** When in doubt, reach out to our Missions Team for fresh ideas and assistance so that your dream of going on a mission trip becomes a reality.

Whatever trip you’ve been thinking about, it’s never too late to fundraise. [Click here](http://hobokengrace.com/mission-trips/) to learn more about the mission trips Hoboken Grace has planned for this year. You can also contact Anthony at anthony@hobokengrace.com for more information.

[![DSCF4533](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSCF4533-1024x682.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSCF4533.jpg)


How to Raise Support for Your Mission Trip

Last week, we wrote about [some of the biggest highlights of 2017](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/15-reasons-incredible-year/). They were the top 15 stories from the standpoint of what was most notable about this year. But of course, that’s not the whole picture. It’s impossible to boil down an entire year into 15 bullet points.

So while those 15 stories may have been the most notable, these were the blog stories that resonated most with readers. They’re stories about the unexpected unfolding, and the moments that exceed our expectations. They’re stories about shedding assumptions, and gaining perspective. They’re stories about searching — for identity, or for meaning in grief. And they’re stories about finding — hope, community, purpose.

Of the more than 100 blog posts published this year, these were the 10 most read stories:

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/08/IMG_31121lighter.jpg)

## 1). [Hopeful Grieving](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/hopeful-grieving/)

I learned my mom’s disease was terminal the moment she was diagnosed. I remember the doctor coming out of surgery and ushering me into a quiet room that was just off from the waiting room. I sat anxiously awaiting the results from her surgery. “Your mom is in serious trouble,” he said. He was a kind doctor and his eyes told me he was deeply saddened by the news he had to deliver.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/01/meta-2.jpg)

## 2). [5 Reasons to Join a Dinner Group](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/5-reason-sign-dinner-group/)

Dinner Groups are a great way to start building community by engaging with God while having fun. Here are 5 reasons we think you should join us for dinner this year.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/03/shutterstock_328177379.jpg)

## 3). [How a Spin Class Changed the Way I Worship](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/spin-class-changed-way-worship/)

I’ve had a complicated relationship with my body these last few years thanks to some significant health issues. I’ve moved through cycles of frustration and exhaustion to hatred to forgiveness and grace to hopefulness more times than I can count. Scripture says my body was “fearfully and wonderfully made,” but more often than not, it has just felt fearful. It has felt broken.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/03/DSCF6337.jpg)

## 4). [The Hunt That Changed Everything](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/hunt-changed-everything/)

Around this time last year, Gwen and her family were looking for a church. They’d visited a few in the area but hadn’t yet found a place to call home. Then a friend invited Gwen and her son to Hoboken Grace’s Easter Egg Hunt. “I thought it’d be fun,” she says, but she didn’t have any other expectations.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/03/Cottontail-1-178-1.jpg)

## 5). [Shattered Egg-spectations](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/nothing-like-expected/)

Last spring, Hoboken Grace was a new church for me, and I was exploring some of its activities. The week before Easter, the church was throwing a free Easter Egg Hunt at a huge, fenced-in sports field on Jackson Street. I was planning to stop by for just a half-hour to get a feel for the event. It wasn’t anything like what I expected.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/03/DSC_8527.jpg)

## 6). [Leading the Way](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/know-god-wants/)

As a mom of two kids with special needs, I was at first hesitant to serve every week. Making that commitment would change what Sundays looked like for my entire family, and I worried I wouldn’t be able to fit it around my schedule. After praying about it, though, I realized I’d been looking at serving all wrong.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/02/DSCF0587.jpg)

## 7). [Portraits: Great Expectations](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/portraits-great-expectations/)

“Remember who you are and who you represent.” Jon’s mom always said the same thing to him as he headed out the door to hang out with friends, and the words trailed after him and echoed in his head. “Remember who you are and who you represent.” “She meant for those words to keep me grounded and focused on what was really important,” said Jon. “But every time I heard them, I piled a little more pressure on myself to live up to what I thought was expected of me.”

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/07/Dinner-Group-Popcorn-Impact-Event-Movie-Under-the-Stars-2.jpg)

## 8). [Summer at the Movies](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/summer-at-the-movies/)

Just like that long-awaited sequel, Hoboken Grace is back at the movies this summer – Movies Under the Stars, that is. A group will be handing out popcorn at the city’s free movie screening at Pier A each Wednesday night.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/01/15822821_10154596721885743_1729109851537536290_n.jpg)

## 9). [That Night Surprised Me](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/finding-family/)

On a Wednesday night in early November, I found myself huddled around a dinner table in Jersey City with nine other women. Our usually lively group was quiet that night, and an unspoken tension hung in the air. It was November 9, 2016 ㅡ less than 24 hours after one of the most divisive election cycles in U.S. history.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/07/IMG_3360-2edit-1.jpg)

## 10). [When the Math Doesn’t Make Sense](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/hope-math-doesnt-make-sense/)

Jim said he couldn’t help but be moved when he met the families and kids that were getting support from Enable the Children. Kids with cerebral palsy who had spent their lives indoors on the floor were sitting upright, feeding themselves and getting to go outside with other kids. But the finance guy in the back of Jim’s mind kept on asking, is this really the best return on investment?

