Annual Feast of Grace! The Annual In-gathering will occur today at both services. Pledge cards will be received at the altar following Communion. Our tradition of a pot-luck luncheon will immediately follow the 10:30 service. If possible, please bring the following food based on your last name as follows: A-F (cold Appetizer); G-L (cold soup or salad); M-S (casserole/main dish) and T-Z (dessert). Whatever you can provide is greatly appreciated. Food can be dropped off in the Parish Hall prior to the 8 AM and 10:30 services. We look forward to seeing everyone there!!
The Stewardship campaign is underway with the mailing of pledge materials, which you should have received. Please read these materials carefully and prayerfully reflect on your contribution. If you have not receive the mailing, copies are 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 is today Sunday, Nov. 19th at both services. Please bring your pledge card then as they will be received at the altar during the service. The Feast of Grace potluck luncheon will follow the 10:30 service. If you are away on the 19th, we will gladly receive your pledge earlier. Thank you.
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 19th after both services. The deadline is Dec 17th. 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 at 413-537-0251.
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: 403 collected; 97 to go.
Monday Art & Poetry Meditations Over Zoom
Megan has resumed 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.
Amherst/Hadley area Thanksgiving Interfaith Service Tuesday, November 21st at 7:00 pm, Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 N Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002
Our Thanksgiving Service will be Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd, at 10:00 am.
Get into the Spirit this Holiday Season: Come to an Advent Supper – Wednesday Evenings Dec. 6th, Dec. 13th, Dec 20st; and on Monday Dec. 18th For the season of Advent, a number of parishioners have agreed to host potluck suppers in their homes as an opportunity for people to connect with one another in small groups. The suppers will start around 6 p.m. A different household is host each week. Please notify Terrie by phone call to the parish office about which evenings you’d be interested in attending. We cannot guarantee everyone will be able to attend every potluck supper, but we will plan that everyone gets to participate in at least one supper during the season. The host for your Advent supper will reach out directly to you with more information on what would be helpful to bring and directions to their home. The deadline for signing up is Monday, November 27th.
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!
Save the Date
4th Sunday Collection, Nov. 26 The Outreach Commission has designated Doctors Without Borders for Grace’s 4th Sunday Offering. Doctors Without Borders provides independent, impartial medical humanitarian assistance to the people who need it most. They care for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural and human-made disasters, and exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries. Doctors Without Borders provides medical care with empathy and compassion to all patients, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or politics. 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.
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. Next meeting: Nov. 27
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 2 event. Any questions please contact Gillian Duda at 413-253-7626
A Service of Advent Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 10th at 4:00 pm One of the loveliest services of the church year, it is comprised of scripture readings interspersed with a variety of choral anthems and hymns, modeled after the traditional Anglican format. All are most welcome – we hope to see you there!