Posted: December 7, 2023

News for Sunday, December 10, 2023

Upcoming Events

12/10       9:30 a.m.    Adult Formation Sunday Series:
Priest as Pastor – Ministries, Boundaries, and Blessings (First Floor Classroom)
12/10       9:30 a.m.    Pageant Rehearsal: Speaking Roles (Church)
12/10      10:30 a.m.  Dedication of the Bells during 10:30 a.m. service (Laurel Street Entrance)
12/11       5:30 p.m.    Spirited Sisters (Burger Bach)
12/17      12:15 p.m.   Pageant Rehearsal (Church)
12/10       12:15 p.m.   Adult Formation Sunday Series:
Priest as Pastor – Ministries, Boundaries, and Blessings (First Floor Classroom)
12/19       9:00 a.m.    Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk (One Monument Avenue)
12/24       8:00 a.m.   Holy Eucharist – Advent IV (Chapel)

Christmas Schedule

12/24       3:00 p.m.    Christmas Pageant (Choral | Church)
12/24       5:00 p.m.     Lessons & Carols (Choral | Church)
12/24     11:00 p.m.    Holy Communion (Choral | Church)
12/25     10:00 a.m.    Christmas Day: Holy Communion* (Choral | Church)
12/31     10:00 a.m.   New Year’s Eve: Holy Communion* (Choral | Church)
*One service only.
On Christmas Eve, childcare will be provided for up to age 7 and will be available from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. There will not be childcare on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. There will be no 8:00 a.m. Morning Eucharist on Wednesday, December 27th, 2023. The church offices will be closed from December 26th, 2023 through January 2nd, 2024. For more information on upcoming events and to view GHTC’s full calendar visit ghtc.org/calendar.

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

Highlights

Priest as Pastor: Ministries, Boundaries, and Blessings – This Sunday, December 10
What is the role of a parish priest? What are the blessings, boundaries, and parameters for shared ministry within the parish? This Sunday, December 10th at 9:30 a.m. in the First Floor Classroom, parish clergy will lead a conversation that explores the role of a priest as pastor. This presentation will also be given on December 17th at 12:15 p.m.

Dedication of the Bells – This Sunday, December 10
This Sunday, December 10th, during the 10:30 a.m. service, we will be dedicating the Tower Bells graciously donated by a parishioner. Please join us for this joyous moment in our common life and worship.

Christmas Memorial Poinsettias
As we prepare for Christmas, we invite you to donate one or more poinsettias in memory of someone deceased. Please visit our website at ghtc.org/give, select the “Altar Guild” fund, and enter your loved one’s name in the “note” section. The cost is whatever you would like to contribute, and the memorial names will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletins. The deadline to submit is this Sunday, December 10th.  Your donations support the work of the Altar Guild. You may also contact Judy Bowman in the church office at (804) 359-5628 x14.

Pledge Drive Recap
Thank you to those who have submitted a pledge towards the 2024 parish budget. To date, you all have made 150 pledges totaling $656,345. If you have not yet made your pledge, there is still time. You can make your pledge one of the following ways:

• Mail your pledge card to Judy Bowman in the parish office
• Drop your pledge card in the offering plate on Sunday morning
• Make your pledge online at ghtc.org/pledge

Visit our website at ghtc.org/pledge to watch pledge talks from this year’s drive.

If you have any questions about your pledge, please contact Judy Bowman in the church office at (804) 359-5628 x14.

Worship

Midweek Eucharist – Continues Wednesday, December 13
A Wednesday morning celebration of the Holy Eucharist is held each week at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel. This weekly service is intended to deepen our fellowship and to provide the parish with another touchpoint with parish clergy. Immediately following the service, the presiding priest will host a coffee hour in the Parish Hall. For more information, visit ghtc.org/contact and select The Rev. Paul Evans from the drop down menu.

Parish Life

Spirited Sisters – Monday, December 11
Spirited Sisters, a women’s group of the parish, will meet next on Monday, December 11th at 5:30 p.m. at Burger Bach in Carytown for lively conversation and a meal. If you are interested in attending, please visit ghtc.org/contact and select Spirited Sisters from the drop-down menu.

Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk – Tuesday, December 19
Join the Holy Strollers in discovering the holiday lights strung up in the Fan. Light refreshments will be provided. We’ll start at Monument Avenue and Stuart Circle. Family fun, an Advent excursion for all ages. It’s a sight to see! Questions or want to attend? Please visit ghtc.org/contact and select Holy Strollers from the drop down menu.

Education

Episcopal Church Women’s Diocesan Meeting – Saturday, November 11
The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Virginia will have their Fall Meeting on Saturday, November 11th at St. Mary’s Church in Colonial Beach, VA. The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. and wrap up by 2:00 p.m. Speakers include The Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson and The Rev. Dr. J. Lee Hill Jr. The registration fee is $25 and the deadline to register is November 1st. Click to find the registration form and for more details. Contact Catherine Perrin or Jodie Pully with questions.

Outreach

Christmas Ministry for Dumbarton Elementary Students
We are joyful to report that all 25 children from Dumbarton Elementary School have been sponsored. Monetary donations are still very much appreciated and will be used to purchase grocery store cards to assist families and teachers. These donations can be sent to Judy Bowman with the Christmas Ministry noted. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please visit ghtc.org/give. Questions? Please contact Nancy Smith.

Are You Called to Serve Our Belize Mission?
For almost 15 years, GHTC missioners have served children in Cayo, Belize (along the Guatemalan border) in several different ways. In April of 2024, GHTC’s mission team will return to Belize to provide Dental Hygiene Education, Dental Care, and Vision Screening to more than 1,200 children over one week.  Please consider joining the Belize Mission Team for this amazing week – opportunities are available for parishioners of all skill levels and experience. For more information about GHTC’s work in Belize and plans for April 20-27, 2024, please visit ghtc.org/contact and select Missionary Society from the drop-down menu.

Other Communications

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.

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 at ghtc.org/contact. If you need assistance with your password, please contact Judy Bowman at 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, ghtc.org/contact.

For more information, visit the News page.