Posted: August 22, 2024

News for Sunday, August 25, 2024

Upcoming Events

08/28 11:00 a.m. GHTC hosts Stories & Lunch (The Pace Center)
08/29   7:30 p.m. Parish Choir Rehearsals Return (Choir Room)
09/02 04:00 p.m. Office Closed: Labor Day
09/03 04:00 p.m. Fall Office Hours Begin (Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
09/08                     Program Year Schedule Begins
09/08   9:30 a.m. Children’s Choir Rehearsals Return (Children’s Choir Room)
09/08 11:45 a.m. Youth Instrumental Ensemble Rehearsals Return (Church)
09/08 12:00 p.m. Reception for Father Brent & Family (Following Worship | Parish Hall)
09/12 6:00 p.m. Central Richmond Regional Pride Eucharist (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church)
09/15 10:30 a.m. One Service Only (Church)
09/15 12:00 p.m. Parish Ministry Fair (Parish Hall)
09/21   9:00 a.m. Parish Work Day (The Pace Center)

Save The Date

09/29 9:00 a.m. Stewardship Kick-Off Event with Breakfast (Parish Hall)
09/29 4:00 p.m. Youth Sunday Funday (Triangle Rock Club)
10/03 10:30 a.m. Westminster Canterbury Worship & Lunch (Westminster Canterbury Richmond)
10/05 4:00 p.m. Music for a Fall Day Concert (Church)
10/06 4:00 p.m. Blessing of the Pets (Monroe Park)
10/13 11:45 a.m. Celebration of Ministry for Judy Bowman (Parish Hall)
10/27 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday (Church)
10/27 11:45 a.m. Youth Sunday Funday with Grace & Holy-ween (Monroe Park)
11/02 11:00 a.m. Bishop Sean Rowe Installation Service*
(Prelude begins at 10:00 a.m. | The Episcopal Church Center in New York City)
*There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation.
11/03 10:30 a.m. All Saints’ Sunday with Baptism | Stewardship Commitment
(For more information click here)

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

Highlights

Intinction Station – Now in the Sanctuary
Intinction during communion will continue to be offered, however it will now take place at a station beneath the lectern in the sanctuary. Beginning this Sunday, August 25th, you have the intinction option of coming towards the front of the church and before the chancel stairs, move to the left in front of the lectern so to receive the sacrament by intinction. Then proceed down the left aisle (passing the baptismal font) so to return to your pew. We look forward to having everyone receiving communion again in the main worship space. Questions? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Father Brent from the drop down menu.

Thank You to Billy and Meredith McGuire
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Billy & Meredith McGuire for their warm hospitality in hosting evening worship with the Blessing of the Backpacks, followed by a delightful parish picnic last Sunday.

Clothes Closet Suspending Donations
Thank you for your generous donations to the Clothes Closet! Donations are being processed, and we are blessed to be at capacity. We ask that you hold off on bringing additional items until further notice. Please keep an eye out for upcoming communications regarding the Winter Gear Drive beginning in late October.

GHTC Hosts Pace Center Stories & Lunch – Wednesday, August 28
The Pace Center will hold Stories & Lunch on Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. GHTC parishioners will host the Stories & Lunch on Wednesday, August 28th, and provide homemade lunch for students at The Pace Center. Staff and church volunteers are welcome to come volunteer and/or join for lunch. Questions or interest in volunteering with The Pace Center? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select “Junior Warden” from the drop down menu.

Reception for Father Brent & Family – Sunday, September 8
We are delighted to welcome Grace & Holy Trinity’s new Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. Dr. Brent A. Melton and his family. Please plan to stay for a reception following the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, September 8th in the Parish Hall. For more information about Brent, his experience, and his family, visit ghtc.org/picsearch.

Music for a Fall Day Concert – Saturday, October 5
Come and join three wonderful performers for a concert of musical treasures. Celebrated singers Chase Peak and Caroline Whisnant and the phenomenal pianist Daniel Stipe will present thrilling opera selections, favorite tunes from great musicals, and even some contemporary gems. The concert will start promptly at 4:00 p.m. and there will be a reception following the concert. The musicians will be featured on Virginia This Morning on September 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and will perform two songs from the upcoming concert. The show will be broadcast on WTVR CBS 6. Concert admission is $20. To purchase admission, please click here. Advance admission closes Friday, October 4th at 3:00 p.m. Admission is also available at the door.

Music Publicity – Seeking Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to assist with music publicity for concerts. This is a wonderful way to support the concert series. Interested in volunteering? Please contact Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis at (804) 359-5628, x18, or email emelcherdavis@ghtc.org.

Worship

Regional Pride Eucharist
Join the Central Richmond Region in celebrating and affirming our LGBTQIA+ community. A Pride Eucharist will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, September 12th at 6:00 p.m. Also, the Region will sponsor a tent at the Pride Festival as we extend our arms of love on behalf of the Episcopal Churches in the Diocese of Virginia.

