Mindfulness and Meditation Workshop, April 30th, 12:15pm in the Parish Hall We’ve likely all heard of mindfulness, but what, is it, exactly? And how does meditation fit into it? Most importantly, how can these things enrich your life? Join Mariah Freemole for a talk, discussion and practice of meditation and mindfulness techniques. Designed for beginners and experienced practitioners, alike. Mariah Freemole is a certified mindfulness teacher who has a background in Tibetan meditation and a personal practice of 20 years. She lives and teaches in the Northampton area.
Young adult brunch today April 30th, following 10:30 service
Following the 10:30 service on Sunday, April 30th, young adults of the parish are invited to gather at coffee hour, then head out to brunch together, choosing a restaurant near the church. Be in touch with Micah Walter for more information.
Grace Communications Committee
Grace has recently established a communications committee. The goal of this committee is to share information about our church in order to expand our reach and publicize information about our many offerings. This includes sharing information via our current website, exploring opportunities for social media options, and marketing. If you have expertise or an interest in this area, please contact co-chairs, Sarah Chadwick and Patrick Kelly. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you!
Fundraising Committee Grace Church is forming a new committee to generate ways of closing a significant budget gap. Its charge is to envision additional fundraisers to join the Saint Nicholas Bazaar in meeting this year’s fundraising goal of $22,000, while also increasing community participation and incorporating fun. If you’d like to brainstorm with us and work to bring these ideas to fruition, please contact co-chairs Donna Devine (cell: 413-992-9151) or Suzannah Muspratt (landline: 413-256-6812). We need your ideas and your energy!
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2023 To date 152 pledges have come in totaling $460,984 – most encouraging, we have 4 new pledges. We still have a ways to go but are off to a very 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 2023. 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) 549-5933.
Save the Date
Sunday May 7th, a special service with Bishop Doug Fisher at 9:30 a.m.
Bishop Doug is visiting Grace next Sunday, and it’s always a delight to have him with us. There will be confirmation and reaffirmation. We hope you can join us for this special occasion. Please note that this will be the only service that Sunday.
Poets’ Theology: A Book Launch Event – Saturday May 6th, 2 p.m. Megan’s first full-length poetry collection, Jesus Merch: A Catalog in Poems, was published this spring by Fernwood Press, the poetry imprint of a Quaker publisher based in Oregon. . To celebrate and share with the congregation, Megan will offer a reading from her book alongside a poet whose work is also deeply theological, Boston-area post Matthew E. Henry. In Jesus Merch, Christian games and toys, Sunday School supplies, and religious home decor serve as springboards for meditations on a variety of topics, including both large-scale theological concepts and more personal experiences Matthew E. Henry is the author of the Colored page (Sundress Publication, 2022), Teaching While Black (Main Street Rag, 2020), Dust & Ashes (Californios Press, 2020) and the forthcoming The Third Renunciation (New York Quarterly Books), a book of theological sonnets. Henry holds an MFA, an MA in Theology, and a Ph.D. in Education and has taught at the high school, college, and graduate levels. His writing explores, among other topics, race, religion, relationships, and education. The event will be in the church at 2 p.m. Refreshments to follow in the Connector, where books will be optionally available for purchase and signing.
Music on Main Concerts presents Together We Sing: A Multicultural Concert, Sunday, May 7 at 2:00pm at the First Congregational Church in Amherst Featuring three choruses from Mendelssohn’s Elijah and music from the Jewish and Christian Traditions. Mak’hela, The Jewish Chorus of Western Mass; The First Church Choir, Dr. Elaine Broad Ginsberg & Richard S. Matteson, directors, Jamie Goodnow, accompanist. Suggested donation $15. Reception following concert.
Presentation sponsored by Pastoral Care, June 4th at 11:15 am Amanda Mullen, PhD, will be giving a presentation on Memory Changes: When to Worry. Dr. Mullen is a clinical psychologist specializing in supporting, teaching, and counseling people living with dementia as well as their families and care partners. In her private practice, Changing Minds, she focuses on helping elders and their families navigate brain change. Please come and bring your questions.