Poem and Prayer – Over Zoom on Mondays, 12:15 p.m., Through Summer Season Start off your week with a poem by a contemporary poet and an invitation into prayer! Each week will feature a different poem that invites us into meditation together. Megan will offer a short reflection on the poem and spiritual questions it might open for us, before ushering us into a time of silent prayer and then shared conversation on the poem. This will be a 15-20 minute spiritual practice to add to your week over the summer months, from wherever you might be spending them! Zoom link will be sent out by email. Please email Megan at mmcdermott@gracechurchamherst.org with any questions. If you cannot make this time but would like recordings of the poems and reflections, please let her know.
Tuesday morning prayer –at 8 a.m. in the Garth. Throughout the month of August, you are invited to join in for 20-30 minutes of in-person prayer in the Garth/church courtyard (the Chapel in case of inclement weather) on Tuesday mornings at 8 a.m. You can enter through the Connector door or the Spring Street door. Prayer sessions will use morning prayer liturgies from sources like Daily Prayer for All Seasons, an Episcopal resource emphasizing inclusive and expansive language, and will incorporate simple movement meditation to help embody prayer. Music will also occasionally be offered. Additionally, it will be a chance to connect personally with a small group! We hope this month of morning prayer will be the start of a regular offering on Tuesday mornings. If you have questions or would like more information, please be in touch with Kell Julliard at kelljulliard@me.com.
Outreach Collection/Fourth Sunday on August 28 August’s 4th Sunday offering will be directed to Episcopal Relief & Development’s program to assist in the flood relief efforts in Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia. Storm damage to homes and cars left many people without shelter or access to food. The heavy rains have led to mudslides and collapsed bridges, isolating communities and complicating rescue efforts. Refugees are now straining existing regional support networks. For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for close to 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster, and disease. Please consider a generous gift to support this important work. If you write a check, please make it payable to Grace Church. The memo line should say “US DISASTER RESPONSE: southern US floods.” Thank you for any gift you are able to give.
Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed We are currently recruiting volunteers to host coffee hour for the 10:30 a.m. service which will resume on Sunday, September 11. Volunteers will only have to host one Sunday every other month. This is such a fun and enjoyable weekly event for all. Won’t you please consider helping? If so, please email Sarah Chadwick at snchadwick@verizon.net. And, speaking of coffee hour, treats from parishioners are always welcome to supplement the coffee.
August Community Conversation Board: Parables Throughout the Gospels, Jesus relies on parables (short stories that invite listeners’ reflection and often convey meaning indirectly or symbolically) as a form of teaching or a way of answering questions. Parables are among some of the most well-known and well-loved passages of Scripture, though sometimes among the most confusing! During the month of August, our community conversation board will invite your thoughts on how you relate to the parables of Jesus. Please stop by the Connector to contribute your thoughts or read the insights of other parishioners!
Haiti School Uniform Campaign – Almost at Goal! Terrific news! We have raised $14,582.71 of our $15,000 goal! This means that all 250 children at the St. Matthew’s school will have school uniforms in the beginning of September. Thank you to all who donated or bought honey to contribute to this campaign. We now want to raise a bit more to cover school supplies for all the students at the school. Donations of $25 provide school supplies but donations in any amount would be a blessing. To help, please make checks payable to “Grace Church” and write “Haiti School Uniforms” on the memo line. You may also give via the church website by clicking the “Give” button and then selecting “Haiti Ministry” in the “To” drop down box.
Over60s Gathering will be meeting only once a month through the summer. For information and dates, please contact Rev. Adrian Stair (revadrian@comcast.net).
Evensong Services will be held in the Chapel downstairs through the summer. It is much cooler there.
St. Nicholas Bazaar, Dec. 3, 9 to 2 Donations are being accepted for the bazaar. Please remember that items should be in good condition and clean. We accept many kinds of items, and especially need antiques, collectibles, and jewelry. PLEASE, NO textbooks, binders, VCR tapes, cassettes, clothing, or mildewed items. Any questions, contact Joan (jobrien82@gmail.com). Thank you! (Please note: this year the bazaar will end at 2 instead of 3)