We are now on our summer service schedule, with one service at 9:30am. The regular service schedule will resume on Sunday, September 7th
Fourth Sunday Collection August 24 Grace Church’s 4th Sunday Offering will go to the Amherst Survival Center. Since 1976, the Center has promoted the health and well-being of residents of Franklin and Hampshire. It provides a welcoming community where families and individuals can come for food and access to other resources. The Amherst Survival Center serves more than 6,000 people each year. All of its services are free, including a food pantry, to go community meals, fresh food distribution, a warming center with computers for those experiencing homelessness, information & referral, as well as a variety of other support services. Showers, laundry, and lockers are available for people experiencing homelessness. All of this is provided in a warm community center environment, with activities ranging from live music to sewing workshops to office hours with elected officials. All are welcome at the Survival Center. If you write a check, please make it payable to Grace Church and add “outreach” on the memo line. Thank you for any gift you are able to give.
Ascentria is collecting clothing donations again! This time, they are focusing on “work ready” clothing for the 16-20 year olds who are interviewing for and beginning new jobs. Please donate adult small and medium casual pants, khakis; polo shirts, short and long sleeve shirts, flannel shirts, plain T shirts and socks and shoes. Ascentria send their warm thanks for the many terrific donations of baby and little kids’ things, which they continue to distribute!
From the Pastoral Care Commission: It’s Time to Socialize. Can we get an Amen? Recognizing there is an enormous amount of stress and anxiety in many people’s lives, and that there’s an epidemic of loneliness in our world, the Pastoral Care Commission invites you to introduce and share simple ways for people to get together solely for the purpose of socializing. Some suggestions: go to a movie, meet for ice cream, go for a walk or a hike, listen to music, have a picnic, go to a museum, karaoke. Use your imagination and think of something fun to do with others. This is meant to be a form of self-care, so that in part we can better take on the challenges of life and be better able to do the things God is calling us to do. Suggestions can be sent to Gail Gnatek.
Garden Ministry Friday from 7:30-9:30 the Garden Ministry invites you to join them in maintaining our gardens. Wear gloves and bring some small tools. We have shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, etc. Contact Mary Hocken for details.
Haiti Ministry: Another Matching Challenge for Uniforms and School Supplies! The situation in Haiti is uncertain and dangerous and while we hope better times are coming, it will be a long process. Your steady support has meant that St. Matthieu School has carried on through all the disruption and school will open in the fall. We are now almost half way to our goal for this year in our uniform and school supplies campaign. And now there is another matching grant to double your contribution! $75 covers a uniform and supplies for one student – and with the challenge, it will cover two! Of course, as always, any amount is deeply appreciated. To donate, see us at coffee hour; send a check, made out to Grace Episcopal Church, with “Haiti Ministry– uniforms” in the memo line; or go to the church website, click “give,” choose “Haiti Ministry” from the dropdown, and write “School uniforms” in the “note” space. And for more information about what is happening, check out https://graceinhaiti.org.
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/
Parish Directory It’s time for a new Grace Directory! The last one was done in 2022. If you were not in the last directory, please send a photo and current contact information to the office. If you have moved or changed your information since the last directory, please send your updated address and phone number(s) to Terrie Korpita. We plan to use the same photos as the last directory; unless you wish to submit a new one.
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.
St. Nicholas Bazaar Mark your calendars for December 6! Donations are welcome; especially antiques and fine jewelry. Put them on or under the tables just inside the undercroft. Donations should be in good condition and clean. Many kinds of items are accepted, but not binders, clothing (except scarves), textbooks, VCR tapes or cassettes. Contact Joan with any questions. Thank you!
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: August 25, 2025.
Join Education for Ministry (EfM) to… Deepen your Christian faith. Learn how to articulate that faith. Let that faith inspire you into action! Through study, prayer, and reflection, trained mentors facilitate small group discussions and guide participants to examine life through an increasingly informed and inspired theological lens. More than Bible study, EfM participants read and discuss the Old Testament (year 1), the New Testament (year 2), Church history (year 3), and theology (year 4). You do not have to commit to all four program years nor complete in four years. Grace Church is currently offering a Zoom course on: Tuesdays 7 – 9 pm. Another course could be added if there is interest. We are seeking new participants until September 5th. If interested, please contact Rev. James McDonald.
Grace Church Youth Choir We are pleased to announce the return of the Grace Church Youth Choir under the direction of Arianne Abela, Interim Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator. Rehearsals will take place on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 in the Parish Hall beginning on September 7. The singers will occasionally present music and/or a skit in the 10:30 services. For more information on how to get your kids involved, please email Arianne. You can also scan here to register. Upon registering, a calendar for the 25-26 academic year will be sent out with service presentation dates and information on the Christmas pageant.
All Are WELCOME Here! Grace Church is launching a new Hospitality Program to better welcome all who come to Grace Church. Beginning Sunday, September 7, after both the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services, a small group of parishioners will wear WELCOME badges to help greet and connect with new folks. We invite YOU to be a part of this ministry! Whether you’ve attended Grace for years or you’re a more recent arrival, consider grabbing a badge and be available to say hello after the service or during coffee hour. It’s a simple but powerful way to build our community and to let folks know they’re very welcome here. There’s always someone new to meet, new to greet, and new to reconnect. Who knows, you may “entertain angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2) Questions or comments? Reach out to Kitty Dougherty.