Young Adult Brunch today, after 10:30 service On the second Sunday of each month, young adults in the parish are planning to go to brunch after the 10:30 a.m. service. If interested, gather in The Connector (coffee hour area) following the service. The group will leave the end of coffee hour. Micah Walter (micahjwalter@gmail.com) will be coordinating.
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. To Date: 259 collected; 241 to go.
The Stewardship campaign is underway. You should receive the mailing this week. Please read these materials carefully and prayerfully reflect on your contribution. If you do not receive the mailing, copies will be on the table at the entry to the church. We need the participation of all members if we are to maintain our programs, meet unexpected expenditures and continue to provide support for others in our community. The annual In-gathering will be Sunday, Nov. 20th at both services. Please bring your pledge card then as they will be received at the altar during the service. If you are away on the 20th, we will gladly receive your pledge earlier. Thank you.
Annual Feast of Grace! As part of this year’s Stewardship Campaign in-gathering of pledges on Sunday, Nov. 20, we will continue our tradition with a pot-luck luncheon that will immediately follow the 10:30 service. Please bring an appetizer, main dish or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided. You can drop off your donation to BLG in the Parish Hall prior to the 8 AM and 10:30 services. We look forward to seeing everyone there!!
Fall Book Series: Rachel Held Evans’ Wholehearted Faith Sundays at 9:15am (in person) and Thursdays at 9:30am (via Zoom) Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Rachel Evans 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. This Sunday, November 13th and Thursday, November 17th we will look at Chapter 12 – Afterword.
Holy Physicality: A Visual Art & Poetry Meditation Series over Zoom, Mondays, 12:15 p.m.Continuing through Nov. 21st, our Zoom meditation series gathers 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 at mmcdermott@gracechurchamherst.org for more info.
Please Join Our Cot Shelter Ministry! On the second Thursday of each month, a group of 2-3 of our parishioners bring and serve dinner & dessert to about 12 guests at the Nothampton Cot Shelter. We arrive at 5:45, warm/cook our pre-prepared meals, serve the guests and do a little cleanup and are out by 7:15. We are in need of expanding our list of those individuals, couples and/or families willing to serve and to be “on call” Please join the Cot Shelter Team!! Please email (mckelvey@isenberg.umass.edu) or call if you are interested in hearing more about this marvelous ministry. Thanks!! Steve McKelvey C: 413-237-3446
What are those words under crowns in hard-to-decipher alphabets near the top of the big window behind the altar? Stop wondering, and focus on the sermon instead! Find the answers to this and many other questions in Ken Samonds’s fascinating book, A Slant of Light: The Stained-Glass Windows of Grace Church. Examine a sample volume and place your order now at a special pre-publication discount price of $19.99. Orders, payable by check or cash, will be taken at coffee hour after both services during November. Pre-ordered books will be available on December 4. On December 5, the regular price of $24.99 goes into effect. Think about this as the perfect holiday gift for many people on your list! Former parishioner Ken Samonds will be on hand to take final pre-orders at the St. Nicholas Bazaar. On Sunday, Dec. 4, he will hold a book-signing in the Connector after both services, and give a talk on the windows at 12:15—mark your calendars for an event not to be missed.
Benefit Concert for Haiti On Nov. 13 at 4pm the Grace Church Choir will give a concert of anthems at Trinity church, Ware, where the Rev. Randall Wilburn is presently Bridge Pastor. The concert has been generously designated as a fundraiser – voluntary donations – to support the partnership of the Haiti Ministry of Grace with St. Matthew’s School in Bayonnais, Haiti.
Movement and the Sacred Parish Hall 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 (ends at 3:30 pm, last 30 minutes are for refreshments) Our life of feeling expresses itself through movement. In this workshop, we will experience the way movement can enhance our sense of spirituality, wonder, and connection with the love that is at the heart of our lives. Using images from the psalms, we will explore natural movement qualities easily accessible to everyone, giving our bodies the opportunity to support and enhance our spiritual life. This workshop is for everyone, whatever your skills and capabilities. Mary Hocken and Kell Julliard each have professional backgrounds in offering movement opportunities that are enjoyable and enlivening.
Save the Date
The 4th Sunday offering on November 27th will go to the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, earmarked for the Ahli Arab Hospital, which runs the only free community clinic in Gaza. It treats over 45,000 Gazans each year, including children needing psycho-social support due to the trauma of war, and children suffering from burns. It also provides fortified, high energy foods for children suffering from severe malnutrition. Please give generously. 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 can give.
The St. Nicholas Bazaar is Dec. 3 from 9 to 2! The Gifts from Grace Table at the St Nicholas Bazaar welcomes and needs your creations. Donations of your art and handmade crafts of all kinds are needed for the December 3 event. Any questions – please contact Gillian Duda at ghduda@comcast.net 413-253-7626.
Adopt-A-Family For Christmas For many years Grace Church members have enjoyed buying or making gifts for a family that is struggling. Wish lists for some 40 families will be available on Sundays starting Nov 20th after both services. The deadline is Dec 18th. AFTER the St Nicholas Bazaar the gifts may be brought to the undercroft on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in adopting a family, please contact Mary Hocken. 413-537-0251, melizhocken@gmail.com