**Read our top 10 posts from previous years**

[The Top 10 Posts of 2016](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/top-10-blog-posts-2016/)

[The Top 10 Posts of 2015](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/our-top-10-blog-posts-of-2015/)


The Top 10 Blog Posts of 2017

As we look back on 2017, it’s overwhelming to see all that God has done. As a church community, we were able to reach more people than ever before, build more relationships in our city and take countless steps in growing closer to Him.

The story He’s writing in our city is impossible to capture in a single blog post, but here are just a few of the highlights from the past year, in no particular order:

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/Aerial-Over-Hunt-1-1024x576.jpg)

### 1). An Epic Easter Egg Hunt

The Easter Egg Hunt keeps growing! For the second year in a row, two Easter Egg Hunts were held at Mama Johnson Field. More than 5,000 people registered for the free hunt, which this year involved 30,000 eggs. It couldn’t have happened without the more than 200 volunteers who served that day.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/DSCF8320-1024x682.jpg)

### 2). More Seats at the Table

Dinner groups became more accessible than ever this year. Monday through Sunday, there’s now a group meeting for every day of the week. And in addition to the more traditional men, women and couple’s groups, there are now family groups, an online group, and groups for middle school and high school students. Thanks to those who stepped into leadership roles this years, 550 people are now able to take part in a dinner group.

### ![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/DSC_4042-1024x680.jpg)

### 3). Dozens of Baptisms

Thirty-six people took the step of baptism this year, marking the change in their life when they began following Christ.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/10/20170930-DSC_5454.jpg)

### **4). A 1Day With More Projects Than Ever Before**

More than 400 people came together in September to love and serve their neighbors. It was the biggest 1Day yet, with 36 projects that spanned the entire city.

### ![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/07/Dinner-Group-Popcorn-Impact-Event-Movie-Under-the-Stars-2-1024x529.jpg)

### 5). The Return of Movies Under the Stars

Hoboken Grace began serving popcorn at Movies Under the Stars last year, and it was such a success that the city asked us back. Volunteers handed out 250 to 500 bags of popcorn each Wednesday night. It’s an easy – not to mention fun – way to love and support our community.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/IMG_2125-1024x529.jpg)

### 6). 114(!) Connection Events

That’s right – dinner groups organized 114 Connection Events this year, creating even more opportunities for people to get connected. The events ranged from pizza crawls to bike rides.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/06/IMG_6801-e1498712292753-1024x730.jpg)

### 7). The Start of Community Dinners

This year also marked the start of monthly Community Dinners at the Hoboken Housing Authority. It’s another example of our dinner groups finding new ways to love those in our city.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/08/IMG_0004-1024x682.jpg)

### 8). Growing Partnerships

We were able to support our local partners in new ways this year, such as being part of a graduation ceremony at The Open Door and throwing a party at Liberty State Park for New City Kids. In addition, many of our partners were able to visit Hoboken Grace this year.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/IMG_5520-1024x768.jpg)

### 9). The Places We Went

In 2017, our missions strategy changed. Instead of traveling somewhere for a week to support the people who live there, our teams began serving the missionaries already established there, so that they could continue doing what they do best. Teams traveled to Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Mexico, Kenya and South Korea.

### ![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/IMG_5840-1024x682.jpg)

### 10). The Hoboken Christmas Exchange

More than 1,100 people received Christmas gifts this year thanks to the 150 volunteers and over 1,000 donors who took part in this year’s Hoboken Christmas Exchange. It was an amazing day, with incredible stories still coming out of the event.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/07/DSCF1801-1024x682.jpg)

### 11). Simple Service That Reached Countless People

The Simple Service Team organized two Simple Service Saturday events, with volunteers across the city conducting random acts of kindness. They handed out hundreds of doughnuts, water bottles, granola bars and more.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/hggala2017-96-1024x819.jpg)

### 12). The Team Gala

The hundreds of people who serve on impact teams came together in November for Hoboken Grace’s second annual Team Gala. It was amazing to be able to celebrate all that they do!

### ![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/38124712255_25f44d6b1c_o-1024x682.jpg)

### 13). The Kids Christmas Concert

The Grace Kids Christmas Concert was the culmination of a huge year in Grace Kids! It was also one of our biggest Sundays ever, with more than 1,000 people attending in person and hundreds watching on Livestream.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/05/DSCF0120-1024x682.jpg)

### 14). The First Worship Concert

The Worship Team held its first Worship Concert this year, performing several original songs while recording a live album. The concert was something the team had dreamt and prayed about for years. And in February, it finally happened!

### ![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/hggala2017-122-1024x732.jpg)

### 15). You!

It’s been an amazing year, but it was only possible because of those who were a part of it and the way that God was able to work through them.

We can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store!


The Story He Told

Since joining the Concierge Team a year ago, Elyse has sent hundreds of messages to both newcomers and regular attenders. Emailed to anyone who has filled out a Connection Card, they include personalized birthday wishes, anniversary congratulations and notes to first-time guests. It’s a small gesture that can have the same effect as a smile at the front door.

The Writing Team recently talked to Elyse about the Concierge Team’s role at Hoboken Grace and the personal touches that come with making someone feel welcome and well cared for.

