Palestinian olive oil will be available for sale in the connector following both services today, Sunday, November 6. It is organic, extra virgin, first cold press and fair trade. The proceeds from the sale enable Grace to provide a scholarship for a student at the Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center in Ramallah. Our current student is Teya Awwad. She is studying hospitality and culinary arts. Giovanni Anbar, the director of the program, sends his thanks and good wishes to all here at Grace Church.
All Souls’ Day: We will celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Monday, November 7th, at 7:00 p.m., with a service of Holy Communion and a reading of names from the Book of Remembrance. A sign-up sheet is in the back of the church, 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 14th. If everyone brought 2 boxes of stuffing to church for the next 2 Sundays, we can achieve this goal. To Date: 123 collected; 377 to go. Thank you for your help.
The Stewardship campaign is beginning with the mailing of pledge materials, which you should receive 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. The Feast of Grace potluck luncheon will follow the 10:30 service. If you are away on the 20th, we will gladly receive your pledge earlier. Thank you.
Fall Book Series: Rachel Held Evans’ Wholehearted Faith Sundays at 9:15am (in person) and Thursdays at 9:30am (via Zoom) At the time of her tragic death in 2019, Rachel Evans was working on a book about wholeheartedness. With the help of author Jeff Chu, that work-in-progress is now the foundation for this rich collection of essays. Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Rachel 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 6th and Thursday, November 10th we will look at Chapters 8 – 11.
Holy Physicality: A Visual Art & Poetry Meditation Series over Zoom, Mondays, 12:15 p.m. Continuing through the rest of Ordinary Time (last session being Nov. 21st), our Zoom meditation series will be re-gathering 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! Grace Church has built a wonderful outreach ministry with the Cot Shelter in Northampton, in which a group of 2-3 of our parishioners bring and serve dinner & dessert to about 12 guests on the second Thursday of each month. 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
Why is a pelican depicted in one of the circular sanctuary windows? The answers to this and many other perplexing questions are revealed in Ken Samonds’s forthcoming book, A Slant of Light: The Stained-Glass Windows of Grace Church. Examine a sample 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 on November Sundays. Pre-ordered books will be available on December 4, when former parishioner Ken Samonds will be on hand to autograph copies and give a talk on the windows (watch for further details). Thereafter, the regular price of $24.99 goes into effect. This could be the perfect holiday gift for many people on your list!
Save the Date
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.
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