Posted: March 1, 2024

News for Sunday, March 10, 2024

Upcoming Events

03/16         9:00 a.m.   Holy Strollers Walk (Eco-Trail at the University of Richmond)
03/24        1:30 p.m.   Youth Sunday Funday (Sky Zone Trampoline Park)

Holy Week & Easter Schedule

03/24    10:30 a.m.     Palm Sunday* (Modern Language | Choral | Church)
03/28     7:00 p.m.      Maundy Thursday* (Modern Language | Choral | Church)
03/29    12:00 p.m.     Stations of the Cross (Monroe Park)
03/29     3:00 p.m.      Good Friday* (Modern Language | Choral | Church)
03/30    7:30 p.m.      The Great Vigil of Easter* (Modern Language | Choral | Church)
03/31      9:00 a.m.      Easter Sunday (Traditional Language | Choral | Church)
03/31     10:30 a.m.     Easter Sunday (Modern Language | Choral | Church)

*One Service Only

Save The Date

04/19         5:00 p.m.   Parents’ Night Out: Pentecost (Church)
04/28       10:30 a.m.   Bishop’s Visitation for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation (Church)
06/02       10:30 a.m.  Centennial Celebration (Church)

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

Highlights

Spring Forward! Daylight Saving Time Begins on Sunday
Set your clocks, watches, and any other non-smart-phone timekeepers forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Road Closures and Parking on Sunday, March 10
This Sunday, March 10th, the following streets will be closed: W. Main Street from N. Belvidere Street to N. Laurel Street, N. Laurel from W. Main to W. Franklin Street, and W. Franklin from N. Laurel to N. Belvidere. You will still be able to park in the West Main Street VCU Parking Deck free of charge, accessible by S. Cherry Street. We ask that you park in the deck if you are able, to reserve spots in the rear lot for parishioners with mobility aids. Please be mindful of these road closures as you plan to travel to and from the church.

The Anchor Newsletter New Release – March 2024
The March 2024 Anchor newsletter is now available. Please help yourself to a copy at both Connect Tables, located near either entrance to the church. If you would like us to mail you a copy please visit ghtc.org/contact and message “Tyler Brady, Communications” under the drop-down list with your name and address.

Visit ghtc.org/about/newsletters/ to read all of the latest issues and the 2023 Annual Report.

Adult Formation Sunday Series – March Offerings
For Adult Formation this Sunday, Director of Formation Kate Given will present a contemplative, prayerful retelling of the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus based upon the work of theologian Jerome Berryman. As we mark the fourth Sunday of Lent, you are welcome to join in this quiet and thoughtful overview of the life of Jesus as we prepare once again for his death and resurrection. In March, the forum will explore the following topics:In March, the forum will explore the following topics:

03/10   “Faces of Easter” led by Director of Formation, Mrs. Kate Given
03/17   “Holy Week” led by Parish Clergy
03/24   Palm Sunday | No Adult Formation
03/31   Easter Sunday | No Adult Formation

Easter Lilies at the Altar
If you would like to order a lily for Easter Sunday in memory of a beloved family member or friend, please fill out the Easter Lily Memorial envelope by this Sunday, March 10th, with the names of those you are remembering, and place it in the offering plate. You may also call Judy Bowman in the parish office at (804) 359-5628 x14 or visit us online at ghtc.org/give. The cost is whatever you would like to contribute. All donations support the work of the Altar Guild. The memorials will be printed in the Easter Sunday bulletins for both services.

Large Print Copies of The Holy Eucharist, Rite II Now Available in Church
At the request of several parishioners, large print copies of the order of worship for Holy Eucharist, Rite Two are now available at the entrance to the church. If you would like a copy, please ask an usher as you enter church.

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.

Update on Funds Raised by the Ukraine Concert
The updated total on funds raised through the Hope for Ukraine concert is $143,596. Thank you to all for your generosity and compassion for the people of Ukraine. If you wish to contribute further, please give directly to Music Mission Kiev by visiting their website at musicmissionkiev.org/give.

Worship

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.

