Lenten Book Series: The Rule of Saint Benedict  A Rule for all Christians, Sundays at 9:15am February 22nd – March 22^nd in the Fireplace Room  From the time it was first written in the sixth century, the Rule of St. Benedict has been one of the most influential, enduring documents of Western civilization.  Composed for the guidance of his own monks at Monte Cassino, St. Benedict’s Rule has become the basis for the rules of practically every Christian monastic community in the West.  It is an excellent guide for living the spiritual life – through work, prayer, study, obedience, community life, and moderate asceticism.  The spirit of the Rule is summed up in the motto of the Benedictine Confederation: pax (peace) and the traditional ora et labora (pray and work).  It provides a moderate path between individual zeal and formulaic institutionalism; because of this middle ground, it has been very popular.

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: March 9, 2026

Raising the Questions, Tuesday, March 10 at 9:30am in the Connector  Raising the Questions is a Grace Church reading and discussion group that focusses on theology and liturgy. We meet monthly on the second Tuesday at 9:30 am. Got questions? Come join us.

Adult Confirmation Class, Sundays & Wednesdays March 15th, 25th, April 8th, and April 12th, 6:30  Bishop Doug Fisher will visit Grace Church on Sunday, April 19th. In preparation for this occasion, there will be a 4 week course offered for anyone who is interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Confirmation is for anyone who desires to make a mature affirmation of one’s beliefs in the presence of a bishop. Reception is for anyone who has been confirmed in another tradition but who now desires to be received into the Episcopal Church.  Explore the mystery of God and discuss Episcopal Beliefs and Practices. This course is open to all. Share your beliefs, thoughts, concerns, and even doubts. There are no questions that cannot be asked. This course will be led by Tom and Rebecca. For further information, please call the church office at 413-256-6754 or email tsynan@gracechurchamherst.org. Two sessions will be in-person on Sundays after the 10:30 service, and two will be via Zoom on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm: Sunday, March 15th, following the 10:30 service in-person; Wednesday, March 25th, at 6:30pm via Zoom; Wednesday, April 8th, at 6:30pm via Zoom; Sunday, April 12th, following the 10:30 service in-person

Thank you, Bishop Fisher! Saturday, March 14^th, 3pm  Join us for a special service to celebrate Bishop Fisher and to thank him for his ministry among us. There will be a reception following the service. St. Andrew’s, 335 Longmeadow St, Longmeadow, MA 01106

Knitters Unite   People are making red knit hats with a tassel, which was a form of protest in Norway during World War II.  If you would like to knit a hat, please contact Mary Ellen Shaughan

Are you interested in being baptized, or know someone who is?  Along with Holy Communion, Holy Baptism is one of the two great sacraments given by Christ to the Church. We acknowledge one Baptism, which means Baptism in the name of the Trinity is performed once in a person’s life and is recognized regardless of where or how it took place.  If you have not been baptized or you are not sure whether you were baptized, and would like to know more, please contact the church office or speak with the Rector. We would be happy to talk with you about this holy sacrament.

Gifts to Grace  When making a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) gift to Grace Church, please ensure your fund provider includes your name and the intended purpose of the donation (e.g., Pledge, Haiti, Outreach) with the distribution. This helps us ensure your gift is properly acknowledged and applied. Thanks, Jaana

The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2026  To date 144 pledges have come in totaling $539,582 – most encouraging, we have 5 new pledges.  We are off to a good start.  To those who have pledged God bless, to those who have yet to pledge please pray and pledge so our Vestry can budget for 2026.  If you need a pledge card, they are available as you enter the church or you can contact the office (413) 256-6754.

Publicity for your Event?  Please let the Communications Committee know if you need help with your event.  Please fill out this form: https://www.gracechurchamherst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Request-for-Event-Publicity-Form-2023.pdf, also located on the “Outreach” page of the church website.  The committee requests at least 6 weeks notice.  Please forward questions to Patrick Kelly or Sarah Chadwick.

