Sunday 11/15 9:30 a.m. Mission Spotlight: Belize Youth Mission Team (First Floor Classroom)

Sunday 11/15 4:00 p.m. Parish Oyster Roast* (Sauer Family Home, 5999 River Rd, Richmond, VA) *To RSVP, please contact Thomas Bradshaw at (703) 980-6298 or by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting his name from the menu.

Monday 11/16 4:00 p.m. Spirited Readers Book Club (Contact Ministry Leader for Location) 

Saturday 11/21 5:00 p.m. Front Porch Forum Dinner (Dinner Begins at 5:30 p.m. | Parish Hall)

Saturday 11/21 5:00 p.m. Youth Bowling Event (Bowlero Richmond, 8037 Shrader Road, Richmond, VA 23294)

Sunday 11/22 9:30 a.m. Adult Forum: Outreach Grant Spotlight (First Floor Classroom)

Tuesday 11/24 5:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Worship Service (Chapel)

Wednesday 11/25 Church & Parish Office Closure in Observance of Thanksgiving from Wednesday, November 25th through Friday, November 27th. 

Friday 11/27 10:00 a.m. Shood Begins at Red Door Thanksgiving* (Parish House)
*Shood ends at 12:00 p.m.

Friday 11/27 11:30 a.m. River City Wood Fire Pizza Begins at Red Door Thanksgiving* (Outside on Laurel Street)
*No Red Door Prayer Service. Lunch ends at 1:00 p.m.

Saturday 11/28 10:00 a.m. Men’s Group (Ellwood Thompson’s Cafe, 4 N. Thompson Street, Richmond, VA 23221)

Sunday 11/29 9:30 a.m. Advent Wreath Making* (Parish Hall)
*Also available after worship.

Saturday 12/05 3:00 p.m. Caroling in Monroe Park & Holiday Market
(Music Begins at 4:15 p.m. | Outside on Laurel Street)

Sunday 12/06 9:00 a.m. Worship Parish Ministry Fair Begins* (Parish Hall)
*Also available after worship.

Monday 12/07 4:00 p.m. Westminster Canterbury Happy Hour & Caroling (1600 Westbrook Avenue, Courtyard 5th Floor Lounge) [HOLD]

Sunday 12/13 9:30 a.m. Adult Forum: Worship Spotlight – Shining Examples & Lay Readers (First Floor Classroom)

Monday 12/14 5:30 p.m. Spirited Sisters (Toast at The Village, 7007 Three Chopt Road, Richmond, VA)

Friday 12/18 X p.m. Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk (Time and Place TBD)

Sunday 12/20 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite Two with Instructed Christmas Pageant* (Livestream Available | Church)
*8:00 a.m. Advent IV worship is regularly scheduled.

Sunday 12/20 4:00 p.m. Festival of Christmas Lessons & Carols (Livestream Available | Church)

Sunday 12/20 5:30 p.m. Lessons & Carols Reception (Parish Hall)

Sunday 12/24 4:00 p.m. Children’s Pageant with Holy Eucharist, Rite Two (Livestream Available | Church)

Thursday 12/24 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve* (Livestream Available | Church)
*Please note that there will not be Morning Prayer on Thursday, December 24th.

Friday 12/25 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day (Chapel)

Friday 11/25 Church & Parish Office Closure in Observance of Christmas and New Years runs from Friday, December 25th at 12:00 p.m. through Friday, January 1st. 

*Please note that there will not be Morning Prayer on Tuesday, December 29th or Thursday, December 31st. There will also be no Red Door Ministry Lunch on Friday, December 25th or Friday, January 1st, 2027.

Mission Spotlight: Belize Youth Mission Team – This Sunday, November 15 at 9:30 a.m.

The Belize Youth Mission Team hopes everyone can join this Sunday’s forum at 9:30 a.m. in the First Floor Classroom to hear about the success of Belize Summer Camp 2026, and to sign up to join the summer 2027 trip! The Belize Vision Team will also be there with information on the important work that has been done to provide glasses to the children of Belize.

Parish Oyster Roast – This Sunday, November 15 at 4:00 p.m.

