A Note about Sunday’s Psalm chant tune The psalm chant tune for October is by Shirley Hill (1933–2014), who earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California, and spent her career in Massachusetts and Connecticut serving as director of music and organist for various Episcopal churches. Her chant tune is the only one by a woman out of 361 tunes in The Anglican Chant Psalter (Church Publishing Inc., 1987), published as The Episcopal Church’s official musical psalter.
Palestinian olive oil will be available for sale in the Connector following the service today, Sunday, October 6. It is organic, extra virgin, first cold press and fair trade. The proceeds from the sale enable Grace Church to provide a scholarship for Joyce Harish, a student at the Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center in Ramallah, to study computer programming, drafting and installation.
Liturgy in the Chapel Sunday
Children of all ages are invited to join us Sunday, October 6th, for Liturgy in the Chapel, a service of Communion taking place in our chapel downstairs from 9:35-10:15am. You are welcome to show up beginning at 9:15am, if you’d like to help with set-up or spend times coloring/creating art beforehand! Sunday School/Jr. Choir rehearsal returns to its normal time on Sunday October 13th, 9:15-10:15am, in the Parke House.
Youth group lunch, Oct. 6th, after 10:30 a.m. service Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join together for lunch (covered by Grace Church!), conversation, and board games after the 10:30 service on October 6th. Please RSVP to Megan and plan on meeting in the Connector. Pick up is at 1:30 p.m.
Blessing of the Animals, Sunday October 6th, 4 p.m. Bring beloved pets (or stuffed animals) to the front lawn at 4 p.m. on October 6th for a blessing!
Hampshire County Shelter Sunday, October 6, 2024 Donate by sending a check to Manna/Shelter Sunday, 48 Elm Street, Northampton MA 01063 or use the QR code to donate online. All proceeds will provide shelter, food, transportation, housing services, emergency accommodations and more to local residents experiencing hunger and homelessness.
Raising the Questions, Tuesday, October 8 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.
Adult Confirmation Class continue, Wednesdays October 9th, 16th, and 23rd, 6:30 – 8:00pm via Zoom Bishop Doug Fisher will visit Grace Church on Sunday, October 27th. In preparation for this occasion, there will be a 4 week course offered for anyone who is interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal hurch. Confirmation is for anyone who desires to make a mature affirmation of one’s beliefs in the presence of a bishop. Reception is for anyone who has been confirmed in another tradition but who now desires to be received into the Episcopal Church. Explore the mystery of God and discuss Episcopal Beliefs and Practices. This course is open to all. Share your beliefs, thoughts, concerns, and even doubts. There are no questions that cannot be asked. This course will be led by Tom and Megan. For further information, please call the church office at 256-6754. The Zoom invitation will be shared by email closer to the start of the program.
11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change, Friday, October 11th at 11:00am Be part of the 11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change Friday, October 11th at 11:00am. Join friends and neighbors for prayer and meditation before the 11th hour ringing begins. This is an invitation to join religious groups across the country and beyond to express our hope and determination that together we can act boldly to address the climate crisis.
Book Series: James K. A. Smith’s How to Inhabit Time, Beginning Sunday, October 13th Sundays at 9:15am 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. The first week, Sunday, October 13th, we will look at the Introduction and Chapter 1.
Climate Action@Grace will meet Sunday, October 13 at 12:30pm in the Connector. New development in the green team at Grace: we will continue to meet the second Sunday of the month, now at a new time as to allow more folks to join: after the coffee hour, at 12:30, in the Connector, bring our own bag lunches. Everyone is welcome.
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.
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.
Season of Creation prayers
Churches across the world and of various traditions are celebrating Season of Creation this month. The season highlights how our faith might shape our relationship with all God’s creation. A special collect and blessing will be used throughout the month in recognition of this season.
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 Grace Pollinator Garden has been planted in honor of Creation Season! Genesis 1, chapter 9: Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed and fruit trees of every kind…” Ecclesiastes 3: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted…” Within a few minutes of finishing the planting of 14 pollinator plants, there were bees buzzing about. And the garden is sure to be beautiful in the spring and summer months. Special thanks to our hard-working gardeners and an anonymous Grace Church member that donated the funds. Enjoy everyone! Sara Liberty-Laylin, Garden Ministry Chair
Save the Date
Grace Gardens clean up and planting, October 14th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Everyone is welcome. We will have all the necessary tools; we just need the enthusiasm. If you have questions, please email Sara Liberty Laylin.
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 14, 2024
Diocesan Retreat for Young Adults Ages 18-40, Nov. 15th-17th, Registration Due Soon
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 by October 7th, and scholarships and carpooling are available. See or contact Megan for info.
St. Nicholas Bazaar Donations are being accepted for the bazaar, December 7, 2024. Please remember that items should be in good condition and clean. We accept many kinds of items, but please no textbooks, binders, VCR tapes, cassettes, clothing, or mildewed items. Place donations on the table near the large shelves in the undercroft. Contact Joan with any questions. Thank you!