Prayer Shawls & Needlers Group – Shawls Available
On a recent clergy visit to a parishioner recovering from a hospital stay, a prayer shawl was lovingly presented as a gift from all of us at Grace & Holy Trinity. In a prayer shawl, each stitch symbolizes a single prayer of hope for the recipient, and when you put all the stitches together, you have a tangible sign of the kind of pastoral care that all of us wish for when we face challenges. Under the leadership of Betsy Featherstone, the Prayer Shawls and Needlers Group has built a wonderful inventory of prayer shawls, which are available for distribution to anyone in need of support and prayer from GHTC. If you know someone who would benefit from a prayer shawl, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select The Rev. Steve McGehee from the drop down menu.

Holy Strollers – Saturday, March 16
The next Holy Strollers’ walk is on Saturday, March 16th. This stroll will explore the University of Richmond’s Eco-Corridor and surrounding areas, including retail, residential, burial grounds, battlefields, and historic preservation sites. The group will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the River Road Shopping Center parking lot behind Starbucks. The route is about four miles round trip and will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. You may want to layer comfortable clothes, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and a snack. If you have hiking poles or a walking stick, you may want to bring those as well. 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.

Youth Sunday Funday – Sunday, March 24
Middle and high schoolers are invited to gather at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Bon Air for a fun afternoon of fellowship! Our reservation is for 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 24th. Join us for Palms in the Park that morning, and that afternoon gather together to jump into Holy Week. Contact Laura Lee with questions. Please click here to register by Wednesday, March 20th.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, April 19
Children and parents, we invite you to join us for our next upcoming Parents’ Night Out on April 19! Children will enjoy fun and fellowship based around the theme of Pentecost. The location for parents’ happy hour will be provided in the coming weeks. You are invited to drop off your children at the church at 5:00 p.m. and pick them up by 9:30 p.m. We hope to see you there! Please click here to register by Wednesday, April 17th. Questions? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Kate Given from the drop down menu.

Parish Life

Prayer Shawls & Needlers Group – Shawls Available
On a recent clergy visit to a parishioner recovering from a hospital stay, a prayer shawl was lovingly presented as a gift from all of us at Grace & Holy Trinity. In a prayer shawl, each stitch symbolizes a single prayer of hope for the recipient, and when you put all the stitches together, you have a tangible sign of the kind of pastoral care that all of us wish for when we face challenges. Under the leadership of Betsy Featherstone, the Prayer Shawls and Needlers Group has built a wonderful inventory of prayer shawls, which are available for distribution to anyone in need of support and prayer from GHTC. If you know someone who would benefit from a prayer shawl, please visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select The Rev. Steve McGehee from the drop down menu.

Holy Strollers – Saturday, March 16
The next Holy Strollers’ walk is on Saturday, March 16th. This stroll will explore the University of Richmond’s Eco-Corridor and surrounding areas, including retail, residential, burial grounds, battlefields, and historic preservation sites. The group will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the River Road Shopping Center parking lot behind Starbucks. The route is about four miles round trip and will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. You may want to layer comfortable clothes, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and a snack. If you have hiking poles or a walking stick, you may want to bring those as well. 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.

Youth Sunday Funday – Sunday, March 24
Middle and high schoolers are invited to gather at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Bon Air for a fun afternoon of fellowship! Our reservation is for 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 24th. Join us for Palms in the Park that morning, and that afternoon gather together to jump into Holy Week. Contact Laura Lee with questions. Please click here to register by Wednesday, March 20th .

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, April 19
Children and parents, we invite you to join us for our next upcoming Parents’ Night Out on
April 19th. Children will enjoy fun and fellowship based around the theme of Pentecost. The location for parents’ happy hour will be provided in the coming weeks. You are invited to drop off your children at the church at 5:00 p.m. and pick them up by 9:30 p.m. We hope to see you there! Please click here to register by Wednesday, April 17th. Questions? Visit our website at ghtc.org/contact and select Kate Given from the drop down menu.

Education

Lenten Offerings
Join us for a series of rich programs and 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.

Children Fasting from Art Supplies
In our children’s Godly Play Sunday School classroom, the children are living into the Christian practice of sacrifice during Lent. Usually, the children sit in a circle to hear a Bible story. Then they have time to think, and then respond to the story in their own ways. They may retell the story, read a book, or make art. Art is always a favorite, but for this Lent, they are fasting from all of the art supplies. This Lenten devotion is encouraging the children to better understand the books and stories we keep in our room. As the season progresses, art supplies will be slowly reintroduced, with encouragement to use the returned materials in thoughtful and creative ways.

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.

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.