The Stewardship Annual In-gathering will occur today, Nov. 21 at both services. Pledge cards will be received at the altar following Communion. If you did not receive the stewardship mailing, copies are on the table at the entry to the church, and please let us know. 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. You can also mail us your pledge, if you cannot be at Grace the in-gathering.
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 began distributing Thanksgiving foods on November 1st. If everyone brought 2 boxes of stuffing to church for the next 2 Sundays, we can achieve this goal. Thank you for your help. To date: 415 collected; 85 to go. Thank you for your help.
This November, contribute to our Community Board in the Connector!
Throughout the month of November, you will find a bulletin board in the Connector around the theme of saints. You are invited to add to and reflect on it before or after the service. The board will have questions related to the saints that inspire us and the saints in our lives. You are welcome to answer its questions with the provided index cards or bring in a photo or picture related to saints in your life or saints who inspire you. (Please only bring a print-out or a copy of a photo you have – something you’d feel comfortable not having returned.) We plan to have other themed, interactive bulletin boards in the future to provide a unique way of coming together as a community; we thank Patty Appelbaum for the bulletin board idea!
Greater Amherst area Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Tuesday, November 23rd at 7:00pm via Zoom. This theme is “Seeking Shelter”; and this year’s collection will go to Craig’s Doors and the Jewish Family Services’ Afghan resettlement program. We will send out an eblast with the Zoom link and password by Tuesday morning. If you would like the Zoom information in advance, email Megan at mmcdermott@gracechurchamherst.org.
Our Thanksgiving Service will be Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, at 10:00 am.
SAVE THE DATE
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 4th event. Any questions, please contact Gillian Duda at ghduda@comcast.net 413-253-7626.
Space for Your Spirit: A Weekly Advent Gathering, Wednesdays, Dec. 1st, Dec. 8th, Dec. 15th, Dec. 22, 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Chapel
During Advent, Grace will host a short, half-hour gathering in the chapel each Wednesday evening. The service will begin and end with Taizé chant, or other short and simple a capella music, as well as a reading of Scripture, but the majority of the time will be your own. You can take advantage of provided exercises and materials to guide you into creative or contemplative engagement with the week’s Bible story or the themes of the Advent season; or you can just simply be with God and yourself through silent prayer, letting the background music wash over you, journaling, etc.Please consider joining us. Reach out to Megan (mmcdermott@gracechurchamherst.org) with any questions.
Second Sunday of Advent December 5th, a special service with Bishop Doug Fisher at 9:30am. Bishop Doug is visiting Grace for the first time in over two years, and we are delighted to have him back. There will be baptism, confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation. We hope you can join us for this special occasion. Please note that this will be the only service that Sunday.
A Service of Advent Lessons & Carols, Sunday, December 12th 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!
Christmas Pageant: We’re beginning preparation for the Christmas pageant – which takes place at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. All children and young people are welcome to participate! We’re currently gathering a list of participating children/youth. Please let Megan and Kate Atkinson (mmcdermott@gracechurchamherst.org and katkinson@doctorkate.net) know if your child will be joining in & if they have any preferred roles. Info on rehearsal times coming soon.
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 14th after both services. The deadline is Dec 19th. 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