Ash Wednesday Services
Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes
February 22, 2023
8:00am, 12:10pm, 5:00pm (Chapel Taize service), & 7:00pm
(The 7pm service will be live streamed)
Today’s Coffee Hour will have a Shrove/Mardi Gras theme. Please enjoy some pancakes as we prepare ourselves for Lent.
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.
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 150 pledges have come in totaling $459,984 – 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.
Tuesday Morning Prayer Shifting to a Seasonal Outdoor Gathering Our Tuesday Morning Prayer group initially met in the Garth this summer and fall and has since moved indoors to the Chapel. The group has recently decided to shift towards only meeting outdoors during seasons where we have warmer weather, meaning we’ll break from meeting for the remainder of this winter. We plan to re-convene outdoors sometime after Easter and hope you will join us then!
Dine In, Help Haiti Out – THANK YOU A huge thank you to everyone who purchased soup, donated soup, bread, cookies or helped out in some way with the Dine In, Help Haiti Out annual soup supper yesterday. As always, it was a fabulous and fun event. Although the final tally is not in yet, it is estimated that we raised approximately $3,000 to support the St. Matthew’ School! The Haiti Ministry is so grateful to everyone who participated as well as our local partners (Atkins, Big Y, 30 Boltwood, Esselon Cafe, Ginger Garden, Oriental Flavors) who also supported this event with generous donations.
Save the Date
4th Sunday Outreach Collection, February 26 The Outreach Commission has chosen The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts as the recipient of February’s 4th Sunday collection. Since 1982, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been feeding our neighbors in need and leading the community to end hunger. They provide food to their members in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties. These independent pantries, meal sites and shelters are on the front lines of emergency food assistance in our region, providing sustenance to individuals, families, seniors, children and people with disabilities (including veterans) to lead healthy and meaningful lives. Please give generously. 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 can give.
Lenten Book Series: Richard Rohr’s The Universal Christ, Sundays at 9:15am (in person) and Thursdays at 9:30am (via Zoom) beginning Sunday, March 5th As a globally recognized teacher, Richard Rohr has helped millions realize what matters concerning faith and spirituality. Yet Rohr has never before thoroughly addressed the relationship between Jesus and Christ. Many have an idea of who Jesus was, but who is Christ? Too often, Rohr writes, our understandings have been limited by culture, religious debate, and the human tendency to put ourselves at the center. Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant unfolding work in the world. Full of deep hope and vision, The Universal Christ is an invitation to contemplate how God liberates and loves all that is. This is a four-part series. The first week, Sunday, March 5th and Thursday, March 9th we will look at Chapters 1-4
The Thorny Work of Relationships: a talk and discussion, Tom Nields-Duffy, LMHC, March 5, 2023 – 12:00pm, in the Parish Hall The work of living with and loving one another is tricky business. There’s no single right way to make relationships work, but there are strategies that can help. Careful, intentional listening and taking care of yourself help tremendously–and keeping a sense of humor! Tom Nields-Duffy will discuss these strategies and others in a short talk, followed by plenty of time for questions and discussion. Bio: Tom Nields-Duffy, LMHC, works as a therapist in Northampton. He serves as a deacon at the congregational church in West Cummington. He focuses on gratitude and love daily, which he believes are not that different from the process of working with grief.
Adult Confirmation Class, Tuesdays, March 7, 14, 28, and April 11 and 18, 6:30 – 8:00pm via Zoom Bishop Doug Fisher will visit Grace Church on Sunday, May 7. In preparation for this occasion, there will be a 5 week course offered for anyone who is interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Confirmation is for anyone who desires to make a mature affirmation of one’s beliefs in the presence of a bishop. Reception is for anyone who has been confirmed in another tradition but who now desires to be received into the Episcopal Church. What does it mean to be an Episcopalian in the 21st century? Explore the mystery of God and discuss Episcopal Beliefs and Practices. This course is open to all, regardless of whether you are seeking Confirmation or Reception. Share your beliefs, thoughts, concerns, and even doubts. There are no questions that cannot be asked. This course will be led by Tom and Megan. For further information, please call the church office at 256-6754. The Zoom invitation will be posted closer to the start of the program.