Benefit Concert for Pioneer Valley Workers, Saturday, Sept. 13, 7:00pm, Unitarian-Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 North Pleasant St. An evening of inspiring pro-democracy, social justice-themed music from area folk musicians to benefit the Pioneer Valley Workers Center, a critical non-profit organization serving immigrant workers in Western MA. Donations accepted to benefit the work of the PVWC. For more information: indivisiblewestquabbin@gmail.com
Meet The Rev. Rebecca Grant and Arianne Arbela, Sunday Sept. 14 at 12:15 in the Parish Hall Come meet our new Deacon, The Rev. Rebecca Grant, and our Interim Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator, Arianne Arbela. We’ll gather in the Parish Hall at 12:15, Sunday September 14th, where they will introduce themselves and we can welcome them to Grace Church. Welcome Rebecca! Welcome Arianne!
Grace Church Youth Choir We are pleased to announce the return of the Grace Church Youth Choir under the direction of Arianne Abela, Interim Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator. Rehearsals will take place on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 in the Parish Hall beginning on September 7. The singers will occasionally present music and/or a skit in the 10:30 services. For more information on how to get your kids involved, please email Arianne. You can also scan here to register. Upon registering, a calendar for the 25-26 academic year will be sent out with service presentation dates and information on the Christmas pageant.
Climate Action at Grace will have our monthly meeting at our usual second Sunday time: 12:15 (or as coffee hour ends), in the Parker Room. Sunday, September 21 Marianne Connor will present what looks to be an unusually inspiring presentation: Tending the Soil: A Regenerative Approach to Change – In these times full of urgency and anxiety, there is a strong desire to jump into action — doing something to “save the planet.” But Western Civilization’s track record for “modernization” reveals that out of the best of intentions has often come the exploitation and destruction of ecosystems as well as alternative approaches to human culture and community. The premise of this presentation is that before we jump into action, we would be well-served to think about our thinking. Come to explore together our beliefs and how they define our relationship to what we call “Nature.” Come to consider what living systems can teach us about regenerative change. There will be a light lunch and an extended presentation time, 12:30-2:00, so we can delve into this topic and have time for discussion. It’s also fine to stop in if you cannot stay the whole time. Please join us on this autumnal equinox Sunday! For those called to join in the nationwide Sun Day to support solar efforts, see locations here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/get-energy-smart-a-sun-day-event-for-all?referrer=thirdact#, especially the event in Northampton: Sunday, September 21, 2025, 1:00 PM at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, 80 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060.
Community Food Drive for the Amherst Survival Center, Saturday, September 20 Bring donations to the Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road Amherst, Saturday September 20th. Donations will be accepted from 9:30 – 11:30 am.
All Are WELCOME Here! Grace Church is launching a new Hospitality Program to better welcome all who come to Grace Church. Beginning Sunday, September 7, after both the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services, a small group of parishioners will wear WELCOME badges to help greet and connect with new folks. We invite YOU to be a part of this ministry! Whether you’ve attended Grace for years or you’re a more recent arrival, consider grabbing a badge and be available to say hello after the service or during coffee hour. It’s a simple but powerful way to build our community and to let folks know they’re very welcome here. There’s always someone new to meet, new to greet, and new to reconnect. Who knows, you may “entertain angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2) Questions or comments? Reach out to Kitty Dougherty.
You are welcome! We want you to know that you are welcome here. If you are new to Grace Church please reach out, because we are here to invite, embrace, and welcome you into our community. Whether you are : New to the area; New to our church (and perhaps new to the Episcopal faith); A longtime resident in search of connection and community; Part or the LGBTQ community and are looking for a spiritual home where you are welcomed and affirmed; A New Student, looking for a place of safety and comfort during your time studying here; A Mom or Dad of a student and want a place that will support your child while they live and study here; We are here for you. Please fill out a blue Card, and reach out to someone wearing a WELCOME badge and come back AGAIN !
Parish Directory, Deadline for photos and updates September 15 It’s time for a new Grace Directory! The last one was done in 2022. If you were not in the last directory, please send a photo and current contact information to the office. If you have moved or changed your information since the last directory, please send your updated address and phone number(s) to Terrie Korpita. We plan to use the same photos as the last directory; unless you wish to submit a new one. Nancy Lowry will be in the Connector during Coffee Hour on August 31 and Sept. 7 to take your photo if you so desire. Doug Moore will also be available.
