First Communion
We receive the gift of faith in Holy Baptism. To nurture that faith the Church offers Holy Communion. Through Christ’s body and blood our faith is strengthened and our sins are forgiven. First Communion instruction is for children who are in first grade and older. These classes are generally held once a year and done in coordination with the families who are participating. The dates for First Communion Sunday is selected on the schedules of the participating families and is generally in the spring. Please contact Pastor Eric Thiele (218)365-5605 if you have any questions.
Confirmation
Classes for 7th through 8th grade youth are offered on Wednesday evenings during the school year. Classes begin with a meal at 5:30 p.m. followed by teaching from 6-7p.m. The Rite of Confirmation takes place in the Fall of the 9th grade youth’s school year, typically the last Sunday in October. The classes are taught by the Pastor. For anyone who is interested in joining, please contact Pastor Eric at (218)365-5605.
Adult Membership at Grace
Becoming a member at Grace Lutheran Church deepens your connection to people and ministries of the church. New member orientation is held when six people or more have expressed an interest in membership. This usually occurs twice a year. If you are a member of another congregation, please notify that congregation and ask them to send a letter of transfer to:
Grace Lutheran Church, 301 E. Conan St., Ely, MN 55731
Please contact the Pastor Eric Thiele if you are interested in membership.
Associate Membership
Our church welcomes those who wish to identify with our congregation, but also wish to maintain their membership at a home church. For instance, you may live in Ely only part of the year and somewhere else the rest of the time. In this way you can feel more connected to our congregation and its ministries. Let the Pastor or Associate in Ministry know if you are interested.
Interested in Membership at Grace Lutheran Church?
I’m not baptized….
Baptism with water “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” is the beginning for us. It is the moment when we become a member of the whole Christian Church on earth, also known as the holy catholic church. If you or your child have not been baptized then speak with the pastor who will set up a meeting to provide pre-baptismal information. Adults will be invited to attend the New Member Class when it is offered and children will be invited to attend Sunday School, First Communion (1st grade and older) and Confirmation (7th and 8th grades) for instruction. A date for baptism will be scheduled.
I have been baptized, but not in a Lutheran Church….
Baptism is membership in Christ’s Church. Christ’s church is for all who have been baptized with water “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” It does not matter which denomination or branch of the Christian Church baptism occurs. You will be invited to attend a New Member Class when that is offered. You will also be recognized at Sunday worship where you and the congregation will affirm your baptism vows.
I am baptized, but I have not been involved in a church for a long time….
Many people have drifted away from the church for one reason or another. All people are always invited to worship at Grace and to receive holy communion. Church membership is important because then you feel more connected to the congregation and its mission. You may want to arrange a time when you can talk with the pastor about your situation and get answers to your questions. You will be invited to attend a New Member Class when that is offered. You will also be recognized at Sunday worship where you and the congregation will affirm your baptism vows.
I am a member of a Lutheran church or a church of another denomination….
If you would like to become a member of Grace Lutheran Church, please let the pastor know and you will be contacted the next time a New Member Class is offered. Generally we wait until there are several households interested in joining before we offer this class. If you hold membership in a Lutheran Church we will request that a letter of transfer be sent to our church office. You will also be received as a member of Grace at a Sunday worship service where you and the congregation will affirm your baptism vows.
I want to remain a member of another congregation, but also be a member of Grace….
Maybe you live in Ely only part of the year. Maybe you are a student at the college. As a member church of the ELCA we offer Associate Membership where can retain your membership elsewhere and also be part of Grace Lutheran Church in all ways except voting at congregational meetings and serving on the Congregation Council. You will also be received as a member of Grace at a Sunday worship service where you and the congregation will affirm your baptism vows.
All are invited to attend a New Member Class when that is offered….
The content of this meeting will be based on the needs of the participants. It will include a basic introduction to Lutheran teaching and understanding of the Bible as well as an overview of Grace Lutheran Church’s ministries.
