News for Easter Sunday, April 20–April 27, 2025

Upcoming Events

Friday 4/18 12:00 p.m. Good Friday (Followed by Stations of the Cross in Monroe Park | Church)

Saturday 04/19 7:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter with Baptism (Church)

Sunday 04/20 9:00 a.m. Easter Day (Church) 

Sunday 04/20 11:00 a.m. Easter Day (Family Service with Children’s Sermon | Church)

Sunday 04/20 12:15 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt & Coffee Hour (Following 11:00 a.m. Worship | Monroe Park)

Sunday 04/20 Parish Office Closure Begins in Observance of Easter (Concludes on April 25th)

Friday 04/25 Cancelled: Red Door Ministry

Saturday 04/26 9:00 a.m. Pace Center Parish Work Day hosted by GHTC (The Pace Center)

Friday 05/02 12:00 p.m. Red Door Ministry with Shood (Parish House)

Sunday 05/04 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion in Memoriam of the Rev. Hill Brown with Gloria by John Rutter & I Was Glad by C. Hubert H. Parry (Parish Choir, Brass, Percussion & Organ with Reception to Follow | Church)

Saturday 05/10 6:00 p.m. unBelizable Dinner hosted by Belize Mission Team (Silent Auction, Dinner & Bingo | Parish House)

Sunday 05/11 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday with Graduating Senior Recognition (Church)

Sunday 05/18 4:00 p.m. Greater Richmond Children’s Choir Spring Concert (Free Admission | Church)

Monday 05/26 Parish Office Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

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

Highlights

Parking During the Remainder of Holy Week & Easter Vigil Saturday

The GHTC parking lot spots with purple bumpers are open at all times to our parishioners, while the spots with yellow bumpers are open after 5:00 p.m. on the weekdays. All of the spots are open on the weekends. GHTC will be using towing security for its parking lot for the remainder of the week and for Saturday’s permitted on-street parking. Please put the GHTC Parking Permit Card in a visible spot on your vehicle’s dashboard – these cards are found on our Connect Tables, they are available to download here and through the eNews, and our Greeters will also hand them out at the entrances.

On-street permitted parking is reserved on W. Main Street and Franklin Street on the Monroe Park side between N. Belvidere Street to W. Main Street on Saturday, April 19th for the Great Vigil service. The permit is available for download here. Please use caution entering and exiting as the Altria Theater will be holding shows at both 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Childcare During Easter
On Easter Sunday, April 20th, the nursery will be open for children ages 3 and under starting at 8:30 a.m. Please pick up your children from the nursery following 11:00 a.m. worship.

No nursery care will be provided during the remaining Holy Week services and Saturday’s Great Vigil service. There will be no Sunday School on Easter Sunday. We warmly encourage families to worship together in church during this sacred time and look forward to the presence of children in church.

Parking on Easter Sunday

As usual, parking will be available behind the church in our GHTC lot and in the VCU W. Main Street Parking Deck using the QR code from the Sunday bulletin or the parking card from our Connect Tables. Permitted on-street parking will be available behind the church on Cherry Street, and on Main Street and Franklin Street along Monroe Park. 

The Altria Theater will be holding a show at 1:00 p.m., so please be cautious when leaving as a large number of people will be looking for parking for the show. The VCU Parking Deck will have attendees and these attendees will be told about the GHTC QR code for free Sunday parking. Take your bulletin with you.

Holy Week through Easter 2025

Good Friday (Death): On Friday, April 18th at noon, we move together through the liturgy of how Jesus’ love was poured out on the hard wood of the cross. We will end our worship acknowledging the cross. Then we are invited to do the Stations of the Cross together in Monroe starting
at 1:00 p.m. 

Stations of the Cross: At 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18th in Monroe Park, will be Stations of the Cross. The group will walk around the park, stopping at the various stations to reflect on Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. Each station depicts a moment on his journey to Calvary. Please keep an eye on the weather and your email for updates. In case of rain, we will hold Stations of the Cross in the Parish Hall.

The Great Vigil (Resurrection) on Saturday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m., gathers us in the darkness before lighting a new fire. We remember that it is only by the light of Christ that death and darkness is defeated. The paschal candle is lit and the candlelight takes us through the liturgy. We listen to the powerful scripture which summarizes the entire Biblical story of the Old and New Testament. A reflection, baptismal, prayers, and music helps to prepare us for the first Easter. The lights come on as we say, “Alleluia, Christ is risen!” This service moves from darkness (death) to new light (life). Please bring bells to ring during The First Eucharist of Easter.

The Easter Celebrations continue into Sunday Morning, April 20th, with services at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Please bring flowers and greenery to use during The Flowering of the Cross. There will be no parish breakfast on Easter Day. Instead, coffee hour and refreshments will be provided in Monroe Park after both worship services. 

