Welcome

If you are new to our site, this blog is sort of a hodge podge of our ministry and family life, and whatever else God lays on my heart to share. The Home Page above will link you to our Sufficient Grace Ministries page. You can read more about the 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization and the outreaches of this ministry whose mission is to offer comfort and hope to grieving parents. The Blog button brings you to the page you are currently reading, featuring a variety of subjects...some ministry updates, some family news, and some biblically-based encouragement. The Walking With You page is a place for bereaved parents who have lost a baby or child to find encouragement and hope. It is an online support group created so that families would know they are not walking this path alone. On the Dreams of You Shop page, you can learn more about the products and services we offer, place an order, or sponsor a family. The Encouraging Women blog is a work in progress. There, we hope to offer biblically-based encouragement to all women. The Resource page has been newly updated with a list of resources that are helpful for grieving parents. Our blogroll is also located on this page. Thank you so much for visiting our site. Blessings to you...

Monday, May 10, 2010

Operation Support Sufficient Grace 2010

We are, once again, kicking off our fundraiser season at Sufficient Grace Ministries. Most of you know this is not my favorite part of ministry, but it is necessary, and as we learned last year....God, our faithful and abundant Provider, loves to mulitply the blessings when He uses the generosity of His people to fulfill His plans and purposes.

Much has changed since last year's fundraiser season. MckMama's generosity and support sparked many others to give to this worthy cause and also helped spread the word that we are here to offer comfort and hope and to walk with grieving hearts in need.

Since last summer, we have shipped about two hundred packages filled with Dreams of You Memory Books, Comfort Bears, and/or other items to offer comfort to grieving parents all over the United States, some to Canada, and one to Singapore!(Thank you, thank you, thank you...to those of you who helped to make that possible!!)

While we currently list a suggested donation amount for our products (for hospitals and others who wish to provide these materials to their patients/clients.)...most of those items were given away freely to the families who approached us with a need. We never charge families for our products and services. To make the Dreams of You items even more accessible to families, we are going to be making some changes soon. We would love to supply more hospitals with these comforting materials so that families can receive them immediately. Many large hospitals cannot afford to supply the quantities needed (And we do ask the hospitals to pay the donation if able. This helps us give away more books to families.) So, we are planning to reconstruct our current setup and ask for sponsorship donations to help cover the costs. Anyone who wishes can sponsor a family (or more than one family!). It is our goal to continue to offer these services for free, but as we grow, we need a plan to help cover the cost. (And...we believe this is the one God is laying on our hearts as we prayerfully seek Him.) There will be more details soon, but for now...please pray as we continue to look to Him. And, please prayerfully consider sponsoring the costs for a family if you are able. Stay tuned for details.

Last July, we began an online support group, called Walking With You, to encourage grieving mothers. We wanted them to know that there is hope in the Lord, and that they are not walking this difficult path alone. We've also visited several hospitals, a few churches, women's groups, and even appeared on a television show to help spread the word and share our mission.

Generous hearts have given financially. Others have offered their time and talent to sew burial gowns and make beautiful bracelets to bless these mothers and honor their babies. Others have encouraged us with their words and sustained us with their prayers. God has faithfully cared for and guided every step of this ministry. He is working mightily through His people, and we are so grateful. Thank you for your part in this.

And now...Operation Support Sufficient Grace 2010


Whether you are able to attend these events, give a donation to support Sufficient Grace, or have your own ideas to help raise support...please prayerfully consider helping us to spread the word on your blogs and other avenues of communication. And, please keep these events and the outreaches of this ministry in prayer.

Sunday, May 23, 2010 Ice Cream social to benefit Sufficient Grace Ministries at Harvest Fellowship Church, Hamler, Ohio from 12:00-2:00pm. We will offer a picnic-type lunch of hot dogs, baked beans, chips and ice cream w/toppings for dessert. Free will offering...proceeds will benefit the outreaches of SGM.

Saturday June 19, 2010 ~ Save the date for the Sufficient Grace Ministries Golf Outing 2010 at Country Acres Golf Club in Kalida, Ohio ~ Shotgun start at 2:00pm

1. Form a four person team ~ $200/team ($50 ea.). Price includes 18 holes of golf,
cart, and dinner.
2. Sponsor a hole for $100 or share a sponsorship for $50. (Your name or business will appear on a Hole sign at the event.)
3. Donate a door prize, or a donation in any amount.
4. Become a dinner sponsor for $250.
6. Sponsor Beverages for $150 (non-alcoholic, of course!)
7. Pray for this event and the outreaches of this ministry.

Please join us for this family friendly golf scramble fundraiser to help support the outreaches of Sufficient Grace Ministries. Your support helps us provide:

*Bereavement support for grieving families.
*Memory-making materials for parents.
*Hospital seminars encouraging compassionate care.
*Biblical encouragement and hope for women.

For more information visit: www.sufficientgrace.net
Contact: Kelly Gerken ~ sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com

There will be a Ride for Grace Bike Run in August, hosted by Dave Amspoker. Details to come.

Thank you so much for your continued support...and please keep Operation Support Sufficient Grace and all of the other outreaches of this ministry in prayer.


Read about other events coming up in May, including the next Helping Hands/Comfort Bear making day and a hospitals seminar I will be offering at St. Rita's in Lima by clicking on the Coming Events page.

3 comments:

Jennifer Ross said...

My prayer would be that the GOOD LORD would pour out His blessings upon this ministry so greatly, that you would be able to reach out to double what you were able to do last year!!!

God Bless.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I wish I could attend some of these functions. I will however leave a donation which I pray will help someone along the way. My heart belong to all the baby lost mothers. God Bless.

Holly said...

Boo I'll miss the ice cream social on the 23rd since I work on the 22nd but I'll def be present for the Aug one!

I still need to talk to Anth about the golf. I haven't brought it up yet b/c of everything with his grandpa. I will try and remember to do that tonight.