Posted: October 31, 2024

News for Sunday, October 27, 2024

Upcoming Events

Saturday 11/02 11:00 a.m. Bishop Sean Rowe Installation Service*
(Prelude begins at 10:00 a.m. | The Episcopal Church Center in
New York City) *There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation.

Sunday 11/03 9:00 a.m. All Saints’ Sunday with Baptism &
Stewardship Commitment*
(Reception to follow worship in the Parish Hall. | Church)
*One service only. Daylight savings ends. Regularly scheduled ministries are off/closed this Sunday.

Sunday 11/03 4:00 p.m. Parish Oyster Roast (All are welcome! | Sauer Family Home,
5999 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23226)

Wednesday 11/06 7:00 p.m. Movement in Grace* (Church)
*New weekly service led by Singith Perera – read more below.

Sunday 11/10 11:45 a.m. Parish Life Committee Meeting (Upstairs Conference Room)

Monday 11/18 4:00 p.m. Westminster Canterbury Happy Hour
(All Are Welcome | Westminster Canterbury)

Sunday  11/24 9:00 a.m. Confirmation Retreat: “What is Christianity?”
(Church & Upstairs Conference Room)

Tuesday 11/26 5:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Tuesday Worship (Chapel)

Friday   11/29 12:00 p.m. Red Door & Shood Thanksgiving with River City Wood Fire Pizza (Youth Service Opportunity/Sunday Funday | 8 N. Laurel Street)

Sunday 12/01 9:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. Advent Wreath Making* (Parish Hall)
*Following both worship services.

Sunday 12/01 11:45 a.m. Usher Training (Church)

Save the Date

Sunday 12/08 3:00 p.m. Caroling in Monroe Park and Holiday Market (Monroe Park)

Sunday 12/22 8:00 a.m. Advent IV with Holy Eucharist* (Chapel) *One service only.

Sunday 12/22 9:00 a.m. Breakfast & Ministry Preparation for Christmas (Parish Hall)

Sunday 12/22 4:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols (Church)

Tuesday 12/24 4:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant (Church)

Tuesday 12/24 11:00 p.m. Midnight Holy Eucharist (Church)

Wednesday 12/25 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day (Chapel)

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

Highlights

Outreach Grant Applications Open – Deadline to Submit is Today, Friday, November 1
Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is accepting applications from individuals and community organizations to support outreach projects. The Outreach Grant Program provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote Christian beliefs and principles through their services or programs. Please visit ghtc.org/grants to learn more and apply.

All Saints’ Sunday with Baptism & Stewardship Commitment – Sunday, November 3
Join us on Sunday, November 3rd, at 9:00 a.m. for a special All Saints’ Sunday worship service for Stewardship Sunday with baptism. There will be a reception following the service in the Parish Hall to celebrate the end of the Embracing Joy Stewardship Campaign. There will only be one service and there will be no breakfast or formation offerings so we can come together to celebrate as a parish family.

Parish Oyster Roast – Sunday, November 3 at 4:00 p.m.
Join us on Sunday, November 3rd, for a special parish Oyster Roast hosted by the Vestry! We will gather at Brad Sauer’s home, 5999 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23226, starting at 4:00 p.m. for an afternoon of fellowship and delicious oysters.

Households with last names A-M are invited to bring a side dish, and those with last names N-Z, please bring a dessert to share. We look forward to celebrating together!

GHTC is Offering Services Before & After Election Day – Monday, November 4 through Wednesday, November 6
Grace & Holy Trinity will offer services and reflection time before and after Election Day, November 5th, 2024. A Compline Service will be held online with Zoom on Monday, November 4th at 7:15 p.m. The zoom link can be found here. The Chapel will be open as a peaceful place for reflection from on Tuesday, November 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The weekly Healing Service will be held in the Chapel on Wednesday, November 6th as regularly scheduled at 11:00 a.m.

New Service – Movement in Grace – Weekly on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
(Please Bring Your Own Mat)
Movement in Grace is a 60-75 minute movement, meditation, breath work, and reflection practice under a candlelight ambiance. This practice combines yoga, Pilates, somatic movement, and traditional exercise science and creates a union with yourself through contemplative techniques of reflection, mindfulness, and meditation. Practice will be led by Singith Perera in the church on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., starting Wednesday, November 6th. Please bring a yoga mat, any props you find helpful, and a small towel. We encourage hydration, a light snack beforehand, and most of all, a spirit of compassion and self-growth. 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.