**How did you get involved with the Concierge Team and what does your role include?**

Sarah Neral and I were at dinner one night last November, and we started talking about how I’d been praying about getting more involved at Hoboken Grace. I was already attending a dinner group, but hadn’t joined an impact team yet. That’s when she mentioned the Concierge Team — a fairly new group she was leading on Monday nights. It sounded like a great fit for me, especially because of the overlap with my full-time job as an editor, where I was already working on email newsletters.

The role is never exactly the same from week to week. But on any given Monday, I might be reviewing Connection Cards; transcribing prayer requests and sending them to our Concierge Team prayer warrior, Wendy, who prays for and responds to every prayer request we receive each week; and/or sending welcome emails to first-time guests to Hoboken Grace, dinner groups and impact teams. We also communicate with people who have given to Hoboken Grace for the first time, as well as those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.

**Why did the team start sending out personalized greetings?**

Hoboken Grace’s mission is to help people find their way back to God, and the Concierge Team’s mission is to ensure that no one falls through the cracks along the way. Sending personalized emails — where we introduce ourselves, tell people about our growth classes and explain how they can get more connected — is how we’re working to accomplish that goal.

**[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/18588941_1520428844647836_5163522321839910810_o.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/18588941%5F1520428844647836%5F5163522321839910810%5Fo.jpg)What does it mean to you personally to welcome newcomers and wish someone a happy birthday or anniversary?**

It’s a really easy way to show people we care they showed up, and we’re excited to do life with them. That means celebrating things that matter to them, like birthdays and anniversaries. I imagine most people have never gotten a ‘Happy Anniversary!’ email from their church before — it’s a nice little surprise.

**How many emails on average would you say you send out per week?**

We send the most emails to first-time guests and those celebrating birthdays — so I’d estimate we communicate with at least 50 people per week. Often, it’s a lot more.

**Are there any emails that you’ve sent, a particular milestone that was celebrated, perhaps, that stand out in your mind?**

Since we sort through Connection Cards and view lists of who’s recently attended a service, dinner group or impact team for the first time, we have a birds-eye view of how much the church has grown over the past year. That’s been pretty cool to watch.

**Why do you think it is important for Hoboken Grace to send personalized greetings?**

It’s an opportunity to love people well by praying for them, answering questions, giving them opportunities to connect with others and making sure they know about all the amazing resources available to them.

_The Concierge Team is just one part of the larger Assimilation Team, which works to make sure every guest knows they matter. Others working toward that mission include the Family Life Team (which helps our family celebrate special events such as baptism), the Engagement Team (helps people find their place to serve) and Connection Points (helps answer any questions from first-time guests)._

_Want to learn more about the Concierge Team? Email_ [sarah@hobokengrace.com](mailto:sarah@hobokengrace.com)_._


Getting Personal

2019 Dinner Groups resume the week of January 7th and new groups launch January 21st. You can sign up for a Dinner Group now! Dinner Groups are a great way to find a place to belong, start building community by engaging with God, all while having fun.

Here are 5 reasons we think you should join us for dinner in 2019:

**1\. Dinner is planned**

It is nice to know that you have one less dinner to plan each week. In 2019, we ate over 2,400 meals together. Dinner groups meet weekly, share a meal together and open conversations that lead to spiritual growth. Each group does dinner in their own way. Some groups order in, some take turns cooking, others do potlucks or go out. When you sign up, the leader will let you know how they organize dinner.

**2\. Consistent encouragement**

Whether it’s spending daily time with God, serving the community, being baptized, or another milestone, Dinner Group members encourage each other to take that next step. We are all at different points in our journey. Taking a step of faith can be intimidating, but you don’t have to take that step alone. You will have people rooting for you as you move forward and people who have your back when you fear you might fail. Dinner Group gives you a front row seat to watch the faith of others in action. Your faith will grow as you see Him at work in the group.

**3\. No long-term commitment needed**

The majority of our Dinner Groups run all year long. You are welcome to join any group. All of our new groups start on a 10-week trial. Brand new groups created for those engaging dinner group for the first time. These groups are a perfect way to form new relationships with others who are also trying this out for the first time. Be assured, you are not the only one who is new.

**4\. It is a chance to be real for once**

We are always going through life trying to fit in. A lot of the time that means we have to “fake it ’til we make it.” Dinner Groups are a place where you can let your guard down and be authentic. Often we hear Sunday’s conversation and think, “This is just for me!” Then we go to group to find out that we are all dealing with similar struggles. It helps to know that others are facing the same difficulties, or have already walked through them.

**5\. Find family in Hoboken**

The strongest families are forged by sharing a meal around a table. People have traveled from all over to call Hoboken home. As a result, Hoboken Grace is made up of people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. It’s around these tables that you will establish and deepen relationships with people God has uniquely made and placed in your life. Your Dinner Group will grow together — enduring trials and making memories, just like a family.

We saved you a seat. Will you join us?

_To find a Dinner Group that is right for you,[ visit here.](http://hobokengrace.com/dinnergroups/dinnergroups/#join)_


5 Reasons to Sign Up for a Dinner Group

Sarah had forgotten about the apple. She’d packed it for a snack on her way to Bukura, Kenya, where [Rehema Home](https://www.rehemahome.org/) had recently opened its second orphanage location, but had forgotten to eat it on the way there. She pulled it out now and took a bite. As she began to eat, she realized that Brian, one of the kids sitting with her, was watching her with huge eyes. It occurred to her that he might never have seen an apple before — apples are not native to Kenya.

