The Reintroduction of Wine in Holy Communion We have resumed 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.
Holy Physicality: A Visual Art & Poetry Meditation Series over Zoom, Mondays, 12:15 p.m. 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 more info.
Tuesday morning prayer group shifting to 8:30 a.m. Our Tuesday morning prayer group, which began meeting in August, has shifted its time from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. We will meet in the Chapel, or the Garth if temperatures permit.
Heroes of the Church, today, 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.
Presentation: “Moving Through Anxiety and Keeping Focus on What Matters Most” Sunday, October 16th after the 10:30 service in the Parish Hall 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 Grace Church’s Outreach Commission has designated Shelter Sunday Amherst 2022 as the recipient of Grace’s fourth Sunday offering (October 23). Shelter Sunday Amherst is a community effort to help our neighbors who are in need. This year marks Shelter Sunday’s thirty-third year of fundraising. Our community continues to feel the economic effects of the pandemic — some to a greater degree than others — and the need will probably be greater than ever this year. The beneficiaries of Shelter Sunday Amherst 2022 will provide shelter and housing-focused case management for those who are homeless, and warm, nourishing meals for those who are hungry. Please consider a generous gift to support these important programs. 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.
Fall Book Series: Rachel Held Evans’ Wholehearted Faith Sundays at 9:15am (in person) and Thursdays at 9:30am (via Zoom) beginning Sunday, October 23rdAt 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.
NEXT SUNDAY, October 23, please come and Eat Dessert First! The Haiti Ministry will be offering an ice cream thank you event following the 10:30 service. 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.
Coming soon: The St. Nicholas Bazaar! The bazaar is rapidly approaching! We are especially in need of antiques and fine jewelry. Other items may also be brought in. Please make sure they are clean and in good condition. Soon volunteer sign-ups will be available – consider how you could help. Many hands make light work! Contact Joan for more information. 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 to learn more.