Posted: January 9, 2025

News for Sunday, January 12, 2025

Upcoming Events

Monday 01/20 Parish Office Closed in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Wednesday 01/22 5:30 p.m. Vestry Meeting (First Floor Classroom)

Friday 01/24 6:00 p.m. Autism Society of Central Virginia Game Night (Parish Hall)

Saturday 01/25 10:00 a.m. Men’s Group (Ellwood Thompson’s)

Sunday 01/26 12:00 p.m. Altar Guild Training (Church)

Wednesday 01/29 9:00 a.m. Ministry Planning Meeting (Parish Hall)

Monday 02/03 4:00 p.m. Property Committee Meeting (Zoom)

Sunday 02/09 9:00 a.m. Annual Parish Meeting* (Church)
*Worship is regularly scheduled.

Sunday 02/09 11:45 a.m. Parish Meeting Reception
(Following 10:30 a.m. Worship | Parish Hall) 

Monday 02/10 5:30 p.m. Spirited Sisters (Mosaic Restaurant)

Saturday 02/15 4:00 p.m. Valentines on Broadway Concert (Church)

Save the Date

Wednesday 02/26 12:00 p.m. Stories & Lunch hosted by GHTC (The Pace Center)

Friday 03/21 TBD Parish-wide Vision Summit for Children & Youth Formation (Parish Hall)

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

Highlights

Children & Youth Formation, Childcare Updates – Sunday, January 19 
This Sunday, January 19th, there will be no Children or Youth Formation. Children’s Chapel will be offered during the 10:30 a.m. service in the Chapel. Nursery services will be offered as usual. Previously, the priest directed the children to go to the back of the church to meet the Godly Play storytellers/assistants just before the sermon. They will be released to return to their parents just before Communion.

To help us prepare for Sunday Youth Formation in the coming weeks, please take a moment to fill out the Count Me In! Sunday Youth Formation Sign-up form. Your participation will help our teachers plan effectively, ensuring a more meaningful and spiritual experience for your children.

Youth Ski Trip – Saturday, February 1, 2025
Middle and high school students are invited to go snow skiing and tubing on Saturday, February 1st at Massanutten Ski Resort. We will leave promptly at 7:00 a.m. and return by 6:00 p.m. Beginners and first-timers are encouraged to come along and enjoy lessons from our own Father Brent. The cost to attend is $50/person, and one friend is permitted per GHTC youth. Please RSVP and make your payment online here by Wednesday, January 22nd.

Parish Forum: Conversations on Chapel Changes – This Sunday, January 12 at 9:30 a.m.
A conversation for a couple of chapel changes began in 2024. Why? To create handicap accessibility in this sacred space as well as highlight the significant relevance of the baptismal font in the Chapel. The conversation started with some committees and different groups. The proposed changes and reasoning behind will be the topic of the January 12th Parish Forum at 9:30 a.m. in the First Floor Classroom. Scan the QR Code to see the blueprint of the changes and then join us for the first Parish Forum in 2025. Contact Father Brent with any questions at bmelton@ghtc.org.

Valentines on Broadway: A Romantic Afternoon with Scott Wichmann & Jason Marks – Saturday, February 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Two of Richmond’s most celebrated theatrical talents will present a program of love songs from the great American songbook and Broadway, along with some swinging Sinatra, and a few surprises. Scott Wichmann and Jason Marks are best known to Richmond audiences from their performances together in The Producers and 1776 with Virginia Repertory Theatre. You’re sure to feel the love of Valentine’s Day with these award-winning stars in a concert not to be missed. The program will also feature Ryan Corbitt on piano (musicians pictured above from left to right). There will be a reception following the concert. Admission is $20 and is available online here and at the door.

If you are a resident of Westminster-Canterbury and are interested in carpooling to the concert, please call Dougie Erikson at (804) 200-1433.

