Posted: February 15, 2024

News for Sunday, February 18, 2024

Upcoming Events

02/18        5:00 p.m.    Foyer Groups Dinner (Tazza Kitchen, Scott’s Addition)
02/19                           Office Closed for Presidents’ Day
02/21        9:00 a.m.    Weekly Lenten Book Discussion Begins (Parish Hall)
02/23       9:30 a.m.    Holy Strollers Walk (Pony Pasture)
02/25       9:30 a.m.    Adult Formation Sunday Series: William Tan Organ Concert (Chapel)
03/02     10:00 a.m.   Men’s Group Coffee (Ellwood Thompson’s)
03/03     10:30 a.m.   Fauré Requiem Eucharist with Parish Choir and Chamber Ensemble (Church)

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

Save The Date

04/28        10:30 a.m. Bishop’s Visitation for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation (Church)
06/02        10:30 a.m. Centennial Celebration (Church)

Highlights

Discernment Committee Survey – Submit Feedback by Sunday, February 18
The Discernment Committee is seeking input from the parish, asking what characteristics are most important in a Priest-in-Charge. The committee will use the survey responses to inform their evaluation of candidates. All are encouraged to participate. Please click here to fill out the form by this Sunday, February 18th.

Adult Formation Sunday Series Offerings
Discover meaningful insights and deepen your faith with engaging presentations and conversations as part of the Adult Formation Sunday Series. This Sunday, February 18th, The Rev. Paul Evans and Director of Formation Kate Given will host a Lectio Divina study of Mark 1:9-15, the gospel reading that Sunday. Lectio Divina is a monastic, meditative practice that leads one deeper step by step into the text. This forum is separate from the Lectionary Group, which will also meet that morning to study the scripture as usual. Come and enjoy this beautiful, ancient spiritual practice. Next Sunday, February 25th at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel, William Tan will be performing an organ concert. Please see the announcement under Education for more details.

Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation Preparation for Adults
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 baptism is particularly appropriate at the Easter Vigil, held this year on Saturday, March 30th at 7:30 p.m. 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.

Lenten Offerings
Join us for a series of meaningful events during Lent as we journey together towards Easter. Explore the richness of this season through our Lenten study groups, engaging discussions, and daily worship services. Together, let’s embrace this time of reflection, repentance, and renewal as we walk the path toward resurrection. Visit ghtc.org/lent2024 or pick up a brochure at the Connect Table for more details on offerings such as Daily Morning Prayer, weekly book discussion, Lectio Divina, Lent in a Bag, Reconciliation of a Penitent, and more.

A Word about the change in Bulletin Format
During Lent, the worship bulletins will be simplified, including references to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and The Hymnal 1982 instead of a full, comprehensive bulletin. The clergy invite you to engage in this Lenten practice as a way of becoming more familiar with the BCP and the Hymnal. We are also mindful of the environmental and financial benefits of using less paper. If you have questions about how to use the BCP or the Hymnal, please reach out to a member of the clergy.

Parish Life

Foyer Groups Dinner at Tazza Kitchen – Sunday, February 18
The Foyer Groups will meet on Sunday, February 18th at 5:00 p.m. at Tazza Kitchen Scott’s Addition at 1500 Roseneath Road. All are welcome. These informal gatherings for brunch, lunch, or dinner, either potluck or at a restaurant, are opportunities to enjoy good conversations with good company. If you are interested in attending, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Foyer Groups from the drop down menu.

Holy Strollers Hike Pony Pasture – Friday, February 23
The next Holy Strollers’ walk is Friday, February 23rd at Pony Pasture. Another part of Richmond’s James River Park system, the 3.3 mile Pony Pasture Trail features woodland terrain, glimpses of the river, marsh, and wetlands. Look for signs of spring, wildlife, and perhaps some early blooms. The group will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Stratford Hills Shopping Center parking to the left of Eat 66. The walk will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The group may stop for lunch following the walk. You may want to layer comfortable clothes, wear sturdy shoes or boots, hiking poles if you have them, and bring water and a snack. The trail is mostly flat, but there may be spots with rocks, roots, and mud. If you are interested in attending, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Holy Strollers from the drop down menu.

Men’s Group Coffee – Saturday, March 2
The Men’s Group will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2nd, 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.

Education

Lectio Divina – Weekly on Wednesdays Beginning February 21
Lectio Divina is a ministry group that originally started as a Bible study and has shifted focus to reading and reflecting on the upcoming Sunday gospel. They meet by Zoom on Wednesdays from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. and all are welcome. The next session begins on February 21st. If you are interested in Lectio Divina, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Lectio Divina from the drop down menu.

Adult Formation Sunday Series: Chapel Organ Concert – Sunday, February 25
As part of the Adult Formation Sunday Series, William Tan will perform an organ concert of works by Bach, Couperin, Lang, Langlais, and Mascagni, as well as several hymns on Sunday, February 25th at 9:30 a.m. in Gibson Memorial Chapel. William served as Organ Scholar at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Oregon Hill for eight months. He was awarded the 2023-2024 Richmond Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Scholarship and studies with Daniel Stipe, Principal Organist at All Saints Episcopal Church. Plan to attend this wonderful concert featuring our beautiful Chapel Organ!

Other Communications

Reconciliation of a Penitent
The clergy are available for spiritual counseling and for the rite of Reconciliation. In the Episcopal tradition, Reconciliation of a Penitent (as defined in the Book of Common Prayer) “is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.” It is often referred to as “private confession.” If you are interested in Reconciliation, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select a member of the clergy from the drop down menu.

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.

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.