Not Bread Alone Needs Our Help Three days every week and most holidays, the Not Bread Alone crew prepare and serve a homemade, hot dinner to all comers, in the parish hall at First Congregational. Everything is more expensive now and they would welcome our help keeping the NBA pantry stocked. We’ve been asked to collect:
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
- Canned chopped tomatoes
- Canned beans (garbanzo, black, pinto, red or pink)
You can bring your donations to the church and we’ll get them to NBA – now through October 19th. Thank you for any help you can provide.
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/
St. Nicholas Bazaar As we move into autumn, it’s a good time to find those no-longer-needed treasures we all have in our homes! Especially antiques and fine jewelry! Put donations on or under the table just inside the door to the undercroft. Donations should be clean and in good condition.Most kinds of items are accepted, but notmildewed items, clothing (except scarves), textbooks and binders. Questions? Contact Joan.. Thank you!
Save the Date
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: September 22, 2025.
A recommendation from Climate Action@Grace: Fort River Source to Sea Cleanup, September 27, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm Come celebrate the incredible Fort River by giving back! Volunteers gather at Groff Park at 9:30 AM for coffee, snacks, and a brief orientation before they head out to clean up various sites along the Fort River. All ages and abilities are welcome. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, meet neighbors, and help protect one of our local treasures. What to Bring:
-A reusable water bottle
-Weather-appropriate clothing (long pants and sleeves recommended)
-Work gloves, trash grabbers, or a bucket (if you have them)
Plastic gloves, trash bags, bug spray, and sunscreen will be provided. Let’s work together to keep the Fort River clean and beautiful, see you there! See https://sourcetoseacleanup.org/event/fort-river-source-to-sea-cleanup/ for more information.
Fourth Sunday Collection, Sept. 28 Grace Church’s 4th Sunday Offering will go to Save the Children. This organization believes every child deserves a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. But far too many children still die each year from preventable causes, can’t read, or are experiencing physical and emotional abuse, sexual exploitation, deprivation and neglect. That’s why as global leaders in child health, education and protection, it’s working in more than 113 countries, including the US, to change the lives of over 110 million children every year. It is often the first or only child-focused organization working in the hardest-to-reach places, where it’s toughest to be a child. 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.
One 9:30 service & St. Michael’s Picnic, Sunday, September 28th There will be one service at 9:30 followed by the Saint Michael’s Picnic. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Brother Lawrence Guild supplies hamburgers, hotdogs, rolls, condiments, & drinks. If you are able, please bring a side dish, salad, or a dessert. Weather permitting, there will be some seating outside in the Garth. Please join us!
Life Story Writing—for those of us in the autumn years of life interested in reviewing life so far. We’ll excavate long forgotten memories, explore life choices, and reacquaint ourselves with our own stories: highlights, influential events, roads taken and not taken. Multiple handouts; no previous writing experience required. Four Thursday morning sessions (9:30-11:30) beginning Oct 2, 16, 30, Nov 6, 20. Interested? Contact Nancy to save a seat (limited).
From the Pastoral Care Commission: It’s Time to Socialize, Can we get an Amen? Recognizing there is an enormous amount of stress and anxiety in many people’s lives, and that there’s an epidemic of loneliness in our world, the Pastoral Care Commission invites you to introduce and share simple ways for people to get together solely for the purpose of socializing. Some suggestions: go to a movie, meet for ice cream, go for a walk or a hike, listen to music, have a picnic, go to a museum, karaoke. Use your imagination and think of something fun to do with others. This is meant to be a form of self-care, so that in part we can better take on the challenges of life and be better able to do the things God is calling us to do. Suggestions can be sent to Gail Gnatek.
Here are two opportunities, more to come:
- Coffee with Friends. Sheila Mammen invites you to come for coffee and muffins at her home October 4, 9:30am. Space is somewhat limited, so please contact her for more information.
- Ukelele Sing-Along. Betty Brown invites you to join her at the Amherst Senior Center, Thursday, October 16 at 3pm for Joy of Song with Sara Snyder. This event is free of charge. Meet in the reception area at 2:45. If you are interested in joining, please contact Betty, cell (413) 230-7373.