Posted: December 14, 2023

News for Sunday, December 17, 2023

Upcoming Events

12/17       9:30 a.m.    Adult Formation Sunday Series: Godly Play for Grown-Ups
                                       (First Floor Classroom)
12/17     12:15 p.m.   Pageant Rehearsal (Church)
12/17     12:15 p.m.   Adult Formation Sunday Series:
                                      Priest as Pastor – Ministries, Boundaries, and Blessings (First Floor Classroom)
12/19       4:45 p.m.   Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk* (One Monument Avenue)
                                    *Hot cocoa and cookies provided afterward.
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 – 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

Christmas Services Schedule
This year, the fourth Sunday of Advent falls on December 24th. There will be one Advent IV service (Spoken | Chapel) in the morning at 8:00 a.m. before transitioning to our Christmas
Eve observance.

12/24       3:00 p.m.    Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist  (Choral | Church)
12/24       5:00 p.m.    Lessons & Carols (Choral | Church)
12/24     11:00 p.m.   Holy Eucharist  (Choral | Church)
12/25     10:00 a.m.   Christmas Day: Holy Eucharist* (Choral | Chapel)
12/31     10:30 a.m.   New Year’s Eve: Holy Eucharist* (Choral | Chapel)

*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 – January 2nd, 2024. For more information on upcoming events and to view GHTC’s full calendar visit ghtc.org/calendar.

Priest-in-Charge Discernment Committee Commissioning during 10:30 a.m. Service
The Vestry is pleased to announce the formation of the Priest-in-Charge Discernment Committee, composed of the following parishioners:

Clay Hilbert, Chair, Debra Cole, Susan Hankins, Megan Lecky,
Chase Peak, Courtney Scottow, & Harold Williams.

The Discernment Committee will be commissioned by our clergy and wardens following The Peace during our 10:30 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist. Please keep the Discernment Committee in your prayers as they begin their important work together on behalf of Grace & Holy Trinity Church.

Highlights from the December Vestry Meeting
The vestry met for its regular meeting on Wednesday, December 13th. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Priest-in-Charge Search Process Update: The Vestry appointed the Discernment Committee and adopted a draft position description.
• The Vestry acknowledged the success of the Caroling in Monroe Park & Holiday Market event.
• The Vestry extended the Rev. Greg Bezilla’s contract through the end of April and increased his time from 2/3s to 3/4s full-time.
• The Vestry voted to enter into a three year covenantal relationship with The Pace Center, the Methodist Campus Ministry to the VCU community.
• Stewardship Update: As of December 13th, parishioners have submitted 155 pledges totaling about $729,000.
• The Vestry reaffirmed its support of various standing committees of the parish.

Godly Play for Grown-Ups – This Sunday, December 17
This Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the First Floor Classroom, Director of Formation Kate Given will offer “Godly Play for Grown-Ups.” Godly Play is the curriculum used by our Sunday School teachers for elementary age children, but is used in other settings with and for older children and adults too. As a curriculum it is notable for the way it builds a framework for conversations about faith. This session will include information about the rich history of this curriculum, but the main feature will be a demonstration of the curriculum through the telling of the Advent story.

Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk – Tuesday, December 19
Join the Holy Strollers in discovering the holiday lights strung up in the Fan. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided after the walk at One Monument Avenue. We’ll start walking at 4:45 p.m. on 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.

High School Youth Invited to Serve Red Door Ministry on Friday, December 22
On Friday, December 22nd, high school students of the parish are invited to volunteer to serve the church’s Red Door Ministry, which serves unhoused people in our community. Youth who wish to serve should arrive at the church at 10:00 a.m. to prepare to-go lunch bags for our guests. The youth will enjoy lunch together before the arrival of our guests at noon. Once the guests arrive, youth will work together to hand out Christmas gift bags. The day will wrap up by 2:00 p.m. at which time parents may pick up their youth. Please register online here by Wednesday, December 20th.

Outreach

Christmas Ministry for Dumbarton Elementary Students – Recap
Thanks to everyone’s generosity, GHTC supported 27 students and their families by providing clothing, gifts, and grocery cards. Additionally, teachers received grocery gift cards, assisting them in preparing holiday meals and buying snacks for students. Thanks to a parishioner’s generosity, the school clinic is now stocked with underwear and deodorant. Your support is truly appreciated!

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.