Vestry Nominating Committee Accepting Nominations – Submission Deadline is January 24
The Vestry Nominating Committee is accepting nominations of GHTC members to serve a three-year term on the Vestry. All nominations must be submitted no later than January 24th, 2025, and no nominations will be accepted from the floor. Elections will be held at the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, February 9th beginning at 9:30 a.m., with terms to begin immediately after the election. Vestry members will be elected by secret ballot, with the four candidates receiving the most votes being elected from among at least seven nominees. To submit the name of a member for consideration, please contact Mary Ann Blankenship at mablankenship625@gmail.com or (804) 334-8922.

Movement in Grace has Resumed on a New Day & New Time – Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.
The Movement in Grace service has returned. This is a new weekly day and time. Movement in Grace is a 60-75 minute movement, meditation, breath work, and reflection practice under a candlelight ambiance. This practice combines yoga, Pilates, somatic movement, and traditional exercise science and creates a union with yourself through contemplative techniques of reflection, mindfulness, and meditation. Practice is led by Singith Perera in the Parish Hall on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. Please bring a yoga mat, any props you find helpful, and a small towel. We encourage hydration, a light snack beforehand, and most of all, a spirit of compassion and self-growth. Suggested donations of $20 are appreciated, but not required – students and staff may participate for free. For more information about the practice, contact Singith via text at (202) 290-0378 or send an email by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Movement in Grace” from the drop down menu.

Stories & Lunch hosted by GHTC at the Pace Center – Wednesday, February 26 at 10:30 a.m. 
Members of Grace & Holy Trinity will prepare lunch for the students at The Pace Center. This is part of our Campus Ministry at Virginia Commonwealth University. We are seeking volunteers to help plan the menu and prepare the food. No washing dishes! The students set the tables and clean up after the meal. The volunteers are invited to have lunch with the students and participate in the conversations. The Pace Center has shared that the students get the most joy from conversations with non-students, like the GHTC volunteers. If you are interested, the time commitment is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Three Search Updates
Formation Position: Through the guidance of Ministry Architects, our consulting group, things are progressing well in the Director of Youth and Children Formation Search. There have been seven interested applicants. On Friday, March 21st we will hold a Vision Summit here at the church, please plan to attend. 

Assistant Organist & Priest Positions: On January 3rd, 2025 both of these positions were posted on our website and multiple church job boards. The two search committees look forward to receiving applicants.

Your church leadership is committed to these important positions at Grace & Holy Trinity. Our hope is to have someone identified in all 3 positions by the end of the school year. In Peace,
Brent

Volunteer with the Belize Mission Team – Mission Dates: March 1-8, 2025
GHTC’s Belize Mission Team is heading to Belize from March 1st to March 8th, 2025, and we are looking for volunteers! Our work will focus on Vision Screening and Dental Hygiene for the children in this region. No prior experience is required and all are welcome. We will train all volunteers ahead of time and every member of the team plays a meaningful role in our work for the week. Are you interested in joining the Belize Mission Team?  Would you like to learn more? Please contact Mary Cay Kollmansperger by email at marycay4@gmail.com.

“Pianosong” Available on SoundCloud
GHTC would like to highlight the performance of “Pianosong” by Paul Halley, performed by our Choirmaster & Organist Beth Davis (organist) accompanying current Assistant Choirmaster & Organist Stan Baker (pianist). The track is now available on SoundCloud at soundcloud.com/ghtcmusic.

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) | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Mission Questions | Chuck Bleick or The Rev. Steve Pace
Communications Questions | Communications Team
Formation Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Pastoral Care Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton or The Rev. Jon Scarffe
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | Kathy Schultheis
Property & Church Records Questions | Lauren Frazier
Vestry Questions | Meredith McGuire
Campus Ministry Questions | The Rev. Russ Kerr

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

Sign Up for Music eNews
Sign up for the Music eNews to stay connected with the vibrant musical life of our congregation. By signing up, you’ll receive exclusive updates on concerts, music-centered worship services, and other exciting music-related activities at GHTC. Visit our website at ghtc.org/music to subscribe. The sign-up form will appear on mobile devices at the bottom of the page.

Prayer Request – Online Form
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please visit our website at ghtc.org/prayer and fill out the form. Your requests are confidential and will be shared with Parish Administrator and clergy.

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.

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.

For more information, visit the News page.