We receive the gift of faith in Holy Baptism. To nurture that faith the Church offers Holy Communion. Through Christ’s body and blood our faith is strengthened and our sins are forgiven. First Communion instruction is for children who are in first grade and older. These classes are generally held once a year and done in coordination with the families who are participating. The dates for First Communion Sunday is selected on the schedules of the participating families and is generally in the spring. Please contact Pastor Eric Thiele (218)365-5605 if you have any questions.
Confirmation
Classes for 7th through 8th grade youth are offered on Wednesday evenings during the school year. Classes begin with a meal at 5:30 p.m. followed by teaching from 6-7p.m. The Rite of Confirmation takes place in the Fall of the 9th grade youth’s school year, typically the last Sunday in October. The classes are taught by the Pastor. For anyone who is interested in joining, please contact Pastor Eric at (218)365-5605.
Adult Membership at Grace
Becoming a member at Grace Lutheran Church deepens your connection to people and ministries of the church. New member orientation is held when six people or more have expressed an interest in membership. This usually occurs twice a year. If you are a member of another congregation, please notify that congregation and ask them to send a letter of transfer to:
Grace Lutheran Church, 301 E. Conan St., Ely, MN 55731
Please contact the Pastor Eric Thiele if you are interested in membership.
Associate Membership
Our church welcomes those who wish to identify with our congregation, but also wish to maintain their membership at a home church. For instance, you may live in Ely only part of the year and somewhere else the rest of the time. In this way you can feel more connected to our congregation and its ministries. Let the Pastor or Associate in Ministry know if you are interested.
Interested in Membership at Grace Lutheran Church?
I’m not baptized….
Baptism with water “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” is the beginning for us. It is the moment when we become a member of the whole Christian Church on earth, also known as the holy catholic church. If you or your child have not been baptized then speak with the pastor who will set up a meeting to provide pre-baptismal information. Adults will be invited to attend the New Member Class when it is offered and children will be invited to attend Sunday School, First Communion (1st grade and older) and Confirmation (7th and 8th grades) for instruction. A date for baptism will be scheduled.
I have been baptized, but not in a Lutheran Church….
Baptism is membership in Christ’s Church. Christ’s church is for all who have been baptized with water “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” It does not matter which denomination or branch of the Christian Church baptism occurs. You will be invited to attend a New Member Class when that is offered. You will also be recognized at Sunday worship where you and the congregation will affirm your baptism vows.
I am baptized, but I have not been involved in a church for a long time….
Many people have drifted away from the church for one reason or another. All people are always invited to worship at Grace and to receive holy communion. Church membership is important because then you feel more connected to the congregation and its mission. You may want to arrange a time when you can talk with the pastor about your situation and get answers to your questions. You will be invited to attend a New Member Class when that is offered. You will also be recognized at Sunday worship where you and the congregation will affirm your baptism vows.
I am a member of a Lutheran church or a church of another denomination….
If you would like to become a member of Grace Lutheran Church, please let the pastor know and you will be contacted the next time a New Member Class is offered. Generally we wait until there are several households interested in joining before we offer this class. If you hold membership in a Lutheran Church we will request that a letter of transfer be sent to our church office. You will also be received as a member of Grace at a Sunday worship service where you and the congregation will affirm your baptism vows.
I want to remain a member of another congregation, but also be a member of Grace….
Maybe you live in Ely only part of the year. Maybe you are a student at the college. As a member church of the ELCA we offer Associate Membership where can retain your membership elsewhere and also be part of Grace Lutheran Church in all ways except voting at congregational meetings and serving on the Congregation Council. You will also be received as a member of Grace at a Sunday worship service where you and the congregation will affirm your baptism vows.
All are invited to attend a New Member Class when that is offered….
The content of this meeting will be based on the needs of the participants. It will include a basic introduction to Lutheran teaching and understanding of the Bible as well as an overview of Grace Lutheran Church’s ministries.