News
Posted: January 26, 2025
News for Sunday, January 26, 2025
Upcoming Events
Friday 01/24 6:00 p.m. Autism Society of Central Virginia Game Night (Parish Hall)
Saturday 01/25 10:00 a.m. Men’s Group (Ellwood Thompson’s)
Sunday 01/26 12:00 p.m. Altar Guild Training (Church)
Wednesday 01/29 9:00 a.m. Ministry Planning Meeting (Parish Hall)
Saturday 02/01 7:00 a.m. Youth Ski Trip (8 N. Laurel Street)
Saturday 02/01 9:00 a.m. Holy Strollers (8 N. Laurel Street)
Monday 02/03 4:00 p.m. Property Committee Meeting (Zoom)
Sunday 02/09 9:00 a.m. Annual Parish Meeting* (Church)
*Worship is regularly scheduled. No Parish Breakfast.
Sunday 02/09 11:45 a.m. Parish Meeting Reception
(Following 10:30 a.m. Worship | Parish Hall)
Monday 02/10 5:30 p.m. Spirited Sisters (Mosaic Restaurant)
Saturday 02/15 4:00 p.m. Valentines on Broadway Concert (Reception to Follow in Parish Hall | Church)
Save the Date
Sunday 02/23 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion with Greater Richmond Children’s Choir (During 10:30 a.m. Worship | Church)
Wednesday 02/26 12:00 p.m. Stories & Lunch hosted by GHTC (The Pace Center)
Friday 03/21 TBD Parish-wide Vision Summit for Children & Youth Formation (Parish Hall)
Sunday Bulletins are posted by Friday at ghtc.org/bulletin.
Highlights
Youth Ski Trip – Saturday, February 1
Middle and high school students are invited to go snow skiing and tubing on Saturday, February 1st at Massanutten Ski Resort. We will leave promptly at 7:00 a.m. and return by 6:00 p.m. Beginners and first-timers are encouraged to come along and enjoy lessons from our own Father Brent. The cost to attend is $50/person, and one friend is permitted per GHTC youth. Please RSVP and make your payment online here by Wednesday, January 22nd.
Valentines on Broadway: A Romantic Afternoon with Scott Wichmann & Jason Marks – Saturday, February 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Two of Richmond’s most celebrated theatrical talents will present a program of love songs from the great American songbook and Broadway, along with some swinging Sinatra, and a few surprises. Scott Wichmann and Jason Marks are best known to Richmond audiences from their performances together in The Producers and 1776 with Virginia Repertory Theatre. You’re sure to feel the love of Valentine’s Day with these award-winning stars in a concert not to be missed. The program will also feature Ryan Corbitt on piano. There will be a reception following the concert. Admission is $20. Admission is available online here and at the door.
If you are a resident of Westminster-Canterbury and are interested in carpooling to the concert, please call Dougie Erikson at (804) 200-1433.
Parish Forums Looking Forward – Beginning this Sunday, January 26, 2025
Starting this Sunday, January 26th at 9:30 a.m., Father Jon will begin leading two forums on Ignatian Spirituality. In the first forum he will explore the Ignatian Examen. As Christians we are invited to see God in all things. That means we have to pay careful attention to how the Spirit is moving in each moment of our daily lives. The Examen prayer can help us in this.
On Sunday, February 16th, the follow up forum will explore discernment in the Ignatian tradition. Discernment is an important part of our Christian life where we prayerfully try to examine where God is leading us in our decision-making. It is essentially seeking to discern God’s will for our lives.
On Sunday, February 23rd, the forum will be a multi-generational offering where members of all ages are invited to make Anglican Prayer Beads. Prayer beads are a useful spiritual aid, and this will be a fun opportunity to make your own personal set.
Holy Strollers Walk to the Virginia War Memorial – Saturday, February 1 at 9:00 a.m.
