The Reintroduction of Wine in Holy Communion Starting this Sunday we are resuming the offering of wine in Holy Communion. It is not mandatory to have wine. Bread alone is full and sufficient. Following the Diocesan Guidelines, if you would like to partake of the wine, you may drink from one of the chalices. Intinction – dipping the bread into the wine – is NOT permitted.
Fourth Sunday Outreach Collection September 25th for the Amherst Survival Center Located in North Amherst, the Amherst Survival 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
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!
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.
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 at kelljulliard@me.com.
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.
Blessing of the Animals: Sunday, October 2nd at 4:00pm on the front lawn of the church.
Holy Physicality: A Visual Art & Poetry Meditation Series over Zoom, Mondays, 12:15 p.m. Starting with Monday, Oct. 3rd and continuing through the rest of Ordinary Time (last session being Nov. 21st), our Zoom meditation series will be re-gathering on Mondays at 12:15 p.m. Each week will feature either poetry or visual art that, in some way, might be connected to the idea of holiness or sacredness being present in the physical – especially our own bodies and bodily experiences. Zoom links will be sent out by email. If you are interested in receiving recordings of the meditation because you can’t join us live, email Megan at mmcdermott@gracechurchamherst.org for more info.
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!
St. Nicholas Bazaar, Save the date – Dec. 3, 9 to 2! Cleaning closets? Tidying the attic or basement? Bring your unwanted treasures for the St. Nicholas Bazaar! We especially need your antiques, collectibles, and jewelry. We also need Christmas items, toys & games, books, CDs, DVDs, linens & scarves, artwork, housewares and any other clean items in good condition for the bazaar to be a success. Donations may be dropped off in the undercroft, on the right as you come through the door near the Connector. Questions? Contact Joan O’Brien (jobrien82@gmail.com) Thank You!
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 (micahjwalter@gmail.com) to learn more.
Haiti Ministry: Eat Dessert First! After the 10:30 service on Sunday, October 23, the Haiti Ministry will be offering an ice cream thank you event. Our summer uniform and supplies campaign was a big success and, as a result, every student at St. Matthew’s School has started the new academic year outfitted for success! We are also delighted to say that some of our steadfast partners from St James’ Episcopal Church in Indian Head, Maryland will be joining us for worship and fellowship that same day. We hope you’ll join us in our thanks for the continuing support– of Grace and St. James–for this important ministry.