Posted: January 4, 2024

News for Sunday, January 7, 2024

Upcoming Events

01/07     10:00 a.m.   Youth Mission Project (St. Andrew’s School)
01/08       5:30 p.m.    Spirited Sisters (Burger Bach Carytown)
01/15                            Office Closed in Observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
01/19       5:00 p.m.    Parents’ Night Out (Church)
01/27       3:00 p.m.    Three Sopranos in Concert (Church)
01/28     10:00 a.m.   Men’s Group Coffee (TBD)
02/04       1:00 p.m.    Confirmation Retreat #3: What does it mean to be an Episcopalian? (Church)

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

Highlights

Vestry Nominations
​​The Nominating Committee for the Vestry Class of 2024 is seeking suggestions from the congregation regarding who they would like to be on the slate of candidates to be voted on at the Annual Parish Meeting on February 11th. Before suggesting someone to the vestry, please ask the person whose name you would like to put forward. You can offer your suggestions to any member of the vestry who will then forward names to the nominating committee charged with developing the final slate. Please submit your suggestions by Wednesday, January 10th.

Adult Formation Sunday Series Offerings in January
Discover meaningful insights and deepen your faith with engaging presentations and conversations as part of the Adult Formation Sunday Series. In January, the forum will explore the following topics:

01/07    No Adult Formation
01/14    Epiphany & Baptism of our Lord, led by The Rev. Paul Evans
01/21    Episcopal 101: The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, led by The Rev. Bruce Birdsey
01/28    Episcopal 101: Church History, led by The Rev. Charles Joy

Episcopal Church Women: Twelfth Night Tea – Friday, January 5
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will host a traditional English afternoon tea in the parish hall on Friday, January 5th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and you can arrive anytime between 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. To RSVP, please contact Catherine Perrin.

Parish Breakfast – Resumes Sunday, January 7
After pausing for the holidays, the parish breakfast will resume this Sunday, January 7th at 9:00 a.m.

Children and Youth Formation – Resumes Sunday, January 7
Sunday School for children and youth will resume Sunday, January 7th at 10:30 a.m. Parents should escort their children and youth to their Sunday School classrooms where they will begin church with their teachers before joining their families in time for communion. For more information about formation for these age groups, contact Director of Formation Kate Given by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting her name from the drop down menu.

Youth Mission to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School – Sunday, January 7
On Sunday, January 7th, high school youth are invited to help tend the gardens at St. Andrew’s School by planting bulbs. The group will meet at church at 9:00 a.m. for breakfast before walking a few short blocks to the school where they will get to work at 10:00 a.m. GHTC will provide hot cider and snacks. Pick-up is around noon at St. Andrew’s. To register your high school youth, contact Neely Dykshorn.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, January 19
Our Parents’ Night Out series continues on Friday, January 19th. Childcare, dinner, and various activities are provided at church while the parents head off to social hour hosted by clergy or church staff. Please register online here by January 17th. If you have questions or would like to volunteer with the children, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Director of Formation Kate Given.

Parish Life

Spirited Sisters – Monday, January 8
Spirited Sisters, a women’s group of the parish, will meet next on Monday, January 8th at 5:30 p.m. at Burger Bach in Carytown for lively conversation and a meal. For more information or to RSVP, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Spirited Sisters from the drop down menu.

Men’s Group Coffee – Saturday, January 27
The Men’s Group will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27th, location TBD. For more information, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Men’s Group from the drop down menu.

Three Sopranos in Concert – Saturday, January 27
On Saturday, January 27th at 3:00 p.m., join well-known and loved Richmond soprano Sarah Kate Walston, along with GHTC’s internationally acclaimed soprano Caroline Whisnant, and up-and-coming mezzo-soprano Abigail Stinnett in a concert of outstandingly beautiful works. The program will range from the virtuosity of Verdi to the frivolity of Rodgers & Hart. The singers will be accompanied by Daniel Stipe, a virtuoso keyboard artist on both organ and piano who is regarded as one of Richmond’s most outstanding performers. There will be a reception following the free concert.

Youth Orchestra Rehearsals – Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
The Youth Orchestra will be rehearsing each Sunday from January 7th through February 11th at 9:30 a.m. in the Children’s Choir Room on the second floor. The rehearsal on February 11th will take place in the choir room before playing the prelude for the 10:30 a.m. service. The Youth Orchestra is open to children in 4th grade and up who play any kind of musical instrument, band or orchestral, keyboards, guitar, etc. If your child is interested in joining the Youth Orchestra, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Stanley Baker from the drop down menu.

Education

Confirmation Retreat – Sunday, February 4
On Sunday, February 4th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., we will hold our next Confirmation Retreat at the Church. The candidates for confirmation will be exploring what it means to be an Episcopalian. As we have previously communicated, we are repeating the same four retreats held last year in anticipation of a Bishop’s visit on Sunday, April 28th at the 10:30 a.m. service to confirm our candidates. Please register online here by Wednesday, January 31st. To learn more about confirmation, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Associate Rector Paul Evans 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.