About the service music for Epiphany Lena McLin (1928–2023), the composer of this season’s liturgical music, was a composer, pastor, and music teacher at Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago. Amongst her students were Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, and Mandy Patinkin. She was also the niece of Thomas Dorsey, who was known as “The Father of Gospel Music.” She wrote this season’s Mass setting in 1972, and passed away a year ago at the age of 95.
Climate Action@Grace will convene Sunday, January 12 at 12:15 in the Connector.
Epiphany Art Meditations: Contemporary and 20th Century Artists Imagining the Divine Starting Monday January 13th, our Monday Zoom meditations will be regathering at their usual time of 12:15 p.m. Our Epiphany series will be focused on 20th and 21st century artists’ various ways of imagining and depicting God, the divine, or sacredness/holiness. The link to the Zoom will be sent out weekly on Monday mornings. Please contact Megan with any questions or if you’d like to receive recordings of the meditations.
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. Next meeting, in the Connector: January 13, 2025.
Iconography Workshop There will be a 3 day intensive icon workshop from Wednesday, January 15 through Friday, January 17. The workshop will be in Grace Church’s parish hall on Spring Street, and the hours are 9 am to 4 pm. As in the 16th century, students will be creating Byzantine style icons using traditional techniques and natural materials rich with symbolic meaning, including pure gold leaf, and ground mineral pigments in an emulsion made from egg yolk. Previous artistic experience is not necessary, since icon writing is as much a contemplative process of an inner spiritual journey into realms of beauty and glorification as it is an artistic discipline. Students of all levels of experience are welcome, and everyone will work on individual images at their own pace. A workshop fee of $5 per day will cover the cost of provided materials. For more information please contact: Sandy Lillydahl 413-549-2740.
Raising the Questions, Tuesday, January 14 at 9:30am Raising the Questions is a Grace Church reading and discussion group that focusses on theology and liturgy. We meet monthly on the second Tuesday at 9:30 am. This month we are meeting in the Parker Room. Got questions? Come join us.
Are you interested in being baptized, or know someone who is? Along with Holy Communion, Holy Baptism is one of the two great sacraments given by Christ to the Church. We acknowledge one Baptism, which means Baptism in the name of the Trinity is performed once in a person’s life and is recognized regardless of where or how it took place. If you have not been baptized or you are not sure whether you were baptized, and would like to know more, please contact the church office or one of the clergy. We would be happy to speak with you about this holy sacrament.
Clothing Drive Ascentria Refugee Services for New Americans has asked Grace Church to help with a clothing drive. They are looking for warm winter clothes for people of all ages! This drive hopes to gather new or lightly used coats, blankets, scarves, hats, and gloves for refugees moving into Western Massachusetts. All supplies will be directly distributed to families who can’t afford clothes for the coming winter. A shopping cart will be placed in the back of the church for those who can donate. You can bring items with you to church on Sunday or drop them off during the week during regular business hours. Ascentria Refugee Services For New Americans provides legal, housing, and language support to new Americans across New England. Thank you for your generosity, and if there are items you wish to donate other than what is listed or would like to become more involved, please reach out to rporter@ascentria.org. If you wish to learn more about Ascentria and the work they do, please check their website at https://www.ascentria.org/service/services-for-new-americans/.
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2025 To date 133 pledges have come in totaling $491,065– most encouraging, we have 7 new pledges. We are off to a 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 2025. 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) 530-3805.
2025 Pledge Envelopes If you requested envelopes, you may pick them up from the box on the table in the back of the church beginning this Sunday. They will (hopefully) be in alphabetical order. Note: if this is the first year that you have requested pledge envelopes, your pledge number may have changed.
Poinsettias Please adopt one (or more) of the “orphaned” poinsettias on the table in the Undercroft.
Lawn Sign Request Please remember to return the St. Nicholas Bazaar lawn signs for re-use next year. Thank you! (and thanks to those who have done so already!)
Coffee hour help needed! The 8 a.m. coffee hour is looking for a couple of willing baristas to fill in once a month this Fall and keep the coffee hour perking along reliably. If you can help out or want more information, email Betsy Mathews or speak with the clergy.
Publicity for your Event? Please let the Communications Committee know if you need help with your event. Please fill out this form: https://www.gracechurchamherst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Request-for-Event-Publicity-Form-2023.pdf, also located on the “Outreach” page of the church website. The committee requests at least 6 weeks notice. Please forward questions to Patrick Kelly or Sarah Chadwick.
The Pastoral Care Commission The Pastoral Care Commission is looking for volunteers to help our fellow Grace family. This might include sending cards, calling or emailing those needing support, or helping coordinate any of these activities. We meet once a month, but monthly attendance is not a requirement. If you feel called to help out with this ministry, please contact Gail Gnatek.
Calendar Donations Please bring extra 2025 calendars to the food basket for the Survival Center.
Save the Date
The popular Haiti Ministry soup supper is coming up! The annual Haiti soup supper extravaganza will be taking place on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Won’t you please help out by donating some of your favorite homemade soup or baking cookies or bread? If you can donate soup, please contact Sarah Chadwick at If you can donate cookies or bread, please contact Gail Gnatek. The website to buy soup will be opening on Friday, January 10. Soup orders will also be taken during coffee hour. This is such a wonderful event and all proceeds support the St. Matthew’s School in Haiti. Thank you for any support that you can give.
Grace Church Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 2nd following a single service at 9:30am. All commission and committee reports should be sent to the Parish Administrator no later than Wednesday, January 15th.