Posted: April 11 2024

News for Sunday, April 14, 2024

Upcoming Events

04/13         9:00 a.m.   Holy Strollers (Capital Trail)
04/13         3:00 p.m.   Wren Masters Baroque Quartet (Parish Hall)
04/14         9:00 a.m.   Final Confirmation Retreat (Church)
04/14         1:00 p.m.   Youth Mission Event (Bellevue Elementary)
04/15         4:00 p.m.   Spirited Readers Book Club (RSVP for Location)
04/15         4:00 p.m.   Westminster Canterbury Happy Hour (Westminster Canterbury Richmond)
04/19         5:00 p.m.   Parents’ Night Out: Pentecost (Church)
04/20        9:00 a.m.   Episcopal Church Women – Diocesan Meeting (St. Philip’s Episcopal Church)
04/28       10:30 a.m.  Bishop’s Visitation for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation (Church)*
05/05       10:30 a.m.  Children & Youth Sunday (Church)
05/05        1:00 p.m.   Sunday Funday & Children & Youth Mission Project (Church)

*One Service Only

Save The Date

05/12        10:30 a.m.  Senior Recognition Sunday (Church)
05/19                             Day of Pentecost
05/26                             End of the Program Year
05/27                            Office Closed for Memorial Day
06/02       10:30 a.m.  Centennial Celebration (Church)*

*One Service Only

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

Highlights

Centennial Celebration: Call for Photos
Please submit your ready-to-hang photos from weddings, baptisms, and confirmations in the Sanctuary, from Sunday, April 7th through Sunday, May 12th 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 [at] ghtc.org.

Rear Parking Lot Closures – April 15 through April 19
Due to window repair at the Altria Theater, the rear parking lot will be unavailable from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. between Monday, April 15th, and Friday, April 19th. The work will not impact any after-hours ministry groups. If you need to come to the church during this time, please call the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628 x23 or visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Lauren Frazier from the drop down menu for parking assistance.

Youth Mission Project at Bellevue Elementary – Sunday, April 14
This Sunday, April 14th at 1:00 p.m., youth are invited to meet at Bellevue Elementary on Church Hill for a mission project. Lunch from Proper Pie Co. will be provided, and pick up is at 3:00 p.m. at Bellevue Elementary. Please note: Confirmation candidates participating in the retreat at the church that morning will be provided transportation from the church to Bellevue Elementary to participate in the project. Please register here by noon today. For more information, please contact Neely Dykshorn by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting Youth Service Events from the drop down menu.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, April 19
Children and parents, we invite you to join us for our next upcoming Parents’ Night Out on April 19th. Children will enjoy fun and fellowship based around the theme of Pentecost. The location for parents’ happy hour will be provided in the coming weeks. You are invited to drop off your children at the church at 5:00 p.m. and pick them up by 9:30 p.m. We hope to see you there. Please click here to register by Wednesday, April 17th. Questions? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Kate Given from the drop down menu.

ECW Diocesan Spring Meeting – Saturday, April 20
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Virginia will have their Spring Meeting on Saturday, April 20th at St. Philip’s Church (2900 Hanes Ave) in Richmond. The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. and wrap up by 2:00 p.m. Speakers include The Rev. Canon Chanta Bhan, the Canon for Discipleship, and Tyler Wallace, Outreach and Prevention Coordinator for Safe Harbor. The registration fee is $25 and the deadline to register is Wednesday, April 17th. Please visit the connect table to pick up a registration flyer. To learn more about ECW, visit ecw.thediocese.net or our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Episcopal Church Women from the drop down menu.

Sunday Funday & Children & Youth Mission Project – Sunday, May 5
On Sunday, May 5th, children and youth are invited to participate in a Sunday Funday and mission project at the church. A game truck will be at GHTC, and the children and youth will take turns enjoying the game truck parked outside and helping with the mission project inside. Please register online here as soon as you are able. For more information, please contact Laura Lee by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting Youth Events from the drop down menu.