Generation to Generation

“Generation to Generation: The Art and Architecture of Grace & Holy Trinity Church” will be available at our Easter Coffee Hour Tent following both Easter Services. Thanks to a generous donation these books filled with pictures, stories and people are free. Please pick up a copy or two as you enjoy some coffee and fellowship on Easter Sunday in Monroe Park. Book copies are always available in the First Floor Classroom Bookcase in the section labeled free books.

Applications for Endowment Scholarships Due Sunday, May 4
Through the Grace & Holy Trinity Endowment Fund and the Mason Memorial Fund, GHTC provides need-based scholarships to active members of the Parish. The grants support tuition to independent schools, colleges, and graduate schools. The funds are administered through the Scholarship Committee, chaired by Billy McGuire. Applications are due on Sunday, May 4th. To learn more about applying for a scholarship, visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select “Scholarship Committee” from the drop-down menu.

Worship in Memoriam of the Rev. Hill Brown with Special Music & Reception – Sunday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m.
GHTC invites you to Holy Communion on Sunday, May 4th in Memoriam of the Reverend Hill Brown. The GHTC Parish Choir will present Rutter’s jubilant “Gloria” and Parry’s festive “I Was Glad” with brass, percussion, and organ. There will be no parish breakfast, instead, a reception will be held in the Parish Hall following the worship service. 

Personal invitations and envelopes are available to our parishioners on the Connect Tables. We encourage you to invite friends and family to the special service and reception.

The Hill Brown Music Scholars Fund

Hill always spoke fondly of this church where he spent his entire ministry. We believe this fund will perpetually pay tribute to his beloved legacy at Grace & Holy Trinity and provide opportunities for college students to develop their gifts within the context of sacred worship. This fund will be separate from the annual budget to compensate chosen current college students who are majoring in music to enhance our worship services and music ministry through their gifts. If you wish to contribute to the Hill Brown Music Scholar Fund, please designate your gift by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Hill Brown Music Scholar Fund” from the drop-down menu.

“unBelizable Dinner” hosted by The Belize Mission Team – Saturday, May 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Following their recent mission trip to Belize this March, The Belize Mission Team will continue their work by hosting the second “unBelizable Dinner” on Saturday, May 10th at GHTC. Admission is $25 per person and covers both dinner and bingo. The dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. and include a parish-wide meal, silent auction, and bingo! The team hopes to fundraise for future mission work while creating fellowship and ministry opportunities for others. If you would like to RSVP or have any questions, please click here, or contact Lisa Dawson by email or by calling (804) 350-1950.

Upcoming Events at The Pace Center – Saturday, April 26 at 9:00 a.m.
GHTC will host a Parish Work Day at The Pace Center on Saturday, April 26th at 9:00 a.m. We encourage all ages to volunteer! The Pace Center, our covenant partner for campus ministry, is an inclusive, multicultural community at VCU where students’ unique stories and gifts are valued. Please sign up for Pace’s newsletter, “Keeping Pace” by clicking here. “Keeping Pace” provides more information on Pace’s upcoming events and how you can support students in our community.

Parish Work Day hosted by GHTC Saturday, April 26th at 9:00 a.m.

Stories & Lunch Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.*

*The final Stories & Lunch of the semester will be held on Wednesday, April 30th.

Walk-A-Dog Fridays from 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Children & Youth Sunday with Graduating Senior Recognition – Sunday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 11th will be the next Children & Youth Sunday worship service. The children and youth will be participating in the 10:30 a.m. service, including singing from the Children’s Choir. During the service, graduating seniors will also be recognized and celebrated.

Greater Richmond Children’s Choir Spring Concert – Sunday, May 18 at 4:00 p.m.

The Greater Richmond Children’s Choir (GRCC), led by Artistic Director Crystal Jonkman, will present a spring concert on Sunday, May 18th at 4:00 p.m. in the church. Admission is free.

Two Search Updates

We will welcome Madeleine Preston for our Director of Formation. The two remaining search processes are still making progress with candidates. Each search is still taking new applicants and continuing conversations with current applicants. Please keep the two searches in your prayers for Assistant Choirmaster & Organist and Assistant Priest.

Read the Full “Madeleines Announcement” Here

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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) | Father Brent
Mission Questions | Chuck Bleick or The Rev. Steve Pace
Communications Questions | Father Brent or Tyler Brady
Formation Questions | Father Brent
Pastoral Care Questions | Father Brent or The Rev. Jon Scarffe
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | Kathy Schultheis
Property & Church Records Questions | Lauren Frazier
Vestry Questions | Chuck Bleick
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.