Guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Sharp
Our guest preacher April 27th is the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Sharp. Sharp is a professor of homiletics at Yale Divinity School and interested in how preaching can shape Christian community via insights from biblical studies, feminist perspectives on power, and ecotheology. Her most recent book, a commentary on the prophet Micah, is coming out in May. She will be with us at both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.
No Sunday School April 27th
Sunday School is not meeting today. Stay tuned for news about a Sunday School project in May concerning Pentecost!
Youth group in Fireplace Room after 10:30 service
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join in for board games and a pizza lunch today following the 10:30 service. We will end at 2 p.m. Please speak with Megan for more information.
UMass Bach Festival Concerts
Saturday, April 26, 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 27, 3:00 pm
Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave, Amherst
Tickets available online(go to https://websites.umass.edu/bach/festival/)or at the Fine Arts Center Box Office, 413-545-2511. $25 general; Free for students w/ ID & children under 18
- S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, BWV 1050.2
Steven Beck, harpsichord; Cobus du Toit, flute; Elizabeth Chang, violin - S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio 1-3, BWV 248
Richard Sparks, guest conductor; Lindsay Pope, chorus master
UMass Bach Festival Orchestra & Chorus
Jamie-Rose Guarrine, soprano; Ifeanyi Epum, countertenor;
Jonas Budris, tenor & Dana Whiteside, bass
“This Beautiful Bright Festival”: Easter Art Meditations Inspired by Color Every year at the Easter Vigil, the paschal homily of St. John Chrysostom is read, which encourages lovers of God to enjoy “this beautiful bright festival.” Embracing this idea of a “beautiful bright festival,” our Easter meditation series will look at visual art that utilizes brightness and vibrant colors. Together we will explore how such art might help represent the joy, hope, and life at the heart of our Easter celebrations. Join us Mondays at 12:15 p.m. on Zoom. Zoom links are sent out on Monday mornings. Our first gathering will be April 28th, and we will continue meeting May 5th, May 12th, May 19th, and June 2nd. Please note that we will not meet on May 26th. If you can’t join us live but would like a recording of any of the meditations or links to the artwork discussed, please email 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: April 28, 2025
Come to a Gospel Choir Concert to benefit Amherst A Better Chance (ABC) on Tuesday, April 29th, 7:00 pm, at Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst. Amherst ABC is a residential program where talented and motivated young men of color attend Amherst High School to improve their preparation for college and future leadership roles. Three choirs will sing: the Amherst Area Gospel Choir, the ARHS Hurricane Singers, and the UMass Gospel Choir. A $20 donation (or more) from each concert-goer is suggested, but all who wish to celebrate the ABC Program through gospel music are most welcome!”
Garden Ministry The Grace Garden Ministry will be finishing the Garth area planting project on May 3rd. If we need to reschedule, please save May 10th on your calendar. We will begin at 9:00 am and meet in the undercroft. We worked last fall in this area and left 2 sections bare to be planted this spring. We need donated shady garden plants for the corner (where the blue tarp is). Please leave them near the pink door on Spring Street on May 2nd or before 9:00AM on May 3rd. We also will be planting small perennials along the embankment. Thanks you for helping us to make our gardens spectacular! Sara Liberty-Chair
Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers Needed Through our lectors and LEMs – and our combined ministry of priests and laity – we reaffirm the words, ideas, and sacraments that are the foundation of our faith. We would love for you to join us! Every three months, the schedule is built around the availability of those who volunteer. At various points during the year, volunteers are also need for Christmas, Holy Week, and other special services. Some people choose to act as either a lector or a LEM; some people act as both. Training as both a lector and a LEM can be provided. Please email Cara Crandall at msccash@gmail.com with any questions, or if you would like to become a lector or LEM.
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.
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2025 To date 143 people pledging for a total of $511,040 – most encouraging, we have 8 new pledges. 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.
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/.
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.
Save the Date
A Celebration of Hildegard of Bingen Grace Church will host a celebration of the 12th-century abbess, mystic, composer, and visionary Hildegard of Bingen at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This immersive event will explore Hildegard’s enduring wisdom through dramatic readings, musical excerpts from her play Ordo Virtutum, and visual projections of her vividly illuminated visions. The program is centered on four themes that resonate across the centuries: greening (viriditas), usefulness, speaking truth to power, and mysticism. All are welcome to this contemplative and inspiring celebration. For more information please contact Kell Julliard or visit the website http://bit.ly/4iPfvqH