No Sunday School on 16th or 23rd – join us to complete new Stations of the Cross art on Sundays Mar. 30th & April 6th!
There will be no Sunday School programming the next two Sundays. However, we hope children and youth will join us on Sunday mornings Mar. 30th + April 6th, 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the upstairs classroom of the Parke House for a Lenten art project! We will work on Stations of the Cross art to be used for the children’s Good Friday service. Email Megan for more details.
Lenten Book Series: The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde’s How We Learn to be Brave – Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, Sundays at 9:15am March 9th – April 6th The decisive moments in life are those pivot points when we’re called on to push past our fears and act with strength. With How We Learn to Be Brave, Bishop Mariann Budde teaches us to respond with clarity and grace even in the toughest times. Being brave is not a singular occurrence; it’s a journey that we can choose to undertake every day. Here, Bishop Budde explores the full range of decisive moments, from the most visible and dramatic (the decision to go), to the internal and personal (the decision to stay), to brave choices made with an eye toward the future (the decision to start), those born of suffering (the decision to accept that which we did not choose), and those that come unexpectedly (the decision to step up to the plate). Drawing on examples ranging from Harry Potter to the Gospel According to Luke, she seamlessly weaves together personal experiences with stories from scripture, history, and pop culture to underscore both the universality of these moments and the particular call each one of us must heed when they arrive. Sunday March 16th, we will explore up through chapter 3.
Lenten poetry meditations begin Monday Mar. 17th on Zoom at 12:15pm Poems will be selected that might accompany, expand, or challenge our understandings of the Great Litany, a prayer often associated with Lent (and which we pray the first Sunday of Lent). Our gatherings begin with a reflection from Megan to help us enter the poem (no literary background needed to attend and enjoy!); the opportunity to contemplate individually, with some optional reflection questions; and time to space to share thoughts with one another. The Zoom link will be sent out early Monday mornings. Please be sure you are subscribed to Grace’s emails to receive the link! You can also reach out to Megan if you are interested in recordings of the meditations.
The Envelope, please… Take an envelope in the Connector, and envision a new classroom rising at St. Matthieu when you also add a Lego to the model nearby. This vision will become reality if all 200 envelopes are chosen, filled, and returned during Lent. Whether you come to services at 8:00 or 10:30, for Sunday School, are just visiting, or worship online, we urge every individual at Grace to contribute on behalf of the new ninth-graders in Haiti. Please join in this communal effort. And if you can, please also join us at the coffee hours after the 10:30 services on March 23 and April 6 to hear speakers describe some of the life-changing work that is being accomplished at the school with the support of Grace Church.
Imagining the Undercroft As you may know, we are in the process of looking at what activities might be accommodated in the Undercroft if it were upgraded to a finished space. In addition to meeting with the groups that are presently occupying the space, we’re also looking to all of you for suggestions of other uses you feel would be beneficial to Grace and presently don’t have a home…There is a suggestion box in the Connector for you to use to pass on your thoughts or feel free to email John Robinson. We look forward to your suggestions.
Are you interested in being baptized, or know someone who is? Along with Holy Communion, Holy Baptism is one of the two great sacraments given by Christ to the Church. We acknowledge one Baptism, which means Baptism in the name of the Trinity is performed once in a person’s life and is recognized regardless of where or how it took place. If you have not been baptized or you are not sure whether you were baptized, and would like to know more, please contact the church office or one of the clergy. We would be happy to speak with you about this holy sacrament.
Clothing Drive Ascentria Refugee Services for New Americans has asked Grace Church to help with a clothing drive. They are looking for seasonal clothes for refugees moving into Western Massachusetts. Ascentria especially wants clothing for children, from birth to primary school age. 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/.
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2025 To date 139 pledges have come in totaling $506,490 – most encouraging, we have 7 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.
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.
Calendar Donations Please bring extra 2025 calendars to the food basket for the Survival Center.
Save the Date
Fourth Sunday Collection, March 23 The Outreach Commission has designated the recipient of Grace Church’s fourth Sunday collection to be Amherst A Better Chance. ABC is a residential high school program that prepares academically talented and highly motivated African American, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous American students from educationally underserved school districts for college and future leadership roles in the broader community. Scholars live family-style in a warm supportive environment enriched by daily sessions with Amherst College tutors. Since the Amherst program began, over 120 ABC scholars have graduated from ARHS, and they have attended more than 50 colleges and universities. 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. Next meeting, in the Connector: March 24, 2025
Diocesan Young Adult Lenten Retreat Day, April 5th at Grace Church, 10 am – 2 pm Young adults ages 18-40 from across the diocese are invited to come together for a Lent retreat day involving worship and prayer, individual reflective and creative time, and small group conversation. Please register at https://forms.gle/SBWwZ5iq5Ac7GqJv9, or email Megan for details.