EASTER FLOWER / CANDLE FORMS DUE NOW!!! Please leave forms in baskets or in Jaana’s mailbox to ensure that your loved one’s name is added to the Easter Sunday bulletin.
Easter and Holy Week Offerings The Outreach Commission has chosen the following local and international organization to receive our Easter Offerings: The Amherst Mobile Market, which not only makes affordable produce available within walking distance of residents who struggle to access healthy food, but also puts decision-making in the hands of low-income, BIPOC community members and builds the capacity of those community members to take on leadership roles. Our international recipient will be the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ). AEFEDJ is dedicated to the support of humanitarian work in Jerusalem and the Middle East with focus on the many schools and hospitals operated by the Diocese.
Voices Found: A New Hymnal for Grace Church We’re delighted to welcome a new hymnal at Grace Church starting on Palm Sunday, entitled Voices Found. From the preface: “Voices Found: Women in the Church’s Song is a rich collection of hymns and spiritual songs by, for, and about women.” This hymnal was inspired by the 20th anniversary of the Philadelphia Eleven, and published in 2004. After our own celebration of the 50th anniversary of those Eleven, a small group from Grace gathered together to find ways to include more music by women in our worship. Voices Found was identified as a top priority, as it is a beautiful collection of music that we can all sing together, and indeed some “VF” hymns have been included in worship over the past few years. The church was eventually able to secure funding to purchase these hymnals, thanks in part to some generous donations from our parishioners. This will be an important part of our honoring the artistic work of women moving forward. We’ll debut the hymnal with one hymn at the 8:00 a.m. service, and two hymns at the 10:30 a.m. service. Logistically speaking, the hymnal fits perfectly with Lift Every Voice and Sing II in the pew racks, essentially requiring no additional space in the sanctuary. Please take a moment to read through the preface and peruse the hymnal when you have a chance, and we hope you enjoy Voices Found! —Noah Horn, on behalf of the committee: Ania Wieckowski Masinter, Rev. Heidi Frantz-Dale, Rev. Susan Schaeffer, and Rev. Megan McDermott (in absentia).
Sign Up for the All-night Vigil It is a tradition at Grace that a vigil is kept in the chapel throughout the night, immediately following the Maundy Thursday 7pm service, April 2nd, which concludes at 9am the morning of Good Friday. Participants are asked to sign up for a one hour slot (ideally at least two people per time slot). The sign up sheet is in the back of the church next to the prayer request binder. Could you not stay awake with me one hour? (Matthew 26:40b)
Egg Hunt Hunts + Donations
Once again, following our Easter Sunday services on April 5th, we will have egg hunts for children in the Garth (weather permitting). The week before Holy Week and during Holy Week, parishioners are welcome to drop off Easter eggs, plastic or dyed, at the church for this fun activity.
Garden Ministry The Grace Garden Ministry is accepting items for the Garden Sale on May 9th. During April, you may donate small tools and garden decor in the under croft. There are tables in the back marked for the Garden Sale. Please have items cleaned and ready to be priced. Plant donations will be accepted May 7th and 8th; there will be more information about plant donations in the weeks to come. Thank you for supporting the Grace Garden Ministry, Sara Liberty-Laylin: Chair
Knitters Unite Red knit hats with a tassel was a form of protest in Norway during World War II. Today, red (Melt the ICE) hats protest de-humanizing treatment of any and all who call the U.S. home. If you don’t knit, but want to join the protest, hats and/or pins and badges will be in the Connector during coffee hour. 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 !
Save the Date
Come to a Gospel Choir Concert to benefit Amherst A Better Chance (ABC), Tuesday, April 7th, 7:00 pm, at Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst. Amherst ABC is a residential program where talented and motivated young men of color attend Amherst High School to improve their preparation for college and future leadership roles. Three choirs will sing: the Amherst Area Gospel Choir, the ARHS Hurricane Singers, and the UMass Gospel Choir. A $20 donation (or more) from each concert-goer is suggested, but all who wish to celebrate the ABC Program through gospel music are most welcome!”
Adult Confirmation Class, Sundays & Wednesdays continues April 8th, and April 12th 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.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: Wednesday, April 8th, at 6:30pm via Zoom; Sunday, April 12th, following the 10:30 service in-person.
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: April 13, 2026
Singing Creation, Speaking Truth: Women’s Voices, Earth’s Gospel Join us at 4 pm on Saturday, May 9, 2026, for a contemplative and inspiring gathering that weaves together sacred readings, reflection, and song. Drawing on the wisdom of voices such as Hildegard of Bingen, Rachel Carson, Teresa of Ávila, Dorothy Day, and others, this event invites us to rediscover the holy presence of God in creation, to listen honestly to the earth’s cries, and to renew our courage and hope. Through moments of wonder, lament, prayer, and blessing, we will explore how attention, compassion, and faithful action can become our shared response to God’s greening power at work in the world. Come be nourished, challenged, and encouraged as we reflect on what it means to love God by loving the earth entrusted to our care.
Visit Maryland with the Haiti Ministry Would you like to visit the DC area this spring? A few members of the Grace in Haiti committee are going to Indian Head, MD for 3 days with our partners at St James’ Episcopal Church. We’ll go down Friday, May 15 and return Sunday or Monday, May 17 or 18, for a weekend of fellowship as we work together to support St. Matthew’s School in Bayonnais, Haiti. Our partners there will house and feed us, and a good time is always had by all. If you’d like to know more and/or get involved, please contact Laura Klock at 413 374-9397
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 month. 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). 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
2026 Holy Week
March 29–Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
8:00 am Holy Eucharist
10:30 am Holy Eucharist (begin at the Parish Hall and process to the Church)
March 30–Monday 7:00 pm Holy Eucharist
March 31–Tuesday 7:00 pm Holy Eucharist
April 1–Wednesday
12:10 pm Holy Eucharist (Rite I) with Healing;
7:00 pm Tenebrae
The Paschal Triduum (the Sacred Three Days)
April 2–Maundy Thursday
7:00 pm Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist of the Last Supper; Stripping of the Altar.
All-night vigil before the Blessed Sacrament (Chapel)
April 3–Good Friday
4:00 pm Children’s Stations of the Cross (Church and Town Common)
7:00 pm Liturgy of the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ
April 4–Holy Saturday/The Great Vigil of Easter
9:00 am Liturgy of Holy Saturday
8:00 pm The Great Vigil of Easter, Renewal of Baptismal Vows, and
The Feast of the Resurrection (begins outside, in the Columbarium. All are welcome to bring bells to ring at the Gloria)
April 5–Easter Sunday
8:00 am & 10:30 am The Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Easter egg hunt for children following both services