Thank you to our guest preacher, the Rev. Fletcher Davis! Continued gratitude to the many clergy in our community for assisting while our rector, Tom Synan, recovers from his knee replacement.
Climate Action@Grace will meet today, March 10, at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall.
Covenant and the Promises of God: A Lenten Reflection During Lent, we will hear many of the covenants and promises God has made. What did they mean to the people who first heard them? How do they connect with our lives? Continuing today, March 3, John Horn, a retired Episcopal priest, will lead four sessions of reflections on covenant in the Sunday readings from 9:15-10:15 in the Fireplace Room. All are welcome to attend.
Now What? Incorporating the Gospel We Heard into Our Lenten Journey: A Lenten Series Sundays in Lent at 4:00 pm via Zoom
This Lent, the Episcopal churches of Hampshire and Franklin counties are coming together for a joint Zoom Bible study, with discussion leadership rotating among clergy of the various churches. Megan is leading this week!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83589948859?pwd=SW5Mb1dZbmFBcW9Wem9kbk5HSWN2dz09
Meeting ID: 835 8994 8859, Passcode: lent24
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: March 11, 2024
Quiet Morning Saturday, March 16 Berkshire Chapter, Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross will be holding a Quiet morning on Saturday, March 16th beginning at 9:30 am. The Rev. Jane Beebe will be leading the reflections. Anyone interested in attending please contact Veronica Chapman
Death & Dying Series – Funeral planning discussion, Sunday Mar. 17th, after 10:30 a.m. service
As part of the Pastoral Care Committee’s event series around death & dying, join your clergy in the parish hall next Sunday to discuss the theology of the Episcopal funeral service, the choices one might make for their funeral, and ways to have details planned out and on file, at any age.
Egg Hunt Hunts + Donations
Once again, following our Easter Sunday services on Mar. 31st, we will have egg hunts for children in the Garth (weather permitting). The week before Holy Week and during Holy Week, parishioners are welcome to drop off Easter eggs, plastic or dyed, at the church for this fun activity. We’d love to get some donations on or prior to Palm Sunday for our youth group to fill during our gathering.
Ushers needed for 8 a.m.
More ushers are needed for the 8 a.m. schedule. Thank you for considering this important ministry of welcome! Please be in touch with Katie Schendel for more info.
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2024 To date 148 pledges have come in totaling $490,501.00. We are off to a good start. 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.
Amherst Survival Center Needs – Donate here or at the Center! There is still need for canned soup, peanut butter, canned beans, and personal hygiene items.
“Mind the Gap” returns! In 2023, the “Mind the Gap” campaign brought in $19,647, thanks to all of you who participated. The funds raised were an important factor in Grace’s ending the fiscal year almost in the black. The 2024 budget shows a goal of $12,000 for “minding the gap” this year. We need your good ideas for 2024 and help in bringing those ideas to fruition. Please contact Donna Devine and/or Suzannah Muspratt with either or both. Thanks!
Save the Date
Sunday, April 14 at 3:00, Grace Church, Amherst, Concert Featuring Stephen Porter, Internationally recognized pianist; Krista River, Grammy Award winning Mezzo-soprano. The program will include works by Handel, Grieg, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn and Benjamin Britten. Free-will donation: $20 per person suggested to support The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
Saturday, April 20 – Earth Day Event for Dioceses of Western Mass. and Massachusetts, St. Mark’s, Southborough
Join both dioceses from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for keynote speakers on the church’s role in creation care and a celebratory Eucharist. Register online at diocesewma.org/creation-care-earth-day-2024
The Grace Church Services Auction is back! Saturday, 5/4/2024, 6:00 – 8:30 PM. A wonderful event where members of the Grace Church community bid on services offered by other parishioners. See sign up information in the connector. Contact Kitty or Tom Dougherty if you have questions or would like to help with the event.
Garden Ministry The Grace Church Garden Ministry needs donations of pots and garden decorations for our annual plant sale. We will set aside an area in the Undercroft for these items. This is our only fundraiser! We will paint and clean up all donations. Blessings, Sara Liberty-Laylin : Chair