No nursery staff this week Unfortunately, due to nursery staff being unavailable, we cannot provide childcare this Sunday. As we approach the universities’ winter breaks, there may potentially be other Sundays in December and January where childcare is not available.
Advent Book Series: The Book of Joy His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams, Sundays at 9:15am November 30th – December 21st, in the Parish Hall In April 2015, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama’s home in Dharamsala, India to celebrate His Holiness’s eightieth birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. They looked back on their lives to answer a question: How do we find joy in the face of suffering? By the end of a week filled with laughter and punctuated with tears, these two global heroes had stared into the abyss and despair of our times and revealed how to live a life brimming with joy. These two inspirational people survived more than fifty years of exile and soul-crushing violence of oppression. And yet despite their hardships – or, as they said, because of them – they considered themselves two of the most joyful people on the planet.
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: December 8, 2025.
Vote! Help Spread Power and Light. Brighten Haiti, the organization that installed solar panels at St. Mathew’s School in Haiti, is holding an essay contest. Eight students from St. Matthieu submitted entries. The winner will receive a mini solar system for his/her home, and the runners-up will earn solar lanterns so that they can study at night. Go to Brighten Haiti’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BrightenHaiti) to read the essays by kids at our school and two other schools. Vote by “Liking” one essay from each school. Deadline is Monday, Dec. 8. Thanks!
Climate Action at Grace will have our usual monthly meeting the second Sunday of the month, December 14, 12:15-12:45 in the Parker Room. It will be a bit briefer since Lessons and Carols are that afternoon, also. We are working on an article and a new way of working together for 2026—please come and enjoy our building momentum! Thank you from CA@G.
Nominations for Vestry and Diocesan Convention Delegates are Open! At the February 1st Annual Meeting, the parish will elect three new member of the Vestry for a term of three years and one youth member (confirmed and age 16) as well as two delegates, one alternate and a youth representative to the Diocesan Convention. Please consider your own interest and ability – and the talents of those you know – to serve the Grace Church community in one of these roles. You’re cordially invited to meet with the Nominating Committee for informal conversation over tea after the 10:30 service on December 14th in the Parish Hall. Any and all who may be interested in serving on the Vestry or as a delegate are encouraged to fill out the nomination form on the other side of this insert and place it in the offering plate, or contact outgoing Vestry members Sarah Chadwick or Donna Devine.
Grace Church Tree Trimming Party! Help trim our tree and spread the Christmas spirit on Sunday, December 14th, during coffee hour in the Connector. Bring cookies and other Christmas treats to share!
A Special Service of Advent Lessons & Carols – A Celebration of Bishop Doug Fisher, Sunday, December 14th at 4:00 pm Join us for Advent Lessons and Carols, featuring the Grace Church Choir, area instrumentalists, and a brand-new piece called “Rejoice and Await”, a commission written for the occasion by Arianne Abela, with text by Barbara Abela. Music by Noah Horn, Richard Horn, Charles Wood, Felix Mendelssohn, Handel, and more round out the beautiful candlelit service. Bishop Doug is our guest of honor. The service is dedicated to him in thanksgiving for his ministry as our Bishop. A reception will be held following the service. All are welcome!
St. Nicholas Bazaar Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to the success of this year’s bazaar. It couldn’t happen without the wonderful Grace community! As a final contribution, please return lawn signs as soon as possible.
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2026 To date 116 pledges have come in totaling $418,138 – most encouraging, we have 4 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.
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.
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 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 !
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
Messiah Sing-along, Sunday, December 21 at 5:00 pm. Come join us for a sing-along of Handel’s Messiah in the Grace Church sanctuary. Sing the choruses along with the orchestra and soloists who will participate in this festive occasion. Last year, this event filled the church and was very joyous. We will provide scores if you need one and want to sing, or simply come and listen to all of the glorious music. Cash or check donations will benefit the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund of the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve
4:00pm Holy Eucharist with Christmas Pageant
8:00pm Holy Eucharist with choral prelude at 7:30
11:00pm Holy Eucharist with musical prelude at 10:30
Christmas Day
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Sunday, December 28th
9:30am Holy Eucharist with Christmas Lessons and Carols