Join us this Sunday, November 15th, for a special parish Oyster Roast hosted by the Vestry! We will gather at Brad Sauer’s home, at 5999 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23226, starting at 4:00 p.m. for an afternoon of fellowship and delicious oysters. To RSVP or if you have questions, please contact Junior Warden Thomas Bradshaw at (703) 980-6298 or by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting his name from the form’s drop-down menu.

Households with last names A–M are invited to bring a side dish, and those with last names N–Z, please bring a dessert to share. We look forward to celebrating together!

Front Porch Forum Dinners Return – Saturday, November 21 at 5:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

GHTC brings back the Front Porch Forum Dinners for a second year beginning on Saturday, November 21st. The Belize Summer Camp Team will kick off the series, under the leadership of our own chef Robert Nelson. These dinners offer a full course meal before the Richmond Forum events. The cost is $80 per person, which will include drinks and your meal. If you need parking, the cost is $100. Seating will be limited to 35–40 people. Guests will arrive at GHTC after 5:00 p.m. and dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. Richmond Forum doors open at 7:00 p.m., so dinner will end by 7:15 p.m. Invite friends, family, and fans of the forum. Register here by the end of the day Wednesday, November 18th. The menu will be shared in the coming weeks.

Youth Bowling Event at Bowlero West End – Saturday, November 21 at 5:00 p.m.

Middle and High School students are invited to a youth social event at Bowlero (8037 Shrader Road) on Saturday, November 21st from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.! The cost of bowling will be covered, but please bring money if you’d like to buy dinner. Register here.

Adult Formation Outreach Grant Spotlight – Sunday, November 22 at 9:30 a.m.

Representatives from three Richmond area organizations will speak about their work with providing services to adults and their caregivers, creating space to pray for the welfare of the  Richmond area, and after school programs for children. The organizations featured at this forum are the Circle Center Adult Day Services, Richmond Hill and the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs.

Thanksgiving Service & Office Closure – Service on Tuesday, November 24 at 5:00 p.m.

Join us for our Thanksgiving worship service on Tuesday, November 24th at 5:00 p.m in the chapel. All are welcome as we come together in gratitude and reflection. The Church and Parish Office will be closed from Wednesday, November 25th through Friday, November 27th in observance of Thanksgiving.

Caroling in Monroe Park & Holiday Market – Saturday, December 5 at 3:00 p.m. with Music Beginning at 4:15 p.m.

GHTC’s Caroling in Monroe Park & Holiday Market returns in 2026! The Greater Richmond Children’s Choir (GRCC), RVA Street Singers, the GHTC Vocal Ensemble, the GHTC Intergenerational Choir, and a brass quintet lead us in carols for this annual holiday event on Sunday, December 5th. There will be a holiday market with local vendors and treats from Uncle Dave’s Kettle Korn and Monique’s Crepes. The market, food, photos with Santa in his Model T, and fun children’s activities start at 3:00 p.m. The brass quintet will begin playing at 4:15 p.m., with caroling following at 4:30 p.m.

Visitors can use the VCU West Main Street Parking Deck for complimentary parking by using the provided QR Code at the event. GHTC encourages carpooling to help bring your friends and family.

Register for Youth Confirmation

Confirmation is a sacramental rite in which a person makes a public affirmation of their faith and reaffirms the vows that were made at their baptism. The next opportunity for confirmation at Grace & Holy Trinity will be the bishop’s visit in the spring of 2028, with confirmation classes beginning in the spring of 2027. Middle and high school youth who wish to be confirmed may fill out this form by Sunday, November 29th. If you have any questions, please reach out to Madeleine Preston.

Christmas Ministry is Seeking Sponsors for Families – Drop Off is Saturday, December 12

GHTC will sponsor 26 children from Dumbarton Elementary School for Christmas this year beginning this week.  Each family consists of one to six children.  Instructions for gifts will be given to each sponsor.  Unwrapped gifts can be brought to the Church parking lot on Saturday, December 12th or picked up from your home. Monetary donations will help purchase grocery store gift cards to assist the family and teachers supporting students as well as classroom needs. If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact Nancy Smith at (804) 339-8030 or by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Christmas Ministry” from the form’s drop-down menu. To make a monetary donation visit Realm and select “Christmas Ministry” from the form. Thank you! 

