Announcements 5/5/24

Welcome our Guest Preacher Rev. Raisin Horn  The Rev. Raisin Horn retired from parish ministry in the Diocese of Iowa in 2023. Her interest in the wider church led her to serve as a six-time General Convention Deputy, and as Provincial Coordinator for Campus Ministry in Province V. Raisin and her husband John (also a retired priest) moved to the Pioneer Valley to be near their three grandchildren, who sometimes can be seen helping their dad conduct the Grace Church Choir.

Palestinian olive oil will be available for sale in the connector following both services today, Sunday, May 5.  It is organic, extra virgin, first cold press and fair trade. The proceeds from the sale enable Grace Church to provide a scholarship for a student at the Episcopal Technological and Vocational Training Center in Ramallah.

Liturgy in the Chapel today
Our monthly Communion service for children and their families will be held today in the chapel. Join us at 9:35 a.m. for worship!

Services Auction  Thank you to everyone who made the Services Auction a huge success!  For those of you who “won”, please reach out to your donor to collect on the offering.  And for those who donated services, thank you so much!

Spring Garden Sale, Saturday, May 11, 9 am – Noon  Plant donations will be accepted on May 10th from 2-6 pm.  Please bring them to the outside red door on Spring Street.  There will be people that can help bring the plants into the Undercroft.  Thanks to all of you for helping us out.  We look forward to new trees and plants. Sara liberty-Laylin, Garden Ministry Chair.

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

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 13, 2024

Do you speak a second language? Help read the Gospel on Pentecost Sunday  It is our tradition that portions of the Gospel are read in a variety of languages on Pentecost Sunday, which is Sunday May 19th.  We are looking for as many languages as possible.  If this is something you can do, please contact the Parish Administrator, Terrie Korpita, at 413.256.6754 or and let her know what language you will speak.

Pentecost Picnic   Come one, come all to the Annual Grace Church Pentecost Picnic directly after the single service at 9:30am on Sunday May 19thAll are encouraged to wear red on Pentecost. The picnic will be held in the Parish Hall and the Garth (weather permitting) where hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and veggie dogs along with refreshments will be served.  Please bring a side dish to share.  Side dishes can be dropped off at the Parish Hall before the 9:30 AM service.  Ideas for side dishes: salads, baked beans, desserts etc.

Youth group save the date, May 19th board games after Pentecost Picnic
After our 9:30 a.m. service on May 19th and the following all-church picnic, youth in grades 6-12 are invited to meet for board games in the Fireplace Room. Contact youth group volunteer Lucy Bergin for more information.

Graduations and Commencements! On Sunday, June 9th, we would like to recognize all who are graduating, from Pre-school to Post-Doctorate. Send us their names, so we can include them in the service. If they are pursuing further studies, please let us know that too. Please contact Terrie Korpita in the Parish office at 413.256.6754 to request recognition.