Advent: Prepare, Hope, and Action, Sundays, Dec. 8, 15, and 22, 9:15 a.m. in the Fireplace Room Advent is a Christian season of preparation and anticipation that takes place in the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to Christmas. Be with us the final three Sundays of this season as we explore the following questions for Advent:
- Sunday, December 8th: What are you preparing for?
- Sunday, December 15th: What are you hoping for?
- Sunday: December 22nd: What are you ready to do?
Please consider joining us. Reach out to Tom with any questions.
Christmas pageant – please email Megan about roles! Children and youth are invited to help tell the Christmas story through our annual pageant, held Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. There are a variety of roles and ways to be involved, whether your child is ready to sing solo or prefers blending in with the crowd! Rehearsals will be Sundays December 8th, 15th, and 22nd in the parish hall from 9:15-10:15 a.m., with a dress rehearsal prior to the service on the 24th (time to be announced). Participants do not have to make all rehearsal, and out of town guests are welcome to join the day of the pageant! Please email Megan if you think your child(ren) will participate and with any preferences they might have about role.
Climate Action at Grace will be meeting on its usual second Sunday of the month in its new time and place: after the coffee hour in the Connector. There are new roles to step in to. Welcome!
Clothing Drive Beginning December 1st Ascentria Refugee Services for New Americans has asked Grace Church to help with a clothing drive. They are looking for warm winter clothes for people of all ages! This drive hopes to gather new or lightly used coats, blankets, scarves, hats, and gloves for refugees moving into Western Massachusetts. All supplies will be directly distributed to families who can’t afford clothes for the coming winter. A shopping cart will be placed in the back of the church for those who can donate. You can bring items with you to church on Sunday or drop them off during the week during regular business hours. Ascentria Refugee Services For New Americans provides legal, housing, and language support to new Americans across New England. Thank you for your generosity, and if there are items you wish to donate other than what is listed or would like to become more involved, please reach out to rporter@ascentria.org. If you wish to learn more about Ascentria and the work they do, please check their website at https://www.ascentria.org/service/services-for-new-americans/.
Prophetic Poets Preparing the Way, An Advent Meditation Series Our Zoom art/poetry meditation series will be gathering for the 3 remaining Mondays in Advent, Dec. 9th, Dec. 16th, and Dec. 23rd, at its usual time, 12:15 p.m. Prophets who prepare the way for Christ are an essential part of this Advent season. Over these three Mondays, we will look at poets whose work we might interpret as prophetic – preparing readers for divine encounter, repentance, or the creation of a better world. Zoom links will be sent from the Grace email Monday mornings. If you will not be able to join us live but are interested in receiving recordings, or if you have any questions, please contact Megan.
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: December 9, 2024
11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change, Wednesday, December 11th at 11:00am Be part of the 11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change this Wednesday, December 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.
The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross invite all interested women to join us for a Berkshire Chapter meeting to be held at Grace Church on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Founded in 1884, by Emily Malbone Morgan, SCHC is a world-wide organization of women committed to intercessory prayer, social justice and the simplicity of life. The spirit of the companionship is alive and well in the congregation of Grace Church, so come and experience a chapter meeting. The meeting will begin at 9:30 am. when we will gather in the Connector for coffee and fellowship. After a short business meeting there is a special program of Celtic Music and Story presented by musician and composer, Rosie Caine, who will be playing the Celtic harp and will be accompanied by guitar and flute. A celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the church officiated by our Chaplain, the Rev. Jane Beebe will follow the program at Noon. Anyone wishing to join us afterward for a brown bag lunch is most welcome. For more information contact Veronica Chapman and to learn more about SCHC visit our website: schccompanions.org
Grace Church Tree Trimming Party! Join Tom & Megan in trimming our tree and spreading the Christmas spirit on Sunday, December 15th, during coffee hour in the Connector. Bring an ornament and cookies to share!
A Service of Advent Lessons & Carols, Sunday, December 15th 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!
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2025 To date 117 pledges have come in totaling $437,815 – most encouraging, we have 6 new pledges. We are off to a good start. To those who have pledged God Bless, to those who have yet to pledge please pray and pledge so our Vestry can budget for 2025. If you need a pledge card, they are available as you enter the church or you can contact the office (413) 256-6754 or Bruce Stebbins at (413) 530-3805.
Vestry Nomination Forms are available in the back of the church.
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.
Publicity for your Event? 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 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.
Counters Needed The finance committee is looking for a few people to help count the Sunday offering after the final service each week. The commitment is 15 minutes every 4-6 weeks, and you will be with another trained counter. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Tim Hampson at 413-695-5660.
Save the Date
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve
4:00pm Holy Eucharist with Christmas Pageant
8:00pm Holy Eucharist with choral prelude at 7:30
11:00pm Holy Eucharist with musical prelude at 10:30
Christmas Day
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Sunday, December 29th
9:30am Holy Eucharist with Christmas Lessons and Carols