One service at 9:30 & St. Michael’s Picnic, Sunday, September 28th We have one service at 9:30 followed by the Saint Michael’s Picnic. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Brother Lawrence Guild supplies hamburgers, hotdogs, rolls, condiments, & drinks. If you are able, please bring a side dish, salad, or a dessert. Weather permitting, there will be some seating outside in the Garth. Please join us!
About the Offertory Hymn The lyrics of “St. Michael in a Window” were written by our stalwart acolyte, Henry Maxey, who enjoys an excellent view of the rear nave from the chancel. Rev. Megan McDermott heard him read the poem at a Writers Read event at Greenfield’s LAVA Center this past winter, and asked to share some of his Grace-inspired work with the church, which in turn inspired Noah Horn to encourage a hymn setting. Henry and Libby Maxey worked with Noah this summer to select a suitable tune, so that the hymn would be ready for our celebration of the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels—coincidentally, the same day that Henry celebrates his seventeenth birthday.
Fourth Sunday Collection, Sept. 28 Grace Church’s 4th Sunday Offering will go to Save the Children. This organization believes every child deserves a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. But far too many children still die each year from preventable causes, can’t read, or are experiencing physical and emotional abuse, sexual exploitation, deprivation and neglect. That’s why as global leaders in child health, education and protection, it’s working in more than 113 countries, including the US, to change the lives of over 110 million children every year. It is often the first or only child-focused organization working in the hardest-to-reach places, where it’s toughest to be a child. 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.
Welcome Newcomers at the St. Michael’s Picnic At this year’s St. Michael’s Picnic, we’ll have special tables reserved just for newcomers! If you’re new to our parish, you’re warmly invited (though not required) to sit at one of these tables, where Vestry members and parishioners will join you. It’s a wonderful way to meet people, ask questions, and feel more connected to our community. We hope you’ll join us!
Life Story Writing For those of us in the autumn years of life interested in reviewing life so far. We’ll excavate long forgotten memories, explore life choices, and reacquaint ourselves with our own stories: highlights, influential events, roads taken and not taken. Multiple handouts; no previous writing experience required. Five Thursday morning sessions (9:30-11:30) beginning Oct 2, 16, 30, Nov 6, 20. Interested? Contact Nancy to save a seat (limited).
Garden Ministry The fall garden clean up will be Saturday, October 4th from 9am to 11am. Please bring your own garden gloves. All are welcome. We will meet at the pink door on Spring Street. Questions? Contact Sara Liberty-Laylin.
Blessing of the Animals, Sunday October 5th, 4 p.m. Bring beloved pets (or stuffed animals) to the Common, across from our front lawn, at 4 p.m. on October 5th for a blessing!
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 go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9iCp0ZCQzxvhJPeG53EVE_AkpNaK4hXRdy4nTQ4X8975NaA/viewform 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.
From Climate Action@Grace – Resources for Creation Care: GreenFaith has created a set of prayer guides drawn from diverse faith traditions. These prayers are meant to be flexible: weave them into moments of song or silence, or simply hold them in your heart during personal reflection. These prayers are here to nurture wisdom, courage, and hope as together we shine a light for climate justice. Access the Prayer Guide Here We invite you to use these guides in the way that feels most meaningful for you and your community. Every prayer, every intention, is part of the larger sacred chorus rising this weekend across the country and the world. With gratitude and faith, Amy Brooks Paradise Organizing Coordinator, GreenFaith US
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.
You are welcome! We want you to know that you are welcome here. If you are new to Grace Church please reach out, because we are here to invite, embrace, and welcome you into our community. Whether you are :
- New to the area
- New to our church (and perhaps new to the Episcopal faith)
- A longtime resident in search of connection and community
- Part or the LGBTQ community and are looking for a spiritual home where you are welcomed and affirmed
- A New Student, looking for a place of safety and comfort during your time studying here
- A Mom or Dad of a student and want a place that will support your child while they live and study here
We are here for you. Please fill out a blue Card, and reach out to someone wearing a WELCOME badge and come back AGAIN !
Not Bread Alone Needs Our Help Three days every week and most holidays, the Not Bread Alone crew prepare and serve a homemade, hot dinner to all comers, in the parish hall at First Congregational. Everything is more expensive now and they would welcome our help keeping the NBA pantry stocked. We’ve been asked to collect:
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
- Canned chopped tomatoes
- Canned beans (garbanzo, black, pinto, red or pink)
You can bring your donations to the church and we’ll get them to NBA – now through October 19th. Thank you for any help you can provide.
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/
The St. Nicholas Bazaar is Dec. 6, and the time is NOW for donations! Donations are needed for all areas of the bazaar, the sooner the better, especially antiques and fine jewelry. Please remember that items should be in good working condition and clean. We accept many kinds of items, but please NO textbooks, binders, classical records, clothing (scarves are ok), or mildewed items. We already have a large number of puzzles, so if possible hold those for next year. Donations may be dropped off in the undercroft after the Sunday service, or during office hours (M-F, 9;30-4). Please put them on the table inside the door from the walkway. The bazaar is fast approaching – this is a good time to think about how you can contribute to its success during set-up, the day of the bazaar, and/or clean up. Volunteer sign-ups will appear in early to mid-November. Any questions, contact Joan. Thank you!
Save the Date
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. Here are some opportunities, more to come:
- Coffee with Friends. Sheila Mammen invites you to come for coffee and muffins at her home October 4, 9:30am. Space is somewhat limited, so please contact her for more information.
- Have you ever wanted to try Sacred Harp singing? This is a tradition with roots in New England psalm-singing that grew out of the rural American South and has spread throughout the world. No musical experience is necessary, and there are no rehearsals or performances: people simply gather to sing with each other. Western Massachusetts has had an active and thriving Sacred Harp singing community for 25 years. There is a weekly singing on Tuesday evenings in Northampton, 7-9 PM at Helen Hills Hills Chapel. On the first Tuesday of the month, there is a special orientation session (“singing school”) which is never mandatory but may feel helpful to newcomers. On Tuesday, October 7, Micah Walter will be leading the “singing school”. Micah would love to welcome Grace Church members to join. All you need to do is show up.
- Ukelele Sing-Along. Betty Brown invites you to join her at the Amherst Senior Center, Thursday, October 16 at 3pm for Joy of Song with Sara Snyder. This event is free of charge. Meet in the reception area at 2:45. If you are interested in joining, please contact Betty cell (413) 230-7373.
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: October 13, 2025.
Harvest Music Concert, November 8th at 4 pm – to support our ORGAN fund! More information at the St Michael’s picnic and in Grace Notes.