We are now on our summer service schedule, with one service at 9:30am. The regular service schedule will resume on Sunday, September 10th.
Welcome our Guest Preacher Deacon Jac Essing What is a deacon.. or what do they do.. and how does one discern a call to such a dynamic order of ordained ministry? These are questions that deacons get pretty regularly. As a way to answer these quandaries (and more), the deacons of Province 1 are participating in their second annual “Deacon Crawl.” The dozen or so deacons of the Diocese of Western Mass will visit parishes throughout the area to share about their journey, experiences, and stories of the ministry. Our hope is that more people become aware of this order and consider whether they have a call to it. Rev. Jac will be available after the service to answer questions about this unique ordained ministry and the discernment process.
11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change, Sunday, June 11th at 11:00am Be part of the 11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change next Sunday, June 11 at 11:00am. Join friends and neighbors for prayer and meditation before the 11th hour ringing begins. Our church bell will be rung for 11 minutes on the 11th day of each month at 11:00am. Bring your cow bells, dinner bells, kazoos, and gongs, drums, cymbals, and noise makers of any kind. Signs and banners are encouraged. Who knows, maybe some folks passing by will stop and join in or at least catch the spirit of what committed people can do when joined together in faith.
Please join members of Climate Action@ Grace on June 11, At 11 a.m., for the tolling of the bell, for 11 minutes, to sound the alarm for the climate emergency on our planet. And immediately following—at 11:15 in the Parish Hall, please come to hear from and speak with State Rep. Mindy Domb about issues of climate justice, bills before the legislature in the current session, and how we can best communicate with our legislators to express our concerns. This is for all—not just for Mindy Domb’s constituents; she is eager to help us be more informed and effective within our community and the Commonwealth.
Summer Poetry and Prayer Series Mondays at 12:15pm via Zoom
Megan is leading a Zoom meditation series on poetry, using an array of mostly contemporary writers. Join us for a poem, reflection prompts, meditation time, and optional discussion each week, Monday at 12:15 p.m. Be on the lookout for an email soon with the Zoom link.
Volunteers Needed for Summer Coffee Hour Summer church services at 9:30 a.m. will begin on June 4 and go until September 10. That is 14 weeks. We need 14 volunteers to host summer coffee hour. It would be great if this could be shared between current 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. hosts. We would also love to welcome some new hosts to this roster. A sign-up sheet is in the Connector. Won’t you please help? And, as always, folks are most welcome to bring treats to coffee hour. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Chadwick. Looking forward to your kind help!
Garden Ministry A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to the recent plant sale— the donors of plants, those who staffed the sale and those who bought plants. It was a wonderful event that brought together “old-timers” and new gardening parishioners. We made about $400 which will underwrite new plants for the gardens this year. The gardens are in good hands. Sherry Wilson for the Garden Ministry.
Grace Church Facebook Page The Communications Committee, with the help of Terrie Korpita, our Parish Administrator, have done some fine tuning and updating of the Grace Facebook page. Be sure to like us at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071025877972 and check back frequently for updates, events, and announcements. There are so many wonderful things happening at Grace – please help spread the word and share our Facebook postings with friends.
Save the Date
Iconography Workshop, June 21 – 24, 8:30 am to 5 pm, Parish Hall Participants will work on icons using traditional techniques and materials rich with symbolic meaning: egg tempera, ground pigments, clay and gold leaf. The underlying theology will be explained as each technical step has a corresponding symbolic meaning. No previous experience is needed and beginners are welcome. For more details, contact Sandy Lillydahl 413-549-2740.
Haiti School Uniform Campaign to Launch The school year may have just ended here in the Pioneer Valley, but at Grace we are always thinking about the students at St. Matthew’s School in Haiti. Our Haiti Ministry supports the school 100 percent and as in the past, we will be supplying uniforms and school supplies for the 2023-2024 school year. Stay tuned for more information and how you can help make a difference.