Posted: April 25 2024

News for Sunday, April 28, 2024

Upcoming Events

04/27       10:00 a.m.   Men’s Group Coffee (Ellwood Thompson’s)
04/28       10:30 a.m.  Bishop’s Visitation for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation (Church)*
05/01        4:00 p.m.   ECW Afternoon Tea (Parish Hall)
05/05       10:30 a.m.  Children & Youth Sunday (Church)
05/05        1:00 p.m.   Sunday Funday & Children & Youth Mission Project (Church)
05/12       10:30 a.m.  Senior Recognition Sunday (Church)
05/19                            Day of Pentecost
05/19                            End of the Program Year
*One Service Only

Save The Date

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

Confirmation & Holy Eucharist with Bishop Gayle Harris – This Sunday, April 28
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.

All are invited to gather in the Parish Hall for cake and punch following the service.

Centennial Celebration: Call for Photos
Please submit your 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.

Priest-in-Charge Discernment Committee Update
The Discernment Committee thanks parishioners for their patience and prayers during the selection process for a new Priest in Charge. They have vetted candidates through written applications, Zoom interviews, and in-person visits, and anticipate presenting their recommendation to the Vestry by late April or early May. Read the full letter written by Clay Hilbert, Chairperson of the Priest-in-Charge Discernment Committee here.

Children & Youth Sunday – Sunday, May 5
May 5th is Children & Youth Sunday! Young people in grades 3 through 12 are invited to serve as lectors, ushers, and greeters on that day in church. This Children & Youth Sunday will follow the form of the Holy Eucharist, and young participants will support our clergy in that service. If your child is interested in participating, please register online here by Wednesday, May 1st. Roles will be sent out on Thursday, May 2nd, and rehearsal will take place at 9:30 a.m. on May 5th. We hope you will consider participating! Questions? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Kate Given from the drop down menu.

Episcopal Church Women: Afternoon Tea – Wednesday, May 1
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of GHTC will host an afternoon tea in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, May 1st from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and you can arrive anytime between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP no later than Sunday, April 28th.
Questions or want to RSVP? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Episcopal Church Women 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.

Sunday Funday and Teens & Tweens Mission Project – Sunday, May 5
Our teens and ‘tweens are invited to our next Sunday Funday for a game truck and mission project. Immediately following worship on Sunday, May 5th, our youth can enjoy pizza and fellowship while putting together summer comfort kits for the homeless population. At 1:00 p.m., we will head out front for time in the Game Truck as well as sports and yard games in Monroe Park. Space is limited so 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.

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, there is no Adult Formation Sunday Series. Coming up, the forum will explore the following topics:

04/28   Bishop’s Visit | No Adult Sunday Series
05/05   “Centennial Celebration Kickoff: Stories From our Past” led by Parishioners
05/12   “Women of the New Testament” 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

Parish Life

Men’s Group Coffee – Saturday, April 27
The Men’s Group will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 27th, at Ellwood Thompson’s in Carytown. For more information, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Men’s Group from the drop down menu.

Mission

Seeking Volunteers for Pace Center Graduation Lunch – Wednesday, May 15
Help us celebrate our graduating VCU students! Students carry out almost all duties at the Pace Center, but the Graduation Lunch is the one event each semester where students are asked not to help, but to enjoy the celebration with each other. A few spots are still open to help clean up after lunch, click here to register.

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.