Haiti Ministry  Sunday, Nov. 9 we are delighted to be worshipping with visiting parishioners from St. James, Indian Head MD, our indispensable partners since 2016 in supporting St Matthew’s School, Haiti.  Please greet and thank them during coffee hour.

Climate Action at Grace (caag) eagerly welcomes you to our meeting: Sunday, November 9, 12:15-1:00, in the Parker Room around the corner from the Connector.  We thank the children’s group for leaving leaves in our pews recently for sharing our appreciations of creation and our natural world.

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: November 10, 2025.

Raising the Questions, Tuesday, October 11 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.

Bell Ringing in honor of Veterans, Tuesday, November 11th at 11:00am  Grace Church will honor Veterans with a solemn tolling of the bell eleven times following the moment of silence to be held in front of the Amherst Town Hall. Bell ringing for Climate Action will resume in December.

Adopt-A-Family For Christmas  For many years Grace Church members have enjoyed buying or making gifts for a family that is struggling. Wish lists for some 40 families will be available on Sundays starting Nov 9th after both services. The deadline is Dec 14th. AFTER the St Nicholas Bazaar the gifts may be brought to the undercroft on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in adopting a family, please contact Mary Hocken. 413-537-0251.

 Please Support Those Affected by Hurricane Melissa  Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with partners to support people affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Hurricane Relief Fund is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery. Please contribute to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund to support these efforts.

Coffee Hour  Coffee hour is a lovely tradition and we hope to see you there after the 10:30 service.  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.

Thanksgiving Collection for the Amherst Survival Center, Help “Stuff” the Church with Bread Stuffing  For Thanksgiving, the Amherst Survival Center has asked us to collect 500 boxes of bread stuffing, which the Survival Center will distribute throughout November.  They would like as many boxes as possible by November 23rd. If everyone brought 2 boxes of stuffing, we can achieve this goal.  To Date: 240 collected; 260 to go. Thank you for your help.

The Flower Guild at Grace is inviting new members.    If you enjoy seeing flowers on the chancel, perhaps you would like to join our team. We need you and you might like it!  You can try it out by partnering with someone on the guild. EMAIL US.  Maria Dye, or Lou Currin.

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 !

The Stewardship campaign is beginning with the mailing of pledge materials, which you should receive this week. Please read these materials carefully and prayerfully reflect on your contribution. If you do not receive the mailing, copies will be on the table at the entry to the church. We need the participation of all members if we are to maintain our programs, meet unexpected expenditures and continue to provide support for others in our community. The annual In-gathering will be Sunday, Nov. 23rd at both services. Please bring your pledge card then as they will be received at the altar during the service. The Feast of Grace potluck luncheon will follow the 10:30 service. If you are away on the 23rd, we will gladly receive your pledge earlier. Thank you.

The Survival Center Needs Our Help  With the expected shut down of SNAP benefits, along with ongoing inflation, the need for food assistance is growing. We’ve been asked to collect:

• peanut butter
• tuna fish
• soup
• pasta
• pasta sauce

You can bring your donations to the church and and add them to our ongoing collection. Thank you for any help you can provide.

St. Nicholas Bazaar is 4 weeks away!  Bring in your donations for the bazaar by November 17, especially antiques and fine jewelry. 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. Hold books and puzzles for next year. Donations may be dropped off in the undercroft after the Sunday service, or during office hours (M-F, 9:30-4). Put them on the table inside the door from the walkway. Sign up sheets and lawn signs are in the Connector. Please sign up even if you do the same job every year; it makes it easier to see when we have enough volunteers. A list of baked goods for Divine Delights will be coming next week. Any questions, contact Joan. Thank you!

The Gifts from Grace table at the Bazaar welcomes your creative endeavors. Handmade gifts and art are welcomed.  Please contact Gillian Duda with any questions.

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/

Save the Date

Annie Cheatham Reading Southern Stories  On Wednesday, November 19, Annie Cheatham will be at Grace Church to read from her new book, The Baby’s Gotta Have Somethin’: Glimpses of a Southern Childhood. The event will be at 2 pm in the Connector. All are welcome.