Posted: May 9, 2024

News for Sunday, May 12, 2024

Upcoming Events

05/12       10:30 a.m.  Senior Recognition Sunday (Church)
05/13        5:30 p.m.    Spirited Sisters (Mosaic Restaurant, River Road Shopping Center)
05/19                            Day of Pentecost
05/19                            Final Sunday of Program Year
05/19                            Celebration of Ministry and Baby Shower for Kate and Theo Given
05/26                            First Sunday of Summer Schedule, Children’s Chapel Begins
                                      (During 10:30 a.m. service | Chapel)
05/27                           Office Closed for Memorial Day
06/02                           Centennial Celebration
               8:30 a.m.      Trolley arrives at GHTC, begins shuttling to Old Grace Church Site
               9:20 a.m.      Last shuttle departs GHTC
               9:30 a.m.      Program: Kinloch Nelson to speak
               9:45 a.m.      Walk from Old Grace Church Site to GHTC begins
              10:15 a.m.     Congregational Photo in front of GHTC
               10:30 a.m.    Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Following worship    Centennial Celebration Reception
*One service only at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Bulletins are posted by Friday at ghtc.org/bulletin.

Highlights

Celebration of Ministry and Baby Shower for Kate and Theo Given – Sunday, May 19
On Pentecost Sunday, May 19th, we will celebrate the Ministry of Director of Formation Kate Given during the 10:30 a.m. service. Immediately following worship, there will be a baby shower for Kate and her husband Theo with cake, punch, and decorations. A gift table will be set up where you are invited to offer a gift from Kate’s and Theo’s baby registry, which you can access online here. Special thanks goes to Vestry member Lisa Dawson and Hospitality Committee leaders Karin Walker and Sandie Hale for organizing these two important celebrations!

Summer Schedule and Children’s Chapel Announcement
The last day of Sunday School for the 2023-2024 program year is May 12th. On May 19th, all children are intended to attend church to observe the Feast of the Pentecost. On May 26th, Children’s Chapel for the summer schedule will begin. All ages will gather in church for the 10:30 a.m. service. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Word, the children will be invited to the chapel where they will hear a story. They will return to their parents following the sermon. Children’s bulletins will be available as well. If you are interested in becoming a storyteller or a support person for Children’s Chapel, please reach out to Kate Given before May 26th.

Centennial Celebration: Photo Submission Deadline Extended
The photo submission deadline for the Centennial Celebration collection has been extended to Sunday, May 19th. Please continue to submit your photos from weddings, baptisms, and confirmations in the Sanctuary, until Sunday, May 19th to display at our Centennial Celebration. During the weekdays, please drop off your photos at the Communications Office on the second floor of the Parish House. On Sundays, you may drop off your photos with a Centennial Committee Member collecting them in the Parish Hall. You may also submit digital photos of other ministry moments by sending them to communications@ghtc.org.

New Issue of The Anchor Newsletter – April 2024
GHTC’s The Anchor newsletter released a new issue on Sunday, April 28th in conjunction with the Bishop’s visit. A digital version is available for download here and by clicking the image to the left. Physical copies are available at the Connect Tables, and available for mailing if requested. This issue takes a look back at Holy Week, Easter, the Priest-in-Charge search update, and more.

Senior Recognition Sunday – Sunday, May 12
All high school seniors are invited to the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday, May 12th to be recognized. All seniors will be invited to come forward at The Peace to receive a gift to support them in their next chapter.

Adult Formation Sunday Series – Upcoming Offerings
Discover meaningful insights and deepen your faith with engaging presentations and conversations as part of the Adult Formation Sunday Series. This Sunday, The Rev. Charles Joy will give a presentation on the Women of the New Testament. Coming up, the forum will explore the following topics:

05/12   “Women of the New Testament” led by The Rev. Charles Joy
05/19   “Moving Forward Together” led by The Rev. Shirley Smith Graham, Transition Minister of The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

Worship

Order of St. John Evensong – Sunday, June 23
GHTC and the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem will jointly celebrate a special Evensong at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23rd. St. John is a Crown Order of Chivalry associated with the Church of England and Anglican churches around the world. In cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel, it supports an eye hospital in Jerusalem and clinics on the West Bank and in Gaza. The Order has 23,500 members worldwide and more than 200,000 volunteers. It dates back to the Hospital’s founding by Dominican Lay Brother The Blessed Gerard during the First Crusade. Its members in the United States provide extensive voluntary service in hospitals, food banks, and other institutions as well as providing financial support for the Hospital and clinics. The service will feature a solemn procession of Order members, vocal and choral music, and a subsequent reception in the Parish Hall. It will also recall and commend GHTC’s numerous opportunities for charitable volunteering.

Parish Life

Spirited Sisters – Monday, May 13
Spirited Sisters, a women’s group of the parish, will meet next on Monday, May 13th at 5:30 p.m. at Mosaic Restaurant in River Road Shopping Center at 6229-A River Road for lively conversation and a meal. For more information or to RSVP, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Spirited Sisters from the drop down menu.

Other Communications

Whom do I contact for…?
If you have a question or need to contact GHTC, please use the following email addresses and their respective subjects to help direct you to the correct staff member(s):

Worship (including Holy Baptism and Marriage) & Mission Questions | The Rev. Greg Bezilla
Communications Questions | The Rev. Paul Evans
Adult Formation Questions | The Rev. Paul Evans
Children and Youth Formation Questions | Kate Given
Pastoral Care Questions (Including the Rite of Reconciliation) | The Rev. Stephen McGehee
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge Questions | Judy Bowman
Property & Church Records Questions | Lauren Frazier
Vestry Questions | Meredith McGuire

For questions outside of these subjects please visit ghtc.org/contact or call (804) 359-5268.

Pastoral Care
Grace & Holy Trinity is committed to providing spiritual guidance, support, and a compassionate presence to all in times of need or spiritual growth. If you would like to speak with the clergy, please email pastoralcare [at] ghtc.org or call the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628.

Update Your Information in Shelby (Church Directory)
Please take a moment to log into the church’s database and confirm or update your contact information. The church utilizes the address on file to mail parish communications such as newsletters, postcards, and financial statements. Visit our website at ghtc.org/member to log in. Questions? Please contact Kyle Reed. If you need assistance with your password, please contact Judy Bowman. Visit ghtc.org/contact.

Please Wear Your Name Tags
This is a gentle reminder to please wear your name tags when you come to church. Grace & Holy Trinity is fortunate to have visitors and new parishioners joining us each week. Wearing your nametag is an important part of our hospitality to all and a visible reminder to newcomers and lifelong members alike that we are an open and welcoming community. Please pick up your name tags along the wall in the hallway as you enter from the Cherry Street parking lot, and please leave them there when you leave church. If you need a name tag for the first time or if you have misplaced yours, please contact Communications Associate Tyler Brady by visiting ghtc.org/contact..

Beware of Phishing & Other Scams
Please beware of any communication (email, phone calls, texts) purporting to be from members of our clergy, staff, or someone communicating on our behalf. No member of the Grace & Holy Trinity clergy or staff will ever contact you asking you “for a favor,” such as purchasing gift cards. Scammers use these tactics and are more common than you might think. Please be cautious and use good judgment.

For more information, visit the News page.