“You want some?” she asked. Brian nodded. She handed the apple to him, and he took a bite. Then another. Then he shared it with another kid, who had been staring at it with big, curious eyes, and that kid took a bite. Then another. And the apple made its way through the crowd.

“You know, I think you can just keep the apple,” Sarah said, but her encouragement was unnecessary. By the time the kids were done, there was nothing left of the apple but five seeds.

“I have a hundred stories like this,” said Sarah, who has gone on missions trips to Kenya five or six times over the past 11 years, including a trip organized by Hoboken Grace. Each trip involves spending time at Rehema Home, an orphanage founded almost 20 years ago by missionaries Irvin and Ruth Schwandt. During her first visit, she was volunteering with a construction team. She also hung out with and took pictures of the kids.

“I saw a boy arrive at Rehema Home for the first time,” Sarah remembers. “There was such deadness in his eyes.” But Ruth Schwandt told Sarah, “Come back, and then look in his eyes again.” And the next time Sarah saw him, she was surprised to see joy.

“I didn’t expect it — that joy,” she confesses. “I expected to see kids who needed rescue. But these kids don’t need me to rescue them —they’ve already been rescued. They are in a happy place. I saw more love in their eyes than their need for me.”

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/12/IMG_5839.jpg)

Rehema Home used Sarah’s pictures of the kids for their fundraising efforts, and Sarah continued to go back, taking pictures to assist with marketing campaigns. “There is a great need for fundraising,” she said. Rehema has two homes in Kenya, with a total of about 100 children. Their first location in Nairobi is home to around 70 children ranging in age from 6 months to 21 years old, and Rehema Home guarantees that all of these children are fed, clothed and educated from arrival through high school.

But the children arrive at Rehema Home in varying stages of distress. Many have difficult medical conditions that need to be taken care of and stabilized, including HIV infection. A few years back, a child with HIV became extremely sick and incurred about $40,000 (USD) in out-of-pocket medical fees. Rehema Home was fortunate to receive a donation from Samaritan’s Purse to take care of some of these costs, and has since started a medical fund in the name of the child, who passed away. But, Sarah says, “there always seems to be a new fire to put out” above and beyond usual operating costs. She has served on the board of the U.S. fundraising arm of Rehema Home for the past eight years, and keeps going back to take pictures for their fundraising efforts.

It’s the kids that keep Sarah coming back, however — kids like Brian, who first tasted an apple when Sarah offered it to him, and who suffers from elephantiasis but is one of the smartest kids in his class. And kids like 8-year-old Joy, who was so badly burnt before finding Rehema Home that she wears a hat to cover her burns, but who also just wanted to sit in Sarah’s lap and be held.

“It touches my heart to see these children, with such horrific backgrounds, smiling, loving and trusting again,” said Sarah. “It reminds me that with all that is going on in the world right now, a child still needs to be held and loved.”

To those considering going on their first missions trip, Sarah said, “Just trust God with it — you don’t know how it will change you.” She never expected to being going back to Africa over and over again, but now she can’t imagine staying away.

_Are you interested in going on your own missions trip? Check out these [six trips](http://hobokengrace.com/mission-trips/) planned for 2018._


Why She Keeps Coming Back

When I started serving in Grace Kids over a year ago, I saw it as a way to give back to a ministry that had done so much for my family of four. As a “fill-in mom” who served a few times a month, I’d bounce around to different classrooms — wherever I was most needed. For those first few months, I felt excited to be there, to be with the kids and to be giving back. But at the same time, I never felt like a true part of the team. Since I wasn’t serving every week, it was difficult to develop deep relationships with the kids and other teachers.

It wasn’t long before I was asked to become a regular team member. A leadership position had opened up in one of the classrooms, and while it was an opportunity to play a bigger role, it also required a bigger commitment. I’d have to serve each Sunday, plus attend a monthly team huddle. As a busy mom of two kids with special needs, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to fit it in around my schedule. In addition, it would change the way Sundays looked for our entire family. My husband would have to get our kids, then 1 and 3, ready and walk them to church without me. And because leaders serve during both first and second service, Matt and I would have to attend service separately or get a sitter during third service to attend together.

I expected Matt to be hesitant and worry about all the “extra work,” but he got it right away. He fully understands what it is to serve God and was happy to support me in that. Somehow he knew the fulfillment that serving in Grace Kids would bring to my life.

As for me, after praying about it, I realized that I was looking at it all wrong. I shouldn’t have tried to fit serving around my schedule like a secondary part of my life. I realized I should be fitting my schedule around serving God and trusting him to provide.

So that’s what I did, and I haven’t regretted it for a single minute. I love serving in Grace Kids so much that I feel totally off if I miss a week. No matter how tired I am when I get there on Sunday mornings, I always leave feeling filled and excited. I feel more connected than ever – and like our family belongs to our church body. I know this is where God wants me to be and that he is celebrating the impact our ministry is having on all of the precious children that he’s entrusted to us. I thank Him every day for bringing me to where I am, and now I couldn’t imagine my life without Grace Kids.

