A Note about today’s Opening Hymn The hymn “Amazing grace!” has an immediately obvious connection to today’s Gospel reading, with “was blind but now I see” occurring in the first verse. Written by John Newton in 1772, “Amazing grace” is estimated by a current biographer to be performed about 10 million times annually. Since we are singing it at Grace, it may be interesting to learn that the word “grace” appears 211 times in the hymnal (thanks to A Concordance of The Hymnal 1982), and “Amazing grace” has six of those appearances, more than any other hymn.
Fourth Sunday Outreach Collection, October 27th The Outreach Commission has designated the recipient of Grace Church’s fourth Sunday collection will be Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund. Hurricane’s Helene and Milton have left many families throughout the Southeast devastated and in urgent need of support. Your gift will provide ERD’s partners on the ground with critical supplies, such as food and water, pastoral care and other urgent needs. It will also help assist with the long-term efforts needed to rebuild and heal the communities impacted by these terrible storms. 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.
Youth group change, Bubble tea after 10:30 a.m. service on Sun. Oct. 27th!
There’s been a change of plans for this Sunday’s youth group (grades 6-12) gathering. Originally, we were scheduled to go to Art in the Orchard, but we will now be going for bubble tea/smoothies at LimeRed after church. Please enjoy coffee hour in the Connector with the bishop first! We’ll meet as a group in the Connector. Pick-up by 1:30 p.m. Be in touch with Megan with any questions.
Book Series: James K. A. Smith’s How to Inhabit Time, Sundays at 9:15am Oct. 13 through Nov. 17 in the Parish Hall Many Christians live a faith that is “nowhen.” They are disconnected from the past or imagine they are somehow “above” the flux of history, immune to it, as if self-starters from clean slates in every generation. They lack an awareness of time and the effects of history – both personal and collective – and thus are naïve about current issues, prone to nostalgia, and fixated on the end times. In How to Inhabit Time, popular speaker and award-winning author James K. A. Smith shows that awakening to the spiritual significance of time is crucial for orienting faith in the 21st century. He helps develop a sense of “temporal awareness” that is attuned to the texture of history, the vicissitudes of life, and the tempo of the Spirit. This is a five-part series. This week, Sunday, October 27th, there will be no meeting. Our next meeting will be Sunday, November 3rd.
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: October 28, 2024
The Investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe, Nov. 2, 2024 The service will be livestreamed beginning at 9:30am. The link will be sent via email early in the week.
All Souls’ Day We will celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Monday, November 4th, at 7:00 p.m., with a service of Holy Communion and a reading of names from the Book of Remembrance. There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church, if you would like to add names of deceased loved ones.
Thanksgiving Collection for the Amherst Survival Center, Help “Stuff” the Church with Bread Stuffing For Thanksgiving, the Amherst Survival Center has asked us to collect 500 boxes of bread stuffing, which the Survival Center will distribute throughout November. They would like as many boxes as possible by November 22nd. If everyone brought 2 boxes of stuffing to church for the next 2 Sundays, we can achieve this goal. Thank you for your help.
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? Now that the Fall calendar has come out, 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.
Counters Needed The finance committee is looking for a few people to help count the Sunday offering after the final service each week. The commitment is 15 minutes every 4-6 weeks, and you will be with another trained counter. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Tim Hampson at 413-695-5660.
Save the Date
Daylight Savings Reminder! The clocks need to be changed back one hour November 3rd. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!
Screening of Philadelphia Eleven documentary, Parish Hall, Nov. 3rd, 12:15 p.m. Join us after church on All Saints’ Day for a viewing of the documentary The Philadelphia Eleven, which explores the story of the first women ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church in 1974. The documentary gives an in-depth look at the challenges they faced and their experiences leading up to and following this momentous day in church history. We’d love to have a potluck lunch for those staying after church for the movie, so please bring an appetizer to share if you’re able! Drinks will be provided.
Coming in November – Philadelphia Eleven book group On Wednesdays Nov. 6th, 13th, and 20th at 6:30 p.m., join us for a 3-session book discussion on Zoom exploring The Story of the Philadelphia Eleven: Revised and Expanded 50th Anniversary Edition by Darlene O’Dell. This book discussion is a part of our continued commemoration as a parish of the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. We hope this space will give us a chance to dive deeper into the details and history of the Philadelphia Eleven while also allowing us to share connections between this history and our own experiences and faith. Zoom links will be sent out from the Grace Church email. Please be in touch with Megan at with any questions.
Celebrating the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, An Invitation from the Diocese, Friday, November 8th at 12 noon, here at Grace Church in the Parish Hall You are cordially invited to a luncheon honoring the ministry of The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas upon her retirement. The luncheon will be held in our Parish Hall, Friday, November 8th, at 12 noon. RSVP to the Diocese at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/558c10cb-e497-4dfe-84a6-7f3ba4440b05
Bell Ringing in honor of Veterans Monday, November 11th at 11:00am, Bell Ringing for Climate Change cancelled Grace Church will honor Veterans with a solemn tolling of the bell eleven times following the moment of silence to be held in front of the Amherst Town Hall. Bell ringing for Climate Action will resume in December.
Diocesan Retreat for Young Adults Ages 18-40, Nov. 15th-17th, Registration Due ASAP
The Young Adult Ministry Network’s annual fall retreat is taking place at the Barbara Harris Camp in New Hampshire Nov. 15th-17th. Join us for a time of spiritual refreshment and building community! Registration is due ASAP, and scholarships and carpooling are available. See or contact Megan for info.
St. Nicholas Bazaar (Dec 7) We need your no-longer-needed stuff for the bazaar! All the usual stuff, but especially Toys/Games, Antiques/Collectibles/Fine Jewelry, and Sports Equipment! Bring donations to the undercroft as soon as possible for sorting and pricing – by November 17th if possible. As usual, please make sure items are in good condition and clean. Donations may be dropped off after the Sunday service, or during church office hours (M-F, 9-4). Any questions, contact Joan (jobrien82@gmail.com). Thank you!