4th Sunday Outreach Collection, March 26 The Outreach Commission has chosen The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts as the recipient of March’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.
COVID Remembrance Day Interfaith Gathering, Sunday, March 26th, 2:00pm on the Amherst Common Mourning those we’ve lost, celebrating our resilience, naming the unequal impact on different communities, promising not to forget… A time to share songs, prayers, readings & reflections by area singers, community leaders & representative of a number of faith congregations. Sponsored by Interfaith Opportunities Network.
Lenten Book Series: Richard Rohr’s The Universal Christ, Sundays at 9:15am (in person) and Thursdays at 9:30am (via Zoom) continues Richard Rohr has helped millions realize what matters for faith and spirituality. Yet he has never before 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. Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant unfolding work in the world. This is a four-part series. This week, Sunday, March 12th and Thursday, March 16th we will look at Chapters 10-13
Community Conversation Board: Unpacking a “Holy Lent” Stop by the Connector throughout this Lenten season to share your thoughts on what it means to have a “holy Lent.” In the Ash Wednesday liturgy, we begin this season with “an invitation to a holy Lent.” What would a “holy Lent” mean, look like, or feel like for you this year? What does it mean for something to be “holy”? And how do the prayer book’s suggestions for observing a “holy Lent” – such as fasting or meditating on God’s Word – fit in with your hopes, or not, for this Lenten season? We’d love to hear your ideas!
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.
Joining Jesus in the Desert: A Zoom Visual Art Meditation Series for Lent, Mondays at 12:15pm Throughout the season of Lent, our Monday Zoom meditations at 12:15 p.m. will explore various visual depictions related to Jesus’s time of temptation and formation in the desert. Using the artwork as inspiration, we will reflect on both the experiences of Jesus and experiences of challenging and testing in our own lives. Zoom links will be sent out Monday mornings. Recordings are available for those who cannot attend live. Please email Megan if interested.
Adult Confirmation Class Continues Wednesdays, March 29, and April 12 and 19, 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. Explore the mystery of God and discuss Episcopal Beliefs and Practices. This course is open to all. 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.
Save the Date
Sign Up for the All-night Vigil It is a tradition at Grace that a vigil is kept in the chapel throughout the night, immediately following the Maundy Thursday 7pm service, April 6th, which concludes at 9am the morning of Good Friday. Participants are asked to sign up for a one hour slot (ideally at least two people per time slot). The sign up sheet is in the back of the church next to the prayer request binder. Could you not stay awake with me one hour? (Matthew 26:40b)
Egg Hunt Easter Sunday, April 9th Once again following our Easter Sunday services we will have egg hunts for children in the Garth (weather permitting). During Holy Week, parishioners are welcome to drop off Easter eggs at the church for this fun activity.