Joy Circle: A New Support Ministry for Memory Loss – Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Our church is one of five in the Stuart Circle Parish Council , several of which are collaborating to launch Joy Circle – a free, weekly gathering for neighbors living with early-to-mid-stage memory loss and the families who care for them. While our Friends enjoy music, art, and conversation with trained volunteers, their care partners get the opportunity to attend a facilitated support group. Joy Circle meets Thursdays, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at First English Lutheran. If you’d like to volunteer, sign up, or refer someone, learn more at joycirclerva.org.

Red Door Thanksgiving with Shood & River City Wood Fire Pizza – Friday, November 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Shood and River City Wood Fire Pizza food truck will partner with Red Door on Friday, November 27th, to give slightly used reconditioned athletic shoes and pizzas to our Red Door visitors. Shood will begin distribution of shoes at 10:00 a.m. and will continue to fit visitors through 12:00 p.m. inside the Parish Hall. River City Wood Fire Pizza will begin handing out lunch at 11:30 a.m. outside on Laurel street.

Advent Wreath Making – Sunday, November 29 Following Both Services

On Sunday, November 29th, following both morning services – at 9:30 a.m. after the 8:00 a.m. service, and again at 11:45 a.m. after the 10:30 a.m. service – the whole parish is invited to join in making Advent wreaths. Please bring plenty of clippings of greens (boxwood, holly, evergreens, etc.) from your yard to share, as well as your own clippers. We will provide foam wreath forms, candles, supplementary greens, instruction, and encouragement.

“Worship” Parish Ministry Fair – Begins Sunday, December 6 at 9:00 a.m.

This year we are having the beloved Ministry Fair over four sessions, one representing each of our four pillars: Worship, Parish Life, Formation, and Mission. The Worship Parish Ministry Fair will begin on Sunday, December 6th at 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall and also be available after worship.  The ministries’ displays will stay set up for a few weeks. This hopefully will allow more members to connect with more group leaders. Blessings!

2027 Stewardship Campaign Update & Ongoing Pledges

After Sunday, November 8th our total number of those pledged is 74 and our total amount pledged has reached 40% of our goal at $317,768. Though we have celebrated Commitment Sunday already, we still invite you to prayerfully consider your gift and return your pledge by mail or through online giving. 

Christmas Poinsettia Flower Memorials – Deadline of Sunday, December 13

If you would like to order a poinsettia for Christmas Eve in memory of or in thanksgiving of a beloved family member or friend, GHTC offers a few different ways to submit. Submit your payment online here, followed by submitting your memorial bulletin information at ghtc.org/christmas. The cost is whatever you would like to contribute. The memorials will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletins. The deadline to submit is Sunday, December 13th.

To submit in-person, please fill out an Offering Envelope found on either Connect Table or the pew backs, with the names of those you are remembering, and place it in the offering plate. You may also call Financial Administrator Jane Coffey in the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628 x14.

Pastoral Care Phone Number
A Pastoral Care Line is active for parishioners experiencing a pastoral emergency when the church office is closed. The on-call number is (804) 322-3758. Please save this number to your phone’s contact list. Voice and text messages can be left at this number. The pastoral care team is comprised of our clergy and two staff members. We want to make sure we can connect to support our parishioners in any time of need. If you would like to email with the clergy, please use pastoralcare@ghtc.org.

Whom do I contact for…?

If you have a question or need to contact GHTC, please use the list of staff members and their respective subjects below to help direct you.

Worship Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent A. Melton
Mission Questions | Chuck Bleick, The Rev. Marissa Sotos & The Rev. Steve Pace
Communications Questions | The Rev. Marissa Sotos
Formation Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent A. Melton & Madeleine Preston
Pastoral Care Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent A. Melton
Newcomers Questions | Madeleine Preston
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | Jane Coffey
Administration & Facilities Questions | Coco Provance
Vestry Questions | Lisa Dawson
Campus Ministry Questions | The Rev. Russ Kerr

For questions outside of these subjects, please see the full listings in the form dropdown below or call (804) 359-5268. Please do not send any financial information or sensitive personal data using this form. Contact Jane Coffey at (804) 359-5628 x14 to discuss financial gifts.

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.

Get Involved with The Pace Center
The Pace Center, 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.

The Pace Center appreciates donations of snacks, baked goods, and soup. You can sign up here. If you have questions, please contact the Rev. Russ Kerr by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Campus Minister” from the drop-down menu.