Palestinian olive oil will be available for sale in the connector following the service today, Sunday, October 5. It is organic, extra virgin, first cold press and fair trade. The proceeds from the sale will enable Grace Church to provide a scholarship for a student at the Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center (ETVTC) in Ramallah, either in culinary arts or in IT. The situation there is currently chaotic and dangerous, although at least Ramallah is safer than most of the West Bank. I did hear from Giovanni Anbar, the director. They will have a new student for us to support in this fall.
Grace Church Youth Choir The children in the Grace Church Youth Choir will be singing John Rutter’s Look at the World with the Adult choir today. Over the last month, we have created a large tree designed and painted by our children. They have also created and decorated leaves that are in each pew. In our season of CREATION, please write on the decorated side of the leaf something you love about our world and planet.
Illumine Vocal Arts Ensemble Concert, Sunday October 5, 2:30 pm at Grace Church, Arianne Abela, Artistic Director llumine presents “Would You Harbor Me?”, the opening concert of the 2025-26 season, today at 2:30 pm at Grace Church. Tickets are available on a sliding scale from illuminechoir.org, Ticket Tailor, or at the door. Named for a song by Sweet Honey in the Rock, “Would You Harbor Me?” explores displacement and the quest for refuge, the longing for safety and the requirement of compassion, through music ranging from the Baroque to the contemporary, and from the Old World to the new. Anchoring the program will be Ad Manus, a movement from Dieterich Buxtehude’s masterpiece Membra Jesu Nostri, together with the striking “To the Hands,” the acclaimed response by Pulitzer Prize-winning contemporary composer Caroline Shaw. After the concert, please join us for a reception and a small showing of photographed details from works by local sculptor Harriet Diamond. Diamond has addressed the suffering of refugees displaced by war and climate destabilization in panoramas both sweeping and eloquently detailed.
Blessing of the Animals, Sunday October 5th, 4 p.m. Bring beloved pets, photos of departed best friends, (or stuffed animals) to the Common, across from our front lawn, at 4 p.m. on October 5th for a blessing!
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. Five Thursday morning sessions (9:30-11:30) beginning Oct 2, 16, 30, Nov 6, 20 in the Parker Room. 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:
- Have you ever wanted to try Sacred Harp singing? This is a tradition with roots in New England psalm-singing that grew out of the rural American South and has spread throughout the world. No musical experience is necessary, and there are no rehearsals or performances: people simply gather to sing with each other. Western Massachusetts has had an active and thriving Sacred Harp singing community for 25 years. There is a weekly singing on Tuesday evenings in Northampton, 7-9 PM at Helen Hills Hills Chapel. On the first Tuesday of the month, there is a special orientation session (“singing school”) which is never mandatory but may feel helpful to newcomers. On Tuesday, October 7, Micah Walter will be leading the “singing school”. Micah would love to welcome Grace Church members to join. All you need to do is show up.
- 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.
11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change, Saturday, October 11th at 11:00am Be part of the 11th Hour Bell Ringing for Climate Change Saturday, October 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.
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 !
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/
The St. Nicholas Bazaar is Dec. 6, and the time is NOW for donations! Donations are needed for all areas of the bazaar, the sooner the better, especially antiques and fine jewelry. Please remember that items should be in good working condition and clean. We accept many kinds of items, but please NO textbooks, binders, classical records, clothing (scarves are ok), or mildewed items. We already have a large number of puzzles, so if possible hold those for next year. Donations may be dropped off in the undercroft after the Sunday service, or during office hours (M-F, 9;30-4). Please put them on the table inside the door from the walkway. The bazaar is fast approaching – this is a good time to think about how you can contribute to its success during set-up, the day of the bazaar, and/or clean up. Volunteer sign-ups will appear in early to mid-November. Any 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: October 13, 2025.
Climate Action@ Grace As Creation Season draws to a close we hope to share ongoing learnings, actions, and inspirations with you. Next Climate Action @ Grace meeting is Sunday, October 12, after the 10:30 service coffee hour (about 12:20). In the Parker Room by the kitchen near the Connector. Bring your questions, ideas, concerns, maybe your lunch? Hope to see you.
Raising the Questions, Tuesday, October 14 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.
Children & Youth Choir Open House Sunday, Oct. 26, 9:00-10:30AM. Please join Arianne Abela, Junior Choir Director, in the Parish Hall to learn about the new youth music program for the community. Fun activities, face painting, songs, snacks, and fall crafts. ALL children and youth are welcome! For more information please contact Arianne.
Grace Church Harvest Concert, Saturday, Nov. 8, 4 PM. Celebrate the harvest season with beautiful music at Grace Church! The concert will feature Mark Fraser, cello; Estela Olevsky, piano; Dick Damon, organ; Hanif Lawrence, tenor soloist; the Silverwood Quartet; the Cantabile vocal ensemble; and the Grace Church Choir directed by Hanif Lawrence. Suggested donation is $25 at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Grace Church Organ Fund.