News & Announcements

Upcoming Events

Sunday 08/24 9:15 a.m. Teacher & Acolyte Training and Breakfast
(Ends at 10:15 a.m. | Church & Parish Hall)

Wednesday 08/27 12:00 p.m. Stories & Lunch at The Pace Center hosted by GHTC
(Cooking Begins at 10:30 a.m. | Pace Center)

Monday 09/01 Parish Office Closed in Observance of Labor Day

Sunday 09/07 Program Year Kick-off Cookout with the Blessing of the Backpacks (Cookout to Follow Worship | Monroe Park)

Sunday 09/14 11:45 a.m. Parish Ministry Fair Session 1: Parish & Formation*
(Following Worship | Parish Hall) *First of two sessions.

Friday 09/19 5:00 p.m. Parents’ Night Out (Drop Off at 5:00 p.m. & Pick Up at 9:30 p.m. | Quirk Hotel Rooftop Bar)

Sunday 09/21 9:30 a.m. Adult Forum led by Father Brent (First Forum of the Program Year | First Floor Classroom)

Friday 09/26 6:00 p.m. Pride Eucharist hosted by GHTC & The Pace Center with Area Episcopal Churches and Community Pride Choir (Church)

Sunday 10/19 11:45 a.m. Parish Ministry Fair Session 2: Worship & Outreach*
(Following Worship | Parish Hall) *Second of two sessions.

Highlights

Welcoming the Realm Database: A New Location for Membership, Giving & Communication

We made exciting changes to our church’s membership and giving program, moving from the ShelbyNext database to Realm. Realm offers more ways for you to connect with the church. Some of you may have already noticed our updated online giving webpage and “Realm Member” page. In the coming weeks, via email GHTC will invite groups to join. Once you receive an invite, you’ll need to create an account for our new system by clicking on the link and creating a new password. Look for invite emails from GHTC on how to get started in Realm! We appreciate your continued support.

Teacher & Acolyte Trainings with Breakfast – Sunday, August 24 at 9:15 a.m. 
Father Brent and Madeleine Preston will be holding training sessions for both Elementary Sunday School teachers and acolytes in between worship services on Sunday, August 24th from 9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m. Participants are asked to meet in the Parish Hall for breakfast before training. If a young person would like to serve as an acolyte, please call Dan McNamara at (804) 754-7319 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select Acolytes from the drop down menu.

Membership Coordinator Job Search

The search process for a Membership Coordinator has begun. Please spread the word and keep this search in your prayers as we accept applications. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Assistant Priest Marissa Sotos at (804) 359-5682 x16 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select “Assistant Priest” from the drop-down menu.

Stories & Lunch at The Pace Center hosted by GHTC – Wednesday, August 27 at 12:00 p.m.  

Help welcome the VCU students back to campus for the fall semester with Stories & Lunch at The Pace Center on Wednesday, August 27th. Our parishioners are invited and encouraged to help prepare the lunch and enjoy conversations over lunch with the students.

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. The time commitment is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. if you are interested in helping cook, or simply arrive at noon and enjoy lunch together. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Senior Warden Chuck Bleick at (804) 363-7181 or by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Senior Warden” from the drop-down menu.

Program Year Kick-Off Cookout with Blessing of the Backpacks – Sunday, September 7

The parish will celebrate the kick-off of the 2025–2026 Program Year with the Blessing of the Backpacks and a cookout in Monroe Park on Sunday, September 7th. GHTC is looking for a volunteer to bring a large portable grill to use. If you are interested in offering your grill, please contact Parish Administrator Lauren Frazier at (804) 359-5628 x23 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select “Parish Administrator” from the drop-down menu.

Sunday School Kick-Off & Open House – Sunday, September 7 at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School for Elementary and Middle School Students starts Sunday, September 7th! Parents of Elementary School students are invited to join their children in the Sunday School Classroom to meet the teachers and hear a story. Middle School students will meet in the Youth Room to get to know their teachers and each other. Both classrooms are located on the second floor of the Parish House. Please note that Sunday School will be from 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. this year, which is a change from last year’s schedule. 

Parents’ Night Out Returns – Friday, September 19 at 5:00 p.m.

Our first Parents’ Night Out of the program year will be on Friday, September 19 from 5:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m. All children and youth are invited to the church for dinner, games, and a movie. We will also be decorating flower pots to give to new VCU students with our partners at The Pace Center. Parents, after you drop your kids off at 5:00 p.m., head to Quirk Hotel Rooftop Bar. Please register your child here by Wednesday, September 7th.

Intergenerational Formation Event – Sunday, September 28th at 9:30 a.m.

What does it mean to share in God’s “heavenly treasure?” What “treasure” does the Church have to offer? Everyone is invited to our first Intergenerational Formation Event, where we’ll think through these questions together and participate in a treasure hunt in the Church. Join us in the First Floor Classroom on September 28th at 9:30 a.m. for this event for all ages.

Get Involved with The Pace Center this Semester

With the college students returning to campus, The Pace Center is calling for the donation of snacks, baked goods, and soup. Sign up here to donate or get involved. In addition to the food pantry, The Pace Center will have two weekly services returning this semester.

• Stories & Lunch | Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
• Movement in Grace | Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.

Movement in Grace is a 60-75 minute movement, meditation, breath work, and reflection practice in 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. Suggested donations of $20 are appreciated, but not required – all students and staff may participate for free. 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.

The Pace Center is our covenant partner for campus ministry, is an inclusive, multicultural community at VCU where students’ unique stories and gifts are valued. As a collaborative ministry of several Christian denominations, it emphasizes the importance of deep relationships and the inherent value of each individual. Please visit thepacecenter.com for more information on Pace’s upcoming events and how you can support students in our community.

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 & Pastor Marissa
Formation Questions | Father Brent & Madeleine Preston
Pastoral Care Questions | Father Brent
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@ghtc.org or call the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628.