Palestinian olive oil will be available for sale in the connector following the services today, Sunday, May 4. It is organic, extra virgin, first cold press and fair trade. The proceeds from the sale enable Grace Church to provide a scholarship for Joyce Harish, a student at the Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center in Ramallah, to study computer programming, drafting and installation.
A Celebration of Hildegard of Bingen Grace Church will host a celebration of the 12th-century abbess, mystic, composer, and visionary Hildegard of Bingen at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This immersive event will explore Hildegard’s enduring wisdom through dramatic readings, musical excerpts from her play Ordo Virtutum, and visual projections of her vividly illuminated visions. The program is centered on four themes that resonate across the centuries: greening (viriditas), usefulness, speaking truth to power, and mysticism. All are welcome to this contemplative and inspiring celebration. For more information please contact Kell Julliard or visit the website http://bit.ly/4iPfvqH
“This Beautiful Bright Festival”: Easter Art Meditations Inspired by Color Every year at the Easter Vigil, the paschal homily of St. John Chrysostom is read, which encourages lovers of God to enjoy “this beautiful bright festival.” Embracing this idea of a “beautiful bright festival,” our Easter meditation series will look at visual art that utilizes brightness and vibrant colors. Together we will explore how such art might help represent the joy, hope, and life at the heart of our Easter celebrations. Join us Mondays at 12:15 p.m. on Zoom. Zoom links are sent out on Monday mornings. Our first gathering will be April 28th, and we will continue meeting May 5th, May 12th, May 19th, and June 2nd. Please note that we will not meet on May 26th. If you can’t join us live but would like a recording of any of the meditations or links to the artwork discussed, please email Megan.
Climate Action@Grace As some of you may know, our climate group (CAAG) has taken up a symbolic gesture of ringing our church bells on the eleventh of each month for eleven minutes, to point to “the eleventh hour of climate change” and increase awareness of creation care. Many groups around the country have been doing this. For us, it symbolizes the age-old tradition of spreading important messages to communities through ringing of bells, a sense of shared collective involvement with other communities, an on-going commitment, and the riches of being inspired by doing something together. If you feel called, please join us Sunday, May 11, for bell-ringing and singing after the 10:30 service in the front of the church. Local composer Geoff Hudson (Passion for the Planet) has written a lovely song about bells, partly inspired by this widespread effort. No singing expertise required! Easy to learn. Please note that this will double as our CAAG meeting for this month, the second Sunday.
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/
Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers Needed Through our lectors and LEMs – and our combined ministry of priests and laity – we reaffirm the words, ideas, and sacraments that are the foundation of our faith. We would love for you to join us! Every three months, the schedule is built around the availability of those who volunteer. At various points during the year, volunteers are also needed for Christmas, Holy Week, and other special services. Some people choose to act as either a lector or a LEM; some people act as both. Training as both a lector and a LEM can be provided. Please email Cara Crandall with any questions, or if you would like to become a lector or LEM.
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 one of the clergy. We would be happy to speak with you about this holy sacrament.
Clothing Drive Ascentria Refugee Services for New Americans has asked Grace Church to help with a clothing drive. They are looking for seasonal clothes for refugees moving into Western Massachusetts. Ascentria especially wants clothing for children, from birth to primary school age. A shopping cart will be placed in the back of the church for those who can donate. You can bring items with you to church on Sunday or drop them off during the week during regular business hours. Ascentria Refugee Services For New Americans provides legal, housing, and language support to new Americans across New England. Thank you for your generosity, and if there are items you wish to donate other than what is listed or would like to become more involved, please reach out to rporter@ascentria.org. If you wish to learn more about Ascentria and the work they do, please check their website at https://www.ascentria.org/service/services-for-new-americans/.
The Grace Church Stewardship campaign for 2025 To date 143 people pledging for a total of $511,040 – most encouraging, we have 8 new pledges. To those who have pledged God Bless, to those who have yet to pledge please pray and pledge so our Vestry can budget for 2025. 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.
Coffee hour help needed! The 8 a.m. coffee hour is looking for a couple of willing baristas to fill in once a month this Fall and keep the coffee hour perking along reliably. If you can help out or want more information, email Betsy Mathews or speak with the clergy.
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.
The Pastoral Care Commission The Pastoral Care Commission is looking for volunteers to help our fellow Grace family. This might include sending cards, calling or emailing those needing support, or helping coordinate any of these activities. We meet once a month, but monthly attendance is not a requirement. If you feel called to help out with this ministry, please contact Gail Gnatek.
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: May 12, 2025