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.
Tuesday Morning Prayer Tuesdays at 8:30am in the Garth Please enter through the Connector door or the Spring Street door. In case of inclement weather, we will gather in the Chapel. Prayer sessions will use morning prayer liturgies from sources like Daily Prayer for All Seasons, an Episcopal resource emphasizing inclusive and expansive language, and will sometimes include simple movement meditation and music. It is also a chance to connect personally with a small group. All are welcome! For more information, please email Megan.
Raising the Questions, Tuesday, August 8th, 10:00am in the Connector Raising the Questions is a Grace Church reading and discussion group that formed because of questions we were asking ourselves and of others; we discuss a variety of topics that center on theology, images of God, liturgical language, and alternative forms of worship. We welcome everyone and the questions and ideas they bring.
11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change, Friday, August 11th at 11:00am, Be part of the 11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change this Friday, August 11 at 11:00am. Join friends and neighbors for prayer and meditation before the 11th hour ringing begins. This is an invitation to join religious groups across the country and beyond to express our hope and determination that together we can act boldly to address the climate crisis.
2023 Haiti School Uniform and School Supply Campaign Remember when you were in school and how wonderful it was to have new clothes and school supplies for the year? Here at Grace, we help to provide this blessing to the students of St. Matthew’s School in Haiti. This week we gratefully received $1,680 toward this effort. Thank you! We are now just only 5 weeks away from the start of school!
Our September 10 Goal Our Progress:
237 Students/Uniforms 105 Children Ready for School, 132 To Go
$17,775 Total $7,865 Donated, $9,910 To Go
Won’t you please help? A donation of $75 will cover the cost of one child’s uniform, textbooks, and other basic school supplies. But a donation in any amount matters and is deeply appreciated. To donate, please make checks payable to “Grace Church” and write “Haiti School Uniforms” on the memo line. You may also give via the church website by clicking the “Give” button and then selecting “Haiti Ministry” in the “To” drop down box. You may also donate spare change or any amount in the basket that is provided in the Connector at coffee hour after service. Stop at the table to chat with a member of the Haiti Ministry to find out more about St. Matthews.
Pastoral Call for Volunteers Do you like to cook? Do you like to drive? Would you like to help fellow parishioners? Pastoral Care is looking to develop a list of volunteers to be contacted as needed. Most likely a request for food or a ride would occur every other month or so. And being on the volunteer list does not obligate your assistance every time a request is made. If you are interested in this ministry, please see the sign up sheets at coffee hour, or email Gail Gnatek.
Newcomers One of the goals of the Vestry is to strengthen our efforts in welcoming new people to the community here at Grace Church. The Newcomers Committee has begun meeting to think about what that might look like. If you would like to join in the work or have any ideas to share, please reach out to Rachel Blain or Cara Crandall.
Request publicity for your event! To help make Grace events as successful as possible, the Communications Committee has developed an online form for requesting event publicity. The form, which includes instructions for completing and submitting the request, can be found on the church website at https://www.gracechurchamherst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Request-for-Event-Publicity-Form-2023.pdf. The Communications Committee is asking that forms be submitted six to eight weeks prior to the event to ensure adequate time for getting the word out and sharing information about the event.
Grace Church Artist Featured in Arts Night Out The colorful and dynamic paintings of Grace Church choir member Peter Mishkin will be exhibited as part of Northampton’s Arts Night Out from August 3 – 11. The exhibit is open from 1 pm to 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, at Anchor House of Artists, 518 Pleasant St, Northampton, MA. A reception will take place Friday, August 11, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Coffee Hour 10:30 Service Sign up Many thanks to all who generously donated their time and baking skills to host the 9:30 a.m. summer coffee hours. We are all so grateful! Given that we will be returning to the regular two service schedule on September 10, coffee hour hosts are now needed for September – June. Slots are available for weeks in odd and even months. A sign-up sheet is in the Connector. Won’t you please help? If you have questions, please email Sarah Chadwick.
Save the Date
Climate Action@Grace will meet Sunday, August 13th at 11:00am in the Fireplace Room in the Parke House.
2023 Harvest Festival – Save the Weekend! The weekend of October 21/22 will see the reinstitution of the much-loved Grace Church Harvest Festival! A wonderful event of years past, it will return in 2023 as a part of the Mind the Gap campaign. Plans are underway now for concerts, dinner and dancing, a flower festival, fall decorations, and more. This event will offer many opportunities for seasonal fall fellowship and fun. Please do plan to get involved by donating your time or skills to make this event memorable and successful. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mary Hocken.