Announcements 4/21/24

Thank you to our guest preacher, the Rev. Elliot Moss!  The Rev. Eliot Moss was raised up for ordination by this congregation, becoming a deacon in 2004 and priest in 2005. He served several congregations of this diocese part-time from then until his retirement in April 2023. He is also Professor Emeritus in Computer Science at UMass.  He lives in Amherst with his wife Hannah Abbott and daughter Natalie, also of this congregation.

Sunday School on pause – save the date for Liturgy in the Chapel May 5th   There will be no K-5th grade Sunday School class throughout the rest of the school year because of Megan’s sabbatical. However, we encourage families to put May 5th at 9:35 a.m. on their calendars. This is our next Liturgy in the Chapel gathering!

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 22, 2024

Gospel Choir Concert to benefit Amherst A Better Chance (ABC), Grace Episcopal Church, Tuesday, April 23 at 7:30 pm.  A Gospel Concert to benefit the Amherst A Better Chance program will be held in the church on Tuesday, April 23 at 7:30 pm. 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. Four choirs will sing: the Amherst Area Gospel Choir, the ARHS Hurricane Singers, the Hampshire Young People’s Chorus 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!

Cantabile Vocal Ensemble Concert, Saturday April 27  On Saturday, April 27 at 4 pm Cantabile Vocal Ensemble will present “The Prince of Love and Death” featuring sacred and secular music by the Italian renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa. The program will also include thoughts on Gesualdo from Dennis Costa and an essay by Anna Smith. The concert is free but donations will be gratefully accepted for the Amherst Survival Center.

The ClimateAction@Grace Committee has set up a poster of a tree in the back of the church near the bell tower. Please add leaves to the tree to show things you are doing now to help care for creation. We hope to have the tree full of leaves by Earth Day (April 22)!

Ushers needed for 8 a.m.  More ushers are needed for the 8 a.m. schedule. Thank you for considering this important ministry of welcome! Please be in touch with Katie Schendel (schendelkatie@gmail.com) for more info.

The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2024   To date 150 pledges have come in totaling $495,526. We are off to a good start. If you need a pledge card, they are available as you enter the church or you can contact the office (413) 256-6754 or Bruce Stebbins at (413) 530-3805.

Save the Date

Youth group lunch next Sunday, April 28th   Youth group is still gathering while Megan is away! Youth grades 6-12 are invited to meet in the Connector following the 10:30 a.m. service. We will grab lunch and return to church for board games. Contact youth group volunteer Lucy Bergin at lucy.bergin@gmail.com for more information.

The Grace Church Services Auction is back! Saturday, 5/4/2024, 6:00 – 8:30 PM.  A wonderful event where members of the Grace Church community bid on services offered by other  See sign up information in the connector. Contact Kitty or Tom Dougherty if you have questions or would like to help with the event.

Spring Garden Sale, Saturday, May 11, 9 am – Noon  Proceeds from the sale will go toward replanting of the Garth! Donations of plants, shrubs, pots, garden decorations, tools, etc., gratefully accepted! Questions? Please contact Sara Liberty-Laylin.