4th Sunday Collection, Nov. 26 The Outreach Commission has designated Doctors Without Borders for Grace’s 4th Sunday Offering. Doctors Without Borders provides independent, impartial medical humanitarian assistance to the people who need it most. They care for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural and human-made disasters, and exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries. Doctors Without Borders provides medical care with empathy and compassion to all patients, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or politics. 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.
No Sunday School 11/26 Due to holiday travel, there will be no K-5th grade Sunday School this Sunday, Nov. 26th.
Adopt-A-Family For Christmas: For many years Grace Church members have enjoyed buying or making gifts for a family that is struggling. So far 12 families have been adopted! 28 to go! If there is anyone who would like to shop and wrap gifts for a family and be reimbursed or give money instead of shopping, please contact Mary. The deadline is Dec 17th. AFTER the St Nicholas bazaar the gifts can be brought to the undercroft on Sunday mornings. Copies of wish lists and helpful tips will be available after each service. Questions: contact Mary Hocken 413-537-0251.
Get into the Spirit this Holiday Season: Come to an Advent Supper – Wednesday Evenings Dec. 6th, Dec. 13th, Dec 20st; and Monday Dec. 18th For the season of Advent, a number of parishioners have agreed to host potluck suppers in their homes as an opportunity for people to connect with one another in small groups. The suppers will start around 6 p.m. A different household is host each week. Please notify Terrie by phone call to the parish office or email to tkorpita@gracechurchamherst.org about which evenings you’d be interested in attending. We cannot guarantee everyone will be able to attend every potluck supper, but we will plan that everyone gets to participate in at least one supper during the season. The host for your Advent supper will reach out directly to you with more information on what would be helpful to bring and directions to their home. The deadline for signing up is Wednesday, November 29th.
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. Final meeting: Nov. 27
Thanksgiving Collection for the Amherst Survival Center – We Did It! This week, we met out goal. 512 packages of bread stuffing were collected for the Thanksgiving distribution at the Survival Center. Amazing Grace! Thank you for your help.
Vestry Nomination Forms are available in the back of the church.
Instagram Account Exciting news! Grace Church now has an Instagram account. Check it out and be sure to follow us at Grace Church Amherst at https://www.instagram.com/gracechurchamherst/. Also be sure to share posts with friends.
Coffee Hour Hosts Still Needed for 8 a.m.
Many thanks to those who are hosting! Multiple hosts are still needed for 8 a.m. Contact Nina Scott for more info.
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!
Save the Date
The St. Nicholas Bazaar is Dec. 3 from 9 to 2! The Gifts from Grace Table at the St Nicholas Bazaar welcomes and needs your creations. Donations of your art and handmade crafts of all kinds are needed for the December 2 event. Any questions please contact Gillian Duda at 413-253-7626
A Service of Advent Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 10th at 4:00 pm One of the loveliest services of the church year, it is comprised of scripture readings interspersed with a variety of choral anthems and hymns, modeled after the traditional Anglican format. All are most welcome – we hope to see you there!
O love, how deep, how broad, how high: An Advent 2023 Online Retreat Saturday, December 16 9:30 a.m. – 12 Noon • Online (free) This year’s Advent retreat takes its name from the opening line of a 15th-century hymn attributed to Thomas á Kempis. Guided by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, we will enjoy a morning of listening, prayer, and conversation as we open ourselves to the presence of Divine Love. Our time together will include presentations, guided meditation, and gathering in small groups. If you like, bring a candle and wear something comfortable for an optional walk outdoors. All are welcome to join our fourth annual Advent retreat. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkf-moqT8rG9H27-j8-UTEYNQ9IwfIP6HM#/registration
Grace Church Tree Trimming Party! Join Tom & Megan in trimming our tree and spreading the Christmas spirit on Sunday, December 17th, during coffee hour in the Connector. Bring an ornament and cookies to share!
Christmas Pageant: We’re beginning preparation for the Christmas pageant – which takes place at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. All children and young people are welcome to participate! We’re currently gathering a list of participating children/youth. Please let Megan know if your child will be joining in & if they have any preferred roles. Info on rehearsal times coming soon.