We are now on our summer service schedule, with one service at 9:30am. The regular service schedule will resume on Sunday, September 8th
Climate Action Talk, July 14, 10:45 am in the Parish Hall Climate Action @ Grace is excited about presenting Mireille Bejjani, the leader of “Fix-The-Grid”. She is part of the cadre of young adults who are figuring out ways to be effective climate activists. We are looking forward to learning what she has to teach us about her cutting edge work addressing the need to remove fossil fuel from the electric grid and replace it with sustainable non-fossil fuel. Don’t miss what promises to be a powerful educational presentation showing us how we can be powerful agents for positive change during this climate crisis. Any questions, please contact Charlie Tebbetts.
The ClimateAction@Grace Committee A big warm thank-you to all who stopped by the Creation tree at the back of the sanctuary, who added some of the actions you are already doing, and who are thinking/praying about Creation. Stay tuned for Creation Season!
Haiti Ministry: Preparing for school The situation in Haiti is evolving rapidly. We hope better times are coming, but it will be a long process. St. Matthieu School has carried on through all the disruption and values our support. Thank you for supporting another 20 students this week with clothing and school supplies. We are over 1/3 of the way to our goal! $75 covers a uniform and supplies for one student. Any amount is welcome. To donate, see us at coffee hour; send a check; or use the church website. For more details and info, check out graceinhaiti.org.
Greening Grace What can we do as individuals to reduce our carbon footprint? We’ll be posting two ideas a week for the summer. Here are a few ideas from Greening Grace.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Telecommute when you can.
Save the Date
Summer Poetry and Prayer Zoom Gathering – Beginning July 22nd Weekly poetry meditations, led by Megan over Zoom, are beginning again for the rest of the summer starting Monday July 22nd. Join on Mondays at 12:15 p.m., July 22nd through August 26th. Each week, we will explore one poem together and the ways it might lead us into spiritual reflection or prayer. Megan will offer a reflection on the poem and prompts to get you thinking – no previous poetry experience is necessary! There is also time to optionally share with the group. We meet for roughly 30 minutes. You are welcome to bring a lunch! The Zoom link will be sent out Monday mornings from the Grace email account. If you cannot make these gatherings live but are interested in recordings, 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: July 22, 2024
July 28, Fourth Sunday Collection The Outreach Commission has chosen the Amherst Survival Center to be the recipient of Grace’s fourth Sunday offering. Since 1976, the Amherst Survival Center has promoted the health and well-being of residents of Franklin and Hampshire. It provides a welcoming community where families and individuals can come for food and access to other resources. The Amherst Survival Center serves more than 6,000 people each year. All of its services are free, including a food pantry, to go community meals, fresh food distribution, a warming center with computers for those experiencing homelessness, information & referral, as well as a variety of other support services. Showers, laundry, and lockers are available for people experiencing homelessness. All of this is provided in a warm community center environment, with activities ranging from live music to sewing workshops to office hours with elected officials. All are welcome at the Survival Center. 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.
St. Nicholas Bazaar Are you interested in antiques and/or collectibles? We’d love to have your help sorting and pricing these bazaar donations. Join us – we get lots of interesting items! Some knowledge of antiques and collectibles would be helpful. Contact Joan with any questions or to volunteer. Donations are being accepted for the bazaar, December 7, 2024. Please remember that items should be in good condition and clean. We accept many kinds of items, but please no textbooks, binders, VCR tapes, cassettes, clothing, or mildewed items. Place donations on the table near the large shelves in the undercroft. Contact Joan with any questions. Thank you!
Coming This Fall:
Thirty-six weeks of prayer, Theological Reflection, laughter, study, and building new relationships. Consider Education for Ministry at Grace Church beginning this fall. More info: contact Rev. James McDonald.