Coffee Hour  The hospitality committee keeps a small supply of treats on hand but this often is not enough. Won’t you please be so kind as to donate a baked good for all to enjoy?  Coffee cakes, quick breads, muffins, or bagels are always appreciated as well as other baked goods.  Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. Please see Sarah Chadwick if you have questions or want to help out further.

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 of 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 !

 Ascentria Care Alliance is putting together a list of volunteers should they need assistance regarding the immigrant community they serve and who we have supported with our clothing drives. If activated, supporters may help with things like:

• Supporting families with daily needs such as food delivery or transportation
• Helping reduce isolation and anxiety through check-ins and accompaniment

If you’re interested in being part of this rapid-response supporter list, please sign up at https://ascentriacarealliance.formstack.com/forms/crisis_volunteer_response

Save the Date

Garden Ministry  The Grace Garden Ministry needs volunteers to load garden debris on Saturday March 21st and 28th.We will meet at 9am by the pink doors on Spring St.  We will finish at 11:AM.  By doing this work ourselves, we are saving over $900 from our budget. Please let Sara Libertry-Laylin know your availability.  We thank you!

Ora et Labora: An Invitation this Lent to get more involved  Ora et Labora – this centuries –old phrase, meaning “pray and work,” is rooted in Christian tradition.  It originated from St. Benedict of Nursia (circa 480-547) as a guiding principle for monastic life, but it is applicable for all Christians.  It challenges us to think about a life fully dedicated to inviting God into every aspect.  St. Paul speaks to this kind of commitment in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”The principle of ora et labora provides a guide:

• Sanctify work
• Sanctify time
• Balance work and prayer
• Live out love
• Be mindful of others
• Find rhythm in life

This Lent all are invited to take on this spiritual practice.  To support one another, we will list opportunities and ways for you to get involved at Grace Church – simple tasks to help in the ministries of the parish.  Please join us in sanctifying work and time and finding the blessed balance of Ora et Labora.

Outreach Ministries

Amherst Survival Center

The Amherst Survival Center serves more than 10,000 people in our community every year, providing prepared meals, a food pantry, fresh food distribution, food deliveries, and

a variety of other support services and programs. Volunteers are crucial to the Center’s operation. Here are some ways you can help:

• Volunteer to work at the Center: volunteers help to prepare and serve meals, unload deliveries of donations from area stores and set up fresh food distribution, stock pantry shelves and help participants with pantry shopping, prepare food packages for deliveries, and many other tasks. To learn more and to sign up for a volunteer orientation, please go to the web site https://amherstsurvival.org/volunteer/
• Become a Neighborhood Food Coordinator who recruits a group of “neighbors” to donate food, and collects the donations and delivers them to the Center every other
• To learn more about becoming a coordinator, please go to the web site https://amherstsurvival.org/nfp/
• Collect food donations gathered at Grace Church and deliver them to the Center.
• For more information please contact Patrick Kelly

Garden Ministry is looking for help with various tasks including:

• The Garden Sale is May 9th but we are seeking items for the sale during Lent.

Please bring garden decor and smallish patio items in good condition to the under croft  tables (There is a sign designating Garden Sale).

• Work Outdoors on March 21st and 28th in the Garth area loading up garden debris.  Meet on the Spring Street pink door at 9:00 and wear work gloves.

Contact Sara Liberty-Laylin

St. Nicholas Bazaar could use a few people to take a box or two of bazaar leftovers to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Contact Joan O’Brien

Mutual Care Committee is looking for of people willing to send cards and to check up on people.

Also a list of people to include in a Meal Train invitation when meals are requested. Meal Train is a self-scheduling way to sign up for meals. There’s no pressure to sign up if invited. It’s just a way to get the word out. Contact Gail Gnatek

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee publicizes Grace Church happenings. We work with our Parish Administrator to arrange Church website content, post events on social media and online calendars, and create event flyers and signs. Volunteer opportunities include:

• Taking photos at Church events
• Designing graphics for flyers, signs, and social media posts

For more information please contact Sarah Chadwick  or Patrick Kelly