Confirmation Retreat – November 24 at 9:00 a.m.
On November 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., we will have our next Confirmation Retreat at the church. The confirmands will be exploring what it means to be a Christian. As we have previously communicated, we will be repeating the same four retreats held last year in anticipation of a Bishop’s visit to confirm everyone who has participated in all four retreats. To learn more about confirmation, please contact Billy McGuire by visiting our website at ghtc.org/contact and select “Confirmation” from the drop down menu.

Westminster Canterbury Happy Hour – Monday, November 18
All are invited to join together at Westminster Canterbury on Monday, November 18th at 4:00 p.m. for drinks and conversation. If you would like to attend, please sign up at the round table outside the church doors. You can also register by calling the Parish Office at (804) 359-5628 x23 and speaking
with Lauren Frazier.

Generation to Generation Book Signing – Sunday, November 10
“Have you ever wondered about the history of the chancel murals, or the Supper at Emmaus Lamb window in the chapel, or the Angel Gabriel Tiffany window in the nave, or hundreds of other works of art and architecture in Grace & Holy Trinity Church? Well, wonder no more. Donald Traser, a long term friend of the church, knows more about those things than anyone ever has. He’s a walking encyclopedia. And he has graciously reduced his knowledge to a book, Generation to Generation. The book is chock full of history, color pictures, commentary, a walking tour, and much more.”
– Bradfute W. Davenport, Jr.

People can pick up a copy of the free book from 8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. in the First Floor Classroom.

Weekly Service – Holy Eucharist & Healing Service on Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.
A Service of Holy Eucharist with Healing continues every Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel. This service is open to anyone who desires prayers, healing and/or the Eucharist during the week. Sometimes the healing prayer requests are for medical illnesses, broken relationships, or seeking God’s guidance in one’s life. Knowing the hurt in the church over the last few years, this could be practice towards healing. I hope you will consider coming and bringing someone, too.

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.

American Red Cross Blood Drive Monday, November 4 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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.
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

Investiture in Presiding Bishop-Elect – November 2, 2024
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issues a churchwide invitation to the November 2nd investiture service of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe. The planning committee for the investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe has released a batch of resources to aid Episcopalians in hosting local watch parties during the churchwide virtual event at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on Saturday, November 2nd. The service will be livestreamed on the event webpage as well as The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page.

Christmas Ministry for Dumbarton Elementary Students – Sponsorships & Donations
Grace & Holy Trinity will sponsor 25 children from Dumbarton Elementary School for Christmas this year. Sponsorships will begin the week of November 10th. Each family is comprised of one to four children. Detailed instructions for gifts will be given to each sponsor. Unwrapped gifts can be brought to the Church parking lot on Saturday, December 7, 2024, or picked up from your home. Monetary donations will help purchase grocery store gift cards to assist the families and teachers supporting these students. For Monetary Donations, please visit our website at ghtc.org/give and select “Christmas Ministry” from the fund drop down menu. If you would like to sponsor a family, make a monetary donation, or have any questions, please contact Nancy Smith at (804) 339-8030 or at nancybsmith@yahoo.com.

Red Door Accepting Donations of Halloween Candy through Sunday, November 10
Lots of candy leftover from Halloween? Help us bring joy to those in need by donating candy to Red Door Ministry. Please leave your bagged donations in the service ministry bin near the elevator.

Remaining Communications

Episcopal Relief & Development – Hurricane Relief Fund
Support those impacted by recent storms by donating to the Hurricane Relief Fund, helping communities rebuild and recover. Your gift will provide Episcopal Relief & Development partners on the ground with critical supplies, such as food and water, pastoral care, and other urgent needs. You’ll also help with the long-term rebuilding and healing efforts. Click here to donate and learn more.

Thanksgiving Service – Tuesday, November 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Join us for our Thanksgiving service on Tuesday, November 26th at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel. All are welcome as we come together in gratitude and reflection.

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.