Catch the Spirit of Advent, Sunday December 11 and 18 at 9:15am in the Fireplace Room Advent is the season in which we are asked to watch and be ready. Explore the possibilities of Advent through the lens of those who are highlighted in our sacred stories this season: December 11 – Mary and Joseph; December 18 – Jesus the incarnate Christ-child We’ll examine each of these using Scripture, poetry, and maybe even some artistic representations. If you have favorite poems or pictures regarding any of these subjects, please bring them to share. For more information, please contact Tom.
Pageant rehearsals beginning this Sunday! All youth & children welcome Rehearsals for Grace’s Christmas Eve pageant are scheduled as follows: -this Sunday December 11th, 9:15-10:15 a.m., in the parish hall -December 18th, rehearsal from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the parish hall -December 24th, call time of 2:00 p.m. for dress rehearsal with animals prior to the 4:00 p.m. service Can’t make all the rehearsals? Have young relatives coming into town closer to Christmas or friends you’d like to join in the celebration? All are still welcome to join us for the pageant! Please do not let the rehearsal schedule deter you – we will find a place on Christmas Eve for all interested kids and youth, regardless of how many rehearsals they were able to make. Please email Megan or Kate Atkinson for more information.
Climate Action@Grace will meet this Sunday, December 11th at 9:30am in the Parker Room.
Learn about the role of the Vestry – Please join the Nominating Committee for informal conversation over tea after the 10:30 service this Sunday, December 11th in the Parker Room. Vestry Nomination Forms are available in the back of the church.
A Service of Advent Lessons & Carols This Sunday, December 11th at 4:00 pm One of the loveliest services of the church year, it is comprised of scripture readings interspersed with a variety of choral anthems and hymns, modeled after the traditional Anglican format. All are most welcome – we hope to see you there!
St. Nicholas Bazaar: A huge thank you to all who made the St. Nicholas Bazaar such a success. What a wonderful family we have at Grace Church! Please return lawn signs as soon as possible – thanks!
Adopt-A-Family For Christmas Grace Church never ceases to amaze! All 40 families (106 children) have been adopted! So many thanks to everyone who has taken part in this program once again. The deadline is next Sunday, Dec 18th for delivering the gifts to the undercroft. For more information, please contact Mary Hocken. 413-537-0251
The December Community Conversation board Please share your thoughts on Christmas and Peacemaking. Isaiah foretells the coming of a “Prince of Peace,” and angels declare peace to the shepherds. For you, how does the good news of Christmas connect with peace and peacemaking in our world which is filled with conflict and violence? What would it look like to embrace peace and peacemaking this Advent & Christmas season? Let us know throughout the month!
Finding Ourselves In The Stories of Advent: A 3 Week Zoom Poetry Meditation On Mondays Dec. 12th and 19th, at 12:15 p.m., there will be a Zoom meditation series exploring poetry that helps us see ourselves in the themes and stories of Advent. The Zoom link will be sent out on Monday mornings. Please reach out to Megan with any questions or to receive recordings of the meditations if you can’t be with us live.
Moving Gracefully through the Holidays: A Meditation Workshop Tuesday December 13, 6:00pm in the Chapel This time of year, however joyful, can also be stressful and challenging as activities and expectations ramp up. This 75-minute session led by Kell Julliard will introduce meditation practices related to breath, awareness, compassion, and wisdom. These practices can be done in the flow of life as well as during personal prayer time to bring warmth and perspective to the holidays.
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2023 To date 122 pledges have come in totaling $410,264 – most encouraging, we have 2 new pledges. We still have a ways to go but are off to a very good start. To those who have pledged God Bless, to those who have yet to pledge please pray and pledge so our Vestry can budget for 2023. If you need a pledge card, they are available as you enter the church or you can contact the office (413) 256-6754 or Bruce Stebbins at (413) 549-5933.
Save the Date
Grace Church Tree Trimming Party! Join Tom & Megan in trimming our tree and spreading the Christmas spirit on Sunday, December 18th, during coffee hours in the Connector. Bring an ornament and cookies to share!
Save the Date for the annual Dine In, Help Haiti Out soup extravaganza! Mark your calendars now for Saturday, February 18. More information will be coming and we will be recruiting cookie makers, bread bakers, as well other helpers. In the meantime, if you have questions or want to help, please email Sarah Chadwick.
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve
4:00pm Holy Eucharist with Christmas Pageant
8:00pm Holy Eucharist with choral prelude at 7:30
11:00pm Holy Eucharist with choral prelude at 10:30
Christmas Day
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Sunday, January 1st
9:30am Holy Eucharist with Christmas Lessons and Carols