Gilford Community Church
  • Home
  • About
    • Our History
    • Our Mission
    • Our Staff
    • News Releases
    • Employment
    • GCC 2022 Annual Report
    • Livestream
  • Giving
    • 2023 Pledge Campaign
  • Youth Programs
    • 2023 Mission Trip Interest Form
    • Gilford Youth Center
    • GCC Youth Group
    • Confirmation
    • Sunday School Program
    • Scholarships
  • Ceremonies/Special Services
    • Baptisms
    • Weddings
    • Funerals
  • Become a Member
  • Programs/Events
    • One Community Project
    • Daniell Fund
    • Gilford Got Lunch
    • Gilford Village Nursery School
    • Clean Electricity Project
    • Summer Music Series
    • Old Home Day/Summer Fair
    • Guys' Night Out
    • Gal's Night Out
    • Adult Book Study
  • Contact Us

Gilford Community Church Names Music Room in Honor of Carolyn Ames

5/19/2022

0 Comments

 
PictureGCC Music Director/Organist, Carolyn Ames, Photo: Photography by Kimberly
Gilford Community Church (GCC) recently renamed its music room to honor the contributions of Music Director/Organist Carolyn Ames, who has served in this capacity since 2006.

“My late husband, David, and I had church shopped before we moved here permanently,” said Ames. “We found GCC to be very welcoming and were impressed by their community outreach. This church is family. We help each other in difficult as well as happy times.”

This willingness to help was apparent during the pandemic, as Ames and the choir became creative with how they shared music with the congregation. “During the pandemic, a small group of members and musicians prerecorded all the music, as we could not have choir participation,” she noted. 

It was this dedication to “carrying on despite challenging circumstances” that led Pastor Michael Graham and church leadership to name their music room in her honor. “Carolyn truly helped carry on our services during the pandemic,” he said. “This dedication is only fitting for her hard work these many years.”

Regarding the accolade, Ames described her initial reaction as one of surprise. “I was very touched by the naming of the choir room,” she said. “It was such a surprise, and I am honored.  This church family and choir are a true blessing.”

Graham agreed and added, “We are all blessed to be part of this wonderful community that extends far beyond our church walls.”

Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds. Viewable live on YouTube, services take place at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, NH.

0 Comments

Gilford Got Lunch Receives Grant from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction

5/10/2022

0 Comments

 
PictureGCC member Bob Souter stocking shelves for Gilford Got Lunch program.
A program of Gilford Community Church (GCC), Gilford Got Lunch recently received a $5,000 grant from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction to provide healthy and nutritious breakfasts and lunches to school-aged children.

“We cannot express our gratitude enough for fellow nonprofit organizations such as The Children’s Auction that help support our efforts year after year,” said Sharyn Sasserson, Gilford Got Lunch Chairperson. 

Gilford Got Lunch provides breakfast, snack, and lunch items to more than 50 kids within the Gilford School District annually. “This covers weekends and vacations during the school year and full weeks during summer months,” added Sasserson.

GCC Pastor Michael Graham said the grant from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction is especially impactful given the current economic climate. “Lingering effects from the pandemic and current world events have significantly impacted everyone, but especially our most vulnerable, which includes children,” he said. “This grant provides a significant boost to our efforts to address food insecurity in our community”

This project was funded in part by a grant from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction. To learn more about Gilford Got Lunch, a program of GCC, visit gilfordgotlunch.com.

Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds.

About the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction
The Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction is an annual event held every December in central New Hampshire. The fundraiser made $2,100 in its first year and has come a long way with the help of countless volunteers and donors who have helped turn it into a major annual campaign. During the 40 years that the community has come together, more than $7.5 million has been raised for local charities, all through volunteer efforts, community donations and corporate sponsorships. Thank you, Lakes Region! For more information, please visit childrensauction.com or call 603-527-0999.

0 Comments

Gilford Community Church Awards Two $25,000 Grants

5/2/2022

0 Comments

 
PicturePastor Michael Graham of the Gilford Community Church
Gilford Community Church (GCC) recently awarded two $25,000 grants to Lakes Region Mental Health Center and Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD), respectively. The awards were made possible through a substantial endowment gifted to GCC by Barbara and the late Robert Daniell that has resulted in the creation of the Daniell Fund.​

“Their generosity will enable us to make yearly contributions to Lakes Region charities to improve and better the lives of the people in our community,” noted GCC Pastor Michael Graham. 

Regarding the rationale behind the first annual disbursement of the Daniell Fund, Graham said their selection of Lakes Region Mental Health Center and Lakes Region Community Developers reflects GCC’s concern over the housing crisis. 
​

“Due to inflation, inventory, and the pandemic, housing has never been in shorter supply for those in need,” he said. 

Regarding its use, the grant award will help Lakes Region Mental Health Center for assistance in the renovation of temporary housing at McGrath Street and procurement of community housing for transitioning patients.

“We were elated to receive this gift,” said Maggie Pritchard, CEO, Lakes Region Mental Health Center. “With it, we can create, improve and expand our housing services given the dire need of many people in our community, especially those affected by mental illnesses.”

At Lakes Region Community Developers (LRCD), the grant award will support the redevelopment of the Gale School into a daycare location in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Central New Hampshire. 

“We are incredibly grateful to have the support of the Gilford Community Church,” said Carmen Lorentz, LRCD Executive Director. “This generous grant will ensure we have the necessary funds for the final fit-up of the school.”

The $25,000 award will also assist LRDC develop a second location for Lakes Region Community Services, a non-profit that serves individuals and families living with developmental disabilities or acquired brain disorders. 

“The original intent of the Daniell Fund was to provide financial support for the betterment of the Gilford community at large, so these projects certainly accomplish this goal,” said GCC Member Bob Souter.

Fellow GCC Member Jessica Fleck, who served on the committee that deliberated on recipient selections, agreed with Souter and said their hope was to make decisions for maximum community benefit. She said her work on this committee reflects GCC’s broader philanthropic mission, which is exemplified in its Outreach Committee of which she is also part.

“It is the responsibility of the Outreach Committee to develop relationships and offer support to the community and beyond our borders through charitable donations and social action,” she explained. “The projects funded through the Daniell Fund helped us to achieve our larger mission.”

In addition to the $25,000 awards, GCC allocated funds for lecturers and speakers with the intended benefit “to educate and enlighten the community.”

“We are truly humbled and honored to be able to continue to carry out our mission as a force for love, good and unity in our community,” said Graham. “We thank the Daniell Family for allowing us the means to continue to do so.”

Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds. Viewable live on YouTube, services take place at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 19 Potter Hill Rd., Gilford, NH. 

0 Comments

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.