The Reintroduction of Wine in Holy Communion We are resuming the offering of wine in Holy Communion. It is not mandatory to have wine. Bread alone is full and sufficient. Following the Diocesan Guidelines, if you would like to partake of the wine, you may drink from one of the chalices. Intinction – dipping the bread into the wine – is NOT permitted.
Palestinian olive oil will be available for sale in the Connector following both services today, Sunday, October 2. It is organic, extra virgin, first cold press and fair trade. The proceeds from the sale enable Grace to provide a scholarship for a student at the Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center in Ramallah. Our current student is Teya Awwad. She is studying hospitality and culinary arts.
Blessing of the Animals: Sunday, October 2nd at 4:00pm on the front lawn of the church.
October Community Conversation Board: St. Francis of Assisi We invite you to stop by our community conversation board and reflect on the legacy of St. Francis and the meaning of blessing.
Holy Physicality: A Visual Art & Poetry Meditation Series over Zoom, Mondays, 12:15 p.m. Starting with Monday, Oct. 3rd and continuing through the rest of Ordinary Time (last session being Nov. 21st), our Zoom meditation series will be re-gathering on Mondays at 12:15 p.m. Each week will feature either poetry or visual art that, in some way, might be connected to the idea of holiness or sacredness being present in the physical – especially our own bodies and bodily experiences. Zoom links will be sent out by email. If you are interested in receiving recordings of the meditation because you can’t join us live, email Megan for more info.
Tuesday morning prayer –at 8 a.m. in the Garth. You are invited to join in for 20-30 minutes of in-person prayer in the Garth/church courtyard (the Chapel in case of inclement weather) on Tuesday mornings at 8 a.m. You can enter through the Connector door or the Spring Street door. If you have questions or would like more information, please be in touch with Kell Julliard.
Climate Action@Grace will meet Sunday, October 9th at 11:00am in the Fireplace Room in the Parke House.
Heroes of the Church, Sunday October 16th at 9:15 a.m. in the Fireplace Room. From Francis of Assisi to Dorothy Day there are many significant people in the life of the Church. Who are your saints and heroes? Who inspires you? Join the Rector in a discussion of saints and heroes. This discussion will take place between the two services and will be held in the Fireplace Room in the Parke House. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Tom.
Presentation: “Moving Through Anxiety and Keeping Focus on What Matters Most”
Sunday, October 16th at 11:30 am in the Connector Ross Goodwin-Brown is a licensed social worker, currently in private practice in Amherst. He has been working in outpatient mental health for over 30 years, though his work started in an institutional setting. Anxiety is a fundamental human experience, because of our genetic inheritance from earlier humans, those who had the wherewithal to anticipate danger. Living with anxiety can be more than a nuisance; high anxiety over an extended time period can interfere with learning, social engagement, and physical health. This talk will focus on common elements to the lived experience of anxiety that suggest a common pathway for its reduction/ resolution. We will discuss strategies that can be useful in everyday life, and ways we can take better care of ourselves and others when we spot that anxiety is interfering with quality of life.
Shelter Sunday Amherst – Sunday October 16th For 33 years, Shelter Sunday has been a major annual fundraiser for organizations that work with homeless individuals and those in need. For years, community and student volunteers have gone door-to-door throughout Amherst. This year’s appeal, however, is going out through the mail, and local businesses are partnering to raise awareness. On October 16th, some local restaurants, bars, and other food establishments in the downtown Amherst area are donating a portion of their total proceeds for the day. Dine-To-Donate is an easy way for any community member to contribute to this vital cause by having an afternoon or evening out on the town.
Fall Book Series: Rachel Held Evans’ Wholehearted Faith, Sundays at 9:15am (in person) and Thursdays at 9:30am (via Zoom) beginning Sunday, October 23rd At the time of her tragic death in 2019, Rachel Evans was working on a new book about wholeheartedness. With the help of her close friend and author Jeff Chu, that work-in-progress, woven together with other unpublished writings, is now the foundation for this rich collection of essays that ask candid questions about the stories we’ve been told – and the stories we tell – about our faith, our selves, and our world. Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Rachel wrestles with God’s grace and love in an imperfect world, looks unsparingly at what the Church is and does, and explores universal human questions about becoming and belonging. The first week, Sunday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 27th we will look at the Prologue – Chapter 3.
Haiti Ministry Eat Dessert First! After the 10:30 service on Sunday, October 23, the Haiti Ministry will be offering an ice cream thank you event. Our summer uniform and supplies campaign was a big success and, as a result, every student at St. Matthew’s School has started the new academic year outfitted for success! We are also delighted to say that some of our steadfast partners from St James’ Episcopal Church in Indian Head, Maryland will be joining us for worship and fellowship that same day. We hope you’ll join us in our thanks for the continuing support– of Grace and St. James–for this important ministry.
St. Nicholas Bazaar, Save the date – Dec. 3, 9 to 2! Cleaning closets? Tidying the attic or basement? Bring your unwanted treasures for the St. Nicholas Bazaar! We especially need your antiques, collectibles, and jewelry. We also need Christmas items, toys & games, books, CDs, DVDs, linens & scarves, artwork, housewares and any other clean items in good condition for the bazaar to be a success. Donations may be dropped off in the undercroft, on the right as you come through the door near the Connector. Questions? Contact Joan O’Brien. Thank You!
Bellringers for the 10:30 Service
We are reconstituting the bellringers – a group of parishioners who ring the tower bell at certain times during the consecration at the 10:30 service. If you are interested in learning how to do this, email Micah Walter to learn more.