_Megan is the leader of the Babies classroom in Grace Kids._ 

_Are you a parent interested in serving in Grace Kids_? [Sign up to take a tour.](http://hobokengrace.com/kids/#volunteer)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/DSC_8546-1024x678.jpg)


Leading The Way

Typically, when I think of Thanksgiving I think about mouth-watering food spreads, board games with friends and family, children on sugar highs and long naps on a comfy big couch. But this year, my thoughts and feelings have been different. My Thanksgiving (and my family’s) will look different this year. This will be our first Thanksgiving without my mom. She passed away in April, and so our family is seven months in to learning how we operate in her absence. It’s been especially challenging because she was the “boss” and in charge of everything our family did. She loved holidays and hosting! She would prepare amazing food spreads and have fun things for us to do each day I was home. So, as I head into this holiday season, I am overwhelmed at the thought of her absence.

I’m ashamed to admit this, but as people talk about what they are thankful for leading up to Thanksgiving, I cringe. I don’t want to have that reaction, but I do. I want to be happy for them because I know we have so many things to be thankful for, but my heart can’t seem to line up with how I want to feel. I want to experience joy but my heart is heavy. I’m hurting, and being thankful in the midst of that pain just doesn’t make sense. And frankly, it seems impossible and wrong. I have friends who are currently experiencing the sharp pain of lost loved ones and I wonder if they feel the same tension that I’m feeling heading in to the holiday season.

As I talked to God about the tension this week, He reminded me of last year and the years before. He reminded me of other really tough times and how we got through them. He reminded me that I DID get through them and that somehow I DID experience joy and hope. It wasn’t impossible.

As I walk into the holiday season, here are four things I will be doing and I encourage you to do as well.

**1\. Talk to God**  
Even if you are struggling, talk to God. Come to Him with your questions, your anger, your frustration and your sadness. He doesn’t need you to have it all together. He wants you to come to Him exactly where you are; He can handle it.

**2\. Take a minute to remember**  
Set aside some time to think through previous hard times that you’ve gone through with God. Try and remember how He showed up for you. He didn’t leave you alone then and He won’t leave you alone now.

[Here is a message](http://hobokengrace.com/series/christmas-2014/) Pastor Chris gave on having hope in dark times.

**3\. Have a plan**  
Don’t go into your holiday without a plan for the day. Think through what you want the day to look like and what you want to get out of the day. Our family will be lighting a candle for my mom near her picture on our mantle at home. On Friday we plan to make [ornaments in her memory](https://pin.it/lpzxmtrthraegt) and hang them on our Christmas tree together.

**4\. Tell your friends**  
Reach out to your dinner group and ask them to be praying for you. Let them support you! We all need people here fighting for us. If you aren’t in a dinner group, [you can sign up here](http://hobokengrace.com/dinnergroups/).

Remember, our hope isn’t found in our circumstances, it’s found through experiencing God. I hope these four things allow you to do just that this holiday season.


A Different Season


When you walk into a service at Hoboken Grace, you can expect there to be music and a high production value. There’s one team that handles it all — the Worship Team, made up of the band and production. But so often we hear questions like this:

_Isn’t the production booth only for professional lighting and sound designers?_

_Isn’t the band closed since they have so many people?_

Today we take a look at **three common myths** or misunderstandings surrounding the Worship Team.

**Myth #1: The Worship Team is fully staffed in every position and there is no opportunity for anyone else to join.**

This couldn’t be further from the truth. We are ALWAYS open and looking for new team members. Just because you see a full band on stage or a full production booth does not mean our team is closed. It’s open for you to be a part of just like any other team at Hoboken Grace. Whether you’re a musician, a singer or someone who wants to get involved in Production, we want YOU to check out our team!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/Photo-Nov-12-11-21-33-1024x683.jpg)

**Myth #2: I must have technical or professional production experience to serve with Production.**

While relevant experience is helpful, it’s not required. If you have an attention to detail, are a team player and are ready to learn something new, we’d love to have you check out Production. We work hand in hand with the band through slides and video presentation, lighting and audio mixing. All of these roles can be fully taught on the team.

Want to check out what goes down in Production? Shadow at a rehearsal!

[Sign up here](https://hobokengrace2017.typeform.com/to/htSg6p)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/DSCF0200-683x1024.jpg)

**Myth #3: I’m musically inclined, but I’ve never played with a band or worship team, so I’m not qualified to join.**

No matter what kind of musical background you have, we’d love to have you audition. We are always seeking new singers and instrumentalists in the band. Our core roles are always open, including singers, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, keys and drums.

But we don’t stop there!

If you play ANY instrument — strings, horns, brass, percussion, ukulele, steel guitar, banjo or something else — we’d love to have you audition. If you have experience creating music through Ableton, Logic, Reason or a similar program, we need you, too! Our vision for the band is that it’s made up of members of the community — and that includes all kinds of musicians and musical artists.

But wait — there’s more!

Last but certainly not least, we have a choir! This team serves alongside the band on special Sundays throughout the year. They help make our celebrations at Christmas, Easter and other big days the party that they are meant to be. It’s a fantastic way to get involved in serving with music if you long for a little extra singing in your life. The choir works on a semester rotation, so you can hop in and out throughout the year as your schedule allows.

