Posted: January 2, 2025

News for Sunday, January 5, 2025

Upcoming Parish Forums

“Conversations on Chapel Changes”
Jan. 12 (First Floor Classroom)

Childcare Information
There will be no Sunday School on 12/22/2024, 12/29/2024, and 01/05/2025. Sunday School will resume on 01/12/2025. The Nursery will be available on January 5th, 2025.

Upcoming Events

Sunday 01/05 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Baptism (Church)

Sunday 01/05 3:00 p.m. Youth Sunday Funday Christmas Party (Lee Family Home)

Sunday 01/05 4:00 p.m. Parish-wide Twelfth Night Tea (Parish Hall)

Wednesday 01/08 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Healing Service Resumes (Chapel)

Sunday 01/12 11:45 a.m. Youth Instrumental Ensemble Rehearsal (Children’s Choir Room)

Monday 01/13 5:30 p.m. Spirited Sisters (Mosaic Restaurant)

Wednesday 01/15 12:00 p.m. Stories & Lunch (The Pace Center)

Wednesday 01/15 5:30 p.m. Vestry Meeting (First Floor Classroom)

Monday 01/20 Parish Office Closed in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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)

Save the Date

Saturday 02/01 6:00 p.m. Belize Mission Team Fundraiser (Parish Hall)

Monday 02/03 4:00 p.m. Property Committee Meeting (Zoom)

Saturday 02/08 4:30 p.m. Mason/Forston Wedding (Church)

Sunday 02/09 9:00 a.m. Annual Parish Meeting* (Church)
*Worship is regularly scheduled.

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. Valentine’s on Broadway Concert (Church)

Wednesday 02/26 12:00 p.m. Stories & Lunch hosted by GHTC (The Pace Center)

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

Highlights

Director of Children and Youth Formation Search
“Through the guidance of Ministry Architects, our consulting group, things are progressing well in the Director of Youth and Children Formation Search. There have been seven interested applicants and from that there are three candidates being vetted before the committee considers to interview them. We look forward to sharing more as the search continues into 2025. Our hope is to have someone identified by the end of the school year. This will help us to prepare for the 25-26 program year. On Friday March 21st we will hold a Vision Summit here at the church. This will be an opportunity to come together to hear updates and intentionally discern ways to enhance our Youth and Children’s Formation. More information about this Vision Summit will come out early in 2025. Your church leadership is committed to this important ministry at Grace and Holy Trinity. In the meantime, bring your children to Sunday School, Youth Sunday Fundays, Confirmation Retreats and make sure we have your family’s current information. Blessings!”
In Peace, Brent

Youth Sunday Funday Christmas Party – This Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Middle school and high school students are invited to a white elephant regifting exchange and tacky sweater contest at the Lee Family Home, 312 Ralston Road. Parents are welcome to drop off or join in some holiday cheer and NFL viewing. Please RSVP with Laura Lee at (850) 266-3996.

Parish-Wide Twelfth Night Tea – This Sunday, January 5 at 4:00 p.m.
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of GHTC invites the parish, family, and friends to a typical London Hotel Afternoon Tea on the Twelfth Day of Christmas. ECW hopes to build friendships and community while celebrating the last day of Christmas together. The Afternoon Tea will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall and end around 6:00 p.m. If you would like to attend, please email Catherine Perrin at robertperrin@acm.org or call (804) 402-1179.

Vestry Nominating Committee Accepting Nominations – Submission Deadline is January 24
The Vestry Nominating Committee is accepting nominations of GHTC members to serve a three-year term on the Vestry. All nominations must be submitted no later than January 24th, 2025, and no nominations will be accepted from the floor. Elections will be held at the annual congregational meeting on February 9th, with terms to begin immediately after the election. Vestry members will be elected by secret ballot, with the four candidates receiving the most votes being elected from among at least seven nominees.To submit the name of a member for consideration, please contact Mary Ann Blankenship at mablankenship625@gmail.com or (804) 334-8922.

Parish Forum: Conversations on Chapel Changes – January 12 at 9:30 a.m.
A conversation for a couple of chapel changes began in 2024. Why? To create handicap accessibility in this sacred space as well as highlight the significant relevance of the baptismal font in the Chapel. The conversation started with some committees and different groups. The proposed changes and reasoning behind will be the topic of the January 12th Parish Forum at 9:30 a.m. in the First Floor Classroom. Scan the QR Code to see the blueprint of the changes and then join us for the first Parish Forum in 2025. Contact Father Brent for any questions bmelton@ghtc.org.

“Embracing Joy” Stewardship Update
“We are grateful for the 119 pledges that have already been offered for our ongoing ministries in 2025. This amounts to $693,612. Our pledge goal is $750,000. We hope the remaining 30 plus pledging units will come in soon as we plan ahead. This year’s theme was Embracing Joy. This has helped to acknowledge the joy in the fullness of being a community. If you are still considering your 2025 pledge, please ask how God is calling you to share in this joy. Sharing in the incredible moments, like a wedding, baptism, funerals and weekly worship, we celebrate life and God. I am both thankful for GHTC and have great hope for our future together. Blessings! 

In Peace, Brent
P.S. If you need a pledge card, please contact Lauren during the week or ask an usher to show you the Connect Tables on Sunday to find a pledge card.”

Red Door Winter Gear Drive – Collecting Through January 15, 2025
As the winter months approach, Red Door is seeking limited donations of coats, scarves, knit hats, gloves, socks, underwear, sweatshirts, and sweatpants for Richmonders in need. We are no longer accepting donations of bedrolls, bedding/blankets, and suitcases due to limited storage space. The Red Door Winter Gear Drive began on Sunday, November 17th and will collect until Wednesday, January 15th. Please drop off any new or gently used winter gear at the service ministry box between the elevator and the kitchen.

Volunteer with the Belize Mission Team – Mission Dates: March 1-8, 2025
GHTC’s Belize Mission Team is heading to Belize from March 1st at 7:00 a.m. 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 and every member of the team plays a meaningful role in our work for the week. RSVP required. 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.

Remaining Communications

Upcoming Events at The Pace Center
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.

Holy Eucharist & Healing Wednesdays beginning at 11:00 a.m. (GHTC Chapel)
Stories & Lunch Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Arts & Faith Circle Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Movement in Grace Wednesdays beginning at 7:00 p.m. (GHTC Church)
Walk-A-Dog Fridays from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Food Donation Sign Up Sign Up to Donate on The Pace Center Website

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.