News for Sunday, November 12, 2023

News

Posted: November 9, 2023

Upcoming Events

11/10      5:00 p.m.    Parents’ Night Out (Parish Hall | Parents gathering Capital Ale House)
11/11      8:00 a.m.    Episcopal Church Women – Diocesan Meeting (St. Mary’s Colonial Beach)
11/12      1:00 p.m.    Confirmation Retreat (Church)
11/13      5:30 p.m.    Spirited Sisters (Burger Bach Carytown)
11/19      2:30 p.m.    Youth Sunday Funday (TopGolf)
11/23 9:00 a.m.   Thanksgiving Day Worship (Traditional Language | Spoken | Chapel)
11/24 9:00 a.m.    Holy Strollers Walk (Downtown)
11/24 12:00 p.m.   Red Door Thanksgiving with Shood (Laurel Street)
11/26 9:00 a.m.    Advent Wreath Making (Parish Hall)

Save the Date

12/03     4:30 p.m.    Caroling in Monroe Park* (Monroe Park)
*Caroling in Monroe Park will replace the 5:30 p.m. Dinner Church.
12/10     10:30 a.m.   Dedication of the Bells (Church)
12/19     9:00 a.m.    Holy Strollers Holiday Lights Walk (One Monument Avenue)

Christmas Schedule

12/24     3:00 p.m.    Christmas Pageant & Holy Eucharist (Choral | Church)
12/24     5:00 p.m.    Festival of Christmas Lessons & Carols (Choral | Church)
12/24     11:00 p.m.   Holy Eucharist (Choral | Church)
12/25     10:00 a.m.   Christmas Day: Holy Eucharist* (Choral | Church)
12/31     10:00 a.m.   New Year’s Eve: Holy Eucharist* (Choral | Church)
*One service only.

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

Highlights

Parents’ Night Out Reminder – Friday, November 10
A reminder for parents who have registered for tonight’s Parents’ Night Out. Drop-off is from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Following drop-off, parents are invited to gather for happy hour at Capital Ale House, hosted by The Rev. Greg Bezilla. We ask that you pick up your children by 9:30 p.m.

Adult Formation Sunday Series: Putting the “&” in Grace & Holy Trinity
With Grace & Holy Trinity’s centennial celebration coming up in 2024, join us for a conversation this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the First Floor Classroom about the origins of our parish in 1924 when Grace Church merged with Holy Trinity. Hear family stories about that time and discover mementos we use in our worship and service. Fielding Williams, Dougie Erikson, and Mary Sabra Monroe will start the conversation, with Nancy Trego as moderator.

Conversation With Clergy – Sunday, November 12
Beginning this Sunday, both of our priests will host “Conversations with Clergy” from 11:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. in the First Floor Classroom just off the Parish Hall. Coffee and donuts will be provided. This is an opportunity for you to spend time with our clergy to discuss our worship, formation, and other topics relevant to the parish.

Confirmation Retreat Reminder & Bishop’s Visit Date – Sunday, November 12
This Sunday, November 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., we will have our next Confirmation Retreat at the church. The confirmands will be exploring what it means to be a Christian. The bishop will join us for worship on Sunday, April 28th, 2024. To learn more about confirmation, please contact Associate Rector Paul Evans.

Youth Sunday Funday – Sunday, November 19
The fun continues! On Sunday, November 19th at 2:30 p.m., the tweens and teens of the parish will hit the green at TopGolf. If you’re a teen or a tween and you haven’t given these activities a try, come on out. You’re welcome to bring a friend, too. Please register online by November 15th. Please note that registration is capped at 25 to ensure adequate playtime for everyone. Questions? Contact Associate Rector Paul Evans at ghtc.org/contact.

Dedication of the Bells – Sunday, December 10
On Sunday, December 10th, we will be dedicating the Tower Bells graciously donated by a parishioner. Mark your calendars for this joyous moment in our common life and worship.