Want to get involved with the choir or band?

[Apply!](http://hobokengrace.com/music/)

_Got other questions about the Worship Team? Email Arts Director Dana Reimer at dana@hobokengrace.com._

_![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/DSCF0101-1024x682.jpg)_


What’s the Deal Here?

If you are around for service on a Sunday morning, you may get the chance to hear Christian Barr jamming away, playing the guitar alongside the rest of Hoboken Grace’s Worship Team.

As we see in the Song of Songs and Psalms in the Bible, God uses music to reach people, and Chris understands firsthand the importance of music when it comes to worship.

The Writing Team recently talked to Chris about what being in the band is all about, from his first interest in joining to finding a family in the Worship Team.

**What led you to join the band?**

I joined the band in February of 2017 after attending Hoboken Grace for a few months. I had been looking for a way to get more involved with the Hoboken Grace community, and my love for worship music led me to want to be part of the Worship Team. I was also really impressed by how fantastic the band was.

**How experienced were you before you joined? Is there a certain level of talent required?**

I was very experienced when I started. I have played on worship teams since I was 13, which was 12 years ago. I have served as a guitarist, drummer, singer and keyboardist at main and youth-oriented services all over Albuquerque, as well as at a few conferences.

I do think that a bit of talent is required, but I think it matters more that you have a heart to want to lead people in worship. Worship music repeatedly uses the same four chords, so anyone who can play all four, keep a beat and have a great attitude can play on a worship band.

**[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/DSCF2278.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/DSCF2278.jpg)Which instruments (vocals included), in order of preference, do you currently play in the band?**

I prefer to play the acoustic guitar, then the electric guitar and then vocals. I really like singing, but playing guitar is my favorite thing in the world.

**Once you joined the team, how easy was it to jump in right away?**

It was very easy to jump right in. The Hoboken Grace Worship Team is a really close family who also wants to open up and accept new people. Everyone involved is very personable and kind, and the music flows well in that kind of environment.

**In what ways has the team impacted you since you’ve joined?**

Being on the team has given me an avenue to get more connected to a group of people at Hoboken Grace. Last year, I left Albuquerque for Hoboken, a place where I didn’t know anyone — which can be intimidating. It’s been nice to find a group of people I connect with musically and spiritually.

**It seems like there are usually a lot of band members on stage. Why does the team still need new members?**

It is always good to be open to the idea of new members for both the sake of the team and the potential member, because you never know how God is going to use the people that He places there. Being open to let God do what He wants will only lead to improvement. If that means that new players are added to a large worship team, then that can only end well.

**Who might be a good fit for the team?**

Anyone with a basic understanding of chords, timing, singing or music in general would be a good fit for the Worship Team, as long as they are open to constructive critiques and they understand that they may be shadowing for a while. A worship team is a great place to hone any fledgling musical ability.

**What advice would you give someone interested in joining?**

Do it. There’s free lunch on Sundays.

_Are you interested in joining the band? The Worship Team is accepting applications for new members._[_Apply here_](http://hobokengrace.com/music/)_, or email_[_dana@hobokengrace.com_](mailto:dana@hobokengrace.com)_for more information._


The Team That Struck a Chord

_Last week, we shared [the story](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/hoboken-gift-exchange-grew-one-person-1300/) of one person who started the Hoboken Christmas Exchange as a way to connect members of the community. This week, we’re featuring the story of one of the gift exchange’s incredible donors. This blog post was originally published in November 2017._

It was a birthday with special significance, and not just because Raakhee’s daughter was turning 1\. Before reaching that 12-month milestone, Satya had already survived cancer. So when her parents began thinking about her first birthday, they told friends and family they didn’t want gifts — only money or gift cards, or something else they could donate.

“We were really in that mind-space of just looking at our lives and thinking how lucky we were and how blessed we were to have a healthy baby,” Raakhee said. “We wanted to do more for others and use our lives to the benefit and for the good of others.”

While standing at a bus stop on Washington Street one day, Raakhee saw a flier for the [Hoboken Christmas Exchange](http://hobokengrace.com/christmas/). It was a few weeks after Satya’s birthday, and Raakhee still had presents from the party. She called a number for the gift exchange, asking if more gifts were needed.

“There were so many kids and families who still needed presents,” she said.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/gifts-e1510250763395-701x1024.jpg)

Raakhee, her husband and Satya

She sprang into action, calling and emailing friends and family. In the days and weeks that followed, her third bedroom transformed into a staging area, filled with bags of gifts.

It was a huge team effort, she says, with countless people pitching in.

A few years later, it’s also turned into something of a tradition. Gifts her family receives throughout the year now go into a closet, and at the end of the year, around Satya’s birthday, they go to the Hoboken Christmas Exchange, the Tomorrows Children’s Fund in Hackensack and foster children throughout New Jersey.

“I collect gifts all year round. Anything. People think I’m nuts – from a toy to a pair of socks, to a coat, to a sweater, I have it all,” Raakhee said.

When she reads the lists of items needed for the Hoboken Christmas Exchange, the requests are often for simple things – coats, scarves, toys. In most cases, they’re items she already has.

