Our summer service schedule begins today, June 8, with one service at 9:30am. The regular service schedule will resume on Sunday, September 7th.
Pentecost Picnic Come one, come all to the Annual Grace Church Pentecost Picnic directly following today’s service. All are encouraged to wear red on Pentecost. The picnic will be held in the Parish Hall and the Garth (weather permitting) where hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and veggie dogs along with refreshments will be served. Please bring a side dish to share. Side dishes can be dropped off at the Parish Hall before the 9:30 AM service. Ideas for side dishes: salads, baked beans, desserts etc.
Pentecost Evensong, June 8 at 4:00 pm Please join us for a festive choral Evensong on Sunday, June 8 at 4:00 p.m., a few hours after the Pentecost parish luncheon. This musical liturgy will feature music by Herbert Howells (“Collegium Regale” evening service), Felix Mendelssohn (“Hear my prayer”), Thomas Tallis, and others, sung by the Grace Church Choir and guests from the community. Celebrate the start of the summer liturgical season with wonderful music from the Anglican tradition.
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: June 9, 2025
Raising the Questions There will be no meeting of Raising the Questions this month (June). Next meeting July 8, 9:30.
11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change, Tuesday, June 11th at 11:00am Be part of the 11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change this Tuesday, June 11th 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.
Climate Action @ Grace Climate Action at Grace is pleased to host Kevin Young, history professor at Univ. of Mass and a dynamic climate activist. He will speak to us on Sunday, June 15, at 10:45 in the Parish Hall. Please drop by!
Thank you all!! The Haiti committee would like to express our deep gratitude for the generosity of so many of you who contributed to the Lenten envelope campaign. In just over 6 weeks, we were able to raise more than $13,000 to build a classroom home for the new 9th grade at St. Matthew’s School in Bayonnais. The children, the teachers and the community of St. Matthew’s thank you as well for making this project possible. In the words of the priest in charge, Pere DeCamps, “Happy Eastertide to you and to all our friends at Grace church! Thanks a lot, on behalf of all St Matthieu family in Bayonnais! Thanks for money for food, thanks for teachers’ salary, thanks for facilities and infrastructures that transform this community.”
Vestry Meeting Minutes Minutes of the most recent Vestry meeting are posted on the bulletin board in the Connector just to the left of the door into the Church. If you wish to see past meeting minutes, please go to our website at https://www.gracechurchamherst.org/our-church/parish-staff/
Appalachian Trail hospitality day in Sheffield – Sat. June 21st, please sign up!
Grace Church is signed up for a day of hosting hospitality for Appalachian Trail hikers through a ministry of Episcopal and UCC churches in Sheffield. Join us for a day of sitting outside in a tent and connecting with hikers! There are a limited number of volunteer spots. If you’d like one or more information, email Megan.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers Needed LEMs play an integral role in our services, and we are looking for more people to participate in this aspect of worship at Grace. Every three months, the schedule is built around the availability of those who volunteer. At various points during the year, volunteers are also needed for Christmas, Holy Week, and other special services. Training as a LEM is provided. Please email Cara Crandall with any questions, or if you would like to become a LEM.
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. 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.
Save the Date
An evening of poetry and spirituality with Megan at Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield, Tuesday July 1st, 6:30 p.m. Before Megan’s departure for an MFA program in poetry, join her for her last local poetry reading at our diocesan cathedral, featuring new work as well as poems from her collections Jesus Merch: A Catalog in Poems (Fernwood Press, 2023) and Woman as Communion (Game Over Books, 2022).Interspersed with the reading, Lucy Bergin, a Grace parishioner, will moderate a conversation with Megan on poetry, arts, and spirituality. Lucy Bergin is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, musician, teacher, and Episcopalian based in Montague and Florence, Mass. Light reception to follow.