Choir returns Sunday, Sept. 17. Please join us at the 10:30 coffee hour to meet and welcome our new Music Director Noah Horn on his first Sunday with us!
K-5th Sunday School outside in Garth, 9:15-10:15 a.m.
This week’s class will, weather permitting, meet out in the Garth/church courtyard. We’re exploring the question “Who is Jesus?” through the Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible
Tuesday Morning Prayer Continues, 8:30 a.m. in the Garth
Children & youth acolyte training, Saturday Sept. 23rd, 11 a.m. – noon
Join us in the church to be refreshed on, or learn for the first time, the basics of being an acolyte (a.k.a. serving at the altar)! Please RSVP to Megan by September 20th.
One 9:30 service & St. Michael’s Picnic, Sunday, September 24th There will be one service at 9:30 followed by the Saint Michael’s Picnic. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Brother Lawrence Guild supplies hamburgers, hotdogs, rolls, condiments, & drinks. If you are able, please bring a side dish, salad, or a dessert. Weather permitting, there will be some seating outside in the Garth. Please join us!
Mind the Gap with Mushroom Foraging ABSOLUTELY LAST CHANCE! We’ve extended the deadline to reserve for the mushroom-foraging event until midnight Sunday, Sept. 17. Expert mushroom-hunter Michael Gralenski will lead a walk for about an hour in the Leverett woods on Saturday, Sept. 23, beginning at 10 a.m. He’ll follow it by preparing a simple mushroom dish for participants to enjoy. Fee: $35 per person, goes toward helping Grace Church “Mind the Gap.” Register at https://tinyurl.com/mushroom-event and pay by check or online by clicking the GIVE box at upper right on the Grace homepage.
Coffee Hour 8:00 and 10:30 Sign Up Sheets in The Connector
Many thanks to those of you have already signed up to host this most beloved tradition! The 8 a.m. coffee hour is in need of a few more hosts. Contact Nina Scott. For 10:30 a.m., there is 1 slot still open. Please kindly consider helping out so that we can hold coffee hour on these Sundays. See the pink list in the Connector for vacant dates or check in with Sarah Chadwick.
Coffee Hour Treats It would be great to revive the pre-COVID tradition of donating treats to coffee hour. Homemade and store bought treats are welcome at each service. Please bring any treats to the coffee hour host in the kitchen prior to the service. Looking forward to your tasty contribution! Thank you!
Haiti Uniform Campaign Update – Thank you! Grace has successfully met our goal for our Haiti uniform campaign, raising $19,461.70 – a uniform campaign record, exceeding our goal of $17,775! This campaign has funded new uniforms and school supplies for 237 students. Thank you for being generous and supporting these children!
4th Sunday Collection, September 24th The Outreach Commission has designated our 4th Sunday offering go to the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, earmarked for the Ahli Arab Hospital, which runs the only free community clinic in Gaza. It treats over 45,000 Gazans each year, including children needing psycho-social support due to the trauma of war, and children suffering from burns. It also provides fortified, high energy foods for children suffering from severe malnutrition. All patients are welcomed and treated with respect. 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.
Save the Date
Joy of Living Group, 7:00-8:30 p.m., 2nd and 4th Mondays This group combines meditation, practices integrated in the flow of life, and discussion. Led by certified mindfulness instructor Kell Julliard and practice leader and licensed acupuncturist Claudia Citkovitz, it meets in the Connector.
Return of Liturgy in the Chapel, Children-Centered Communion Service – Sunday, Oct. 15h
Our monthly half-hour Communion service with children’s sermon returns on the 3rd Sunday of each month, starting October 15th. We gather in the chapel at 9:45 a.m. See Megan for info.
Youth group (grades 6-12), meet us for mini golf at Western Mass Family Golf Center, Sunday Oct. 1st, 12:30 p.m.!
Blessing of the Animals, Sunday October 1st, 4 p.m.
Bring beloved pets (or stuffed animals) to the front lawn at 4 p.m. on October 1st for a blessing!
2023 Harvest Festival – Sign up Now!
Planning is underway for the festival which will take place October 21 – 22. Sign up sheets available in the Connector. We need your help to make this successful! For questions or information, please contact Mary Hocken.
Harvest Festival Mini-Bazaar
As part of the Harvest Festival, the mini-bazaar needs fall-themed items, including Halloween and Thanksgiving, to showcase at the sale. Please mark donations for “Harvest” and leave in the undercroft bazaar donation spot.
Celebrating Beth Hart Damon’s 23 Years of Music Ministry at Grace on Nov. 5th
On Sunday Nov. 5th, Grace will come together for one service at 9:30 a.m. with a reception to follow, to celebrate Beth Hart Damon’s 23 years of service as music director. Mark your calendars & plan to join us for this celebration of Beth’s ministry. Please be in touch with Kitty Dougherty or Harold Norris with any questions.
St. Nicholas Bazaar – Dec. 2 Donations are needed for all areas of the bazaar, especially antiques and fine jewelry. Please remember that items should be in good working condition and clean. We accept many kinds of items, but please NO textbooks, binders, VCR tapes, cassettes, classical records, clothing, or mildewed items. Donations may be dropped off in the undercroft after the Sunday service, or during office hours (M-F, 9-4). Any questions, contact Joan. Thank you!