The gifts — to the Christmas Exchange and other organizations — have gone to countless people across New Jersey. Raakhee estimates she’s donated thousands of items over the past three years. Last year alone, she provided dozens of gifts through the Hoboken Christmas Exchange, said Sonja, one of the coordinators.

“You guys make it so easy,” Raakhee said of the event. “If people knew how easy it was, everyone would want to help.” It’s something that brings the entire community together, she added.

More than three years after her cancer diagnosis, Satya will turn 4 this month, marking another season of gift-giving. Raakhee’s closet is already full, brimming with items for the Hoboken Christmas Exchange. There are clothes, toys, hats. There are bags of socks and gloves – gifts from a cousin who knew she’d find someone to give them to.

And as Raakhee’s closet opens and her home becomes a staging area once again, Satya will make cards and drawings to accompany the gifts. Teetering around piles of presents, she might also help her mom pick out a coat for a recipient or a pair of gloves. It’s a tradition they follow through together — one borne out of gratitude.

_Interested in adopting a family or individual this year through the Hoboken Christmas Exchange? Visit [hobokengrace.com/Christmas](http://hobokengrace.com/christmas/)._


The Gifts That Keep Giving

The words “Mind, Body, Spirit” are vividly displayed at the end of the Hoboken YMCA pool. The lettering first made an impression on me years ago when I swam laps there once a week. One moment I’d be surrounded by the blurry water below, then my head would break the water’s surface in a traditional butterfly stroke. As I inhaled, I would look for the clear large words beautifully tiled into the far end wall of the pool area, and swim toward them. “Mind, Body, Spirit” – the YMCA motto.

A paint project at the YMCA was one of the 36 service opportunities at 1Day last month. No one has seen the tiled motto recently because gym section has been closed since 2010, but I was curious about the rest of the building. The Young Men’s Christian Association is known for creating affordable housing for men on limited budgets, or who qualify for certain kinds of assistance. With real estate prices out of control in Hoboken, it seemed a noble endeavor to hold a clean, safe space for those in need.

After 10 of us walked to the building from Hoboken Grace, Warren Hall, the YMCA’s live-in director gave us a quick orientation to the building’s history. He told me that even though there were plans to re-open the recreational part of the building, the Board of Directors felt that the housing units were the top priority. Originally there were 30 small private rooms (with no cooking facilities beyond a microwave and small fridge). Several conference rooms were renovated into similar residences, and a fifth floor was added to make the total occupancy 96 rooms. These small private rooms are known as the MBS (Mind, Body, Spirit) Housing, and there is a waiting list to get in.

The Hoboken building is the most desirable of the YMCA’s in the area (because of the views, parks, and access to public transportation). Warren explained that residents can get three free meals a day in the area if they go to the right locations at the right time. They were given details about this and many other services, as well as a Hoboken Library card. The longest current resident had been calling the Y home for over 30 years.

[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/IMG_1641-1024x768.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/11/IMG%5F1641.jpg)

We were ushered upstairs to the fifth floor, where hallways (with east- and west-facing windows, providing circulating air) were waiting to be painted. I looked down one hall, then another one, spotted one small area of spackle — and wondered if we were on the wrong floor. These hallways didn’t seem to be a top priority — they looked fine. And it looked like we were painting with the same color. I asked, “Do you just want us to touch up the scuffed and spackled spots?”

Warren said, “No, we want the entire two hallways painted. It’s important that the men feel cared for, and brightening the halls with a coat of paint is an easy way to show them we want the best for them. In addition, it’s good for them to see people coming in to help them by doing the work as community service.”

Another woman and I began painting the area between two doors, using an old fitted sheet for a drop cloth. Curious about the size and arrangement of the dwellings, I kept trying to peek in when a door opened, but never saw more than a chair or small bookshelf. There was the sound of a television behind one closed door, but the volume wasn’t turn up very loud. A man in a wheelchair backed his chair out of his doorway and we made way for him. Later, a man with glasses and a vest came out of his room and carefully walked between the painters working on either side of the hallway.

My painting partner and I worked our way down one side of the hall, and a taller woman followed us, finishing off the top part of the walls to the ceiling. Several other men painted the other side of the hall, and soon, one had his iPhone out playing music for the workers. Some chatted, some worked in silence. When we got to the end of our hallway, a gentleman came out of his room to offer us cold flavored seltzer in plastic cups.

Later, I asked Warren what life paths had led the men to these rooms at the YMCA. He said some were widowers, some retired, some had been unemployed for a long time and used up their savings. Some were recovering from physical or mental health issues, some had been homeless and this was the first private safe space they had enjoyed in a long time.

One of the men’s dinner groups at Hoboken Grace had visited recently and asked what they needed help with. The answers ranged from how to eat a healthy diet, to budgeting their income — a challenge no matter how much money you are working with. Programs were put together to give them the information they asked for, and outside organizations work to provide other support. And sometimes, a group of Hoboken Grace members find a free Saturday to come by and paint their hallways.

_Warren is always looking for ways to improve the men’s life. If you know of any nearby programs or activities that they might enjoy, contact Anthony at [anthony@hobokengrace.com](mailto:anthony@hobokengrace.com)._


Mind, Body, Spirit

The Hoboken Christmas Exchange started with a simple desire to give.

