Announcements 10/1/23

Youth group (grades 6-12) mini golf today at 12:30 p.m.!
Meet us at Western Mass. Family Golf Center in Hadley, or please let Megan know if you need a ride from church.

Blessing of the Animals today, 4 p.m.
Bring beloved pets (or stuffed animals) to the front lawn at 4 p.m. on October 1st for a blessing!

New Community Conversation Board
This month, our Community Conversation board is exploring the relationship between translation, the Bible, & faith, in honor of the feast day of William Tyndale. Please share your perspective!

Tuesday Morning Prayer Continues, 8:30 a.m. in the Garth
This outdoor Morning Prayer group will keep meeting through mid-October. As the weather gets colder, we’ll go on hiatus, but we’ll let you know our final day in advance.

Coffee Hour Hosts Still Needed for 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Many thanks to those who are hosting! Multiple hosts are still needed for 8 a.m. Contact Nina Scott for more info. For 10:30 a.m., we have 1 open slot! Please consider helping out so that we can hold coffee hour on all 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!

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.

Save the Date

Return of Liturgy in the Chapel, Children-Centered Communion Service – Sunday, Oct. 15th, 9:45-10:15 a.m.  Our monthly half-hour Communion service with children’s sermon returns on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Contact Megan for info.

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. Register for the Feast (Saturday, October 21) online at https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/7801415. We need your help to make this successful! For questions or information, please contact Mary Hocken.

Harvest Festival Mini-Bazaar
Got fall stuff? 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 by October 16. Thank you!

Monday Art & Poetry Meditations Over Zoom Return Oct. 16th  Beginning October 16th, Megan will resume weekly Zoom meditations based on art and poetry, this time around the theme “Gifts and Graces.” Zoom links will go out by email Monday mornings.

Church Gardens Annual Fall Clean Up, Saturday, October 28th from 9:00 am to noon.  Please bring rakes and garden clippers if you have them.  Keeping in the Halloween spirit, we will have hot cider and donuts afterwards.

Death & Dying Series – Spirituality and Theology, October 29th after 10:30 service
The next event in this series organized by our Pastoral Care committee will Tom and Megan presenting how Christian faith informs our perspective on death and dying.

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 years of service as music director. Please plan to join us for this celebration of Beth’s ministry, and be in touch with Kitty Dougherty or Harold Norris with any questions.

The St. Nicholas Bazaar is Dec. 2!  Got too much stuff? We need your stuff! 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!