Parish Choir – Rehearsals Return August 29
Everyone is welcome to join the Parish Choir for youth in high school to any age. They will rehearse weekly on Thursday evenings, beginning on August 29th, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Choir Room downstairs. The Parish Choir will sing at the 10:30 a.m. worship services beginning on September 8th. They will also sing at Lessons and Carols and at other special worship services throughout the year. The choir is a welcoming and caring community of faith that shares its musical gifts to the glory of God. The Parish Choir is directed by Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis, Choirmaster & Organist, and accompanied by Stanley M. Baker, Assistant Choirmaster & Organist. Interested in joining? Contact Beth by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting her name from the drop down menu.

Children’s Choir – Rehearsals Return September 8
Is your young one interested in music? Children’s Choir is for children from Pre-K through fourth grade. They will rehearse weekly on Sunday mornings, beginning September 8th, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Children’s Choir room upstairs. The Children’s Choir will learn musical pieces throughout the year that reflect the liturgical seasons. They will be preparing a song for Children & Youth Sunday on October 27th at 10:30 a.m. The Children’s Choir is directed by Abigail Stinnett and assisted by Stanley M. Baker, Assistant Choirmaster & Organist. Interested in joining? Contact Abigail Stinnett by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting her name from the drop down menu.

Youth Instrumental Ensemble – Rehearsals Return September 8
Calling all youth instrumentalists and singers! The Youth Instrumental Ensemble (singers too) will begin rehearsals after church (at approximately 11:50 a.m. in the nave of the church) on September 8th. We will be preparing a musical piece to present on Children & Youth Sunday, October 27th, at the 10:30 a.m. service. All youth musicians (orchestral instruments, keyboards, guitars, and singers) from 4th grade through high school are invited to join the ensemble. There will be approximately seven rehearsals on Sundays after church. Attendance is suggested for at least four rehearsals. Interested in joining? Contact Stan by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting his name from the drop down menu.

Mission

Circles RVA is Recruiting Leaders & Allies
Circles RVA, which meets every Tuesday night at Grace & Holy Trinity Church, equips and inspires individuals and families to permanently move out of poverty and thrive. They create intentional relationships that expand support communities and engage the wider community to reduce or eliminate the systemic barriers that hinder people from rising out of poverty. Interested in volunteering or have questions? Visit our circlesrva.org.

Upcoming Events at 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. As we get closer to the start of the school year there will be many opportunities to volunteer! Please visit thepacecenter.com for more information on Pace’s upcoming events and how you can support students in our community.

Walk-A-Dog                       Fridays at 12:00 p.m., meet in front of The Pace Center
Paint Flower Pots             Visit The Pace Center website for more information
Food Donation Sign Up   Sign Up to Donate on The Pace Center Website
Parish Work Day               Saturday, September 21 at 9:00 a.m. Hosted by GHTC (The Pace Center)

Parish Life

The Three Sopranos in Concert releases on SoundCloud – Wednesday, September 4
Listen to the Three Sopranos in Concert on the GHTC SoundCloud now. Available for free at soundcloud.com/ghtcmusic. If you need technical assistance with SoundCloud or have any questions, please contact the GHTC Communications Team.

On Saturday, January 27th, GHTC presented the Three Sopranos in Concert. Well-known and loved Richmond soprano Sarah Kate Walston, GHTC’s internationally acclaimed soprano Caroline Whisnant, and up-and-coming mezzo-soprano Abigail Stinnett sang outstandingly beautiful works together. The program ranged from the virtuosity of Verdi to the frivolity of Bacharach. The singers were accompanied by Daniel Stipe, a virtuoso keyboard artist on both organ and piano who is regarded as one of Richmond’s most outstanding performers.

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

Caroling in Monroe Park & Holiday Market – Parishioner Vending Opportunity
Caroling in Monroe Park continues to expand this year with more vendors as part of a holiday marketplace. If you make crafts or merchandise and would like to participate as a vendor in the market, please contact Meredith McGuire by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and select “Senior Warden” from the drop down menu.

Spirited Readers Book Club – Upcoming Meetings
All members of GHTC and their friends are welcome to join the Spirited Readers Book Club for one or every meeting. We meet in members’ homes, generally on the afternoon of the third Monday of the month. Over the next few months, the club will be reading:

• Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (a classic set in the 1920s, in which the protagonist reflects on her past, including WWI)
• West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge (During the Great Depression two giraffes miraculously survive a hurricane and after a hilarious twelve-day road trip are delivered to the San Diego Zoo.)
• James by Perceival Everett (Huckleberry Finn re-told from the perspective of the enslaved Jim)

Questions or want to attend? Contact Mary Ann Blankenship by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Spirited Readers Book Club 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) | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Mission Questions | Chuck Bleick
Communications Questions | Communications Team
Formation Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Pastoral Care Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | 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.

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.

For more information, visit the News page.