Pledge Drive Recap
Thank you to those who have submitted a pledge towards the 2024 parish budget. To date, you all have made 120 pledges. If you have not yet made your pledge, there is still time. You can make your pledge one of the following ways:

Mail your pledge card to Judy Bowman in the parish office
Drop your pledge card in the offering plate on Sunday morning
Make your pledge online at ghtc.org/pledge

Visit our website at ghtc.org/pledge to watch pledge talks from this year’s drive.

If you have any questions about your pledge, please contact Judy Bowman in the church office at (804) 359-5628 x14.

Caroling in Monroe Park & Holiday Market Volunteers
Caroling in Monroe Park is expanding this year with more musical groups, photos with Santa, and an array of vendors as part of a marketplace. We are seeking volunteers to help with set up and teardown. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using the online form here. Questions? Please contact Meredith McGuire.

Worship

Baptism Opportunity – Sunday, December 10
The sacrament of Holy Baptism will be offered on Sunday, December 10th. If you would like to receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism for yourself or your child(ren), please contact The Rev. Greg Bezilla at ghtc.org/contact.

Midweek Eucharist – Wednesday, November 15
A Wednesday morning celebration of the Holy Eucharist is now held each week at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel. This weekly service is intended to deepen our fellowship and to provide the parish with another touchpoint with parish clergy. Immediately following the service, the presiding priest will host a coffee hour in the Parish Hall. For more information, contact Associate Rector Paul Evans at ghtc.org/contact.

Dinner Church – Sundays at 5:30 p.m.
Join us for Dinner Church this Sunday, November 12th at 5:30 p.m. Just as the early church gathered together in worship and to share a meal, so will we. Our shared meal will be accompanied by liturgy and singing to foster connection and community. Let’s come together, break bread, and build relationships that transcend generations.

Parish Life

Holy Strollers Walk – Rescheduled
Due to the Richmond Marathon, the November 11th Holy Strollers walk to the Dutch Gap Trail has been rescheduled. The tentative new date is Saturday, December 30th. Questions? Please contact Susan Hankins.

Spirited Sisters – Monday, November 13
Spirited Sisters, a women’s group of the parish, will meet next on Monday, November 13th at 5:30 p.m. at Burger Bach in Carytown for lively conversation and a meal. If you are interested in attending contact Cathy Saunders.

Advent Wreath Making: Bring Your Greens – Sunday, November 26
On Sunday, November 26th, in between morning services, the whole parish is invited to join Mrs. Kate Given in making Advent wreaths. Please bring plenty of clippings of greens (boxwood, holly, evergreens, etc.) from your yard to share, and bring your own clippers, too. We will provide wreath forms, candles, instruction, and encouragement.

Education

Episcopal Church Women’s Diocesan Meeting – Saturday, November 11
The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Virginia will have their Fall Meeting on Saturday, November 11th at St. Mary’s Church in Colonial Beach, VA. The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. and wrap up by 2:00 p.m. Speakers include The Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson and The Rev. Dr. J. Lee Hill Jr. The registration fee is $25 and the deadline to register is November 1st. Click to find the registration form and for more details. Contact Catherine Perrin or Jodie Pully with questions.

Outreach

Christmas Ministry for Dumbarton Elementary Students
Grace & Holy Trinity will be sponsoring 25 children from Dumbarton Elementary School for Christmas this year. Each family consists of one to four children. Detailed instructions will be provided to each sponsor. Unwrapped gifts can be picked up from your home or brought to the church parking lot on Saturday, December 9th. Monetary donations are very much appreciated and will be used to purchase grocery store cards to assist families and teachers. These donations can be sent to Judy Bowman with the Christmas Ministry noted. If you would like to sponsor a family, make a monetary donation, or have any questions please contact Nancy Smith.

Other Communications

Do you have a Will? Have you remembered the Church?
“The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well-being of their families, and of all persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 445) Your Will is an opportunity to leave a legacy, which will benefit the life and ministry of this Parish for years to come. A variety of forms of planned giving are available. For more information, please speak with a member of the clergy.

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 they 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.

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 call the church office at (804) 359-5628.

The Rev. Greg Bezilla Available for Appointments
The Rev. Greg Bezilla is available to meet with you by appointment. Greg can be reached at (804) 359-5628 x17 or by email at ghtc.org/contact.

News