Grace Church Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, February 5th following a single service at 9:30am.
Palestinian Olive Oil Because of the Annual Meeting this Sunday, the sale of Palestinian olive oil will be postponed to next Sunday, February 12 . Normally it is available on the first Sunday of each month.
The Community Conversation board Please stop by the Connector to add your thoughts to this month’s Community Conversation board, which will explore the topic Space and Stars, in honor of the feast of Epiphany. On Epiphany we pray, “O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son the peoples of the earth…” How might stars and space speak to us today of God’s presence?
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2023 To date 147 pledges have come in totaling $451,834 – most encouraging, we have 3 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.
“Fleeting Epiphanies”: A Zoom Poetry Meditation Series, Mondays at 12:15pm Over four Mondays – January 23rd, January 30th, Feb. 6th, and Feb. 13th – Megan will is hosting another art & poetry-based meditation series at 12:15 p.m. over Zoom, inspired by the season of Epiphany. The theme for the 4 weeks will be “Fleeting Epiphanies.” In the season of Epiphany, we celebrate occasions where Christ’s identity is realized or revealed. In our lives, though, we may sometimes experience epiphanies as complicated or fleeting. The moment where we seemed to grabbed onto something truthful or holy passes, and our feelings and perspectives on what once felt like an epiphany might change. How, then, do we deal with the seeming instability of our own epiphanies? Over four weeks, we will share in poetry that explores some of these complications and invites us to reflect prayerfully on them. Look for the Zoom link in your emails on Monday mornings. Recordings are available from Megan for those who cannot join us live. Feel free to bring your lunch!
Tuesday morning prayer returns Our morning prayer group, which took a hiatus in December, began meeting again Tuesday, Jan. 10th at 8:30 a.m. in the Chapel. Please join us for this creative and contemplative time of prayer and connection! Parishioners rotate leadership of this time and draw on a diverse set of liturgies.
11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change, Saturday, February 11th at 10:45 Calling all ages to be part of the 11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change this Friday, February 11 at 10:45 Join friends and neighbors for prayer and meditation before the 11th hour ringing begins. No one is too young; no one is too old. This is an invitation to join religious groups across the country and beyond to express our hope and determination that together we can act boldly to address the climate crisis. Our church bell will be rung for 11 minutes on the 11th day of each month at 11 AM. After the church bells ring, everyone will have a chance to make a joyful noise of resolve. Bring your cow bells, dinner bells, kazoos, and gongs, drums, cymbals, and noise makers of any kind. Signs and banners are encouraged. Who knows, maybe some folks passing by will stop and join in or at least catch the spirit of what committed people can do when joined together in faith.
Luminaria Saturday, February 11th (postponed one week due to weather), Town Common, 5-8pm Amherst’s week of WinterFest opens with a Luminaria. As part of the festivities, members of the Grace Church Choir will provide music from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the church. Providing an opportunity for festival attendees to come in from the cold, our singers will offer a variety of choral music, including selections from the “Lift Every Voice and Sing” hymnal, and songs about light and illumination; some piano and organ music will be played by Dick Damon. All are welcome to come in and listen!
Calendar Donations Please bring extra 2023 calendars to the food basket for the Survival Center.
Save the Date
Dine In, Help Haiti Out on Saturday, February 18 The website to order soups for the annual soup extravaganza is now open! Go to https://airtable.com/shrw7PvXgNO8WY82S. Soup may also be ordered from Haiti ministry members in the Connector after church. Don’t delay! Last year many soups sold out. Orders will be taken until Monday, February 13. We still need volunteers to donate baked breads or rolls. Please contact Sarah Chadwick f you are able to help. Cookies are also still needed. Please contact Gail Gnatek to donate. All proceeds from this event support the St. Matthew’s School in Haiti
From One Star to a Dazzling Christ, Sunday February 19th at 9:15am in the Fireplace Room The season of Epiphany begins with the light of a single star and concludes with the Transfiguration of Jesus – a Messiah at full wattage, whose appearance is described as dazzling. What epiphanies have you had that have changed you? What epiphanies have you had about the person Jesus? Are there epiphanies about Jesus you wish you could have? What are some of the revelations in your life and what are some you would like to have? Come share your thoughts and reflections as we conclude this season of enlightenment. For more information, please contact Tom.