The Reintroduction of Wine in Holy Communion 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.
No Zoom art/poetry meditation this Monday — join next week!
Since the parish office will be closed for the holiday weekend on Monday, there will be no Zoom meditation on Oct. 10th. Join us next Monday, October 17th, at 12:15 p.m.
Tuesday morning prayer group shifting to 8:30 a.m. Our Tuesday morning prayer group, which began meeting in August, is shifting its time from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., starting next Tuesday October 11th. We will meet in the Chapel, or the Garth if temperatures permit.
Climate Action@Grace will meet Sunday, October 9th at 11:00am in the Fireplace Room in the Parke House.
Young adult brunch meeting after 10:30 a.m. service today
Today young adults of the parish are invited to gather in the Connector about 10 minutes after the service and head off for brunch together. The goal is to have young adult brunches monthly, on second Sundays.
Youth group (grades 6-12) lunch discussion today, after 10:30 service
Youth group begins its monthly lunch discussions based around the book How Not to be Afraid: Seven Ways to Live in Terrifying Times. Meet in the Connector at noon.
Heroes of the Church, Sunday October 16th at 9:15 a.m. in the Fireplace Room. From Francis of Assisi to Dorothy Day there are many significant people in the life of the Church. Who are your saints and heroes? Who inspires you? Join the Rector in a discussion of saints and heroes. This discussion will take place between the two services and will be held in the Fireplace Room in the Parke House. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Tom at tsynan@gracechurchamherst.org.
Presentation: “Moving Through Anxiety and Keeping Focus on What Matters Most”, Sunday, October 16th at 11:30 am in the Connector Ross Goodwin-Brown is a licensed social worker, currently in private practice in Amherst. He has been working in outpatient mental health for over 30 years, though his work started in an institutional setting. Anxiety is a fundamental human experience, because of our genetic inheritance from earlier humans, those who had the wherewithal to anticipate danger. Living with anxiety can be more than a nuisance; high anxiety over an extended time period can interfere with learning, social engagement, and physical health. This talk will focus on common elements to the lived experience of anxiety that suggest a common pathway for its reduction/ resolution. We will discuss strategies that can be useful in everyday life, and ways we can take better care of ourselves and others when we spot that anxiety is interfering with quality of life.
Shelter Sunday Amherst – Sunday October 16th For 33 years, Shelter Sunday has been a major annual fundraiser for organizations that work with homeless individuals and those in need. For years, volunteers have gone door-to-door throughout Amherst, but this year’s appeal is going out through the mail, with local businesses also partnering to raise awareness. On October 16th, some local restaurants, bars, and other food establishments in the downtown Amherst area will donate a portion of their total proceeds for the day. Dine-To-Donate is an easy way to contribute to this vital cause by having an afternoon or evening out on the town.
Fall Book Series: Rachel Held Evans’ Wholehearted Faith, Sundays at 9:15am (in person) and Thursdays at 9:30am (via Zoom) beginning Sunday, October 23rd At the time of her tragic death in 2019, Rachel Evans was working on a new book about wholeheartedness. With the help of her close friend and author Jeff Chu, that work-in-progress, woven together with other unpublished writings, is now the foundation for this rich collection of essays that ask candid questions about the stories we’ve been told – and the stories we tell – about our faith, our selves, and our world. Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Rachel wrestles with God’s grace and love in an imperfect world, looks unsparingly at what the Church is and does, and explores universal human questions about becoming and belonging. The first week, Sunday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 27th we will look at the Prologue – Chapter 3.
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.
A Fanny von Arnstein Viennese Salon 1790, 4:00 pm, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, Jewish Community of Amherst, $25, Seniors $20, Students $10 This concert will recreate the music of the salons of Franziska “Fanny” von Arnstein and will include music by composers with whom she had a personal connection. Hosted by the Jewish Community of Amherst and cosponsored by Grace Episcopal Church. Please wear a mask during the concert.
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.