Senior Recognition Sunday – Sunday, May 12
All high school seniors are invited to the 10:30 a.m. service on 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.

The Wren Masters Baroque Quartet Concert

On Saturday, April 13th, GHTC will host The Wren Masters Baroque Quartet in concert beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The concert is free and will be followed by a reception.

The Wren Masters specialize in the historical performance of 17th and 18th century music on period instruments; recorder, baroque violin, viola da gamba, and harpsichord. The musicians of this baroque ensemble are current and former members of the William & Mary Music Faculty and the Governor’s Music of Colonial Williamsburg. The Wren Masters are currently Virginia Commission for the Arts touring performance artists. Originally formed in 2005, the Wrens are named after their favorite performance space, William & Mary’s Christopher Wren Chapel, circa 1693.

The Wren Masters will feature a program called “The European Union,” performing music spanning the entire Baroque era. Beginning with dazzling new inventions from early baroque composers such as Salamone Rossi and Dario Castello, the program includes string virtuosity by Jean-Marie LeClair, mature baroque music by Handel, and late baroque stylishness of the mid-1700s represented by quartets of Rameau and Telemann (“Paris” Quartet no.12), ending with a chaconne of breathtaking loveliness.

This project was supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

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. Russ Kerr and Pace Center students talk about the Pace Center and ways you can support Campus Ministry. In April, the forum will explore the following topics:

04/14   “Campus Ministry and The Pace Center” led by The Rev. Russ Kerr
04/21   “Belize Mission Team Update” led by Mary Cay Kollmansperger
04/28   Bishop’s Visit | No Adult Formation
05/05   “Centennial Celebration Kickoff: Stories From our Past” led by Parishioners
05/12   “The Church Mothers” 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

Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation Preparation for Adults
Adults who wish to be baptized, confirmed, or received and those who wish to reaffirm their Baptismal Vows are encouraged to speak with a member of our clergy. Adult confirmation, reception into the Episcopal Church from another Christian denomination, and adult reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows will take place when Bishop Gayle Harris visits GHTC on Sunday, April 28th at our 10:30 a.m. service. We will present our youth candidates for confirmation on this same date and time.

Parish Life

Holy Strollers – Saturday, April 13
The next Holy Strollers’ walk is on Saturday, April 13th at the Capital Trail. The group will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the church’s rear parking lot and depart shortly after. Starting at Box Brown Plaza on Dock Street, the group will head East on the Capital Trail. Along the four-mile route are great views of the Floodwall, Low Line Gardens, Great Shiplock Park, and Rockett’s Landing. You may want to layer comfortable clothes, wear walking shoes or boots, and bring water. If you are interested in attending, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Holy Strollers from the drop down menu.

Spirited Readers Book Club – Monday, April 15
The Spirited Readers Bookclub extends a warm invitation to all GHTC parishioners and their friends. For April, the club will delve into the pages of The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. May brings Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, followed by Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus in June. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m., hosted in members’ homes. If you are interested in joining the Spirited Readers Book Club, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Spirited Readers Book Club from the drop down menu.

Westminster Canterbury Happy Hour – Monday, April 15
We invite parishioners of a certain age to join us at Westminster Canterbury on Monday, April 15th at 4:00 p.m. for drinks and conversation with the parish clergy. If you would like to attend, please sign up at the round table outside the church doors or call the church office. Questions? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Lauren Frazier from the drop down menu.

GHTC Scholarship Grant Applications Open
Through the Grace and Holy Trinity Endowment Fund and the Mason Memorial Fund, GHTC provides need-based scholarships to active members of the Parish. The funds are administered through the Scholarship Committee chaired by Billy McGuire. Applications are due on Sunday, May 5th. To learn more about applying for a scholarship, visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Scholarship Committee 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.

The Rev. Greg Bezilla Available for Appointments
The Rev. Greg Bezilla is available to meet with you by appointment. Greg can be reached at (804) 359-5628 x17 or by visiting ghtc.org/contact.

For more information, visit the News page.