News & Announcements

Upcoming Events

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

Sunday 09/07 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Kick-Off & Open House (Sunday School Classrooms)

Sunday 09/07 11:45 a.m. Program Year Kick-off Cookout with the Blessing of the Backpacks* (Cookout to Follow 10:30 a.m. Worship | Monroe Park)
*No Nursery available during cookout.

Sunday 09/14 11:45 a.m. Parish Ministry Fair Session 1: Parish Life & Formation*
(Before & After the 10:30 a.m. Service | 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 & the Rev. Jenny Montgomery (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 Greater Richmond Episcopal Churches and Community Pride Choir (Church)

Thursday 10/02 10:30 a.m. Westminster Canterbury Worship & Luncheon (Lunch at 11:30 a.m. | 5th Floor Courtyard Lounge)

Sunday 10/05 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite Two with Blessing of the Animals (8:00 a.m. Worship is Regularly Scheduled | Outdoor 10:30 a.m. Worship in Monroe Park)

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

Sunday 11/09 9:30 a.m. Needlers Interest Meeting (Second Floor Conference Room)

Highlights

Have You Received the Children & Youth Brochure?

We hope that our parents and guardians of children and youth have received this year’s brochure in the mail by now. Please take some time to look through this brochure, where you’ll find an overview of youth and children’s formation offerings happening this year. We’ve included an extra brochure for you to share with a friend or neighbor. If you have questions, please contact Madeleine Preston at (804) 359-5682 x15 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select “Director of Formation” from the drop-down menu.

Have You Logged Into Realm?: A New Location for Membership, Giving & Communication 

We made exciting changes to our church’s membership, giving, and communications program, moving from the ShelbyNext database to Realm. GHTC has emailed invitations to join. Once you open your invitation you’ll be able to create an account for our new system by clicking on the link and creating a password. Please note that unless you create an account, you will not be included in the online directory that other members are able to view. Some of you may have already noticed our updated online giving webpage and “Realm Member” page. You can securely give from our website. We appreciate your continued support. If you have any questions, please contact Tyler Brady at (804) 359-5628 x25 or by selecting “Tyler Brady – Communications” from the drop-down menu at ghtc.org/contact.

Sexton Job Search 

The search process for a Sexton 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 Parish Administrator Lauren Frazier at (804) 359-5682 x23 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select “Parish Administrator” 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.

Invitation to an Update on Kyiv Symphony Orchestra & Chorus – Thursday, September 4

On September 4th from 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Sycamore Presbyterian Church (510 Coalfield Road Midlothian, VA 23114) will host an update on the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the ongoing work of Music Mission Kiev in Ukraine. Many of us remember the glorious sounds and extraordinarily moving music that we heard from the inspired Kyiv Chorus during its concert here  at GHTC on September 23rd, 2023! The overview and update at Sycamore Presbyterian will be given by Greg Kannon, Director of Music Mission Kiev. Greg has asked us to ‘spread the word’ to people in our community. Many of you were hosts of the chorus, sponsors of the concert, and appreciative participants in the over 600-person audience for their wonderful concert two years ago! All are welcome at the update covering the two years since the concert. As you know, much has and is happening to the Ukrainian people, their country, and their freedom. Let’s keep our prayers and concern for Ukraine alive!

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. We ask parishioners with a last name beginning with A–K to bring either a salad or side, while those with a last name beginning with L–Z to bring either a dessert or fruit. You may drop off your dish in the servery on your way into church. If you are interested in helping with set up or breakdown, 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! From 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., elementary students and their parents are invited to drop by the classrooms and meet their teachers. Middle schoolers are also invited to arrive at 9:30 a.m. to have a chance to get to know their teachers and one another. At 10:00 a.m., there will be a short lesson in the classrooms, which parents are welcome to stay and observe. Classrooms are located on the second floor of the Parish House. Please note that Sunday School will be from 9:30 a.m.–10:20 a.m. this year, which is a change from last year’s schedule. 

Parish Ministry Fair – First Session of Two on Sunday, September 14

This year we are having the beloved Ministry Fair over two Sundays in the fall instead of just one. Parish Life and Formation will be Sunday, September 14th and Mission/Outreach and Worship will be a month later, on Sunday, October 19th, both before and after the 10:30 a.m. services. Why change? This hopefully will allow more members to connect with more group leaders. We typically have forty ministries filling up the entire Parish Hall. We hope having two Ministry Fairs will help to enhance signups with fewer tables and more space to highlight twenty ministries on each of those Sundays. Thank you to Maurice Cole for organizing this ministry event again this year. Blessings!

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 19th 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 decorate flower pots to give new VCU students with our partners at The Pace Center. Parents, after you drop your kids off at 5:00 p.m. at the church, 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
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.

With the college students returning to campus, The Pace Center is calling for the donation of snacks, baked goods, and soup. In addition to the food pantry, The Pace Center will have two weekly events 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.

Pride Eucharist hosted by GHTC & The Pace Center with Greater Richmond Episcopal Churches and Community Pride Choir – Friday, September 26th at 6:00 p.m. 

The Episcopal Churches of Greater Richmond and The Pace Center will gather at Grace & Holy Trinity Church on Friday, September 26th to host a Pride Eucharist celebrating our embrace and affirmation of the LGBTQIA+ community. The worship service will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the church and feature the Community Pride Choir. Livestream is available here. If you would like to help lead worship by reading the Prayers of the People, or as an acolyte or usher, please contact Father Brent by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Priest-in-Charge” from the drop-down menu.

• Following worship, there will be a reception in the Parish Hall. Please bring a side or snack to share. If you would like to help host the reception, please contact the Rev. Jenny Montgomery by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Priest Associate” from the drop-down menu. 
• Middle and high schoolers are invited to come to the gazebo in Monroe Park at 4:30 p.m. for games and a pizza dinner before heading to the Church for the Eucharist. 
• Choir rehearsal is at 5:00 p.m. on September 26th, and all are welcome. If you are interested in joining the Community Choir to sing “The Gift of Love” by Hal Hopson, please contact Assistant Choirmaster Luke Brennan at ghtc.org/contact and select “Assistant Choirmaster & Organist” from the drop-down menu. 

Holy Eucharist with Blessing of the Animals in Monroe Park – Sunday, October 5 at 10:30 a.m.

In commemoration of St. Francis Day, you and your pets are invited to Eucharist with a Blessing of the Animals. The 10:30 a.m. service will be held outside on Laurel Street to accommodate our animal guests. Please bring a chair and keep pets leashed or in their carriers and with you at all times. We look forward to celebrating God’s creation and the animals that enrich our lives!

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.