We are now on our summer service schedule, with one service at 9:30am. The regular service schedule will resume on Sunday, September 11th.
Climate Action @ Grace meets today, June 12th at 11:00 a.m. in the Fireplace Room in the Parke House.
June Community Conversation Board In honor of Pentecost (June 5th), this month’s conversation board is centered on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is often seen as the most mysterious & ill-defined member of the Trinity. What images and stories help you to connect to the Holy Spirit? How, where, and when do you understand God’s Spirit as being present in the world? In you? Share your thoughts on these questions and more, throughout this month, at the bulletin board you can find in the Connector.
Bellringers for the 10:30 service We are reconstituting the bellringers – a band of parishioners who ring the tower bell at certain times during the consecration at the 10:30 service. If you are interested in learning how to do this, email Nancy Lowry (saunteringdog@gmail.com), talk with Tom or Megan, or drop a message to the Grace Church office.
Volunteers Needed, Please: We still have a few openings for summer coffee hour. Hosts are needed for the following 9:30 a.m. service dates. June 26, July 3, August 7, August 21, and August 28. If you are able to help, please email Sarah Chadwick at snchadwick@verizon.net. Treats from parishioners are also welcome to supplement the coffee.
Race Amity Day, Sunday June 12th from 4-5:30pm The Amherst Town Council, has proclaimed Sunday, June 12th as Race Amity Day, and a celebration will take online. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83455817713?pwd=RTluYnhqSVlrMTdJcGRnZW54OVFIQT09 All are welcome.
Save the Date
Enriching Our Worship Beginning June 19th for Summer Services
Starting June 19th, we will be using the Episcopal Church’s Enriching our Worship liturgical resource for the summer season. You will notice slight changes to some prayers, as well as a new Eucharistic prayer. Enriching Our Worship is an authorized supplement to our usual liturgical texts from the Book of Common Prayer. Some of you may be familiar with this resource from past uses at Grace Church. Following the class offered this Lent on Language & Liturgy, we are excited to have an opportunity to explore alternative liturgical language as a whole worshipping community.
Graduations and Commencements! Are you or someone you know graduating this season? On June 19th we will recognize all who have graduated in the last academic year, from Pre-school to Post-Doctorate at a special service. Send us the names of graduates, so we can include them in the service. If you or someone you know is going off to pursue further studies, please let us know that too. Please contact Terrie Korpita in the Parish office at 413-256-6754 or tkorpita@gracechurchamherst.org to request recognition.
Rooted and rising in love: A summer solstice retreat, In-Person with the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Tuesday, June 21 • $80 (includes lunch) – financial assistance available, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (registration and coffee begin at 9:00a.m.) This one-day retreat, held in the beautiful landscape of the Rolling Ridge Retreat & Conference Center in North Andover, will include a mix of presentations, small group conversations, individual reflection, and free time for contemplative wandering and prayer. Together we will explore a framework for the heart to help us become compassionate, prophetic leaders who can take up the mantle of moral leadership that this decisive moment in history requires. Register by June 10th at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ej655d4k1f6bc931&llr=s4blzzbab
Volunteer Opportunities with Appalachian Trail Hikers This July Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield has invited congregations across our diocese to participate in their annual, summer ministry of hospitality to Appalachian trail hikers. At a large tent in Sheffield, we will help provide hikers with burgers, hot dogs, snacks, a charging station for electronics, friendly conversation, and a shady place to sit and relax! Grace has reserved Thursday, July 7th as our day to volunteer, from roughly 9:45 a.m. – 3 p.m. This is an opportunity fit for both youth & adults! The Western Mass. Young Adult Ministry Network (YAMN) will be volunteering on Saturday July 23rd. The Young Adult Ministry Network brings together young adults ages 18-40 from across the diocese for growth in faith and friendship. Email Megan at mmcdermott@gracechurchamherst.org to reserve your space on the Grace team and Megan or Will Harron (william.harron@gmail.com) to reserve a space on the YAMN team. Spaces are limited to about 6 people per team, so as not to overwhelm the hikers!
Why is Haiti poor? After Haiti won independence, France extorted restitution payments at gunpoint. A century later, the U.S. occupation absorbed substantial revenue. What might have happened if Haiti had been able to keep all that money? Check out the New York Times series “The Ransom,” and the “reactions and updates” to it. The series was also published in Haitian Creole.
Coming up: Children grow, and they wear out their school clothes. We’ll be raising funds soon for uniforms and school supplies. Watch for details! We are grateful for your past support and ask you to prayerfully consider helping out again this year. Early donations are welcome, of course (through the church website, or via checks payable to Grace Church, with “Haiti Ministry” in the memo line).