Kara had been looking to donate some baby items, but she was unsure how to get them into the hands of a family in need. Her search led her to not one, but several families that fit the description. They needed other basic items as well: sheets, kitchenware, pajamas, shoes.

“I thought, if I have the desire to give, I bet other people do, too, and I bet there’s some way I can help match those people,” she said.

Her husband’s company liked the idea and offered to support the project. So Kara began working with local organizations to collect holiday wish lists. Her husband’s company fulfilled dozens of gift requests, and Kara’s co-workers and Hoboken Grace members also adopted families.

That Christmas Eve, Kara loaded a U-Haul with her husband and in-laws and distributed the gifts to about two dozen families. She remembers their smiles, their tears and their disbelief that a stranger would buy them something.

One woman, Kara remembers, needed a pair of dress boots for job interviews. The woman had been shy about asking for the shoes and didn’t expect anyone to buy them. When Kara delivered the gift, bought by one of her co-workers, the woman was brought to tears.

“When she saw that she got them, she cried, and she hugged me,” Kara said. “She said, ‘This person doesn’t even know me.’ ”

Another woman, a mother of four kids, asked for a microwave. “To some people, it may seem kind of extravagant, but if you’re a mom, you need to heat up food sometimes,” Kara said. “So we made sure she got her microwave.”

\[vc\_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-HhH7b2RGA”\]

That was four years ago, and the Christmas Exchange has grown every year since. The event is organized by Hoboken Grace (with Kara’s help) and last year, the event involved more than 1,300 people, including nearly 800 children and family members who received gifts. That was thanks to more than 350 people who adopted individuals or families, and over 100 volunteers who worked in various roles throughout the day.

This year’s event, on Saturday, Dec. 9, is on track to be just as big. And the growth of the event has multiplied the ways to get involved. You can sign up to [“adopt” an individual or a family](http://hobokengrace.com/christmas/), or you can help as an “elf” and volunteer at the event itself.

In many cases, the gifts on families’ wish lists include ordinary items such as clothes, household items – even diapers. But there are also requests for toys, helping ensure that no child in our city goes without a gift.

“These are people that are part of the same community I live in,” said Kara. “To give tangibly to someone who you know is your neighbor and whom you know is in need is incredibly meaningful. … It is a beautiful and tangible way to love.”

_For more information on the Hoboken Christmas Exchange and how to adopt an individual or family, visit [HobokenChristmas.com](http://hobokenchristmas.com/)._

\[vc\_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DT0BCLMe7M”\]


How a Gift Exchange Grew From One Person to 1,300

Walk around 301 Garden this Sunday and you’ll likely see some new faces — Wonder Woman, storm troopers, Moana. They’ll carry clinking lightsabers and twinkling tiaras.

And while these little ones have waited weeks for Grace Kids’ Costume Party, their teachers are just as excited. They, too, have spent weeks thinking about their costume.

Take the 3- and 4-year-old classroom teachers, for example. This year, they thought it’d be fun if they all dressed as sheep. So several weeks ago, they got together at one teacher’s apartment for some crafting and brunch. Sitting across the living room floor, they planned out what the costumes would look like, snipping white T-shirts, spraying on adhesive and attaching clumps of cotton stuffing.

“We had a lot of fun being silly and throwing around the fluff material we used,” said Breann.

[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/10/IMG_3169-1024x768.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/10/IMG%5F3169.jpg)

The Grace Kids Costume Party is a tradition that dates to around 2010\. But more recent is the tradition of Grace Kids teachers making their costumes. On the one hand, it’s an opportunity for the teachers to get together outside the classroom. But it’s also an opportunity to make the kids laugh and, in some cases, feel less shy – especially if the teachers dress as something they can relate to. In the past, some teachers have taken that to heart, dressing up as familiar items such as Play-Doh and Goldfish crackers.

“We can laugh at their costumes, but most of the time, at that age, they don’t really understand,” Courtney, one of the teachers in Grace Kids,[ said in a blog post last year](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/so-fitting/). “Unless you’re Elsa, they don’t know who you are. And they don’t really care. But if you’re a Goldfish, or if you’re Play-Doh or something that they recognize, I think it makes the situation even more fun.”

[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/10/DSC_7871-1024x678.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/10/DSC%5F7871.jpg)

As for the teachers in the 3- and 4-year-old classrooms, they can’t wait to see what the kids think of their sheep costumes.

“I don’t think they expect us to come in really dressed up,” said Kasey. “I think they’re going to be really excited to see us go all out.”

And of course, the teachers can’t wait to see the kids’ costumes as well.

“They get so excited to dress up and tell us who they are,” said Breann.

_The Grace Kids Costume Party will take place during first and second service on Sunday, Oct. 29\. All kids are invited to come in costume!_

_Are you interested in checking out Grace Kids? Sign up for a tour [here](http://hobokengrace.com/kids/)._


An October Tradition

We want to live lives that leave the world a better place, but then we go to work. We sit at a desk and wonder if we’re accomplishing anything of lasting significance at all. What do we do with work? It’s time to get unstuck. Join us for a powerful two-week series beginning Oct. 29th.

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