Congregational Meeting, September 13
We will vote on two Deaconess Candidates: Fran Li and Kem VanVoorhis. Please take a moment to read about them and their heart for ministry at Grace Mills River.
Meet Fran Li
1. Please tell us about your family.
I am married to Veech Li, we met 9 years ago and will be married for 8 years in September. I have two children, you may know my daughter, Courtney Johnson Lotz who attended GMR for many years, and two grandchildren. They all now live in Winston-Salem.
2. Please tell us about your career status or occupation: I am a retired elementary teacher who loved her career!
3. Why are you interested in serving as a deaconess?
I have been blessed to know the love and care that our God has given to us through his son Jesus and I want to share this to others in a more active and direct way.
4. How long have you been a Christian?
I was raised in the Presbyterian Church and as I look back on my life I can see the periods in which my faith grew stronger. I’ve always been a Christian however the gospel and its meaning has become more clear as I study and learn more.
5. Ministry Experience Inside/Outside of GMR?
I’ve taught in Children’s Ministry throughout the years at previous churches and GMR, I was an elder in a previous church, a member of Women’s Leadership at GMR and currently on the Children’s Ministry Advisory Team.
Meet Kem VanVoorhis
1. Please tell us about your family.
I have attended Grace Church since 2011 and been a member of the church since 2012. My husband Greg and I moved here soon after he retired from a busy career that gave us the opportunity to move around the country to a dozen locations. We have been married for 43 years and have two grown sons.
2. Please tell us about your career status or occupation: Over the years I stayed busy raising the boys, taking care of the home and volunteering at their schools, churches and most anyplace that needed an energetic volunteer. Now that we are retired and living in Mills River we are enjoying hiking, biking, gardening, cooking and traveling. We love living in this beautiful area and just marvel at God's creation everywhere around us.
3. Why are you interested in serving as a deaconess?
I have been volunteering at Grace over the years and have a real passion for helping people in need. It brings me great joy to practice loving and caring for folks the way that Jesus cares for me. I have been in the leadership training program for about three years now and I am drawn to the mercy ministry of the Diaconate,
4. How long have you been a Christian?
I grew up in the church and have been a Christian as far back as I can remember. I love the preaching of the Gospel at Grace and the friendships I have made since moving here.