You Are Invited Please join us each week after service for coffee, tea, and delicious treats in the Connector for coffee hour. Coffee hour is a wonderful tradition at Grace Church where parishioners connect and enjoy each other’s company. We supply the coffee, tea, and a few treats. Parishioners are also welcome to share baked goods or snacks of any kind. See you there.
Heroes of the Bible, September 18th at 9:15 a.m. in the Fireplace Room. From Abraham to Zephaniah there are many significant people in the Bible. Who are your biblical heroes? Join the Rector in a discussion of some of the biblical greats (and perhaps some of the not-so-great). This discussion will take place between the two services and will be held in the Fireplace Room in the Parke House. In October, we’ll have a similar discussion about some of the greats (and maybe some of the not-so-greats) of the Church. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Rev. Tom Synan
Youth confirmation class starting Sept. 18th
Youth in grades 8 or higher who have not yet been confirmed are welcome to join our year-long confirmation class, which will meet every other week on Sundays from noon to 1 p.m. Together we explore Christian and Episcopal identity by reflecting on the questions of our Baptismal Covenant. In 2023, confirmation class members can choose to be confirmed by Bishop Doug. If your child is interested in participating, please email Rev. Megan McDermott.
Tuesday morning prayer –at 8 a.m. in the Garth. 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. If you have questions or would like more information, please be in touch with Kell Julliard.
September Community Conversation Board: New Beginnings As we begin a new program year, and many begin new school years, we’ll explore some questions about starting and starting over. Please stop by the bulletin board in The Connector and add your thoughts!
Sunday School & youth group
Sunday School class for K-6th graders meets between the two services, 9:15-10:15 a.m., in the upstairs classroom in the Parke House.
Please connect with Megan for more info on either!
Adult Education Talk – Wednesday, September 21st at 6:30pm (New time) “Chaucer, Wycliffe, and the English vernacular – the surprising roots of the Reformation in England in the later Middle Ages.” Learn more about the history of our church in England and beyond. Please join us in the Connector at 6pm on Wednesday, September 21 for a talk by Carolyn Collette, Grace parishioner and professor emerita of English literature at Mt. Holyoke College. Carolyn is the author of numerous books and articles on Geoffrey Chaucer. It is requested that masks be worn for this event.
Garden Ministry Workday The Garden Ministry will meet this coming Friday, Sept. 23, at 9 a.m. to clean up the gardens in the Garth and along the Parish Hall Walkway before the St. Michael’s picnic. We will also plant mums in the Connector planters. Later in October we will put the Goodwin Garden to bed. At 10 a.m. we will hold a brief meeting in the Garth to discuss plans for next spring. Please bring weeders and pruners and a container for lugging “detritus.” Thanks. Sherry Wilson for the Garden Ministry
Fourth Sunday Outreach Collection September 25th for the Amherst Survival Center The Survival Center, with the help of many volunteers, connects residents of Hampshire and Franklin Counties to food, clothing, healthcare, wellness, and community. Located in North Amherst, the Center offers a wide variety of services including community meals, a food pantry, fresh food distribution, as well as a large number of special programs. Please consider a generous gift to support our neighbors. If you write a check please make it payable to Grace Church and add “outreach” on the memo line. Thank you for any gift you are able to give.
St. Michael’s Picnic & One Service on Sunday, September 25th
On Sept. 25th, there will be one service at 9:30 followed by the Saint Michael’s Picnic. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Brother Lawrence Guild is supplying hamburgers, hotdogs, rolls, condiments, and drinks. Additional food donations are greatly appreciated. If you are able, please bring a side dish, salad, or a dessert. Weather permitting there will be some seating outside in the Garth. Please join us!
The Psycho-Social Impacts of the Pandemic, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 7:00 pm, Connector Dr. Saxon Elliott, a local clinical psychologist, will share some of the trends she’s been seeing in her clinical practice (and beyond) and facilitate a conversation about how the pandemic is affecting our lives individually, relationally, and collectively. We’ll have opportunity to reflect on ways to maintain hope and resiliency (and sanity!) during these challenging times.
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 O’Brien. Thank you! (Please note: this year the bazaar will end at 2 instead of 3)
Bellringers for the 10:30 Service
We are reconstituting the bellringers – a group 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 Micah Walter to learn more.
Haiti Ministry Does this sound familiar? Maybe you know of a group that is interested in helping Haiti but hesitates to take on a project on its own. Or perhaps an individual who’d like to have a huge impact for a modest cost? We would welcome new partners to help support the new 7th grade at St. Matthieu. This is a great opportunity for a church, school, or community organization. Please contact any member of the Haiti ministry with your ideas! Share your skills in meaningful work: Can’t take on a regular commitment? The Haiti Ministry would be delighted if you could share your skills on an occasional basis. Everything from website management to personal outreach is valuable. Our thanks to those who already pitch in! Please see the latest Grace Notes for more details, or speak with a member of the ministry.