Palestinian olive oil will be available for sale in the connector following the services today, Sunday, June 1. 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.
Pentecost skit rehearsal schedule – join us!
All children and youth are invited to participate in our Pentecost skit which will be performed in place of the sermon on Sunday June 8th. Rehearsal will be held today June 1st in the parish hall 9:15-10:15 a.m. On Pentecost, participants will gather at 9 a.m. for a run-through before the 9:30 service. Contact Megan for more information.
Youth group today June 1st, 12:30 p.m. mini golf at Western Mass. Family Golf Center Join us for our last youth group of the school year after the 10:30 a.m. service on June 1st! Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to a game of mini golf. Let Megan know if your child can attend.
Final Easter art meditation on Zoom, June 2nd, at 12:15 p.m
Our Easter art meditation series, exploring art with vibrant and bright colors, will be Monday June 2nd. All are welcome, even if you haven’t been able to attend other Mondays. Zoom link sent out early Monday morning. A series of weekly meditations on Poetry will begin over Zoom on June 16th.
Graduations and Commencements! On Sunday, June 8th, 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.
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 June 8th. 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 and let her know what language you will speak.
Our summer service schedule begins Pentecost Sunday, June 8, with one service at 9:30am. The regular service schedule will resume on Sunday, September 7th.
Pentecost Picnic Come one, come all to the Annual Grace Church Pentecost Picnic directly after the single service at 9:30am on Sunday June 8th. All 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.
Pentecost Evensong, June 8 at 4:00 pm Please join us for a festive choral Evensong on Sunday, June 8 at 4:00 p.m., a few hours after the Pentecost parish luncheon. This musical liturgy will feature music by Herbert Howells (“Collegium Regale” evening service), Felix Mendelssohn (“Hear my prayer”), Thomas Tallis, and others, sung by the Grace Church Choir and guests from the community. Celebrate the start of the summer liturgical season with wonderful music from the Anglican tradition.
Thank you all!! The Haiti committee would like to express our deep gratitude for the generosity of so many of you who contributed to the Lenten envelope campaign. In just over 6 weeks, we were able to raise more than $13,000 to build a classroom home for the new 9th grade at St. Matthew’s School in Bayonnais. The children, the teachers and the community of St. Matthew’s thank you as well for making this project possible. In the words of the priest in charge, Pere DeCamps, “Happy Eastertide to you and to all our friends at Grace church! Thanks a lot, on behalf of all St Matthieu family in Bayonnais! Thanks for money for food, thanks for teachers’ salary, thanks for facilities and infrastructures that transform this community.”
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/
Appalachian Trail hospitality day in Sheffield – Sat. June 21st, please sign up!
Grace Church is signed up for a day of hosting hospitality for Appalachian Trail hikers through a ministry of Episcopal and UCC churches in Sheffield. Join us for a day of sitting outside in a tent and connecting with hikers! There are a limited number of volunteer spots. If you’d like one or more information, email Megan.
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 need 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/.
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.
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: June 9, 2025.
Climate Action @ Grace Climate Action at Grace is pleased to host Kevin Young, History Professor at Univ. of Mass and a dynamic climate activist. He will speak to us on Sunday, June 15, at 10:45. Please drop by!
An evening of poetry and spirituality with Megan at Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield, Tuesday July 1st, 6:30 p.m. Before Megan’s departure for an MFA program in poetry, join her for her last local poetry reading at our diocesan cathedral, featuring new work as well as poems from her collections Jesus Merch: A Catalog in Poems (Fernwood Press, 2023) and Woman as Communion (Game Over Books, 2022).Interspersed with the reading, Lucy Bergin, a Grace parishioner, will moderate a conversation with Megan on poetry, arts, and spirituality. Lucy Bergin is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, musician, teacher, and Episcopalian based in Montague and Florence, Mass. Light reception to follow.