On Sunday, September 8, Grace Church celebrated 15 years of dynamic ministry with John and Tracy Weatherhogg, as they dissolved their call to the church. John and Tracy have chosen to move on to other opportunities while remaining in the community where they have raised their three children.
John and Tracy leave Grace Church with a rich legacy from their ministry. Together they led the church through many difficult times, many joyous times, and many celebrations of new babies, funerals, and weddings. Their legacy includes extensive outreach work in the Rutland community which will be continued by members of the church, including a monthly free dinner for the community, and work with the Farmacy Program, the Vermont Foodbank, Habitat for Humanity and 350VT, among others. They provided leadership on interfaith projects and programs. They also worked closely with other regional churches and organizations on issues of social justice and reform. A global impact was felt from their help shepherding the creation and operation of a children’s home and school in Kenya.
Grace Church will welcome an interim minister, and will launch a national search for a new minister as they embark on a new chapter in a long and rich history encompassing nearly 250 years.