The Holy Strollers next walk will be on Saturday, February 1st to the Virginia War Memorial. Strollers will meet in the Grace & Holy Trinity parking lot at 9:00 a.m. and will begin the approximate one mile walk to the War Memorial. After exploring the site, the walk will continue to Abi’s Books & Brews on West Cary Street. The total walking distance is about 2.5 miles and mostly flat. If you plan to attend, please contact Holy Strollers at ghtc.org/contact or call Susan Hankins at (804) 938-8440. Looking ahead, in the spring there are tentative plans for a walk centered around George Wythe.
Stories & Lunch hosted by GHTC at the Pace Center – Wednesday, February 26 at 10:30 a.m.
Members of Grace & Holy Trinity will prepare lunch for the students at The Pace Center. This is part of our Campus Ministry at Virginia Commonwealth University. We are seeking volunteers to help plan the menu and prepare the food. No washing dishes! The students set the tables and clean up after the meal. The volunteers are invited to have lunch with the students and participate in the conversations. The Pace Center has shared that the students get the most joy from conversations with non-students, like the GHTC volunteers. If you are interested, the time commitment is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Three Search Updates
Formation Position: Through the guidance of Ministry Architects, our consulting group, things are progressing well in the Director of Youth and Children Formation Search. On Friday, March 21st we will hold a Vision Summit here at the church, please plan to attend.
Assistant Organist & Priest Positions: On January 3rd, 2025 both of these positions were posted on our website and multiple church job boards. The two search committees look forward to receiving applicants. Zoom interviews began this past week with the two priests.
Stewardship Campaign Update
As of January 17th, GHTC’s new official pledge total is 142 pledges totaling $745,482. We are so close to our $750,000 goal. Pledge cards are available on the Connect Tables.
Movement in Grace has Resumed on a New Day & New Time – Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.
This is a new weekly day and time. Movement in Grace is a 60-75 minute movement, meditation, breath work, and reflection practice under a candlelight ambiance. Practice is led by Singith Perera in the Parish Hall on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. Please bring a yoga mat, any props you find helpful, and a small towel. Suggested donations of $20 are appreciated, but not required – students and staff may participate for free. For more information about the practice, contact Singith via text at (202) 290-0378 or send an email by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and selecting “Movement in Grace” from the drop down menu.
Greater Richmond Children’s Choir – Sunday, February 23 at the 10:30 a.m. Service
Now in its 28th season, the critically acclaimed Greater Richmond Children’s Choir will sing during the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, February 23rd. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Crystal Jonkman, and Associate Director Roshan Chakane, GRCC offers boys and girls ages 8 to 18 the opportunity to excel in the study and performance of high-quality choral music with students from all around the region. More information about the choirs may be found online at grcc.choir.org.
Volunteer with the Belize Mission Team – Mission Dates: March 1-8, 2025
GHTC’s Belize Mission Team is heading to Belize from March 1st to March 8th, 2025, and we are looking for volunteers! Our work will focus on Vision Screening and Dental Hygiene for the children in this region. No prior experience is required and all are welcome. We will train all volunteers ahead of time. Are you interested in joining the Belize Mission Team? Would you like to learn more? Please contact Mary Cay Kollmansperger by email at marycay4@gmail.com.
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.
“VPM’s Broadway” Interviews Valentines on Broadway Performers – Tuesday, February 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Mike Goldberg, host and producer of the VPN Broadway show, will interview the three Valentines on Broadway performers, Scott Wichmann, Jason Marks, and Ryan Corbitt on Tuesday, February 11th at 2:00 p.m. To stream the show live, go to vpm.org, go to “all streams” in the top right and then click on “VPM Music.” We will share the direct link after the interview and before the concert itself, on Saturday, February 15th at 4:00 p.m.
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 or The Rev. Steve Pace
Communications Questions | Communications Team
Formation Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton
Pastoral Care Questions | The Rev. Dr. Brent Melton or The Rev. Jon Scarffe
Music Questions | Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis
Paying Your Pledge | Kathy Schultheis
Property & Church Records Questions | Lauren Frazier
Vestry Questions | Meredith McGuire
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 [at] ghtc.org or call the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628.
For more information, visit the News page.
This Sunday
8:00 AM & 10:30 AM
Recent Worship
To watch the videos from the week of January 12th, click the links below.
Last Week’s Activities & Additional Links