Announcements 10/15/23

Covid reminders  There has been an uptick of Covid cases locally, including here at church. We remind you that masks are welcomed and you are encouraged to participate in services according to your comfort levels and precautions, whether in-person or online. If you feel sick, please stay home, and if you have Covid and can use help in anyway, please contact the clergy.

Return of Liturgy in the Chapel, Children-Centered Communion Service – Today, 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.

Presentation about our mission in Ramallah today in Parish Hall  After today’s 10:30 service, please join us in the Parish Hall for a presentation on our mission in Ramallah.  Eileen Spencer, Executive Director of the AFEDJ (American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem), Diana Branton, AFEDJ’s Director of  Marketing and Communications, and Giovanni Anbar, Director of the ETVTC (Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center) will talk to us via Zoom.  There will be a short film on their work.  They support the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and other programs in addition to the ETVTC.   Refreshments will be served.   The Outreach Commission will consider how to reach out to and support all in the local community affected by this time of extreme violence and grief.

Monday Art & Poetry Meditations Over Zoom Return Oct. 16th
Beginning tomorrow, 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.

Join in for last outdoor morning prayer of the season this Tuesday!
This upcoming Tuesday, October 17th, will be our last weekly outdoor prayer gathering for the season. This group, which meets in the Garth at 8:30 a.m., will then go on hiatus for the colder months and return in spring/summer of next year.

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
We need your fall-themed items, including Halloween and Thanksgiving! The deadline for donations is Oct. 18.  Please mark donations for “Harvest” and leave them in the undercroft bazaar donation spot. Thank you!

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!

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

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 be 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.

Antiques and Fine Jewelry Needed!  The St. Nicholas Bazaar is on December 2, and we need your donations to make it a success! Donations of all kinds are needed, especially antiques and fine jewelry. Donations should be clean and in good working condition.  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!